Hall of Fame 2005
I. Distinguished Knight in Shining Armor Alumni Award:
Dr. Gary Yee, '62
Dr. Yee is one of those people whom everyone has high regards for. For more than 30 years, Dr. Yee has been active in many community efforts to improve the lives of young people in Oakland. He is always energetic and supportive of students at Castlemont.
Today, he serves as an elected Board Member of the Oakland Unified School District and Dean at Merritt College in Oakland.
II. The Community Service Alumni Award:
Mr. Fred Korematsu, '37
I first learned about Mr. Korematsu in law school in the famous case, United States v. Korematsu. Mr. Korematsu was sent to jail for defying Executive Order 9066, the presidential order that sent Japanese Americans to concentration camps during World War II. Mr. Korematsu challenged the Presidential Order up to the United States Supreme Court. Nearly 40 years later, Mr. Korematsu’s conviction was finally dismissed. In 1998, President Clinton bestowed on him the Medal of Freedom, this nation's highest honor for a civilian. President Clinton said that “In the long history of our country's constant search for justice, some names of ordinary citizens stand for millions of souls ... Plessy, Brown, Parks. ... [T]o that distinguished list, today we add the name of Fred Korematsu."
Castlemont is honored to have a Castlemont Knight recognized as an American hero. Mr. Korematsu passed away a couple of months ago. To accept this award on his behalf is his beloved daughter, Karen Korematsu.
III. The Sports Hall of Fame Alumni Award:
Mr. Joe Morgan, '61
Joe Morgan is one of the greatest second baseman ever to play the game of baseball. So good that he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990. He was also the National League Most Valuable Player in 1975 and 1976.
Mr. Morgan is extremely committed to Castlemont; recently, he donated uniforms to the Castlemont football team.
IV. The Gold Key Alumni Award:
Ms. Carol Hayes, '62
As Board Secretary and now Board Member, Ms. Hayes has committed numerous hours and resources to help establish the Association in January, 2004 and ensure its success with Career Days and the annual alumni picnic. In fact, she worked tirelessly to help put on today’s event.
