Trojan Candy attended the USC Men's basketball vs. Long Beach State game, but I arrived too late for the Half Century Trojan reception in the Founder's Room. My husband Jim and I had attended our neighbor's 80th birthday party earlier. Since I knew I would arrive late, I asked Bob Frinier and Sally Edwards to take pictures for me. Thank you Bob and Sally!
Bob sent me these eleven pictures of HCT members at the event.
Then, Sally sent me pictures with the guests names on cards.
Our USC Men's Basketball team beat Long Beach State 87-76.
The Town and Gown patio was bustling with guests for the Half Century Trojans Hall of Fame luncheon when Trojan Candy checked in. Almost immediately, I saw some familiar faces.
The doors to the dining area opened. After finding my table, Trojan Candy began taking pictures of each of our HCT scholars who were seated with an HCT Board Member.
What a memorable afternoon.
Trojan Candy always brings her camera to all TGLA and Half Century Trojans (HCT) Board Meetings just in case there is a picture to be taken. This HCT Board Meeting was an exceptional meeting.
President–Elect Janet Tonkovich brought in several pieces of her memorabilia to share with the Board.
Bob Frinier listens intently to Janet giving her presentation to the HCT Board. Trojan Candy was especially enthralled with her "Queen for a Day" comments and her family USC history.
I asked Janet to send me some information about her "three generation" USC family and her USC undergraduate memories. Here is the history that Janet sent me:
"My history memorabilia report today was focused on my family’s first three generations of Trojans.
My grandmother Ruth Dallman Launer graduated in 1916 and bought her graduation gown which four generation of Trojans have worn. Her diploma was signed by USC President Bovard. We had pictures of her graduation; rowing club; and USC gym suit which I wore for a picture in 1975.
My parents Earl and Eunice Launer Harris graduated in 1939. We had pictures of my dad’s water polo team in 1937; and some programs from the late ‘30’s from the Varsity Club, Songfest and the USC Varsity Club’s second annual Big Game dance in 1936. Then a picture of my parent’s Super Trojans party on their 35th wedding anniversary. One of the guests was Herb Klein (HCT’s first Hall of Fame recipient), also in the photo was Mary Kay Lovell (Arbuthnot) who was a past president of HCT and passed away in June 2019. There were other notable Trojans in the photo but those two had HCT honors.
Then the third generation was represented by me (Janet Harris Tonkovich), Class of 1964, BS 1965. In February 1963 the television show “Queen for a Day” came to USC for a show selecting the Co-ed Queen of a Day. My wish was to send 20 deserving children to Troy Camp. I was co-chair of Troy Camp and we were just beginning our campaign raising funds for Troy Camp. I was lucky to win and not only did the TV program give a nice check to Troy Camp but I received a car and many other amazing gifts! [Look back at her first picture.]
What USC memories for Janet!
Later in the meeting, Scholarship Committee Chair Hugh Helm and Scholarship Committee member Sara Jane Bettge posed for this picture with "Special Guest" Laura Apisakkul, Dornsife Scholarship Staff Liaison.
After the meeting adjourned, Trojan Candy took a picture of President Bob Frinier and three HCT Ambassadors who attended the meeting. They were Nancy Hoffman, Dianne Kaub and Cliff Lightfoot.
Several Half-Century Trojans arrived at the McCarthy Quad around 2:30 p.m. for International Day for Older Persons. They came to help our USC Alumni Association Contact Tanya Moran-Adolph set up a booth where "older persons" could make a planter that they could take home.
Board members Patti Poon and yours truly, Candy Yee, posed for a picture with HCT President Bob Frinier. In the background, there were men dancing to "oldie" music.
I took this picture when Tanya Moran-Adolph brought the plants. Tanya posed with Patti Poon, Bob Frinier and Sally Edwards.
Bob sent me three pictures of our HCT members at work.
What a worthwhile project!