Downey High School

2005 Inductees

Soon after graduating from Washington University School of Dentistry, Kenneth returned to his hometown and opened an office in Downey. He holds a patent for the use of Kevlar as dental floss, the fiber used in bulletproof vests. In addition to his dental practice, he is an active member of the Downey community. He is past president of the Downey Kiwanis, past director of the Downey UNICO, and past president of the “12:15” Club at the Downey Community Hospital. He served on the City of Downey Theater Board of Directors, and is presently on the Downey YMCA Board of Managers and the Chairman’s Round Table. He offers free dental exams for Downey school children, and contributes to numerous local organizations and scholarships.

Kent received a Mater of Arts degree from California State University in Los Angeles. He began his professional career with Downey Unified School District in 1981 as a Program Specialist. Since 1993, Kent has served as the Special Education Program Director. Kent is an adjunct professor who teaches Special Education Law and Services for National University. He was recently recognized locally by Region XIV as the Special Education School Administrator of the Year and by the Association of California School Administrators as the School Administrator of the Year. Kent is also well known in the community for his involvement as past president of the Downey Los Amigos Kiwanis, past president of Gangs Out of Downey, and as a member of the City of Downey Health and Environmental Safety Commission.

David was the 1981 class Valedictorian and was voted by the 1981 Senior Class as “Most Likely to Succeed.” He has lived up to his classmates’ expectations. Upon graduation from the University of California at Berkeley, Boalt School of Law, David was awarded the Order of the Coif (top en percent of law school class) with the Juris Doctor degree. For four years he was in private law practice before accepting a position as federal prosecutor, and he remained in that assignment for twelve years. In 2003, David was appointed by Governor Gray Davis to the Orange County Superior Court as a Superior Court Judge in Santa Ana.

In 1988 Michael received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of California School of Medicine in San Diego. His post-graduate training focused on the area of Otorhinolaryngology – the branch of medicine that deals with ears, nose, and throat. At the present time Michael is serving in the United States Navy at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego in the Department of Otolaryngology. He has authored or co-authored over 120 research articles related to his specialization. In addition to his responsibilities at the Naval Center, he lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, and is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences.

Mark graduated from Cerritos College, California State University at Fullerton and received the Juris Doctor degree from Western State Universiy College of Law. He has served on the Downey Unified School District Governing board for 24 years, he is past director of the Los Angeles School of Boards Association, and a member of both the California School Boards Association and the Naional School Boards Association. In addition to his dedication to education, Mark is involved in numerous community activities. He is past president of the Downey Water Board, past chairman of the Frontier District of the Los Angeles Council of Boy Scouts of America, member of the Good Committee, and an active member in his church.

Upon graduation from Downey High School, Richard joined the United States Navy. After World War II, he entered the University of Southern California and received a Bachelor degree in Business. He reentered the Navy during the Korean conflict and volunteered for the Underwater Demolition Team, the precursor to the Navy Seals of today. It was considered the most difficult and dangerous assignment the United States Navy could offer. After he was discharged, he immediately applied to the University of Southern California School of Dentistry and was graduated in 1968. Richard is highly regarded worldwide for his contributions to dentistry. He was founder and director of the Stuart Gnathological Group, the most advanced dental research group at the time. He taught and trained hundreds of dentist. He was awarded the title of “Fellow of the American Academy of General Dentistry” prior to his retirement in 1998.