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There is no doubt that over the course of 80 plus years the Superior Unified School district has educated and graduated some of the finest student. Many of those students have gone on to achieve great things and have made contributions locally, regionally and even globally. From military service, education, politics, healthcare and social services the list goes on and on, Superior students from early on through today continue to make a difference in this world.
The Superior High School Hall of Fame committee is set to induct seven new members into the hall of fame this Saturday, March 7. The ceremony will begin promptly at 4 p.m. at the Superior Jr. Sr. High School in the Manny Ruiz Gymnasium. There are still a few tickets available for the ceremony and celebration. Tickets are $25. Please call Roy Chavez at 520-827-9133 or Barbara Chamberlain at 520-250-3624 to order your tickets.
This year the Hall of Fame will be inducting: Betty Blaylock (Educator), Edward Delgado (1963), Ronald Gomez (1963), Yolanda Najera-Ewing (1965), James Ray (1965), Fernando Vender (1958) and Lucy Wing (1963).
Betty Vergene Blaylockdedicated 25 years of her 44 year educational career as a teacher, leader and mentor for the Superior High School Home Economics Program. Beginning in 1948, Mrs. Blaylock taught in Superior until 1953, joining her husband who traveled overseas with the Air Force. She returned to Superior High in 1968 where she remained as the Home Economics teacher until her death in 1989. She also taught in Illinois, Montana, New York and Athens, Greece.
Having taught three generations of students, Mrs. Blaylock not only had a passion to teach, but also encouraged her students to further their education and achieve their dreams. While in Superior, Betty was Director of the SHS Vocation Department, Fast Food Catering Service, Home Economics Related Occupation (HERO) Program and Food Service Program, teaching students how to plan, prepare, clean-up and do bookkeeping for school lunches and catering businesses. She encouraged male and female students alike to consider a career in the culinary field. Her efforts tripled federal funding for the SHS vocational programs.
Edward Fraijo Delgadois a SHS Class of 1963 graduate. He has traveled world-wide and throughout the United States regarding theological education, community development and organizational management. One of four children (Irene, Betty and twin brother Sam), born to Lupe and Luis Delgado, Ed realized early in his life that he wanted to help people through ministry. He and his wife Ida Lynda (Rojas) have three children, nine grand-children and one great grand-child, and currently reside in Carson, CA.
During his professional career, Mr. Delgado has worked as a professor, ordained pastor, cross-cultural team builder, staff recruiter, strategic planner, marketer and international holistic and transformational leadership development specialist, with over 34 years of management and administrative experience in 3 continents, 20 + offices and 17 countries.
Ronald Gonzalo Gomezwas one of the first Hispanic officers hired by the Phoenix Police Department in 1967. He was assigned to Phoenix Union and South Mountain high schools during a period of student unrest. Ronald was also assigned to provide security for Cesar Chavez, during the labor leader’s visits to Phoenix. Working with the “Conspiracy Squad” within the Organized Crime Bureau of the police department, Mr. Gomez received two Unit Citation Awards throughout his 14 years of service to the squad.
In 1988, after retiring from Phoenix PD, Mr. Gomez was hired by the AZ Attorney General’s Office and assigned to the Drug Enforcement Agency, seizing drugs and assets worth millions, decimating the Somoza Drug Cartel. He was then reassigned to the U.S. Customs Phoenix Office Task Force, for his ability to infiltrate criminal organizations as an undercover agent. In 1994, Mr. Gomez received the Investigator of the Year Award from the AZ Attorney General’s Office. In 1995, Ronald accepted a position with the AZ Department of Gaming as a special agent regarding compliance and compact requirements. He then moved to Investigations and Inspections Manager within the department, and in 2011 retired from the agency as Deputy Director for Tribal Operations.
Mr. Gomez firmly believes that his greatest personal accomplishment is his marriage of over 50 years to Annie, SHS 1962 graduate. They are both very proud of their family (2 sons, 2 daughters, 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren).
Yolanda Najera-Ewing, Superior High School class of 1965 graduate, has always been proud of being a lifelong resident of Superior, and also living in the same house in which she was born. Very active in high school, she graduated as a member of the National Honor Society. She has been married to Robert for over 48 years and they have two daughters, each living on the East and West coasts of the United States. Some of her fondest local memories are of riding her father’s “1929 Ford Model A”, in the Superior 4th of July parades.
Her professional career began as Special Education Secretary for the Superior School District in 1976. For 12 years she served as editor for theSuperior Sun, covering all types of local events from birth announcements, obituaries and major town activities. Followed by 2 years at Superior’s Esperanza Boys Ranch, Yolanda went on to work for 17 years as a Paralegal/Translator-Interpreter with the Pinal County Public Defenders’ Office. While with Pinal County, she was recognized by the AZ Public Defender Association for “Outstanding Performance & Exceptional Achievement” in 2006, and again in 2009 for “Extraordinary Contribution to Indigent Representation”. Yolanda feels very privileged to have had the opportunity to help those with limited resources.
Mrs. Najera-Ewing served 32 years on the Superior Unified School District Governing Board (13 years as Board President). She was president of the school board the year the new junior/senior high school was completed. She served on the Superior Town Council for 7 years, and also the Town Planning and Zoning Commission for 2 years. Appointed by Judge William O’Neil in 1996, Yolanda served as a member of the Pinal County Juvenile Court Community Advisory Board, volunteering to work with court services for young people.
James A. Ray, a graduate of the Superior High School Class of 1965, began his professional career in law enforcement while still attending NAU, working as a Campus Security Officer. During this time he married his wife Terry (they have two children), and worked 2 to 3 part-time jobs until graduating from college. In early 1969, James was hired by the Phoenix Police Department, where he served as a patrol officer for almost a year, before taking a position with the federal government.
In 1970, Mr. Ray was hired as a Special Agent by the U.S. Secret Service. While assigned to the Phoenix Field Office, James conducted criminal investigations, performed undercover work and traveled extensively in support of the President, Vice-President and foreign dignitaries. By 1973, James was transferred to Washington, D.C., where he worked in a protection assignment with the President, Secretary of State and Secretary of Treasury, until he was permanently assigned to the Vice-President’s Detail. Mr. Ray worked at the White House when Vice-President Agnew resigned due to a criminal investigation, followed by President Nixon a year later because of Watergate.
In 1976, James was transferred to the San Diego Field Office, where he again conducted criminal investigations and traveled in support of protection obligations. After 21 years of investigative work and detail, Mr. Ray retired from the U.S. Secret Service Department.
In 1991, James was hired by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office as a DA investigator, where he conducted criminal investigations and ultimately was promoted to a supervisory position.
Fernando M. Vender, graduate of the Superior High School class of 1958 was the son of Gustavo and Esperanza Vender, and the youngest of seven siblings. His father taught him how to read at an early age, and also advised him to make his dreams come true through education. Though growing up in a small town, Fernando did not think small. Involved in many high school activities, Mr. Vender developed a great interest in literature, drama and music; so much so that he was a singer in a local band named “The Lonely Ones”. After college, Fernando started his professional career as a teacher in Nogales, AZ, focusing on the Upward Bound program (assisting low-income first-generation college students). He was loved and very well respected in Nogales, and was known as “El Profe”.
While in Nogales, he married Maria Michel. They had four children and eventually moved to Phoenix, AZ, were he taught Special Education for one year at McClintock High School, and also taught English to adults, with one special student being his mother. In 1981, Fernando suffered a great loss with the passing of his wife Maria, wherein he raised his children as a single parent. Mr. Vender left the educational field and became Deputy Director of the Guadalupe Organization and then served the community as Town Manager. As manager, Fernando helped organize a trade agreement with Mexican President, Jose Lopez Portillo, creating funds to build a Mercado providing financial stability for Guadalupe. In 1977 and again in 1984, Mr. Vender was invited by AZ Governor’s Raul Castro and Bruce Babbit (respectively), to participate in Arizona and International events and functions.
After his service with the Town of Guadalupe, Fernando became General Manager at Univision, the first Spanish TV station in Phoenix, and then took the position as General Manager of Arizona’s first Spanish radio station, KNNN. Taking a position with the AZ Department of Economic Security, Mr. Vender retired as Chief Public Information Officer, after 24 years of service to the State of Arizona.
He enjoyed his retired life reading many books, doing crosswords, playing dominoes, watching the Diamondbacks, and spoiling his 3 grandchildren. His generosity and selflessness were basic characteristics of his life. On October 11, 2013, Fernando M. Vender passed away, leaving a legacy of hard work, friends and family.
Lucy Wingis a Superior High School graduate from 1963. Lucy’s professional career found her in New York City, where she gained world-wide recognition as a food writer, editor and consultant for a number of magazines, cookbooks and food companies. She honed her food experience via working in the test kitchens of CPC International, makers of Best Foods Mayonnaise, Mazola Oil, Karo Corn Syrup, Skippy Peanut Butter and Argo Cornstarch. Her food articles have appeared inGood Housekeeping,Family Circle,SelfandCuisinemagazines. In 1983, Lucy was Contributing Food Editor atCountry Livingand later became Food Editor atMcCall’smagazine. In 1986, she returned toCountry Livingas Executive Food Editor, where she produced a monthly food and gardening feature titled “From Lucy’s Country Kitchen or Garden”. In 2011, Lucy was honored with the Professional Achievement Award from the Council of Alumni and Friends of the John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Prior to her 15 years at Country Living, she was the Food and Equipment Editor atAmerican Homemagazine. She edited a number of cookbooks including:Country Living Country Mornings,Family Circle ABZ’s of Cookingand theGood Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook. Ms. Wing also created recipes forAnne Willan’s Look & Cook Asian CookingandReader’s Digest Quick & Delicious Cookbook. Indoor Grilling for Dummiesis her latest cookbook. Lucy has also consulted for Campbell, Hershey, Lipton and the Barbecue Industry Association. During her 42 year career in New York, Lucy has “rubbed elbows” with food luminaries Julia Child, Jacque Pepin, Lidia Bastanich, Martha Stewart, Sara Moulton and even Emeril (BAM!) LaGasse. She is also affiliated with the prestigious international women’s culinary organization, Les Dames d’ Escoffier.
One of 11 children (all attended college), born to Soho and Daisy Wing (owners/operators of Wing’s Supermarket & Café), Ms. Wing recently retired and moved back to Superior, where she opened the Jade Grill Asian BBQ, located on Highway 60. Jade Grill (featured in a TV segment of AZ Highways and also Sunset magazine), offers a unique dining experience, bringing grilled dishes popular in Southeast Asia to the Copper Corridor.
Ms. Wing served over 12 years as a board member of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, supporting the Gloria Wing Ong Children’s Learning Center and the Wing Memorial Herb Garden.
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
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