Oceanside CA— Oceanside High School, celebrating 112 years in Oceanside, will hold its annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Homecoming Weekend, October 20, 2018.
This year, seven people will be inducted including Pulu Poumele. Pulu’s son, PJ will be accepting the honor on behalf of his father who passed away in June 2016. PJ is a 2016 graduate of OHS and currently attends SDSU.
Also being honored this year:
(Information complied by the Oceanside High School Foundation)
Dr. Stephen A. Waddell: Class of 1968-Academics
Dr. Waddell attended North Terrace Elementary, Jefferson Junior High, and Oceanside High School. He was an all-league and all-CIF basketball player. He was named Avocado League Player of the Year in 1968. He was also an all-conference college basketball player. During the summers, he taught swimming and was a lifeguard for the City of Oceanside. Dr. Waddell received a B.A. in economics and political science from Linfield College. His professional career took place primarily in Oregon. He began as an elementary teacher and high school basketball coach. He moved into educational administration serving as a principal, deputy superintendent, and district superintendent. He continued his academic endeavors and received an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Oregon
Joan Marie Archuleta-Yribe: Class of 1994- Arts
At 15, Joni began accompanying the Contemporary Ensemble at St. Mary Star of the Sea School in Oceanside, thus beginning a career as a professional piano accompanist. Joni is currently a full time accompanist, rehearsal pianist, and soloist. Though she is primarily a liturgical musician serving as the principal pianist for St. Patrick Church in Carlsbad, Joni also accompanies various musical productions, workshops, and vocalists throughout the county.
Joni was introduced to musical theater at the Sunshine Brooks Theatre where she served as musical director and board member. The 2009 production of “Something’s Afoot” was her debut musical, followed by the melodrama, “Trapped by the Treacherous Twin”, and “Dancing Naked in the Rain”, an original play based on the life of DH Lawrence. Joni’s other musical performances include “Rhythm and Rhyme” original music festival at the Brooks’ Twilight Stage, Summer Concerts in the Park 2010, “That’s Amore,” an annual fundraiser for the Oceanside Museum of Art, “Dream With Your Eyes Open: Alumni Benefit Concert” for the Carlsbad Cultural Arts Center, as well as accompanying the Oceanside Music Festival Gala and other OMFest concerts.
Pulu Poumele: Class of 1990- Athletics
Pulu Poumele was born January 31, 1972. He went to Laurel Elementary School and Jefferson Middle School before promoting to Oceanside High School. He played three years on Oceanside’s varsity football team and earned a scholarship to play football for the University of Arizona. While at U of A, Pulu contributed to the football team on both sides of the ball. By his junior and senior years, he was an offensive lineman. His senior year he was an All-PAC 10 preseason choice and received the “Martin Gentry” award for outstanding offensive lineman. Pulu received his B.A. from the University of Arizona and went on to play in the NFL as an offensive lineman, playing two seasons for the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, one season with the San Diego Chargers and two seasons with the Canadian Football League Toronto Argonauts.
After retiring from professional football he came back to Oceanside High to be a teacher and coach. He then earned the position of head varsity football coach at San Marcos High School and next was the head varsity football coach at El Camino High School before returning to his alma mater, Oceanside High, as the defense coordinator. Pulu’s leadership qualities were profound and captivated high school athletes. He was humble and open-minded, always committed to listening and encouraging everyone around him. Pulu married his high school sweetheart, Jessica Dinse, and together they had five children, their family resides in Oceanside.
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