Rancho Buena Vista High School and its USO Show

USO Show 2008--Friday, March 7th

Thanks for making it a great success!

Join us for our 10th anniversary edition in 2009!!

click HERE for more information about our USO Show

Beginning in 1999, under the inspirational leadership of RBV alum and Social Studies teacher Ron Gorr, the Social Studies Department launched the "USO Show" experience for all of its 11th Grade U.S. History students.  Since 2002, the program has been spearheaded by Pete LaFrance, U.S. History teacher and Girls' Varsity Basketball Coach, and a team of U.S. History teachers and USO Guide Students.

The "show" is not the entertainment, though there is a student-based program presented each year to entertain "the troops;" it is about the Oral Historians--World War II veterans--who give generously of their time to tell the story of the "greatest generation" and their fight for freedom.

We began with 35 veterans.  In the spirit of the era, students dressed in World War II-era fashion (another excuse to raid family cedar chests or take a trip to the D.A.V.).  Each student is responsible for participating in three sessions given by our oral historians.  They listen attentively, ask questions to clarify, and then compile a summary of what they have heard to solidify this unique learning  experience.

Graduating seniors consistently indicate on the Senior Exit Surveys that the "USO Show" was one of their most enriching educational experiences.

Each year the number of veterans participating has grown--despite their dwindling numbers, so that as we look forward to our tenth anniversary installment (2009), we are again expecting over 100 oral historians!  All we need to do is find the room to hold them all!

DISPLAY CASE dedicated...Friday, November 9, 2008

During the Summer of 2007, construction was completed on a USO Show display case in the reception area of the Rancho Buena Vista High School Administration Building.  Thanks in large part to individual donations from interested community members, such as Bob Mifflin and Howard Wooten, and a $3000 grant from the Vista Education Foundation, led by Mr. Dan Wray, this case is the first step in creating a repository for a number of items donated by our oral historians...and the future home of additional World War II memorabilia.

If you have World War II memorabilia that you would want to donate to our display case, contact Mr. Pete LaFrance (727-7284 x72717) for more information as to how you may help continue another great Rancho Social Studies tradition!