OUR ALUMNI
IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITY AND WORLD FOR MORE THAN 125 YEARS
1897
Our Alumni
In 1897, the year Placer High School was established with only 17 students, William McKinley was inaugurated as the 25th president of the United States. Fifteen men competed in the first Boston Marathon. The Library of Congress Building opened in Washington, DC. The Klondike gold rush began. And several renowned Americans were born, including aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, Nobel Prize winning author William Faulkner, and baseball player Lefty O’Doul.
For more than 125 years, Placer High has stood on the hill as witness to modern history. From the horrors of war to the promise of peace…economic depressions to dot-com booms… horse drawn carriages to space travel… and everything in between, Placer
graduates have been an integral part of local and world history. Graduates have gone on to serve in congress, as WWII aces, cutting-edge scientists, distinguished judges, professional athletes, media stars, business leaders, and so much more.
1930-1936
The Engle Era
Dr. John F. Engle became principal of Placer High School in 1906 and began a long and illustrious 30-year career in which the school expanded from five teachers in one rickety wooden building to an 800-student faculty boasting five buildings and the creation of a junior college. At the same time the high school developed a reputation throughout the state as one of the finest secondary institutions of the Placer High School District which extended from Loomis to Lake Tahoe.
Several landmark buildings were added during Engle’s stay as principal. During the 1906-07 school years the original Sierra College wooden building was torn down and replaced
1906 Upper Campus Building
by a $40,000 building. The new building was a substantial brick structure consisting of 22 rooms on four levels, including a basement, and a large tin dome. Heating was by an automatic system which regulated both temperature and ventilation in every room. Within a few years statuary, pictures, and potted plants were added to beatify the interior of the school. The library was considered one of the finest in Northern California and the collection of American history in the History department was the best in Northern California.
In 1909 shower baths and lockers for the Athletes were installed downstairs in the new building. In the next few years tennis courts were finished on the site of the old wooden building and a football field and track were installed. By 1918 the school showcased a large wooden gymnasium with sideline seating and a stage. The year 1926, however marked the beginning of a new era for Placer when the music/auditorium and science wings were added and the brick building was plastered over to match the architectural style of the two new wings. The auto shop and bus shed building along Agard Street were also constructed at this time. Ten years later, building began on Placer Junior College buildings, gym and athletic field during the final year of Engle’s administration, 1936.
Athletics began to have an impact on the school during Engle’s tenure as well. In addition of a young coach from the University of California, Earl Crabbe, enabled the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams to create a dynasties of legendary significance. Between 1916 and 1920 his girls’ basketball team went 41-1 winning 37 games in succession at one point, compiling four straight undefeated seasons. Beginning in 1923 his boys’ basket ball teams won 16 out of 17 league championships, including 12 in a row. Crabbe also coached his men to eight Central California titles in 13 appearances.
Engle was at the helm as a student endured the tragedy of World War I when a junior Red Cross Club was organized on campus with girls learning to make surgical dressings and the entire school donating over $500 to a war drive. The Engle years also saw the formation of the first high school cadet corps in the State of California under the direction of Captain Fred S. Roumage, a National Guard officer and later captain in France in World War I.
The year 1914 marked the birth of the Placer High School district, thus again changing the names of the school to Placer High School. That same year college level classes were revived after having disappeared several years earlier. However, due to the enrollment drain caused by World War I, the junior college was abandoned by 1920.
Certain ceremonies were now becoming traditional such as the Freshman Reception, the Christmas Jinx, the Junior Prom, the Senior Ball, Senior Picnic, and the Graduation and Alumni Dance. Participation in clubs and organization also grew, beginning with the Agricultural Science Organization which became the Future Farmers of America, the oldest club in existence. During the period of time the Placer Band came into prominence under the guidance of Otto Fox, entertaining the school and the community at various concerts and public performances.
Academics also took on prominence during the Engle principalship. A four year curriculum became the norm with students tracked into Classical, Scientific, or Commercial fields of study. All paths were stiffly challenging with semester finals a dreaded period of time for the students. Miscreant students were dealt with severely and Detention became an unwelcome punishment. Still, Engle and his vice-Principal E.F. Waldo were highly respected by the students and could be seen attending various cultural, social and Athletic events at the school.
OUR FOCUS
FOUNDATION FOUCS: OUR IMPACT AREAS
ACADEMICS
We empower students, faculty, and staff for enhanced learning through grants, tech initiatives, and scholarships, propelling them into a successful future beyond high school.
ATHLETICS
Hillmen Foundation fuels athletic achievements through grants, enhancing safety, facilities, and community fitness.
ACTIVITIES
We foster holistic education by supporting diverse activities through grants, enriching students' experiences beyond the classroom.
ALUMNI
Placer High's rich history shines through alumni activities, fostering a strong network connecting generations and the community.
SPECIAL PROJECTS & INITIATIVES
Placer High's prime Auburn location fuels community growth, enhancing facilities and programs through strategic grants.
GET INVOLVED
Grants
Students, faculty and staff apply for and receive educational grants for a wide range of needs that are typically not covered by state funding. Every year, thousands of dollars are granted to enrich academics, athletics and activities that directly benefit students, our feeder schools, and community. Examples of these grants include support for:
ACADEMICS
Art Equipment and Materials
3-D Printers
Math Materials, including Specialized Calculators
Band Instruments & Uniforms
Programs for At-Risk Students
DNA Lab Materials
Science Equipment
Field Trips
Microprocessor Kits
Music & Drama Materials
Performing Arts Sound & Lighting Equipment
Journalism Dept. Materials
Special Education Enterprise Programs
Photo Lab Equipment, including Cameras, Lenses, and Filters
AVID Program
Special Curriculum & Materials for Every Department
Career Tech Equipment, including Welding Machines
World (Foreign) Language Programs
Peer Counseling Program
VAULT Program
Faculty Continuing Education
ATHLETICS
General / Multi Athletic Teams
Soccer
Basketball
Tennis
Track & Field
Wrestling
Football
Cross Country
Ski / Snowboard
Volleyball
ACTIVITIES
Assemblies
Grad Night
Enrichment Events
Dance Team
Campus Clubs
Special Programs for Middle & Elementary School Students
Eagle Scout Projects
Community Service Endeavors
Career Day Projects
ALUMNI
Grants for alumni programs help highlight distinguished graduates and their impact in the community and world, as well as connect Hillmen of all ages to their alma mater. These grants include:
- Alumni Bricks Courtyard
- Alumni Center
- All Class Reunion
- Centennial Celebration
- Placer Hall of Fame
- Athletic Hall of Fame
- Central Square Tiles in Memory of our Founder Jug Covich and Long-time Board member/Distinguished Alumni Ty Rowe
SPECIAL CAPITAL PROJECTS & INITIATIVES
Special grants for capital improvements or other major initiatives that enhance both the school and community are a significant hallmark of the Foundation’s work over the past three decades. Here are examples:
- Campus Gateway Centennial Arch
- Iron Hillmen Sculpture Base
- Athletic Complex Campaign
- All Weather Track
- Stadium Scoreboard
- Stadium Sound System & Speakers
- Stadium Lights
- Stadium Snack bar Roof
- Sherbina Water Fountain Restoration
- Press Box Renovation
- Track Walkway
- Earl Crabbe Gym Snack Shack
The Hillmen Foundation strives to connect our alumni with their classmates and the school that launched the lives of generations of Auburn teens.
● The new Alumni Center in the Earl Crabbe Gym reminds visitors of the Hillmen legacy of achievement in our community and world.
● We are proud supporters of the Placer Hall of Fame and the Placer Athletic Hall of Fame, honoring distinguished graduates, faculty, staff, and coaches.
● Grants to the widely-attended All-Class Reunions and Centennial Celebration united Hillmen of all ages and brought economic benefit to the entire community.
Clarence "Bud" Anderson and Dean "Diz" Laird
● Our special events, such as the popular Hillmen Tailgater in Central Square, have honored Hillmen Heroes like WWII fighter aces Clarence “Bud” Anderson and Dean “Diz” Laird (both class of 1939), and served as a mini-reunion for graduates and friends.
● Individual class reunions are also supported by The Hillmen Foundation, including maintaining a master list of graduates by class.
WE CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT YOU!
YOUR FINANCIAL IMPACT
Every donation, regardless of size, will positively impact Placer High students, our community, and life on the Hill. All contributions to
the Hillmen Foundation are tax deductible in accordance with state and federal tax laws.
$983,444
TOTAL IMPACT AS OF JUNE 30, 2024, INCLUDING...
$691,719
GRANTS PROGRAMS, INCLUDING...
$198,560
ACADEMICS
$99,004
ATHLETICS
$64,610
ACTIVITIES
$24,736
ALUMNI
$304,809
SPECIAL PROJECTS & INITIATIVES
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM*
$291,725
TOTAL AWARDED
23
CURRENT SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
$31,000
FOR 2024 GRADS
*Scholarships include Foundation-sponsored and Endowments with the Hillmen Foundation
In the best of times, in the worst of times, at all times… It’s great to be a Hillman!
OUR MISSION
The purpose of the Hillmen Foundation is to support Placer High School in the areas of academics, student activities, and athletics, including the staff, students, and alumni endeavors of the school; to stimulate gifts of service, endowments, and bequests; and to maintain an association of persons interested in Placer High School.
FOCUS
Academics
Athletics
Activities
Alumni
Special Projects & Initiatives
Copyright ©2023 All rights reserved
NEWS AND EVENTS
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Explore Placer High School's vibrant academics, activities, and athletics, keeping you connected to the staff, students, and valued alumni, uniting a passionate community supporting the school.
Impact Report: The Hillmen Foundation Surpasses $1 Million in Grants and Scholarships for Placer High School
Placer High School has stood as a vital part of Auburn's history for over 127 years, shaping generations of students and anchoring the community through education, athletics, and extra curricular activities. Today, the bond between school and community remains stronger than ever, thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Hillmen Foundation and generosity of our amazing donors. Founded in 1989, the foundation celebrates its 35th anniversary this year by surpassing a remarkable milestone: awarding over $1 million in grants and scholarships to enhance the student experience at Placer High.
This achievement is a testament to the vision of the foundation’s founders, Jug Covich and Tom Johnson, who sought to create a sustainable way for alumni, faculty, parents, and community members to give back and help bridge critical funding gaps. Over three decades later, the Hillmen Foundation remains committed to its mission of strengthening academics, athletics, and student activities at Placer High School. As we look back on this legacy of generosity, we also celebrate the extraordinary impact this support continues to have on the school and the Greater Auburn community.
Fostering Academic Excellence
At the core of the Hillmen Foundation’s work is a dedication to enhancing academic programs and opportunities. Through its grants program, the foundation invests directly in initiatives that make learning dynamic and engaging for students. Whether it’s funding new classroom tools, experiential learning programs, or teacher-led projects, these grants ensure that students receive the resources they need to thrive in an evolving educational landscape.
As an independent non-profit organization, the foundation is able to respond to identifying and addressing emerging needs, from technological upgrades to expanded course offerings. This targeted support ensures Placer High School remains a hub of academic excellence, fostering intellectual curiosity and empowering students to achieve their full potential.
In the 2023-24 school year, the foundation provided more than $18,174 solely to programs and projects that enhance the academic environment. These included several field trips for hands-on learning, supplies for the Learning Commons (library), store supplies for the Special Ed Life Skills class, science materials for the DNA lab, specialized calculators for the Math Department, game library for the new Game Design Career Tech Education Class, and supplemental curriculum subscription for the Social Science Department.
Supporting Athletics and Community Health
The Hillmen Foundation recognizes that athletics are more than just games—they build discipline, teamwork, and community pride. Over the years, the foundation has invested in upgrading sports facilities like the all-weather track, stadium lights, tennis courts, and gymnasium, ensuring students have access to first-class equipment and opportunities to compete.
These improvements extend beyond the field, as the facilities also serve as community assets, promoting health and well-being among Auburn residents. From track meets to neighborhood pick-up games, these spaces foster fitness, connection, and unity throughout the region.
The 2023-24 school year contributed $15,899 to the Athletics Department. Funding benefited the girls basketball program, new football helmets when the number of frosh players unexpectedly surpassed the amount of available helmets, new golf bags for the girls and boys golf teams, equipment for the Placer Swim Team Boosters, and a new scorers table for the Earl Crabbe Gym to be used by multiple sports.
Enriching Student Activities for Well-Rounded Education
The Hillmen Foundation believes that learning extends beyond the classroom. That’s why it provides funding for a wide range of student activities and programs—from performing arts and leadership clubs to graduation celebrations and student orientation. These extracurricular opportunities help students discover their passions, develop new skills, and create lasting memories.
Whether it’s funding the arts or supporting student clubs, the foundation ensures that every Hillman has the opportunity to explore, grow, and succeed. During the last school year, more than $18,058 went to support Placer’s Grad Night festivities, VAULT peer mentoring program and orientation activities, Key Club, auditorium sound system in partnership with the Auburn Host Lions Club, transportation for students to attend the Placer Co. Youth in Government Day, support the development of a new Auburn history mural (to be unveiled soon!), and send leadership advisors from various clubs to an important conference about developing student leaders.
Empowering Futures Through Scholarships
A key part of the Hillmen Foundation’s mission is to help students pursue their dreams after graduation. Over the years, the foundation has awarded numerous scholarships, including endowed and community-sponsored scholarships, as well as three funded directly by the foundation.
By investing in the education of Placer High seniors, these scholarships provide critical financial support, helping students pursue college, trade programs, or technical education—unlocking opportunities they might not otherwise have. This commitment to student success reflects the foundation’s belief that investing in youth today creates a stronger community tomorrow.
Last year, 20 Placer graduates received a total of $31,000 from community and foundation-funded scholarships. This brings the total support over the years from all foundation-managed scholarships to $291,725 to support Placer High graduates and their future endeavors.
Surpassing $1 Million: A Milestone of Generosity and Impact
This year’s milestone of surpassing $1 million in grants and scholarships represents more than just numbers—it reflects the generosity of countless donors, alumni, and businesses who believe in the mission of the Hillmen Foundation. Every dollar contributed by the community strengthens Placer High, ensuring it remains a place of growth, opportunity, and pride. Over the 2023-24 school year, the Hillmen Foundation provided $83,132 in grants, other funding, and scholarships, bringing the foundation’s total impact over the years to $983,444, as of June 30, 2024.
But we didn’t stop there! The $1 million milestone was achieved this Fall with our first quarter grant awards and special funding totaling almost $19,000 to date. This includes $10,000 from the Taco Bell Foundation to support Placer High’s Vault Program, designed to inspire and teach student leadership, team building, and problem solving by addressing the mental health, emotional, and cultural barriers that can prevent students from excelling in high school and beyond.
Our 2024 first-quarter grants and funding kicked off the new school year with support for stage lighting upgrades in the auditorium theater, Wellness Center furnishings, new canopy for the Cross Country Boosters, BDOG funding for Placer Swimming Boosters and Placer Music Boosters, and a new amplifier for the Earl Crabbe Gym for both athletics and the variety of activities that take place in the gym. The $983,444 in total impact as of the end of the last school year combined with the $19,000 distributed so far this school year, brings our total impact to $1,002,444 since the Hillmen Foundation began tracking our impact. What a milestone to celebrate as we wrap up our 35th year!
The story of the Hillmen Foundation isn’t just about past achievements; it’s about the ongoing impact our donors and supporters can make in the lives of students, the school, and the Auburn community. We are grateful for the legacy we’ve built together and excited for the future. Thank you for your interest in and support of our mission to enrich Placer High School and the Auburn community. Please stay tuned as we continue to share the impact of our efforts on our historic school and look forward to updating you along the way. Go Hillmen!
$825,375
TOTAL IMPACT TO DATE, INCLUDING...
$594,650
GRANTS PROGRAMS, INCLUJDING...
$160,469
ACADEMICS
$70,105
ATHLETICS
$34,531
ACTIVITES
$24,736
ALUMNI
$304,809
SPECIAL PROJECTS & INITIATIVES
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM*
$230,725
TOTAL AWARDED
17
CURRENT SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
$29,750