Notable Alumni!!

no·ta·ble \‘nō-tə-bəl, adjective:
A: Worthy Of Note, B: Remarkable, C: Distinguished, D: Prominent

POST-HIGH SCHOOL:

1.Entertainment

• Stephanie Spruill c/o '67

Across the course of a peerless career, Stephanie Spruill represents excellence in music recording, performance, composition and education in a profound plethora of ways...in every genre...and on all of Earth’s 7 continents. The God-gifted and studied coloratura soprano ascended from A-list music, film and television sessions singer, and international touring sensation to starting her own La Pantera Records imprint for releasing solo albums in English and Spanish. She then opened her own Spruill House Music School of Music and Artist Development, Inc., and authored the instructional book and companion CD “Stephanie Spruill’s 17 Points to Longevity in Show Business” – with the emphasis on business.

  Recently Stephanie appeared on the 87th Academy Awards singing with John Legend and Common on the Oscar winning song “Glory” to rave reviews. ...to have been one of Country No one else can righteously claim to have sung at the White House for three separate administrations and before the Emperor of Japan the Queen of England and the King of Spain, superstar Glen Campbell’s Rhinestone Cowgirls on stage and recordings, as well as one of Disco diva Donna Summer’s “Bad Girls” on record...to have toured the world for over five years as a featured singer with Spanish superstar Julio Iglesias to singing at The Metropolitan Opera House with the incomparable Placido Domingo...be the sole African American woman wailing on the climactic close of southern rocker Tom Petty’s “Don’t Come Around Here No More” and leading the chorus on punk rocker Billy Idol’s rousing “Mony Mony”...to have sung among and contracted the chorus for Michael Jackson & The Jacksons' concert opening anthem “Can You Feel It” and arranged the sultry, sexy backgrounds for Canadian soul-pop heartthrob Gino Vanelli’s “I Just Wanna Stop”...to have sung the stratospheric otherworldly scales of jazz trumpet legend Donald Byrd’s “Stepping Into Tomorrow” then played all that funky-funky tambourine on his Quiet Storm classic “Think Twice”...from singing onscreen with Brenda Russell as one of “The Delights” in the Rock and Roll movie “American Hot Wax,” to singing the original demo leads and backgrounds (which remained on the track) for The Weather Girls’ “It’s Raining Men.” Stephanie has sang on 100’s of Gold and Platinum recordings. These are but a fraction of cherry-picked highlights from Spruill’s sprawling memoirs.

 Stephanie Spruill (last name is one syllable, silent “i,” of Dutch origin) grew up in South Central Los Angeles the third of nine children. Her parents loved jazz and gospel while she soaked up soul, pop and other strains among her peers. Stephanie had a natural affinity for drumming and rhythms but formally studied cello from elementary school to high school where she participated in musical theater as well. Singing in church and playing in orchestras taught her the value of being a team player as opposed to solely focusing on being a soloist.

Upon graduation from Centennial High School, Stephanie received a scholarship for music and theater at the Eddie Kantor Academy of Creative Talent then joined the African American ensemble Young Saints Academy of Performing Arts under husband and wife team Tommy Roberts and Evelyn Freeman. Here Stephanie gleaned her first major show business experience singing and dancing on television and on tour with Hollywood legend Danny Kaye. This included a stop at the White House where they performed “When The Saints Go Marching In.” “When I saw President Nixon’s guest the Duke of Windsor pounding his cane on the ground to my lead performance on the Edwin Hawkins Singers gospel hit ‘Oh, Happy Day,’ I knew right then and there that I had a gift,” Stephanie fondly remembers.

It was while performing in producer/keyboardist Jerry Peters’ group The Reason Why that drummer Harvey Mason got Stephanie started on the instrument that would become her percussion signature, the tambourine, which she went on to showcase in the band of guitarist David T. Walker. Brothers Larry & Fonce Mizell caught her at one show, sitting on a stool in front of the band going to town shaking and pounding her tambourine with such visible and audible glee that they recruited her to sing and play on all of their groundbreaking soul-jazz fusion productions for Blue Note Records, the biggest being Dr. Donald Byrd’s Places and Spaces LP. A day in the life of Stephanie Spruill became parking her car in a Sunset Blvd. lot and walking from studio to studio adding vocals and percussion to discs by Jimmy Smith, Ringo Starr, Tina Turner, David Foster, Cannonball Adderley, Minnie Riperton, Leonard Cohen, Tom Scott, Chaka Khan & Rufus’ double-Lp Live album Stompin’ at the Savoy and (famously) Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.” The only time she ever got nervous was for Aretha Franklin’s “Jump to It,” produced by Luther Vandross, simply because “she’s ‘The Queen of Soul!’”

The music world swiftly opened to become Stephanie’s oyster as she continued to contribute her gifts to gold and platinum records (Quincy Jones, Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Neil Diamond, etc.), sold out concerts (Nancy Sinatra, Talking Heads, Olivia Newton-John, etc.), blockbuster films (“Forrest Gump,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Happy Feet,” “Dances With Wolves,” “The Breakfast Club,” etc.), even television commercials - in English, Spanish, French and Japanese. She appeared on the 71st Academy Awards singing behind the epic union of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey on “When You Believe” (from “The Prince of Egypt”), sang and contracted the background vocals for Irene Cara’s Oscar winning “Flashdance (What a Feeling),” starred in the TV sitcom “My Sister and Me,” and led the stage production “Sang Sister Sang” in the role of the legendary Josephine Baker. She was personally signed to Arista Records by world famous record executive Clive Davis as a member of the duo Saint & Stephanie (formerly “Stuff & Ramjett”).

Stephanie notably added songwriting to her cache in the `90s with winning results. She co-wrote (with Robin Smith) the song “I’ll Be Good To You” by smooth jazz star Najee featuring guest vocalist Vesta – a song selected as the second single from the saxophonist’s third album, Tokyo Blue. It became his highest charting R&B single to this day, peaking at #9 and lingering on the chart for 17 weeks. The very next year, she co-penned (with Jeff Lorber and Diane Quander) two songs for Island Jazz vocal legend Jon Lucien’s major comeback album Listen Love, including the single “Sweet Control,” the only R&B-charting single of his three- decade career which peaked at #38. Stephanie wrote more songs for Lucien as well as the theme song “I’ll Be there For You” (with Peitor Angell) from the Salma Hayek movie, “The Velocity of Gary.”

Because she had worked so prolifically and profitably as a musician in support of others, Stephanie was next able to begin finally focusing on her own solo albums: Memoirs (re-recordings of songs she’d written for others supervised by Maurice White of Earth Wind & Fire fame) and La Pantera (songs sung in Spanish) – both released and promoted via her own recording imprints. She is currently completing a jazz album and performing with her reunited band that includes Robert “Pee Wee” Hill (bass), his wife Michiko Hill (keyboards), Michael O’Neil (guitar) and Stacey Lamont Sydnor (drums). Her eclectic sold out shows have been described as “like a magic carpet ride around the world” that includes originals and standards - from “Angelitos Negros’ to Jill Scott’s “Golden.”

The iconic Berry Gordy said “Stephanie Spruill is a great performer and she reminds me of Eartha Kitt and Sarah Vaughan.

Her Spruill House Music School of Music and Artist Development, Inc. has enabled Stephanie to give back to the music community that so nurtured her by providing a platform to educate and motivate students on the rigors they will face in today’s highly challenging work place. She has taught master classes as far away as Moscow while holding classes via Skype to students worldwide. Here at home, she has musically mentored many including actress Meagan Good, comedian Sinbad and fast up-and-coming singer/songwriter Judith Hill.

• Andre Romelle Young a/k/a: Dr. Dre c/o '83 (Record Producer, Professional Rapper, Entrepreneur, and Actor: Andre a/k/a: Dr. Dre, is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics. Dre was previously the co-owner and artist of Death Row Records. He has produced albums for and overseen the careers of many rappers, including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Knoc-turn'al, Xzibit, 50 Cent, The Game and more recently Kendrick Lamar. He is credited as a key figure in the popularization of West Coast G-funk, a style of rap music characterized as synthesizer-based with slow, heavy beats. In 2016, Dr. Dre was ranked as the richest figure in the American hip hop scene by Forbes with a net worth of $710 million.)
• David Marvin Blake a/k/a: D.J. Quik c/o '88 (Professional Rapper/Hip Hop Artist: David a/k/a: Quik, was chiefly inspired by funk and soul artists, such as Roger Troutman (who even taught him the use of the talkbox, which became a trademark for Quik's sound throughout his career) and George Clinton. Out of respect for his beloved friend, Roger Troutman, he retired the talkbox. David's love for music began at 2, as his mother had an extensive record collection. By age 12 he was already playing instruments, and by the age of 21, he was a platinum-selling artist.)
• Alfanette "Alfie" Silas-Durio c/o '74 (Professional Singer: Alfie Silas is a top notch session singer, along with being a competent artist in her own right.)
• Alonzo Eric Williams "Lonzo" c/o '75 (Record Executive: Known across the world as Lonzo “The World Class Grand Master” of the World Class Wreckin Cru, which landed such hits as “Dr. Dre's Surgery”, “Cabbage Patch” and the Hip Hop classic “Turn Out the Lights”. Lonzo is the Founder of the Hip Hop Hall of Fame and Edutainment Center, creator of the World Class Wreckin Cru and also known as the “Godfather of West Coast Rap”. During his more than twenty-five plus years in the music industry, Lonzo has helped to structure the futures of some of today's hottest talents such as Dr. Dre, Battlecat, DJ Rectangle and Ice Cube to mention a few. Alonzo also authored the book N.ot W.ithout A.lonzo the book is the prequel to Straight Outta Compton the most successful biopic of all time. This story takes you through the untold story of Alonzo "Lonzo" Williams the God father of West Coast hip hop, as he paved the way for superstars Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Easy E. This book details the true story like no other book or the movie. A must read for any true hip hop fan. The story is told first hand by Lonzo the man who lived the story.)
• Tammie Gibson c/o '76 (Professional Singer: Tammie, has recorded with Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Madonna, Larry Graham, Elton John & the Temptations just to name a few!!)
• Geary L. Faggette c/o '71 (Professional Musician: Music Teacher, Director & Musician for Andre Crouch, Madonna, Movie & Film Scores.)
• Cynthia Sewart-Simons c/o '75 (Professional Singer: Cynthia,vocal ministry paved the way for her to appear in such movies as Blessed & Cursed - 2010, The Gospel - 2005, The Parkers - 2004, Show Time Cable Series Soul Food - 2004, to name a few. She has performed on stage with Stevie Wonder, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, The Jackson Southernairs, Rev. James Cleveland, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Shirley Caesar, Walter Hawkins, Edwin Hawkins, Vanessa Bell- Armstrong, The Winans, Martha Munizzi, and the list goes on. She also toured with The Bob Hope Celebrity Showcase performing before thousands of men and women serving in the United States Army.)
• Ronald Bruner Sr. c/o '74 (Professional Musician Drummer: Ronald, has recorded & performed with everyone from the Temptations, Diana Ross, Gary Bartz, Billy Mitchell, Vicky Winans, Chapter 8, The Supremes, Freda Payne, Helen Baylor, Jody Watley, Johnny Gill, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Hanna Barbara Cartoons, Howard Hewitt, Gladys Knight, Randy Crawford, The L. A. Ballet, Syreeta Wright, Chameleon, Della Reese, J*Davey & Disney!!)
• Voncielle Faggett c/o '73 (Professional Singer)
• Rodney Friend c/o '75 (Professional "Gospel" Songwriter, Singer & Musician: Rodney has worked with and written for artist such as Nicholas, Vernessa Mitchell, Natalie Cole, Sandy Patti, Darryl Coley, Darren Rhodes and Crystal Lewis & is a 3 time Grammy Nominee!!)
• Phillip Charles c/o '76 (Professional Musician: Guitarist)
• David Foreman c/o '82 (Professional Musician Guitarist: David has played for Brandy Norwood, Will Smith, Bruno Mars, DJ Quik, Ginuwine, Yolanda Adams, LL Cool J, Boyz II Men, Snoop Dogg, Deborah Cox just to name a few. He produce, engineer, compose, write and play multiple instruments including bass guitar & has worldwide published and distributed music.)
• Lawrence McKinney c/o '79 (Professional Musician Bass Guitarist: Lawrence, played for the Coasters 1981 thru 89 then played for the Younghearts!!)
• Keith R. Lundy Sr. c/o '62 (Retired, Motion Picture Camera Operator: Keith, was the first Black set painter in Hollywood!!)
• Kendrick Lamar Duckworth c/o '05 (Professional Rapper/Hip Hop Artist: He is a member of Black Hippy along with Jay Rock, Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q. In 2009 he released an EP titled The Kendrick Lamar EP, a highly acclaimed mixtape in 2010 titled O(verly) D(edicated) and released his third professional solo project Section.80 on July 2nd, 2011. In August 2011, Lamar was onstage with Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and The Game, the three of them crowned him the "New King of the West Coast". In October 2011, Dr. Dre announced the signing of Kendrick Lamar to his label Aftermath Entertainment, and working with his protege Slim The Mobster!!)

2.Sports

• Lonnie Smith c/o '74 (Pro Baseball Player "Outfielder": Lonnie is the only player to be a member of three different World Series winning teams (the Phillies, Cardinals, and Royals) within a single decade, and he did this in a six-year period.)
• Floyd Hodge c/o '77 (Pro Football Player "Wide Receiver": Floyd made his professional debut in the NFL in 1982 with the Atlanta Falcons. He played for the Atlanta Falcons for his entire 3 year career)
• Jeanette Bolden c/o '78 (Olympian Athlete Competed mainly in the 100 meters: Jeanette competed for the United States in the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, U.S. in the 4 x 100 meters where she won the gold medal with her team mates 100 meter silver medalist Alice Brown, Chandra Cheeseborough and Olympic 100m champion Evelyn Ashford. She also placed 4th in the 100 meters in a time of 11.25 seconds, & is currently head track and field coach for UCLA's woman's program, in 2008 she served as the United States Olympic Woman's Head Coach)
• Roy White c/o '61 (Pro Baseball Player "Outfielder": Roy, played his entire career for the New York Yankees between 1965 and 1979. White, a switch hitter, was named to two All Star teams (1969, 1970). He led the American League in Runs Scored in 1976 and in Walks in 1972. He played on two World Series champions, in 1977 and 1978 and a third AL pennant winner in 1976.)
• Don Wilson c/o '63 (Pro Baseball Player "Pitcher": Don, was recruited by the Astros in 1966, where he played until 1974. Wilson was known as one of the hardest throwers in the National League. On June 18, 1967, Wilson no-hit the Atlanta Braves 2-0 at the Astrodome, the no-hitter was the first ever pitched either in a domed stadium or on artificial turf, along the way he struck out 15 batters, including Hank Aaron for the final out. In 1968, Wilson set the Astros club record for single-game strikeouts with 18 against the Dodgers. In 1971 Wilson made the National League All-Star Team & earn Astros MVP honors, Wilson's last game was a two-hit, 5-0 shutout against the Braves on September 28, 1974.)
• Carl "Reggie" Smith c/o '63 (Pro Baseball Player "Outfielder": Carl "Reggie", Coach and front office executive. During a 17-year big league career "1966-1982", Smith appeared in 1,987 games, hit 314 home runs and batted .287. He was a switch-hitter who threw right-handed. In his prime, he had one of the strongest throwing arms of any outfielder in the big leagues. Smith played at least 70 games in 13 different seasons, and in every one of those 13 seasons, his team had a winning record. He won the International League batting title in 1966 with a .320 average while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was called up to the major leagues the next season and played for the Boston Red Sox "-73", St. Louis Cardinals "1974-76", Los Angeles Dodgers "1976-81" and San Francisco Giants "1982". Smith appeared in four World Series, including during his rookie 1967 season for the Red Sox, and three "1977, 1978 and 1981" for the Dodgers. He hit three home runs in the 1977 series.)
• Charles Dumas c/o '55 (Olympian Athlete High Jumper: Charles, a 1956 Olympic champion, and the first person to clear 7 ft. While attending Compton College Dumas, made his memorable jump on June 29, 1956, in the US Olympic Trials in Los Angeles, breaking a barrier previously thought unbreakable. That jump not only ensured him of a place in the American Olympic team, but also made him the top favorite for the gold medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics. In Melbourne, he did not disappoint, and grabbed the title in a new Olympic Record. Next, he enrolled at the University of Southern California, winning the NCAA track and field title with the university team in 1958. In 1960, Dumas competed in his second Olympics, but a knee injury prevented him from winning a second medal, finishing 6th.)
• Arron Afflalo c/o '03 (Pro Basketball Player "Shooting Guard": Arron, is noted for being the first player recruited by UCLA coach Ben Howland to play for Howland at UCLA, Arron, helped lead Centennial High School to a California Division-III title in 2003-2004, his senior year of high school, started 29 games the next season for the UCLA Bruins as a freshman, averaging 10.8 points per game and playing the role of a defensive stopper. On June 28, 2007, he was drafted with the 27th overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. On July 13, 2009, he was traded along with Walter Sharpe to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a second round pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. On November 10, 2009, he was inserted into the Denver Nuggets starting lineup. On January 25, 2010, he made six three-point baskets against the Charlotte Bobcats, setting a new career high in three-point baskets made in one game. On February 10, 2011 Afflalo made a 20-foot jump shot at the buzzer over Shawn Marion as Denver beat Dallas 121-120. The Nuggets trailed by as many as 13 in the 4th and were down 119-110 with under 2 minutes to play before pulling off a miraculous upset victory. Afflalo had 19 points in the fourth quarter alone to almost single-handedly power Denver to the win.)

3.Law/Business/Education

• Dion Teague c/o '75 (Dean of Students)
• Joyce Madry-Johnson c/o '75 (Community College Dean of Career Education)
• Reginald 'Reggie" Sirls c/o '76 (Principal : Morningside High School)
• Yvette Mayhorn-Harps c/o '78 (Principal)
• Timothy Mason c/o '75 (University Professor)
• Douglas Melson c/o '76 (Attorney at Law)
• Natalie Roberts c/o '75 (Attorney at Law)
• Aaron Bryant c/o '88 (Business Executive CEO at Aaron P Bryant Enterprises, Inc: Aaron, grew his small business into a multi-million dollar company since he left the Army as a Special Operations soldier called, Airborne Rangers "he is a combat veteran" back in '98. Then he became a Sheriff for about 2 years but left due to his military injury; before starting his own business in 2001 by doing government contracting and private consulting. His corporation owns at least 4 other major businesses and non-profits - while also volunteering as a high school golf coach in his 'spare time'. Currently Bryant, is working on his book as his marketing firm is ready to coordinate his public appearances regarding his business expertise.)
• Jacqueline "Jacquet" Williams c/o '63 (Formed the Black Flight Attendants of America "BFAOA": BFAOA, a nonprofit organization promoting careers in the aviation industry. BFAOA, started with about 50 flight attendants in Los Angeles, and now they have more than 300 members in nine chapters. The group’s mission statement comes from a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in which he talked about leading a committed life. Jacqueline "Jacquet" Williams made a commitment to give back to her community by helping kids realize their potential. “Kids in south central Los Angeles sit on their front porch and watch the planes take off and land at LAX,” she says. “So I talk to kids about careers in aviation and show them the possibilities of traveling the world.”)
• Mickey Cureton c/o '67 (Former Dean of Students, Assistant Principal & Principal: Lynwood High School)
• Jerlilia L. Ryan c/o '75 (Business Executive CEO at Independent Real Estate Brokerage Co.- Jerlilia L. Ryan Realty). Before starting her Realty company Jerlilia was a Contract Specialist For a Large Aeronautic Company. (PGTC) for 2 Years, a Owner/Operator Of Small Fashion Accessory Store, (Savior Faire), for 4 Years, a President/CEO Of a Industrial Supply Co. (J.R. Industrial Supply) for 8 Years, Publisher/Owner Of a Small Fashion Magazine, (Vivid Profile) for 3 Years, a Buyer For the Department Of The Navy, (NSC) for 10 Years. Currently Jerlilia, is working on her Law Degree.
• Jose F. Bright c/o '78 (Attorney at Law) Loyola Marymount University, Loyola Law school, Lives in South Africa, Started K1-K12 school in South Africa

4.Health Care

• Phoebe Macon c/o '75 (Health Educator/Project Coordinator: Phoebe started the "Prevention Connection" Salon/Pharmacy Outreach Project for the L.A. County Public Health Programs (STD Program). The Project is still going strong. It is in its 20th Year now.
• Enrico Melson c/o '73 (MD Medical Doctor, MPH, FACPM, DAAPM, MHT, MBE: Dr. EnRico Melson was a National Merit/ California Physicians Scholar at Harvard University, receiving his A.B. in Public Health, (self-designed) in 1977)
• Teresa McNair c/o '75 (MD Medical Doctor)
• Anthony Duncan c/o '76 (DDS Dentist)
• Steven Green c/o '74 (MD Medical Doctor)

5.Politics

• Omar Bradley c/o '76 (Mayor Of Compton CA. 1993-2001, Compton City Councilman 1st District 1991-1993)

6.Motivational Speakers

• Linda Hodo c/o '79 (Educator-Writer/Publisher/Motivational Speaker: Linda, has served as an educational administrator for over 23 years in the public and private school system. She’s a graduate of Laverne University where she earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership in 1998. Prior to attending Laverne, she obtained her Master degree in Curriculum from California State Dominquez Hills and a Bachelors degree in Liberal Studies from Azusa Pacific University in 1993. Her knowledge and expertise has paved the way for her to speak locally and nationally regarding educational and spiritual topics. She is currently on her promoting her published books, Only In My Dreams and Dreaming/ Sonando.)

 7.Journalists (Broadcast and Print)/Photo Journalists/Authors

• Howard L. Bingham c/o '57 (Photographer: After initially failing a photography course, he was hired by a local newspaper and there he met the young Cassius Clay (later to become Muhammad Ali). The two built up an instant rapport and many years later, Bingham went on to create arguably the definitive book of photographs of Ali, Muhammad Ali: A Thirty-Year Journey. Bingham was the first black photographer to work on a Hollywood Camera Guild crew. His photographs have been published in magazines and periodicals including: Life, Look, Time, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, People, Ebony and others. He was selected as a photographer for the 1990 project Songs of My People.)

• Ronald "Ron" Robinson c/o '67 (Reporter: CNN Headline News.)

 8.Law Enforcement/Armed Forces

• Oceal Green-Victory c/o '75 (Commander: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.)
• Sidney Spear c/o '75 (Pilot Instructor/Training Development: United Airlines: Sidney, joined the Air Force in 1976, Retired in 1996. Flight Engineer on C-141 and KC-10 with over 7,000 hours of flight time. Sidney, has been in 2 conflicts, Panama & the first Gulf War & also met 2 Presidents, Reagan & the first Bush, he's also been on every continent in the world. In 1977 Sidney, joined United Airlines in Denver as a Pilot Instructor and later as a Training Developer, he's currently traveling between Denver and Chicago doing training development.)

• Tyrone Johnson c/o '75 (In 1987 Tyrone, enlisted in the Army National Guard then later enlisted in the regular ARMY and became a career soldier. His primary specialty was as a track and wheel vehicle mechanic then later in the years of 9/11, Tyrone soon found himself being deployed to war, Four Iraq campaigns and One Kosovo campaign. Tyrone is now retired and presently resides in Fountain, Colorado.)

NOTABLE HIGH SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS:

1.Academics: Arrows, C.S.F. (California Scholarship Federation) & Etc.
2.A.S.B. (Associated Student Body)
3.Sports

• Mickey Cureton c/o '67 (Football Player "Halfback": Mickey Cureton Named Player Of The Year In CIF "AAAA" Play For 2nd Year.)

4.Homecoming
 

5.Senior Personalities

If you know of any Centennial High Alumnus who should be added to this list, send the person's name, graduate year, and what he/she is noteworthy for to: centennialhighalumni@hotmail.com

Your comments on the Notable Alumni are Welcome!



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