Every year, the Watsonville High School Foundation welcomes its latest members of the school’s Hall of Fame—people who have walked the hallowed halls, graduated and gone on to lead notable lives.
The awards ceremony was launched in 1986 as a way to showcase the achievements of Wildcatz alumni. The awardees will be honored May 10 at a ceremony at WHS.
The 2024 hall of fame inductees are Peggy Ernst, Molly Crumpton Winter, Rick Noble, Priscilla Hedgpeth and Gary Manfre.
Editor’s note: the Watsonville High School Foundation submitted the following biographies. They have been editited slightly for clarity.
Peggy Ernst ’66
Peggy Ernst was a remarkable and resourceful individual who used her many talents and abilities to provide key leadership for the Watsonville High School Foundation. Among her many job titles with the Foundation were President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Hall of Fame chairperson, and her clear and sound guidance reflected a deep understanding of the Foundation’s objectives and responsibilities.
Ernst’s influence on all aspects of Foundation life was both significant and wide-ranging with a clear focus on supporting all students and all needs.
She was born on March 8, 1948 in Hendricks, Minnesota to Dale and Dorothy Fuhs and at age 8 moved to Watsonville with her family. She attended MacQuiddy Elementary School and E.A. Hall Middle School before entering Watsonville High School as a freshman in fall, 1962. Peggy was a highly motivated and self-directed student who applied herself in every subject, participated in many school activities, and then graduated in 1966. Peggy and Darwin Ernst were married for 52 years and their family included daughters Jennifer and Heather and grandchildren Angelina and Brett. Peggy enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, traveling, RV camping, and going to Giants and 49ers games.
Peggy was an excellent worker and employee who made a career in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD). She began as an office assistant at both Bradley Elementary School and E.A. Hall Middle School and then transferred to Watsonville High School as a fiscal specialist who monitored and oversaw the finances of all departments, clubs, and teams. In addition, Peggy handled all requests throughout the entire year for use of all school facilities including the Career Center, library, cafeteria and athletic fields. Peggy’s organizational abilities and communication skills served her well with both facets of her new position at Watsonville High.
In addition, Peggy displayed a strong community spirit, which fueled her involvement with a great many local organizations. She was a leader in the 4-H Club in Corralitos and also supported the Correlates Library. Peggy was a member of the Community Grange and also the Trinity Lutheran Church and played a key role in the support of both. She would help her daughter Jennifer clean and maintain the Corralitos Community Center for the various youth groups who used it.
Peggy was a co-founder of the Watsonville High School Boys Freshman and JV Basketball tournaments that have raised considerable funds in support of the boys basketball program for the past 30 years. Those two tournaments are still happening in 2024. Peggy was a unique and caring individual who had a knack for making things better and providing for those who most need it.
Peggy Ernst was a true inspiration to those of us who value family, community involvement, and looking after one another.
Molly Crumpton Winter ’82
Dr. Molly Crumpton Winter is a 1982 graduate of Watsonville High School who has distinguished herself with her intelligence, focus, and commitment. Her college experience includes a B.A. in English from UC Berkeley, 1991; an M.A. in English from University of Georgia, 1996; and a Ph.D. in English, University of Georgia, 2002. Molly began her teaching career in 1992 at the USA English Center in Usa-shi, Japan, then served as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Georgia from 1995 to 2000, and later was a Brittain Teaching Fellow at the School of Literature, Communications, and Culture at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She taught at CSU Stanislaus as an Assistant Professor from 2003 to 2007, and as an Associate Professor from 2007 to 2012, and was also a Fulbright Scholar at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan. Currently, Molly is a Professor in the English Department at CSU Stanislaus, the English Department Chairperson, and an American Literature Scholar.
As a professor of English and the department chairperson, many first-generation college students have felt Molly’s influence. She is very proud to teach at an institution serving “traditionally under-represented Hispanic communities,” and has sponsored student research grants of $20,000 to assist students. After gaining her advanced degrees from the University of Georgia, Molly chose to return to California where her core values led her to the Central Valley, and a school that served students from multi-ethnic backgrounds.
Winter’s research and teaching interests include multiethnic American literature and Turn-into-the-Twentieth-Century American Literature (Realism & Naturalism) and her book American Narratives: Multiethnic writing in the Age of Realism was published in 2007. Molly has written numerous journal articles and made many conference paper presentations throughout her distinguished career. She has taught a wide variety of courses at California State University, Stanislaus, developed with her peers and department much of the University’s curriculum, and mentored many Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students. Molly was awarded a $40,000 GREAT student Success Grant in 2016 and has been an invited speaker and facilitator or moderator at various workshops and presentations at different universities. She has lectured extensively on Ethnic Identity in Twentieth Century Literature and Fostering Student Diversity and has been recognized for her excellence and dedication with the University of Georgia Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award in 1999 and the CSU Stanislaus Outstanding Professor Award in 2015-2016. She continues to be very active in her discipline as writer, editor, presenter, and reviewer of manuscripts.
Molly still has family in the Pajaro Valley and never misses an opportunity to visit. Molly had a long-term working relationship with Foundation Hall of Fame Member Mas Hashimoto and she frequently invited him to her classroom for his story of discrimination and survival. With her husband Jarrod, son Solomon, and daughter Sam, Molly has found a place in a community not unlike her earlier home in Watsonville.
Rick Noble ’67
Rick Noble was born at Watsonville Hospital in 1948 and attended local schools including Radcliffe and Hyde Elementary Schools as well as E.A Hall Middle School. He graduated from Watsonville High School in 1967 and, after his military service, attended Cabrillo Community College where he completed the firefighting program. A talented athlete, Rick played four years of high school football and was a very tough and intense competitor. As a young athlete during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s Rick played a variety of sports at the Watsonville Boys Club on Second Street.
Due to financial challenges in his youth, Rick supported his family through work and by taking care of his siblings. In one of his first jobs in the fields, Rick was so young and small that he was given the job of carrying water for the adult crew. He went on to work at practically every type of job in the celery and lettuce fields.
Rick’s toughness, work ethic, and driven character served him well when the U.S. Army drafted him in 1968. His superiors quickly admired his leadership skills and encouraged him to join the elite Army Rangers. Rick quickly became a key member in the unit, which is known as a unit where courage, bravery and teamwork are essential for survival. To this day he has been active in Ranger reunions along with his many “brothers in combat.”
At the conclusion of his military service, Rick returned to Watsonville and was one of only two veterans out of 100 applicants to be accepted into a firefighting program at Cabrillo Community College. Rick’s career with the fire service at Cal Fire lasted 35 years and he worked at various fire stations including San Jose, Salsipuedes, Pajaro Dunes, and others.
Rick trained in karate from 1966 to 1974 earning three Black Belts and then he became interested in kickboxing, competing and training amateur and professional champions.
Rick discovered he had a passion for teaching, so he started one of the first martial arts studios in Santa Cruz County. He taught mixed martial arts and then settled into teaching boxing.
Rick trained boxer Carina Moreno throughout her career as an amateur and professional champion. Later, Rick and Carina opened a boxing gym together where they continue to this day training youth and adults.
Rick is married to his high school sweetheart, Carol, and they have a son Grant. Rick’s hobbies include photography, gardening, cycling, and active travel vacations, which include cycling and scuba diving.
Priscilla Hedgpeth ‘61
Priscilla Hedgpeth was born on Jan. 3, 1944 in Watsonville to Pedro and Helen Baclig, and the family lived on Riverside and Coolidge Streets until 1946 when they moved to Correlates. Priscilla and her two brothers, Pete and Robert, attended Correlates Elementary School from first to eighth grades before moving on to Watsonville High School. Priscilla was an excellent student who played in the school band while staying involved with many clubs and activities. Priscilla would often need a ride to band night practice, and usually Roland Hedgpeth drove her, which eventually led to their dating.
After high school Priscilla attended Cabrillo Community College where she graduated with an AA degree and then started work with the Pacific Telephone Company. Roland and Priscilla married in 1964 and moved to Eureka, where Roland attended Humboldt State University. While in Eureka they had two daughters, Stephanie and Stacey, and, after Roland graduated, they returned to Watsonville where he got a job teaching with the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD). The Hedgpeths made their home in Correlates and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Priscilla began working in PVUSD during the 1970’s, first as an instructional aide and then later as a special education instructional aide and resource specialist. She worked for the PVUSD for over 32 years while also working for Weight Watchers for 17 of those years. During her years of employment, Priscilla found time to support the following organizations:
• From 1968 to 1975 Priscilla was active with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at her daughters’ school to support their education.
• From 1975 to 1984 she was a leader with the 4-H Club and also the Cub Scouts.
• From 2002 to the present Priscilla served as board member, president, vice-president and secretary of the Watsonville High School Foundation. In addition, she worked for many years on the Hall of Fame Committee where she planned and organized the events, the luncheons and the dinners with her friend Peggy Ernst and others.
• Since 2012 Priscilla has belonged to the Correlates Women’s Club and has served as a board member, president, vice-president, and secretary. Priscilla has spent countless hours fundraising for elderly needs and scholarships for the community.
• From 1995 to present Priscilla has worked with Roland and the Correlates Padres in scheduling and managing the use of the Correlates Community Center. Among her many responsibilities were handling contracts, meeting with interested individuals and collecting rental fees.
Clearly, Priscilla Hedgpeth has had a significant impact on the many community organizations with which she has been involved, and her work has always been focused and well directed to provide the greatest support for those with the greatest need. Whether she was supporting her husband’s high school soccer program, designing successful fundraisers to benefit the Scouts or 4-H Club or providing meals for the elderly as she did with the Grey Bears, Priscilla always responded with outstanding work, a positive attitude and a pleasant demeanor.
Priscilla Hedgpeth’s influence on fundraising efforts throughout the community cannot be overstated and we all benefited from her concern, dedication and commitment.
Gary Manfre ’71
Born and raised in Watsonville, Gary Manfre is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather with deep roots throughout the Pajaro Valley community.
Soon after graduating with the Class of 1971 at Watsonville High—where he played varsity football and baseball—Gary established his own wholesale produce business, acquiring Watsonville Coast Produce Inc. in 1974.
Through the years, Gary and his business partners have grown Watsonville Coast Produce from a staff of seven to more than 100 employees, a team that makes up one of the leading agricultural corporations on the Central Coast.
Along the way, Gary and his wife Kristi raised their family in Watsonville, now with four grown children and 12 grandchildren.
For decades Gary has served as an excellent role model for students through his experiences in athletics. He has coached high school baseball, softball, and football in the Pajaro Valley, providing his athletes and fellow coaches positive support on and off the field for decades. He was a standout in baseball and football at Mora Central High School in Watsonville, which closed in the spring of 1970 – leading Gary to Watsonville High.
Gary has been a financial benefactor of many local organizations, with a lifelong compassion for the youth and the elderly of the Pajaro Valley and their welfare. He has touched the lives of countless residents by providing year-round support for a wide variety of interest groups, from Little League baseball teams to high school and intercollegiate athletic programs, as well as supporting academic scholarships through various community organizations.
If there’s a cause that needs support, Gary is there. Among them are Second Harvest Food Bank and Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, as well as Relay for Life, Watsonville PAL, Diabetic Youth, DARE, YMCA sports, Soroptimist Club, Future Farmers of America, Jacob’s Heart, PVUSD, Toys for Tots, the Rod and Gun Club, and the Santa Cruz County Fair.
Gary is one of those people who you can’t help but admire because of his leadership, which led the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce to name him Man of the Year in 2014.
Gary is knowledgeable, strong, caring, and above all, humble. Regardless of his many personal and professional achievements, Gary doesn’t need to be in the limelight to prove any of his accomplishments; actually, he prefers not to be. Whether in business or in coaching, he is never too busy to help others and always makes himself available to offer words of wisdom or to offer perspective.
Gary’s kindness and generosity have been far-reaching. Indeed, it is people like Gary Manfre who make the Pajaro Valley a better place. This former Wildcat is a well-deserving addition to the illustrious list of members who have been inducted into the Watsonville High School Hall of Fame.
