February 5, 2021 Kingsburg High School Issue 2, Volume 94 Features Opinions Sports In this Issue: Choir Stu- Vaccine Ad- dents Utilize KHS News ministration Athletics New Masks to Begins Across FFA Students Await CIF Sing During United States Compete at Fres- Class Determina- no Fair tion 2 FEATURESNEWS Hero Rafer Johnson Leaves Incredible Mark on Kingsburg VIKING By Avneet Purewal interview with ESPN, Johnson stated, “I don’t peted in his first Olympics in Melbourne, Editor-in-Chief care if I never see Texas again. If my family Australia. He was injured, so he wasn’t able The Kingsburg Community had stayed in Texas, I not only wouldn’t have to compete in the long jump. However, he VOICE was devastated by the passing of Rafer represented the United States in the Olympic still managed to place second in the decath- Johnson on December 2, 2020, at age Games, I wouldn’t have ever gone to college.” lon. After winning second while injured, he 86. Johnson left behind a legacy that will Johnson highly appreciated the knew he could win gold at the next Olym- forever be remembered. Kingsburg community and where it led him. pics. Johnson made history when he He felt included here and found mentors that He returned to the Olympics in won the gold medal in the decathlon at led him to success. In high school, Johnson 1960 in Rome, Italy. His biggest competi- the 1960 Olympic games in Rome and was an active student, involved in student tion was Yang Chaun-Kwang from Taiwan. later became the first African-American council and various sports. At one point, he Chaun-Kwang also studied at UCLA and to be the flag bearer representing the was President of the KHS student body. was coached by Elvin C. Drake. After a United States’ Olympic team at the 1960 As an underclassmen, Johnson participated close race, Johnson came out as the gold Rome Olympic Games. in the 100 and 200 meter hurdles, discus, and medalist. Yang, who died in 2007, previous- Johnson was deeply admired in shotput events. He was eventually encouraged ly remembered, “I knew he would never let Kingsburg, his hometown. He’s known as to train for the decathlon by Meril Dodson, a go of me unless he collapsed.” one of the greatest KHS athletes, prevail- social studies teacher and track coach at KHS After his victory, Johnson became ing in football, basketball, baseball and when Johnson was in high school. a good-will ambassador for the United track and field. In the summer of 1952, Dodson took Johnson States. He also grew close to the Kennedy Kingsburg High Johnson stayed involved in the to the Olympic trials in Tulare, CA to watch family. In 1968, Johnson was working on Kingsburg Community throughout his the decathlon. It was here that he was inspired Robert F. Kennedy’s presidential election School 2020-2021 lifetime. He would visit often and campaign. During Kennedy’s assasin- gave annual speeches at the Rafer ation, Johnson and Rosey Grier were Viking Voice Staff Johnson Junior High School’s the two men who tackled Kenne- dy’s assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, to the Editor-in-Chief promotion ceremony until 2019, when his health did not permit ground. Johnson held the gun in his Avneet Purewal the travel. Eighth grade students pocket until he was able to return it graduating from Rafer Johnson Jr. to the police. Editor High were even presented their Johnson compiled many accom- Zachery Howell promotion certificates by Johnson plishments later in his life. He spoke himself. He would also make an on behalf of the American Olympians Staff Writers/ Reporters appearance at the KHS Annual at a sendoff rally at City Hall in New Kimmy Alexander Rafer Johnson Track Meet. York. He received the 1960 Sullivan Laura Angel KHS Director of Instruc- Award as America’s leading amateur athlete and the Junior Chamber Lauren Berry tional Technology Doug Davis ex- plained, “Growing up in Kingsburg Commerce Award. He was added to Leila Dablan you were surrounded by stories the Helms Hall of Fame as Hall of the Jadyn Franco about Rafer, his many accolades Athlete Foundation’s athlete of the Trista Fry and many of his classmates were year, Sports magazine athlete of the Brittyn Jennings still living around Kingsburg. You year, National Track and Field Hall of Fame, and Black Athlete Hall of Abigail Jobe couldn’t help but know about him. Then when I moved back and Fame. Brenda Marquez started teaching, coaching and Johnson became an author when Summer Mejia being the Athletic Director did I he wrote The Best That I Can Be. Kristen Pacheco have direct contact with Rafer on a He also became very involved in the Mary Palmer more regular basis. When we retired his by Bob Mathias, an Olympic gold-medalist Special Olympics with Kennedy’s sister, from Tulare, CA. Eunice Kennedy Shriver. He was later given Madelyn Wiest brother Jimmy’s jersey; when we renamed the Track after him; when we retired Johnson voiced immense appreci- the honor to light the Olympic cauldron at Brynlee Woods Monte Clarks jersey; Rafer was all a part ation for Dodson later in life. In the Viking the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984. Camille Zavala of those things. But he also loved KHS. Valor interview, he voiced, “He was my hero.” When asked if Johnson inspired Special Thanks to Johnie Whenever one of our basketball teams Johnson distinctly remembered a specific him, Davis responded, “Wow, of course Thomsen for Photography! qualified for the State Tournament, we piece of advice Dodson gave him, even when he was. Not just because of his incredible would play our playoff games in Southern he was older. Dodson said, “A decathlon is ten athletic accomplishments, but even more Any opinions expressed are California. Rafer would always make events. Some are really quick and some are because of the man he was. He lived to really long, and some need to be looked at for those of the author and in no it a point to attend those games. When build up those around him, he worked hard what they are. Train for it to become the best for those who couldn’t. He helped to start way represent the position of we were designing the stadium remodel, you can be.” the Special Olympics organization here in the Kingsburg High Staff, ad- Rafer was consulted and was a part of those plans.” This may be the origin of Johnson’s California and remained a part of that or- ministration, Board of Trustees, Johnson was born in Hillsboro, motto which is also the motto of Rafer John- ganization his whole life. When we had our advertisers, or the Viking Voice Texas on Aug. 18, 1934. In Texas, his son Jr. High in Kingsburg, “Be the best you daughter Anna, it was really cool to share advisor. family struggled through poverty and can be.” that with Rafer. When Anna first competed Johnson faced difficult times. After graduating from KHS, Johnson in the Special Olympics in Fresno County, Letters to the Editors When he was 5 years old, the attended the highly competitive UCLA in she was like in 4th or 5th grade, I emailed Johnson family moved to Kingsburg, CA. 1954. AT UCLA, he played for Coach John Rafer a picture of Anna running. Within 15 His family still struggled financially, but Wooden’s basketball team while training for minutes of sending that picture he called, Email your comments, opin- the decathlon. He also became class president wanting to know the details and was so ions, and ideas on this issue’s Johnson recalled the move as a “great decision” by his parents in a past inter- and was a part of the Pi Lambda Phi fraterni- encouraging. That’s the type of individual articles to the Viking Voice at view with past Viking Voice Editor, Remy ty. he was.” [email protected]. Hamada, for a Viking Valor feature. He explained, “I always seemed to Johnson died in Sherman Oaks, com Your responses may be He explained, “I believe it was the best find time to do all those things and be as CA. He passed surrounded by his family in published next issue! choice my parents made at the time. I successful as possible.” Johnson continued, his home. No cause of death has been given. can’t think of a better place to be raised.” “When you see what you’re achieving, it is Johnson embodied what a true Viking Check out the His father worked many jobs to make worthwhile.” should be. He was a true leader and always Viking Valor page at ends meet, one in a cannery in Kings- In only his fourth decathlon race at appreciated the Kingsburg community. He kingsburghigh.com burg. The family lived in a railroad UCLA, Johnson broke the world record. He will forever be remembered, and always boxcar close to the cannery. In a past trained long and hard hours. In 1956, he com- missed. 3 NEWS February 5, 2021 Boys Golf Coach Bill Jensen Nominated for Central Section NFHS Coach of the Year Pandemic Games Rally Boosts Campus Morale On Jan. 29, 2021, KHS ASB and Leadership By Brittyn Jennings students put on Kingsburg’s first ever virtual rally. Staff Reporter Ever since the 2020-2021 school year has begun, ASB noticed a lack of school spirit in some students. ASB Congratulations to Bill Jensen for winning also realized that the freshman class has never experi- the Coach of the Year for boys golf on November 8th, 2020, along with around 20 other people.