Four High Profile Sports Alumni Helped Fortuna High Raise 60 Grand for Sports!

Fortuna High School courtyard                                [Photo from the FUSD webpage]

We just had our Biennial Fortuna High School All Sports Dinner/Auction and Hall of Fame Induction Fundraiser at the River Lodge in Fortuna on September 15, 2019. The event featured the induction of the 1974 Football Team and four (4) individuals: Charles Gibson (Class of 1971), Vicky Fleschner (1993), Lazlo Lesku (coach) and Bart Goodell (1979).

Charles Gibson was a golf standout. He won the HDNL individual title all four years (1967-1971) and received a full scholarship to Arizona State University. He was the 1971 California State Junior Champion and played on the PGA Tour from 1978-1982. He currently lives in Arizona.

Vicky Fleschner set many records in track and field and was a successful cross-country runner. She currently holds three FHS track records: 400m, 800m and 1600m. Vicky holds the all-time HDNL record 800m with a time of 2:12.9. She was a collegiate runner for the University of Oregon. She current resides in Oregon.

Lazlo Lesku taught and coached at FHS for 32 years. He was a pioneer in bringing soccer to Humboldt County. In 1992, he was honored as the North Coast Section, CIF Coach of the Year. In addition, in 1993, he was honored as the California Soccer Coach of the Year. Laz was inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously.

Bart Goodell was a highly successful track and field athlete as well as a stand out football player. His senior year, 1978-79, he was an HDNL football selection and HDNL best in 100m, 110 High Hurdles and High Jump. Bart went on to place fifth in the 1988 USA Olympic trials in the Decathlon. He holds all-time top-10 records at San Francisco State in Discus (#1), Pole Vault (#4), Shot Put (#5), 110 Hurdles (#4), Long Jump (#8) and High Jump (#7).

The 1974 Husky Football Team finished the season a perfect 10-0. They were the first undefeated Fortuna High Team on Record. The team successfully outscored their opponents 303-43. The culminating moment was defeating Eureka, also undefeated, in the Championship Game 26-20 in front of 6,000 people at the CR Stadium.

The dinner event featured a live and silent auction with the proceeds of the event supporting all Fortuna High School sports. With roughly 300 in attendance, the event raised $60,000. We are so blessed and honored to serve such a supportive and generous community. We wish to thank all of the businesses and individuals who donated items and services as well as those who bought all of those items and services.

Remember, the Fortuna Union High School District’s regularly scheduled board meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month. The public meetings are held in the Fortuna High School Library at 7 p.m. and located at 379 12^thStreet in Fortuna. The current board members are President Charles Ellebrecht, Vice President Seth McGrath, Clerk Carla Diaz, Anita Gage and Jeana McClendon.

The Fortuna Union High School District is proud to serve the greater Fortuna area with outstanding programs at all of our sites, including Fortuna High, Academy of the Redwoods and East High. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know. We can be reached by phone at 707-725-4462 or by email at [email protected].

Glen Senestraro, Superintendent

Fortuna Union High School District