Hall of Fame

Sandy and Kent Owen

Kent Owen’s lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and education is deeply intertwined with Woodlake High School and the Woodlake and Three Rivers communities. While his career achievements span military service, aviation, and higher education, his lasting legacy is rooted in his dedication to supporting students and strengthening local schools. Kent’s connection to Woodlake High School spans decades—as a Foundation member, school board trustee, and dedicated supporter of student programs. He has spent years on the sidelines as a varsity girls basketball assistant coach, mentoring student-athletes and building relationships that extend far beyond the game. His almost 30 years of service on the Woodlake Unified School District Board reflects his belief in the importance of investing in rural education and creating opportunities for future generations.

Sandy Owen is a devoted community member whose lifelong commitment to service has had a lasting impact on Woodlake High School, Three Rivers, and the surrounding community. A graduate of California State University, Northridge (BA in English, 1972), she has dedicated decades to both education and emergency medical services. Sandy’s connection to WHS is especially evident through her extensive volunteer work. Her commitment to student safety and community well-being is evident in her role helping establish Woodlake High School’s first Sober Graduation Night in 1984–85. Sandy has also been a constant presence at WHS as a longtime girls varsity basketball scorekeeper and statistician, supporting student-athletes with consistency and care. As a former member and secretary of the WHS Foundation and a current Scholarship Committee member, Sandy has played a key role in raising funds and awarding scholarships that benefit generations of students.

Ramon Lara

For Ramon Lara, Woodlake High School is more than where he graduated (Class of 1997)—it is the foundation that shaped his values, leadership, and lifelong commitment to community. As a student-athlete in baseball and football, he was shaped by dedicated teachers and coaches who emphasized accountability, high expectations, and personal responsibility—principles that continue to guide him today.

Hari Matsuda

Hari Matsuda’s journey from rural beginnings to international design prominence is a story defined by curiosity, persistence, and creative instinct. His earliest memories are of life in the prison camps of WWII when people of Japanese descent were imprisoned in ten camps around the west. After the war, Hari’s family returned to the valley to start over from nothing, ending up at Marin Ranch in Ivanhoe. He attended Stone Corral School, then Woodlake High School, where he played baseball and football, was Publicity Chair in 1955, and graduated in 1956.

Merle Hall

Merle Dalton Hall, a member of the Woodlake High School Class of 1956, built a distinguished career in real estate, business leadership, and public service while maintaining a lifelong appreciation for the lessons learned growing up in the Woodlake community. From a small-town high school in Woodlake to leadership in business, government, and education, Merle Hall’s life reflects perseverance, entrepreneurial vision, and a commitment to community—qualities that make him a worthy member of the Woodlake High School Hall of Fame.