Leon Ponci ’67

Alumnus of the Year 2024 (1967)

Leon Ponci - For over six decades Ponci’s Welding has provided master craftsmen and welders to perfectly execute fabrication projects, repairs, and construction. Ponci’s Welding is a family owned and operated business that started in 1946. It is a shop that delivers a wide range of welding services from simple trailer hitches to complex machine repairs.  Born and raised in Orland, Leon took over his father and uncle’s business in 1987 and hasn’t stopped working since. Leon believes wholeheartedly in the tried-and-true golden rule of treating others the way he would like to be treated and applies it to his business. Specializing in personalized service and making every customer feel like family, Leon leads his experienced team of professionals in helping the community in whatever way possible.

Leon often provided repairs for various sport equipment and has donated countless hours in support to Orland Athletics. Leon stands by everything his business does; that’s why most of his work comes from “word of mouth” provided by satisfied customers.

Leon graduated from Orland High School in 1967, attended Shasta College and later Butte College. He is a certified welder and still provides special recommendations for solving tricky repair issues. He claims he can fix almost everything but a broken heart.

He and his wife Marilyn have been married for fifty-one years, they have three children, Audra, Jeff, and Greg (deceased), and several grandchildren.  Leon was active in the community when his children were younger, and he continues to support the greater area of Orland through his generous donation of time and expertise.

Don Hibdon ’59

Alumnus of the Year 2024 (1959)

Don Hibdon - Early in Orland’s automotive history, Ray Hibdon and JV Gamble opened an automotive repair business at the Northwest corner of Highway 32 and Third Street.  What started out as a gas station and automotive repair shop eventually morphed into a family auto sales business. In 1948 the business was moved to Sixth Street where the Hay Wagon is currently located.  In 1954 the business moved again, this time to East Walker Street where it is still located. Don took his turn running the business and eventually turned the leadership over to his son, Shawn, who currently runs Hibdon Auto Center, selling new and used automobiles and trucks and repairing all makes and models.

Don Hibdon graduated from Orland High in 1959, attended Chico State College and later the General Motors training School in Fremont, California for Automotive Mechanical Training. In 1970 Don traveled to Michigan for General Motors Dealer Training.   

Don has also been very active in the Orland community, joining the Orland Volunteer Fire Department in 1970 where he received training in rural fire suppression.  Don was also certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 1A and was promoted within the Fire Department to as high as a 2nd assistant Fire Chief.  He spent 31 years in the Orland Volunteer Fire Department.  During this time Don also worked part time for West Side Ambulance Association and eventually worked fulltime for over a year.

Don and wife Bonnie were married in 1981 and have five children; Rob Hibdon/Ranee, Shawn Hibdon, Breann Lowe/Clint, Amy Tsuchiya/Darrin, and Angie Palacios.  They have eleven grandchildren.

Past Alumnus of the Year LIST

2023 - Jaime Raigoza (1986) - Masters Degree in Computer Science; Professor at CSU, Chico with focus on data privacy and quantum information science.

2023 - Jody Halsey Meza (1996) - Masters Degree in Library Science.  Career at the Orland Free Library, currently Library Director, and also Librarian at several other Glenn County libraries.

2022 - Jack Bucke (1960) - Local business owner of Bucke's Feed and Grain. Orland Fire department volunteer.  Jack and his wife, Marsha, were honored as Orland's Citizens of the Year in 2022.

2022 - Ed (1962) and Jeanette Simons (1965) Lacque - Local business owners of Orland Livestock Commission Yard. Active in many community organizations.

2021 - No honorees.  The annual dinner was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 - No honorees.  The annual dinner was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019 - Chris Gomez Redes (1971) and Oscar Redes - Local business owners, 2019 Citizens of the Year, community volunteers in many organizations.

2019 - Janine Arano Castro (1986) - PhD in Geosciences, affiliate professor in New Zealand, volunteers for non-profits.

2018 - John D. Nesbitt (1966) - Author and college professor.

2018 - Steve Callen (1966) - Author and game warden.

2017 - Eric Nielsen (1965) - Global business in orchard services and manufacturing of harvesting equipment.

2016 - Reuben Barclay (1947) - Road Dept./Railroad/US Army Atomic Energy Commission/Fundraiser/Artist

2016 - Reggie Olney (1958) - Labor Contracting Business/Cattle Rancher/Moose Lodge Administrator and other community service

2015 - Donald G. Barceloux (1964) - Medical Doctor/Farmer 

2015 - Brian Fairlee (1984) - TV and movie entertainment advertising/Voice-over artist

2014 - Edward “Oz” Garton (1964) - Education University of Idaho

2014 - William Harden (1971) - World traveler/Peace Corps/Ag Advisor/Medical Doctor

2013 - Fred Perez (1952) - Education - OHS

2012 - Chris Overton (1982) - U. S. Navy Nuclear Engineer

2011 - Bill Ceccon (1955) and Shirley Mudd Ceccon (1955) - Farmers/Community Volunteers

2010 - Bill Holvik (1980) - Medical Doctor

2009 - Ray Lyon (1950) - University of California Extension - Farm Advisor

2008 - Orland City Workers were honored

2007 - Joe Gerber (1932) - Donated a number of scholarships to Orland Alumni Association before his death

2006 - John Skinner (1963) - Commercial pilot/Musician

2005 - Orland Graduates in Agriculture were honored

2004 - Janet Ellis (1968) - Registered Nurse

2003 - Robert Hollis (1955) - Oceanographer

2002 - Gene H. Russell (1960) - Education - OHS

2001 - Orland Firefighters and Military were honored

2000 - Norbert Volny (1943) - General Contractor and Arnold Volny (1947) - Architect

1999 - NO ONE HONORED

1998 - Gerald Aguiar (1971) - Veterinarian

1997 - John G. Schmidt (1963) - Medical Doctor

1996 - Betty Lindou Bills (1948) - Bank of America Operations Officer and Melvin Bills (1947) - CHP Officer

1995 - Orland Businesses were honored

1994 - Virginia Vereschagin Talbot [now Homer] (1950) - Education - Orland Elementary

1993 - Charles Whitsett (1945) - Education - OHS

1992 - Louis Johnson, Jr. (1941) - Business Owner - Johnson Shoes

1991 - N. Eugene Cleek (1967) - Medical Doctor/Farmer

1990 - Ernie Lohse, Jr. (1971) - Education/Archeology - University of Idaho

1989 - Harry Ceccon (1948) - Owner - Candela Laser Co. - designs and constructs lasers

1988 - Mitchell Hoggard (1966) - Owner of Option Care Home Health Care

1987 - Edo Pellizzari (1959) - Professional Scientist - Analytical and Chemical

1986 - Larry Gleason (1957) - PhD in Ecology, Parasitology, and zoology

1985 - R. G. Vonasek (1943) - IBM Engineer, Attorney, Judge of the Glenn County Justice Court

1984 - Al Wickland (1938) - Petroleum Distributor

1983 - Stephen Blacet III - Newspaper Owner - Glenn County Board of Supervisor

1982 - J.A. Russell (HONORARY) - Education - OHS - Founder of Orland Alumni Association

1981 - Eddie Booth (1945) - Newspaper Editor - Chico Enterprise Record

1980 - Ruth Brown (1946) - Registered Nurse/Missionary

1979 - Nelda Sanford Sweet (1930) - Mortuary Owner

1978 - Marjorie Lane Keene (1922) - Teacher/Principal and Newspaper Editor/Owner

1977 - Wim Lely (1937) - owner of Orland Manufacturing Co., developer of fire retardant mixers and harvesting machines, member of Orland City Council, his persistence on the Council led to the Lely Aquatic Park development

1976 - Edgar P. Mapes (1910) - Glenn County Superintendent of Schools (28 years)

1975 - Daniel Mendelowitz (1922) - Emeritus Stanford Professor of Art - water color artist and author of several art books

1974 - Randal Finch (1934) - Farmer

1973 - Betty Madsen Machado (1942)

1972 - Marion Chace Kennedy (1941) - Medical Doctor/Missionary

1971 - Beth Hightower (1914)

1970 - Liston Hills (1952)

Jaime Raigoza ’86

Alumnus of the Year 2023 (1986)

Jaime Raigoza’s roots lie in a migrant family, growing up in Orland and securing the Valedictorian recognition at Orland High School, Class of 1986.  Even during his formative years, he dedicated summers to teaching as an aide for migrant education, emerging as a beacon of inspiration for others. Throughout his college years at California State University, Chico, Jaime tutored STEM courses, and continued his involvement in migrant education within local schools.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from California State University, Chico, laying the groundwork for a rewarding career. With over 20 years in the technology industry, including a significant tenure at Hewlett Packard in Palo Alto, CA, Jaime not only honed his expertise in system/database administration and software development but also actively engaged with students from his alma mater as a lecturer.

Currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science, Jaime's focus remains on data privacy and quantum information science, reflecting his rich industry experience and academic acumen. Jaime is married to Monica, also a graduate from Orland High School, for 30 years. They are the proud parents of 7 children with the oldest three having graduated from Santa Clara University, Boston University and Cornell University. Their fourth child is currently attending Cornell University and the youngest 3 children are attending Notre Dame School in Chico.

Jody Halsey Meza ’96

Alumnus of the Year 2023 (1996)

Jody Halsey Meza graduated from Orland High School with the Class of 1996.  In 2000 she married Ulises Meza and they have two daughters.

Jody received her Masters Degree in Library Science from CSU San Jose and went right to work for the City of Orland as the Children’s Librarian at the Orland Library. She was later promoted to Library Director, a position she continues to hold.

Jody has received many recognitions and commendations including:

• Woman of the Year from Congressman John Garamendi’s office in 2016.

• In 2020, she received the “Librarian of the Month” award in recognition of hard work and its positive impact on the community from Bywater Solutions.

• Jody joined the Willows Rotary Club in 2017 and in 2023, was awarded the “Service Star” for hard work and dedication to the betterment of Glenn County and success in keeping its library system thriving.

• Jody is currently the Librarian for Orland, Willows, Elk Creek, Bayliss and Hamilton City libraries.

Ed ’62 & Jeanette Simons Lacque ’65

Alumnus of the Year 2022

Ed and Jeanette took over the reins of Orland Livestock Commission Yard in 1972.  Ed’s father purchased the business (Orland Livestock Commission Yard) in 1952, and it has been a major part of the local ag community.  Ed and Jeanette have been active in the Orland community through their involvement in St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Orland High School Board of Education, Glenn County Fair Board, Knights of Columbus, Children’s Home Society, Just for Children, and Orland Sober Grad.

The Lacque children, Rachelle (1986), Wade (1988), and Tara (1991), have joined their parents, making Orland Livestock Commission Yard a true family affair.

Jack Bucke (1960)

Alumnus of the Year 2022

Bucke’s Feed and Grain has been an Orland business for more than 100 years, begun by Jack’s grandparents, passing to his parents and on to Jack and his wife Marsha.  Jack has been very involved in the Orland Volunteer Fire Department for many years, and Jack and Marsha were honored in July 2022 as Orland’s Citizens of the Year.

The Bucke children, Tyler (1990) and Trisha (1993), are also proud members of the Bucke family team.