PLACE:
Success Square Conference Center
131 East Walker Street, Orland

DATE:
February 22, 2025

SOCIAL HOUR:
5:30 p.m. 

DINNER:
6:30 p.m.

QUESTIONS:
Claire Thompson Arano — (530) 519-7421
Sylvia Raygoza Lopez — (530) 321-6061

Orland Alumni Association is pleased to announce our choice for this year's prestigious Co-Alumni of the Year Award. Please plan to attend the annual dinner to learn more about these remarkable and deserving alumni.

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.

Leon Ponci

or 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.