Don is a true product of the 08 area, growing up on Lincoln Street and China Grade Loop in Oildale. He attended Standard School from Kindergarten through the 8th grade. After one year at Bakersfield High School, he, along with hundreds of other Oildale “River Rats”, was fortunate to be the in the first group of students to enter North High School. This group of sophomores is responsible for the school colors being red and grey and the team names being the Stars, Comets and Twinks when the school opened.

While at North, Don participated in football and baseball for 3 years, and, basketball for 2 years. In 1953 he was named the Most Outstanding Player on the first undefeated football team in North’s history, the B class Comets. In 1954 & 55 he earned the top “Student Athlete” award on the varsity football team. He played B class basketball for 2 years, playing in the B class Valley finals in 1955. He was a 3 year starter at 3rd base for the varsity baseball team. His proudest moment at North High occurred in the fall of 1954, when he quarterbacked the varsity football team to its only Valley Championship to date. During his athletic participation years, he was fortunate to play for 2 coaches who are also members of the North High Athletic Hall of Fame, Jordan “Turk” Eliades and Dick Heber.

After high school, Don attended Stanford University for one year. He was then drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps through the Reserve Program, but, got an ‘’early out” to go back to school. In 1959, he was a member of the National Champion B.C. Renegade football team. In 1960 he entered the University of Nevada at Reno to play football and finish his college education. During fall practice he broke his right shoulder, which finished his playing days. In the fall of 1961 he was asked to help coach the freshman football team at the University of Reno, thus beginning the career that would last for 40 years.

Don returned to Bakersfield in 1963 to begin his teaching and coaching career at South High School. For 28 years he was a math teacher and coach at the school. He coached football for all 28 years including being head varsity coach for 15 of those years. He also spent 15 years at South with the baseball program, eight of those as head varsity coach. During this time, he was lucky to have come in contact with hundreds of outstanding young men who have grown up to be contributors and leaders in their communities. He was also fortunate to coach athletes who have gone on to the professional ranks in both football and baseball. During the last 10 years in education, he served as Athletic Director of the first new high school in the Kern High School District in 21 years. While at Stockdale High, Don created an exceptional coaching staff for this brand new school.

Don is happily retired now and enjoying life with his wife of 52 years, Lorraine. They spend time traveling, golfing, and spending the time together that they missed during his teaching and coaching years.

George Williamson was appointed principal of North High School in 1955 after the untimely death of Jack M. Hill. He started his teaching career at Lompoc High School in 1932 where he also served as the head football coach. He was hired by Kern County High School in 1934 where he coached on the staffs of the football, basketball, baseball and golf teams. After many successful years in the classroom and on the field he was appointed athletic director and eventually director of counseling.

As a youth, Williamson attended Kern County High School from 1917 to 1920. He lettered in football, baseball and track all four years. In 1920, he was part of the state football championship team. Williamson still holds the state record for kicking 60 consecutive extra points by a kicker. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Southern California from 1926 to 1930. While at USC, Williamson lettered in baseball all four years where he excelled as a right handed pitcher. After graduating, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers where he played in the minor league system for two years until an arm injury ended his career. Williamson eventually went back to USC and earned his Master of Education degree in 1946.

Williamson was a 40 year resident of Oildale living less than one mile from North High School. Although he worked for Kern County High School, he watched North High built from the ground up in the 1950’s and felt his destiny was to be a “Star”. His dream became reality in 1955 when he was appointed principal of North High School. His interests and experience in both academics and athletics made him a perfect fit for the job. Being a new school in the district required a lot of hard work to establish North High as one of the prominent schools in the area. Working off the foundation set by Jack Hill, Williamson dedicated himself to that end, diligently establishing North High as a premier high school where the students excelled in academics, athletics and extra-curricular activities.

North High School became a focal point of the Oildale community under Williamson’s leadership. Under his direction, North High School became firmly entrenched as a place that all students, teachers, staff members and the residents living North of the River could be proud.

Williamson retired in 1965 after a decade of selfless service to North High School. He always expressed his pride in the school and was ever grateful for the support he received from those he worked with and the entire North of the River Community.