Ralph Ramirez by John Anton
Ralph Ramirez (1988-1990)
Ralph Ramirez was a student at Cascade High School from 1988-1990. He arrived to the US from Olongapo City, Philippines in May of 1988 with his parents and three brothers. At the age of 14 he was already done with his sophomore year in the Philippines, but decided to “get his feet wet” by finishing the sophomore year at Cascade. It was a sad experience because he had to leave his friends and family in the Philippines, and life took a little getting used to. He remembers much of his experience at his new high school, but didn’t care much for historical events going on at the time. Completing his junior and senior year, he graduated in 1990 at the age of 17. Ralph then got a job right away at Giorgio’s Pizza on Evergreen Way. Then he started working at Fluke, keeping two jobs for about 5 years. In 2004, he married his wife Christi and had two kids.
Life at Cascade High School for Ralph was “a little bit shocking at first.” His favorite sport was basketball and he decided to try out for the team. But he changed his mind after attending one practice and decided not to go through with it. There were some clubs that Ralph was interested in but being shy and still adjusting to his environment, he didn’t join any. Some classes he really enjoyed, like weight training and photography. “I don’t remember my teacher, but he looked like Phil Collins”, Ralph says. Being really shy, he never attended any of the school dances. A girl by the name Joy asked him to a TOLO dance once, but he turned her down. Fashion back in 1988-1990 was quite odd. Guys were wearing short shorts and hammer pants! As Ralph got used to Cascade, he had many memorable experiences.
Since Ralph just transferred from the Philippines and only had two years left in high school, he doesn’t remember much about US history. One war he remembers is Desert Storm, part of the Persian Gulf War. Ralph said, “The US was definitely involved against the Iraqis”. Another part of History Ralph remembers is when famous actress Roseanne Barr horribly sang the National Anthem on national television. She was later known as “the enemy of the American flag.” He only remembers events that caught his attention, but they were still important to US history.
Ralph’s two years at Cascade from 1988-1990 were average to that of a normal teenage boy. His experience was shocking at first but after he got used to it, he enjoyed trying out for basketball, his classes, and being asked to a dance. Since Ralph just transferred from the Philippines and only had two years left in high school, he doesn’t remember much about US history. Although, what he does remember were important events like the Persian Gulf War and Roseanne Barr’s singing of the national anthem. Overall, Ralph led a typical life at Cascade.
Ralph Ramirez was a student at Cascade High School from 1988-1990. He arrived to the US from Olongapo City, Philippines in May of 1988 with his parents and three brothers. At the age of 14 he was already done with his sophomore year in the Philippines, but decided to “get his feet wet” by finishing the sophomore year at Cascade. It was a sad experience because he had to leave his friends and family in the Philippines, and life took a little getting used to. He remembers much of his experience at his new high school, but didn’t care much for historical events going on at the time. Completing his junior and senior year, he graduated in 1990 at the age of 17. Ralph then got a job right away at Giorgio’s Pizza on Evergreen Way. Then he started working at Fluke, keeping two jobs for about 5 years. In 2004, he married his wife Christi and had two kids.
Life at Cascade High School for Ralph was “a little bit shocking at first.” His favorite sport was basketball and he decided to try out for the team. But he changed his mind after attending one practice and decided not to go through with it. There were some clubs that Ralph was interested in but being shy and still adjusting to his environment, he didn’t join any. Some classes he really enjoyed, like weight training and photography. “I don’t remember my teacher, but he looked like Phil Collins”, Ralph says. Being really shy, he never attended any of the school dances. A girl by the name Joy asked him to a TOLO dance once, but he turned her down. Fashion back in 1988-1990 was quite odd. Guys were wearing short shorts and hammer pants! As Ralph got used to Cascade, he had many memorable experiences.
Since Ralph just transferred from the Philippines and only had two years left in high school, he doesn’t remember much about US history. One war he remembers is Desert Storm, part of the Persian Gulf War. Ralph said, “The US was definitely involved against the Iraqis”. Another part of History Ralph remembers is when famous actress Roseanne Barr horribly sang the National Anthem on national television. She was later known as “the enemy of the American flag.” He only remembers events that caught his attention, but they were still important to US history.
Ralph’s two years at Cascade from 1988-1990 were average to that of a normal teenage boy. His experience was shocking at first but after he got used to it, he enjoyed trying out for basketball, his classes, and being asked to a dance. Since Ralph just transferred from the Philippines and only had two years left in high school, he doesn’t remember much about US history. Although, what he does remember were important events like the Persian Gulf War and Roseanne Barr’s singing of the national anthem. Overall, Ralph led a typical life at Cascade.