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 Mention the name Truman Benedict in south
Orange County and any or all of the above labels can apply.
For more
than a half-century, the San Clemente resident has served
children and adults alike in the region, dedicating himself to
educational and community improvement during the most
explosive period of growth in Southern California
history.
In 1948,
when Benedict began teaching in the then-San Clemente
Elementary School District, there were no local unified school
districts, state standards, Advanced Placement examinations or
SAT 9 tests. He taught 7th and 8th grades at Las Palmas School
in the 240-student district for five years. After becoming a
principal and then superintendent, he was instrumental in
unifying it and three neighbor districts-San Juan Capistrano
Elementary, Capistrano Beach Elementary, and Capistrano Union
High School-into the new Capistrano Unified School District in
1965.
Benedict
served initially as assistant superintendent in charge of
instruction and certificated personnel in the newly formed
entity, helping to put its first budget together and
strengthen its financial footing. In 1969, Benedict was named
superintendent. In 1975, after three decades of service in
public education, he retired.
But
Benedict certainly was not the retiring type. His desire to
help children, families and the community simply moved in a
new direction. He volunteered to coach local boys and girls
athletic teams and helped found the community's first Optimist
Boys Club. Benedict was a docent at the San Clemente
Historical Society and active volunteer assisting in community
events, including Halloween Night and the Easter Egg Hunt. He
was named the San Clemente Citizen of the Year in
1990.
Having
served under elected officials for many years, Benedict
decided to become one himself, being elected to the San
Clemente City Council in 1990. He served until 1994, taking a
turn as mayor in 1992, and earned a reputation as quick to
help further the building of parks, fields or anything else
needed in his community. Benedict was named the San Clemente
Citizen of the Year in 1990.
But
Benedict's educational service had not been forgotten. In fall
1987, a major honor was bestowed when the Capistrano Unified
Board of Trustees named a new San Clemente elementary school
in his name, recognizing him for countless contributions to
students during his 30 years as a teacher and administrator.
Truman Benedict Elementary is a K-5 school located in the
Forster Ranch community in San Clemente, and home of the
"bobcats." Benedict and his family, including his four
grandchildren, were honored at the school's dedication
ceremony and he continues to visit the school and volunteer
his time in the classroom and talk with students whenever he
can. Benedict has also continued to help his successors over
the years, Dr. Jerome Thornsley and the current
Superintendent, Dr. James A. Fleming, lending support to the
successful $65 million school construction bond in
1999.
The road
to San Clemente for Benedict began in Quanah, Texas, where he
was born on January 8, 1923. He moved to California with his
family in 1935. After the United States entered World War II,
he joined the U.S. Army, serving as a Lieutenant in the 54th
Fighter Squadron as a P-38 fighter pilot. In 1946, Benedict
enrolled at Whittier College, and after graduation in 1948,
began his educational career in San Clemente. He and his wife
Betty raised their two daughters in the town. A granddaughter
is continuing the family legacy in education, having been
appointed to a teaching position in Oceanside.
Truman
Benedict Highlights
- Born
in Quanah, Texas on January 8, 1923
- Joined the
United States Army and served as a in Lieutenant in the 54th
Fighter Squadron as a P-38 fighter pilot during World War
II.
- Graduated from
Whittier College in 1948
- Hired
as a teacher in 1948 by the San Clemente Elementary School
District
- Named
principal of Las Palmas School in 1953
- Appointed
superintendent of San Clemente Elementary School District in
1955
- Worked to unify
local school districts into Capistrano Unified School
District in 1965
- Served as
Capistrano Unified's assistant superintendent in charge of
instruction and classified personnel from 1965 to
1969
- Named
Capistrano Unified superintendent in 1969
- Retired in
1975
- Active
community volunteer 1975-present
- Elected to San
Clemente City Council in 1990, serving one term as
mayor
- Truman Benedict
Elementary School in San Clemente named for him in
1987
- San
Clemente Citizen of the Year in 1990
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1251 Sarmentoso San
Clemente, CA 92673 