This was sent by a friend of Yvan to share with our class
Robert, Thanks for contacting me. I too found out he had passed away nine years ago calling a gas station that he owned on Piedras St. I do have a story for you and you may used it with my permission. I graduated from Bel Air High School in 1970.
My father, Ralph Santamaria, who worked at a gas station downtown, introduced Yvan Orellana to me. Yvan's father also ran a gas station downtown. While I was auditioning for the Ms Lulac contest when I was 17 years old, my father took him to the auditions. Unfortunately, I didn't win the contest, but I was lucky to have found a wonderful friendship with Yvan.
I remember going with him and his family to California. Of course, the girls stayed in a separate house and the boys in another. It was exciting, because it was my first time on a plane. His parents were generous and helped me pay some of the expenses. One of the excursions included a boat trip to the Catalina Islands. I recall the band playing Santana's song, Black Magic Women. It was a beautiful vacation!
Another great memory was attending a homecoming dance 1969 or 1970 and receiving a wonderful mom decorated with black and orange ribbons. He had borrowed his dad's car to attend the dance. It was a really nice ride!
On another memorable occasion, I was invited to be a participant for his sister Sandra's quincenera. It was held at an elegant hotel. I had fun wearing a gorgeous blue gown and having my hair up as if I were going to the red carpet at the Oscars. It was another fun time for Yvan and myself.
Whenever we hung out, it always included his brother, Bruno and his sister, Sandra as well as my sisters, Mague, Isabel, and Elisa. I don't know how we got everyone inside one car but we did.
After graduation, I went off to college and parted ways. I imagine and hope he had a good and happy life. Rest in peace, my friend.
Robert Manzanares
This was sent by a friend of Yvan to share with our classRobert,
Thanks for contacting me. I too found out he had passed away nine years ago calling a gas station that he owned on Piedras St. I do have a story for
you and you may used it with my permission.
I graduated from Bel Air High
School in 1970.
My father, Ralph Santamaria, who worked at a gas station downtown,
introduced Yvan Orellana to me. Yvan's father also ran a gas station
downtown. While I was auditioning for the Ms Lulac contest when I was 17
years old, my father took him to the auditions. Unfortunately, I didn't win
the contest, but I was lucky to have found a wonderful friendship with Yvan.
I remember going with him and his family to California. Of course, the
girls stayed in a separate house and the boys in another. It was exciting,
because it was my first time on a plane. His parents were generous and
helped me pay some of the expenses. One of the excursions included a boat
trip to the Catalina Islands. I recall the band playing Santana's song,
Black Magic Women. It was a beautiful vacation!
Another great memory was attending a homecoming dance 1969 or 1970 and
receiving a wonderful mom decorated with black and orange ribbons. He had
borrowed his dad's car to attend the dance. It was a really nice ride!
On another memorable occasion, I was invited to be a participant for his
sister Sandra's quincenera. It was held at an elegant hotel. I had fun
wearing a gorgeous blue gown and having my hair up as if I were going to the
red carpet at the Oscars. It was another fun time for Yvan and myself.
Whenever we hung out, it always included his brother, Bruno and his sister,
Sandra as well as my sisters, Mague, Isabel, and Elisa. I don't know how we
got everyone inside one car but we did.
After graduation, I went off to college and parted ways. I imagine and hope
he had a good and happy life. Rest in peace, my friend.
Doris (Santamaria) Garcia