Since opening in 1963, Pace High School has seen many family legacies established, as alumni send their children to become Pace Spartans. Only very few families, however, can tout a Spartan legacy that extends across five decades.
The Vallejo family has had 15 members who attended Pace from the 1970s into the 2010s, with 10 graduates from the family itself and 5 spouses whom they met at Pace and married into the family.
The first Vallejos to attend Pace were cousins Ivan D. Vallejo and George Vallejo, who entered as freshmen in 1976 and graduated in 1980. Ivan’s wife Ana Rosales-Vallejo and Eric Vallejo both graduated from Pace right after in 1981. Carlos Vallejo followed as part of the Class of 1984, and Ozzie Vallejo and his wife Cindy Vallejo both graduated in 1985. George’s brother Freddy Vallejo graduated in 1986 while his wife Linny Navarro-Vallejo graduated in 1985. Alex Vallejo graduated in 1987.
From these alumni came the next generation, as Ivan and Ana’s children Ivan A., Vanessa, and Stefan became Spartans. Vanessa graduated alongside her eventual husband Carlos de la Osa in 2000, Ivan A. did the same with his wife Vanessa Villar-Vallejo in 2004, and Stefan graduated from Pace in 2010.
“It’s not every day that you can say five marriages in a family are a result of being high school sweethearts at Pace,” said Vanessa Vallejo-de la Osa.
After graduating from Pace, the Vallejos found success in multiple career areas. Some went into the clinical field, becoming physicians, respiratory therapists, and dentists, while others found success as CPAs and CEOs, to name a few. Ivan D. Vallejo, for example, is the president and CEO of Pulmonary Health Network
The Vallejos have remained an active part of the Pace community, participating in alumni events, playing in the annual golf tournament, and continually giving back to their alma mater.
The Vallejo legacy at Pace is far from over. This family of Spartans has six children under the age of 7 that they plan to enroll at Pace when the time comes. These young Spartans will be graduating as part of the Classes of 2024 - 2030.
“Pace helped create a strong personal foundation that has helped each of us evolve into the individuals we are today,” said Vanessa De La Osa. “While we may not have all been in school together, we find it wonderful that we all had similar experiences and memories walking the same hallways that our parents and children have walked. You never forget your time at Pace High School or Spartan family roots!”