Sonora, CA — Seven new inductees will be recognized at the Sonora High School Foundation Hall of Fame Banquet in October.
The dinner will be Saturday, October 24, at the Sonora Elks Lodge. The 2026 inductees will be Honoree Vernon MacDonald (class of 1924), Rich Pland (class of 1983), Guy Waggoner (class of 1987), Lindsy Evans Davigeadono (class of 2006), Kahale Warring (class of 2015), Megan Popovich (class of 2017), and Kane Rodgers (class of 2018).
Their full bios are below.
Foundation member Rick Francis notes that tickets are $50 for everyone 12 and older, $25 for kids 3-11, and free for children under 3. Reservations must be made by October 17, with check included (after October 17th an additional $5)
Mail to: Hall of Fame Committee
18440 Lambert Lake Road, Sonora, CA 95370
Checks need to be made out to the Sonora High School Foundation. For questions related to reservations, call Francis at 209-206-1633.
The no host bar will start at 5 PM, dinner at 6 PM, and the awards ceremony at 7 PM.
Inductee bios:
Vernon MacDonald, Honoree, class of 1924
Vernon started his love for football under the direction of Coach Dunlavey as the team statistician during his freshmen year and that continued throughout his high school years. Mr. Dunlavey who was also the school’s principal, asked Vernon to help with duties in his office from 1924-1926. In 1927, his sports writing began as he started working as a “stringer” for the Modesto Herald (later called the Bee) where he would write events in Sonora and Tuolumne County while also doing statistics for the football team. He also had a column called, “Sports stories by Scoop”, a nicknamed given to him early in his career.
He was a local Associated Press correspondent from 1927-1975. He worked for Donald Segerstrom at the Union Democrat and wrote sports stories for the Bee, Stockton Record and the Associated Press for 33 years. From 1921 throughout his life, he took stats for Sonora High football. In 1972, the Vernon MacDonald Award was established at Sonora High. This award was given to a member of the football team that showed ‘commitment and excellence”. In 1972 Vernon was awarded a letterman jacket with “50 years stats” embroidered on it. In 1975 Vernon was recognized as one of “Tuolumne County’s Outstanding Citizens” for his contributions to the community. Sonora High has a saying, “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat”. Vernon MacDonald was truly a great Wildcat!
Rich Pland, class of 1983
Rich was a 3-sport athlete participating in the sports of football, basketball and baseball. In football, he was the starting quarterback in 1981 and 1982. He was selected to the VOL Honorable Mention team. In basketball, Rich was the starting point guard his junior and senior years. He was selected to the VOL Honorable team his senior year. In baseball he was an outstanding infielder both his junior and senior years. He was selected to the VOL first team his senior year as the shortstop. He was noted for his quick hands, excellent lateral movement and a good hitter. Rich received the Fred Rowe Outstanding male athlete for the class of 1983. His leadership was outstanding has he was selected team captain by his peers for all three sports.
Guy Waggoner, class of 1987
Guy participated in basketball for 4 years and baseball for 3 years. Although a very good baseball player, Guy really exceled in basketball. Guy was a 4-year varsity starter who became an inspiration for many younger players within the county. His growth as a freshmen player led to an outstanding sophomore Year. Averaging 19.1 points per game, Guy was selected co-MVP of the Valley Oak League helping the Wildcats to their first VOL championships since 1966. During his junior year, averaging 21.6, Guy was again named the co-MVP for the VOL in leading Sonora its 2nd straight championship. Guy’s senior season was another outstanding one. He was selected the VOL MVP averaging 19.7 points per game. Guy ended his high school career scoring a total of 1791 points averaging 20.2 points per game. He received the Outstanding Achievement in Athletics award for the class of 1987. Guy was selected to the Modesto Bee and Stockton Record All-District teams and selected to the Northern California All State basketball team. Guy’s jersey (#11) was retired in March 1987 where it now sits in the trophy case in the gym foyer. Many will agree that Guy Waggoner was arguably one of the best all-around basketball players in the history of Sonora High School. Guy went on to play at Columbia College but had a career ending injury.
Lindsy Evans Davigeadono, class of 2006
Sonora High has been gifted with some outstanding volleyball players since the sport stared in the 70’s and Lindsy is rated as one of the finest. Lindsy was a 3-time Valley Oak League first team All-League player. She was the VOL M-V-P in 2004 and 2005 where her teams won the league championship both years. She was a 2-time Modesto Bee Player of the year and was the Union Democrat Sports Figure of the Year in 2005. Her individual statistics are truly amazing: ranked 6th in the nation for serving aces, 22nd for kills and 37th for hitting percentage. She was ranked in the top 50 recruiting class of 2006. She received the Elks Award as the Outstanding Female Athlete for the class of 2006. Lindsy received a full scholarship to Santa Clara University where her accomplishments just kept coming. To list just a few: All WCC freshmen team, Honorable Mention WCC in 2007 ,2008, first team in 2009. She received the Santa Clara Bronco award for her outstanding play in athletics and for her academics. She played one year of professional volleyball in Switzerland.
Kahale Warring, class of 2015
Kahale participated in 5 sports during his high school career. He was truly an outstanding athlete. He was on the cross country team his freshmen year, played water polo his sophomore and junior year (making the VOL first team his junior year), played tennis his junior year, was on the swim team his sophomore year, played basketball all four years making the varsity first team All-League MLL team his junior year and was named the MVP his senior year. During his senior year, Kahale decided to give football a try which proved very beneficial for the football team. His skill set as a receiver was recognized by the league as he was selected first team All-League helping his team win the MLL championship. The team went on the Section playoffs finals losing to Central Catholic in the championship game. He received the Fred Rowe Outstanding Male Athlete award for the class of 2015. Kahale was awarded a preferred walk on at San Diego State his freshmen year which led to a full scholarship. After his junior year, Kahale declared for the NFL and was drafted by the Houston Texans.
Megan Popovich, class of 2017
Megan participated in basketball and golf. She played basketball 3 years (one year varsity) and she was on the varsity golf team all 4 years. Although a very good basketball player, (she helped lead her team to the MLL championship in 2016). It was the sport of golf where Megan excelled. Her performance led to her being selected to the Mother Lode League All-League teams in 2014, 2015 and 2016. In 2015 and 2016, Megan was selected the MVP of the Mother Lode League. In 2016, she was selected co-Player of the Year for the Stanislaus District. In the Sac-Joaquin Section post season Masters Tournament, Megan made it twice placing second in 2016. Her leadership stood out as she was selected team captain for 3 years along with making the MLL All-Academic team 3 years. Megan was offered a number of golf scholarships but was accepted to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo which was her dream school. She did play on their club team a couple of years. A quote from her golf coach, Karen Sinclair, “Megan was an amazing player and mentor to her teammates, truly an amazing young lady”.
Kane Rodgers, class of 2018
Kane was a 3-sport varsity athlete participating in football (3 years), basketball (one year) and track (3 years). In track, Kane was a Section winner his sophomore year in the long jump with a jump of 22 feet 11 inches. Kane was an outstanding football player. Listed are some of his many accomplishments: in 2015 he was selected the All-Area underclassmen of the year, all Section sophomore of the year, 1st team All-State, 1st team All-Conference, led the state with 13 interceptions which was 8th in the nation. He was a member of the 2015 Section Championship team. In 2016 Kane was the Mother Lode League MVP, All-Area small school player of the year, Cal-Hi Sports All State team, 1st team All-Area and All-Region teams. He had one game in which he scored 5 touchdowns and another game with 4 interceptions. Kane went on to play at Modesto Junior College but an injury ended his football career.
