Mrs. Sigala was my first grade teacher at McFadden Elementary School, Placentia, in 1959.  I still remember her purple and white Plymouth pulling up in the mornings on the side street in front of her classroom.  Mrs. Sigala was my first real crush on a "girl"...until I met a classmate, Karen Jean Sadimitsu who became my sole dance partner for the next three years in the Cinco de Mayo dinner performances organized by Mrs. Sigala as a long-running tradition at McFadden.

Mrs. Sigala dedicated herself to this cultural tradidtion for many years.  She learned the many dances of Mexico, obtained the recorded music and the colorful dresses that reflected this celebration. She then trained the kids from kindergarten through the sixth grade. These dances included the "Hokey Pokey", the "Mexican Hat Dance" and several others, calibrated to accommodate the different grade levels.  I am forever grateful for this cultural tradition that she brought to the school and the community. I vividly remember the boys in bright white shirts, black pants and the girls in their colorful dresses and make-up with all the dances that entertained the guests and proud parents in a two-show performance.  An original Mexican dinner was cooked and served on site in the now historic Don Oberle Gymnasium/Auditorium. I can still remenber many of the dance steps instilled in us by Mrs. Sigala (however, now performed only after a couple of drinks).

The last time I saw Mrs. Sigala was just prior to my high school graduation in 1971 when I was then eighteen years of age and hadn't seen her for many years.  I happened to be driving by McFadden late one afternoon on a whim wondering if she might happen to still be there.  I poked my head into one of the empty classrooms and she was sitting behind her desk, grading papers. She looked up and asked "Can I help you?" I smiled and after an awkward silence a surprised look of recognition came over her face, when she exclaimed "David Chipman!  I'd know that smirk anywhere!." She then rushed over to me and gave me a big hug. Her memory amazed me since I was sure I looked quite a bit different than the six year old student that had a crush on her so long ago.

My life was truly enriched by Mrs. Sigala. She lived a long and productive life and although she has now passed on, she will never be forgotten by me and many others.  Mrs. Sigala, may you rest in peace.