Elephant Rides for Free ~ A Children's History of Placentia

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Chris Lowe

Chris was born in Fullerton and raised in Placentia. He first attended Van Buren Elementary School and later gradated from Kraemer Middle School and Valencia High School. Chris has always been an active member of the community serving as a JUSA soccer coach, cultural arts commissioner, board member for the Boys and Girls Club and DARE volunteer. Chris received a degree from California State University Fullerton, where he also served as student body President and California State University Trustee. He also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and graduated from the state and local government program. Chris started his career in politics working in Sacramento for Governor Pete Wilson and later ran successfully for the Placentia City Council. He served as Mayor during the city’s 75th anniversary and enjoyed meeting over 1,500 third graders at city hall during his term.

Chris plays racquetball nearly every day, and enjoys good conversations with friends and family members. He believes that making a difference is one of the most important things in life. He lives in Placentia with his wife, Stephanie, and has one son.

Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts has lived in Placentia since she was one-year-old. As a child, she participated in many activities in Placentia including swimming, gymnastics and reading contests at the Placentia Library. Emily attended Southern California Christian High School in Orange. Emily graduated magna cum laude from California State University Fullerton in January of 2002 with degrees in journalism and American Studies. She was a staff writer for the Daily Titan newspaper, and had articles published in the university’s annual historical journal, the American Papers. In summer of 2001, she interned for a literary agent in Beverly Hills who represents screenwriters and novelists.

Emily is currently the Publication Director for the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce where she is in charge of all publications and is Editor of the Fullerton Magazine. Emily enjoys traveling, reading, going to concerts with friends, and hanging out with her younger sister. Her favorite childhood memory of Placentia was watching Janet Evans in the Heritage Day Parade after she won three gold medals in the 1988 Olympics.

CONTRIBUTORS TO Elephant Rides for Free

Bob Bates, Artist

Bob Bates is an artist of many talents. For years he has been known for his paintings of rustic Americana. Many of these paintings can be found in his first two Walter Foster books, Adventure in Acrylics and More Adventures in Acrylics.

Bob is a native Californian with a heritage that goes back to the early Carmel Mission era and the Gold Rush days. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Whittier, California where they are in the antique business. Currently, Bob spends much of his time creating illustrations of hotels, inns, restaurants and amusement parks across America.

Helen Butler, Graphic Designer

Helen Butler was born in Inglewood, California. She has lived on both sides of the United States but mostly in La Habra and Fullerton Helen attended Rosary High School in Fullerton. With a degree in Advertising Design from Fullerton College, this award winning designer started her own graphics company and works with clients locally and worldwide.

An active member of the community, she has volunteered her services with youth sports and local schools. Helen enjoys snow skiing, traveling, and family activities with her husband and son, both named Rhett. Her passion is artwork and she still remembers her first drawings and art projects from pre-school and kindergarten.

Marie Schmidt, Historian

Marie Schmidt was chair of the Placentia Historical Committee for three years. She is currently an Emeritus member of the Placentia Historical Committee, as well as a member of the Placentia Round Table Club, Cub Scouts, Girls Scouts, and School Parents Clubs in California.

Marie received a B.S. in Science and a teaching credential from St. Joseph College in Maryland. She also has her associate degree in library technology from Fullerton College. Marie is curious about local history and is often asked to research and write on various aspects of Placentia’s past.