East Union High’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony had many family ties.

For starters, Jessie Reynolds and JT Hardcastle are siblings not to mention proud “coach’s kids,” said Reynolds, who was a standout in both the athletic field and the classroom (she graduated in 1997 with a 4.14 grade point average, which was Top 10 in her class).

Darrell Hardcastle, who is also in the EU Hall of Fame, is the father of the two. He, too, was beyond thrilled to have his two grown kids forever cemented into the fabric of being a Lancer.

Darrell Hardcastle had the honor of presenting his son, JT, at the special Friday evening ceremony held in the school cafeteria.

One of the highlights of Darrell Hardcastle’s coaching career in baseball was winning the 1998 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Championship alongside his son, JT, who was a standout shortstop.

Like his sister, JT Hardcastle was a scholar athlete. By the time he graduated in 1999, he held 16 school records in baseball and six in football – Jessie and JT both went to Mississippi State on athletic scholarships.

Reynolds was presented by her throw coach Doug McCreath, who called her an ‘intimidating factor” by the time she was a senior.

Her achievements during her four years at EU was plentiful – a standout in volleyball, basketball, and track.

She was student body president in her senior year and made it to the state track and field meet in the discus during her junior year.

McCreath remembered Jessie having to do weight training with the football players during her freshman year.

In volleyball, she had 16 kills, 102 assists, 39 blocks to go with 132 service points, 13 aces and a 93 percent service percentage as her team reached the quarterfinals in the playoffs during her senior year.

Nick Nobriga is another student athlete enshrined into the EU Hall of Fame.

The 1994 graduate played baseball for Darrell Hardcastle, earning all-Valley Oak League honors as a junior and senior.

Nobriga, who played three years of varsity football, mentioned that his entire family is connected with East Union.

His brother-in-law is current EU Principal Eric Simoni. His wife, Tina, also went to East Union.

Nobriga, who was also a scholar athlete, went to the US Air Force Academy after high school, earning a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.

He’s a Lieutenant Colonel (retired) and was on active duty from 1998 through 2019.

Today, Nobriga is airline captain for UPS, flying Boeing 757 and Boeing 767.

Brooke Riley was a standout golfer during her days at East Union.

The newly enshrined EU Hall of Famer is currently coaching collegiately at Stanford University – this is Riley’s fourth season with the Cardinal golf program, which won the 2024 NCAA championship.

She was especially thankful to her old Lancers golf coach Dennis Wells, who saw potential in her at a young age.

Riley was a four-time VOL MVP in golf and made three individual state appearances, placing third in 2014.

A 2016 graduate of East Union, she attended Northwestern University on a full-ride scholarship, and was on that 2017 golf team that finished runner-up in the NCAA. 

As for the newly enshrined Teachers and Educators, Steven Droullard, Marilyn Lagier, and Michael Zugnoni had their careers cross paths at East Union.

Droullard (died in 2021) and Zugnoni (passed away in June) were both honored posthumously – Kristin Meeks (Steve’s daughter) and Bret Zugnoni (Michael’s son) were in attendance to remember their late fathers.

EU Art teacher Kim Ray presented Lagier, calling her an “extraordinary educator” from the first day they met.

“She was a colleague, mentor, and friend to me for nearly four decades,” said Ray.

Lagier wore many hats during her time at the school, from 1986 to the time she retired in 2013.

She gave herself the title of “Queen of EU,” because, why not?

Lagier and Droullard once entertained their colleagues dressed as Sonny & Cher, with Michael Zugnoni taking photos of the moment.

Zugnoni taught both photography and journalism. He was also the yearbook teacher and advisor. In 1986, Zugnoni was San Joaquin Teacher of the Year.

In addition, he served as a career counselor and a baseball coach – head sophomore coach from 1980 through 1983, and assistant varsity baseball coach for the Lancers, from 1984 through 1988.

“He was beyond excited to learn he made the East Union High Hall of Fame,” said his son, Bret, shortly before his passing.

Kristin Meeks followed in her father’s footstep by going into education, working as a kindergarten teacher for the Manteca Unified School District for the past 27 years.

She’s proud to be “Steve’s daughter,” in response to those asking her that very question.

Steve Droullard began his 40-year career in education in the small Tulare County town of Dinuba.

In 1986, he came to East Union, where he served as guidance counselor until his retirement in 2011.

“East Union will always be home to my family,” said Meeks, who was at the school in recent years to dedicate a bench in honor of her father located by the counseling office.