Charles Benjamin

Alumnus Charles Benjamin has been involved in efforts to improve school life as a member of the Willow Glen Education Foundation for the past fifteen years. His devotion to the school since his graduation in 1953 has led to his decision to help bring back the journalism class along with the Ram Pages. 

“It had been disturbing that since the demise of the Ram Pages, there has been very little [carryover] and sense of tradition from year to year,” said Benjamin “Efforts to reflect on [Willow Glen High School’s] past have relied upon old copies of the [Ram Pages].”

The Ram Pages has existed as long as the high school, with editions dating back to 1950. The paper tells the story of the school’s development and is littered with evidence of the changing decades, including articles about the construction of the pool and the choice of a ram as the school mascot. The reinstatement of the Ram Pages means that the school is not only supporting a long-running tradition but is also allowing the current students to look back to the school’s past. 

Newspapers continue to be a crucial part of communication, especially within larger communities. “Reporting and journalism are especially important in large urban areas where people don’t have access to political, social, and cultural developments through their own experience,” Benjamin remarked.

Over the years, newspapers and journalism have changed. “Every year there [seems] to be fewer community newspapers. The expense of printing and delivering hard copies [has] forced many urban newspapers to move to digital editions. Even these are shorter and less comprehensive in coverage from neighborhoods to the international scene,” Benjamin stated. 

His observations are evident in the previous elimination of the Ram Pages. However, Benjamin has been involved in the Willow Glen community for a considerable time and has recognized the impact it has had on his life. 

When he was a student, Benjamin was involved in athletics and sang in the acapella choir. He remembers reading the school paper when he attended and recalls searching for his name in the paper. “It was my way of staying up to date with things going on at school outside of my immediate circle,” he recalled. 

Since then, he has remained connected to the community throughout his life. After graduating from San Jose State and spending four years in the Navy, Benjamin worked as a coach, a teacher, and later a vice principal. He eventually worked as the principal of Willow Glen Middle School, which was called Edwin Markham Jr. High School at the time. 

“…I had a great time at [Willow Glen High School] both as a student and as part of the faculty. Many of my lifelong friends were classmates. I married my high school sweetheart and was married for 64 years before she passed,” he reflects. 

His intention for reviving the Ram Pages was to encourage a sense of community in both the current student population and the staff. He believes that the paper should showcase the broad and varied image that is student life. It should both include the students’ concerns and recognize their triumphs. “It is important to celebrate [accomplishments] and encourage improvement,” Benjamin said. 

Ultimately, Benjamin looks forward to the future of the Ram Pages. “The current class will be plowing new ground,” he said. “Hang in there and understand you are creating a new tradition!”