It was the very first day of Diamond Bar High School in 1982, and new students, mostly from Walnut High School, hustled around the brand new campus. A hot air balloon hovered nearby as reporters and bystanders swarmed around to cover and witness the momentous day. Not only was this the birth of DBHS, but it was also the first day on the job for Dale Favier, the school’s original Activities Director, the man who planned it all. And there was no other who could have been more perfect for the job.  Favier, who passed away on April 8, left an unforgettable legacy at DBHS. He was 79.

“Mr. Favier was one of the original Brahmas.  He was passionate about Diamond Bar High School:  the activities; the purple, gold, and white; the student store; USB; anything and everything that had to do with this school,” teacher Howard Alcoseer, who worked with Favier, shared.  He gave 100 percent to everything that he did and would not accept anything less from you.  His fingerprints can be found all over this campus:  the student store, the activities office, the outrageous rallies, homecoming, prom, lunchtime activities, the AP/IB breakfasts and lunches, and bingo.  These things were admired by schools all over California who would come to observe what Mr. Favier created at DBHS.”

After opening up the school with Principal Walt Holmes thirty-two years ago, Favier soon became the first to inspire change and bring improvements across campus: he founded the United Student Body, became the first yearbook advisor, and established the student store, nicknaming it “Fave’s Place.”

“He had the vision for the big student store that we have today. Before that time, student stores in the area were small, selling bags of chips, candy bars, and maybe some school supplies. The old student stores were also walk-up windows,” Randy Thomas, the first USB president, said. “He had the vision to have a store large enough to walk in. His vision was a large store, selling all kinds of food, clothes, and school supplies.”

His passion and creativity was also the source of the riveting spirit at DBHS. Favier held various events such as the Whopper Woof Down, asking football players to devour the most Burger King Whoppers in a given time, and started a tradition of going to an amusement park on the first day of school. The original USB advisor also proposed having class floats at the Homecoming Game and established the USB constitution by holding a student constitutional convention in 1983.

“Mr. Favier was full of energy and ideas. He always wanted to make every production big and memorable. He was a perfectionist, paying attention to every detail,” Thomas added.

Favier’s passion for student participation and spirit was undeniable. In 1982, he assembled students who planned to attend DBHS the next year and had the prospective students choose the school colors and mascot.

“Mr. Favier was a true honor to work under.  He was always the first person to arrive to DBHS in the mornings and usually the last one to leave,” Class Advisor Shari De Cambra recounted about Favier. “I remember one night we were down on the football field, and seeing all the performing groups out on the field decked out in purple and gold he said, ‘This is what it is all about,  this is why I do what I do, this is what makes me happy.’  He will truly be missed and never forgotten.”