Update to the Roosevelt High hauntings
Leslie Chambers, who's death at Roosevelt
High School has spurred a ghost story that's
lasted over 40 years.
I've written over dozens of articles on haunted locations throughout the Fresno area and beyond. But that's what they have always been, stories. You are never really sure of the truth behind the names and events that are said to have occurred that created the haunt.
One of the more popular articles that I've done is the one on the ghosts of Roosevelt High School, especially the story of "Lester". For those who aren't familiar with the story, it's said that in 1977 a student named Lester was performing on the stage in the auditorium and collapsed there and died from either dehydration or possibly a heart attack. Ever since then people have felt his presence in the auditorium in one way or another.
Being the skeptic I am, I wasn't quite sure on the truth to this story. So imagine my surprise when I received an e-mail the other day from someone saying they were Lester's cousin and was then able to verify what happened. Turns out the story is true in most regards as a student did die due to a congenital heart defect while performing on stage. His name was Leslie Chambers and was born on October 16, 1944. On October 10, 1960 (just 6 days before his 16th birthday) while performing a cheer on stage as part of a school assembly, Leslie collapsed mid-performance and died. At that time his mother and grandmother were out shopping for his birthday and were quickly notified by the school. He was well loved by both his family and classmates and after his death the school created a memorial on one of the trees at the school where Leslie and his girlfriend met for lunch each day.
Now I don't know if Leslie haunts the stage where he died, and now that this story has both a name and face to go with it I certainly hope not as the story seems more personal now. But this is one of those times that the legend has some truth in it. Now it's possible that someone just made up the entire story of "Lester" haunting the auditorium and used the known death of a student to give it an apparent kernel of truth, but that's uncertain.
What I do hope is that the students at Roosevelt (current and future) that hear the story of Lester read this and find out the truth about Leslie Chambers and don't remember him for being a ghost that haunts the auditorium, but of a young life cut short.
Comments
Lester is still a big part of RSA. For every theatre production to this day, his name is listed on the cast/crew sign in sheet. Us students have been told a million stories about how things to missing, and how lester pulls harmless pranks on people (granted, these are told to us by teachers and faculty so they might be just messing with us and getting a good laugh out of it) but Lester definitely lives on in the theatre, around so much performing, which he loved :)
I WAS IN FOLKLORICO AND MARIMBA AND WHEN WE DID OUR WINTER DANCE SHOW IN THE AUDITORIUM I ALWAYS FELT AS IF SOMETHING WAS FOLLOWING ME EVERYWHERE I WENT WEATHER IT WAS IN THE HALLS OR THE SIDE STAGE. BUT WHAT FREAKED ME OUT WAS WHEN I WAS PERFORMING A SOLO ON STAGE I LOOKED DOWN IN THE PIT AND I SAW THE SAME PHOTO THAT YOU SEE ON THIS BLOG EXCEPT HE WAS JUST WATCHING US ALL DANCE BUT WHENN I SAW HIM WATCHING ME I HAD A SHORTISH OF BREATH, AND DIZZY AND I SAW HIM STARE UP I FELT AS IF THERE WAS SOMETHING HE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO , AND WHAT I AM THINKING WAS LESTER WANTED TO BE A DIRECTOR AS A PERFORMER THAT HE WAS I BLEIEVE HE HAD A BIG HART IN THE ARTS THAT AFFORTUNATE HE COULDNT EXPERIENCE. ANY WAYS THOSE WHERE THOSE MEMORIES I WONT EVER FORGET . AND JUST BY LOOKING AT HIS PICTURE I AM STILL FREAKED OUT BY IT .
Our team currently consists of seven members: Peter and Nancy Lombardi, Greg Swason, Richard Alton, Chucky, Perla, Chris C., who helps out behind the scenes! However, when he is available, he will be participating in investigations. Together we are dedicated to helping those who believe they have hauntings, and to educate our community. We are based in the Tulare area, but we do travel often.
The Founders of T.P.I.T, Peter and Nancy, were trained by a lady who has been in the Paranormal Field for over 14 years. They carry that knowledge with them, and spread it throughout the team, as well as the community.
We understand that you are a person and not just another case to be dealt with. We handle every person who comes to us looking for help with great care, and great respect. We take every request to heart, and will do exactly as you wish during our investigations. All of the services we offer are 100% free of charge to everyone!
Meet The Crew:
Nancy, has witnessed paranormal events since she was a child. She has always had the ability to be able to sense spirits, of all types, easily. Since living in a very active location in 2006, she has been wanting to reach out to people having experiences of their own, and to help those who have no where to turn. Her goal is to educate, research, and document as much as she possibly can.
Email: Madamstarn@aol.com
Please type on the Title of the email "Paranormal" dont forget a telephone number where we can call you for a phone interview. Thank you.
I commented once before but I feel the need to elaborate a bit. My name is Candy and I am Leslie's sister. It is quite surreal to think that my brother is thought of as" the ghost of Roosevelt High school". He was definitely a great prankster just like our grandfather.Les was a beautiful human and an amazing brother. I idolized him and wanted to be included in everything he did. He was so sweet and kind and never got annoyed with me. Although there was an eight year difference in our age, we were very close. Les loved music and he instilled in me a life -long obsession with all things music. It would have been great to discuss all the changes that have taken place musically speaking in the decades since his passing. I wonder what he would think about my favorite band Led Zeppelin, (best band ever) or my penchant for going down rabbit holes to discover new and interesting artists. I think he would love it. Les was a wonderful artist as well. I still have his portfolio and among other things are handmade invitations to his birthday party which of course would never take place. He was such a good person and I still miss him every day . My husband and I have been gifted with a wonderful tight -knit family and we spend a great deal of time together camping, kayaking, boating, riding quads and just hanging out together. I always think what it would be like to be sharing all these activities with Les and his family. I have kept my brother alive in the minds of my children and grandchildren by telling them all about him. I even have one grandson who looks a lot like him. (mind blow). He was very gifted and had many talents. I will say this, he was incredibly kind,thoughtful, funny and a truly gentle person. Ghost , spirit or whatever legend persists, true or not, Les would never harm anyone , so if indeed his spirit has been playing pranks all these years let me assure you , his intentions would be of a harmless nature. Please continue to treat his memory with the respect and kindness it deserves. To all of those who have submitted positive comments about my brother, I appreciate it.
Rock on everyone!
🤘😎