Girls Volleyball / Semi-finals CIF

Although our Girls Volleyball team didn't bring home a CIF title, their accomplishments are far reaching.  This is how Maxpreps sports has them listed:

Mascot: Saxons Team: Varsity 12-13 

Colors: Scarlet, Vegas Gold, White

Coach:Allison Somers 

Address:1765 W Cerritos Ave, Anaheim, CA 92804

Overall:27-1-1 

League: 10-0-0 

National Rank:2625

State (CA) Rank: 239

Their ranking just keeps grows and their individual stats are amazing.  They dominated their opponents throughout the season as you can see by stats by match.  So when they didn't pull off a win in the Semi Finals, this viewer didn't walk away with his head hung low, he walked away knowing these girls made Saxon History.  They are the best we've seen (so far) and their accomplishments are something that should be written about in a blog.

Going into the Semi Finals this is what the OC Register wrote about the game to come:

No. 2 Hemet (Mountain Pass League champ, 21-5) at No. 3 Loara (Golden West League champ, 27-0-1)

Outlook: The Saxons are in the midst of a magical run, entering the semifinals undefeated. Loara swept Connelly in the quarterfinals, 25-17, 25-21, 25-23. After a first-round bye, Loara defeated Big Bear in four and swept Connelly. The Saxons have only dropped eight sets all season. Hemet won the 4A title last season. The Bulldogs have won their last six matches, including a three-set sweep over Twentynine Palms and a four-set victory over Colony of Ontario.

Thank you ladies for a magical season, it's been a great ride.

Band Spectacular

 taken from the program November 7, 2012

A Bit of History

Excellence in music in the district began in the early 1920's when Joshua Williams came to Anaheim High School.  During the 30 years at that school he gave free lessons to his high school students as to make a complete orchestra, then he encouraged the elementary schools to develop music programs.  The next important champion in Anaheim was William (Bill) Cook, who came to Anaheim High School while he was still a senior at Redlands College.  With the retirement of Williams in 1950, Bill Cook spearheaded the development of music throughout the new schools that were being  built in the district.

Loara has been blessed with only 3 band directors in our 50 year history,

1. Rick Moreno
2. Bill Schroeder
3. Scott Domingues

The first Spectacular was held at La Palma Stadium in 1963.  The show moved to the newly opened Anaheim Stadium in 1967 and back to Glover Stadium in 1984.  During the enrollment high of the district, and prior to the high schools becoming four year institutions, the Spectacular drew crowds of over 25,000 and featured 26 AUHSD schools (17 junior high schools and 9 high schools).

The Band and Pageantry Spectacular was never intended to be a competition, but rather a "show." The basic rationale of the "show" was to show off the excellence of the Anaheim Union High School District music program and to help the progression of young musicians from the junior high school programs through the high school band programs.

The All District Junior High School Band is composed of 120 musicians represent the eight junior high schools in the Anaheim Union High School District.  The members are selected by their directors to join in this opportunity to introduce them to the high school band program.  The goals of this group are to promote high expectations, outstanding achievement, motivation, and involve junior high school students in the large scope of music education.

The All District High School Band is also chose by the band directors.  They chose an equal amount of students so the band is a overall representation of the best of the best when it comes to High School music.  Over the years some of the best musicians in the nation played in the all district band.

Since the early 90's Loara's ASB has agreed to attend each and every band spectacular and since then other ASB's have been seen there supporting their bands ... of course Loara High School is always the loudest.

Once a Saxon, Always a Saxon.

3rd National Title: Hot Rodders @ Loara

Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) 

Auto Show 2012

Aileen Melendez, Josh Coman, Andrew Romero, Chris Shamtiz, Steven Brown, Coach Russ Baccerala
(not pictured alternate Robert Loera)

THE EVENT

The event itself resembles the tear down between rounds at a drag race. The engines are identically prepared small block Chevy's complete with all the goodies, Edelbrock air cleaners - carbs – aluminum manifolds - heads - water pumps and valve covers, MSD distributors - wires, K&N oil filters, Hedman ceramic headers, TD timing chain covers, Moroso oil pans, ARP head bolts, Fel-Pro/Speed Pro gaskets and components, Melling oil pumps and Royal Purple lubricants. As you can see, we have many companies already involved with this event that show case their products. We have numerous manufactures supporting this program that do not build engine products. These Manufactures show support by sponsoring teams at each event. Students must properly disassemble the engine down to just crank, cam, and block using hand tools only with proper detorque and disassembly procedure. The team then returns behind their work bench, and when approved by the judges, teams begin working to reassemble once again with correct assembly procedure and torque specs, all while being viewed by judges and spectators. Time added penalties are assessed for dropped components, improper disassembly/assembly, poor sportsmanship, etc. All procedural penalties are in the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow rule book provided to the High Schools at the start of the school year. The team with the fastest time including penalty minutes wins.

HOT RODDERS OF TOMORROW NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

Las Vegas NV. - "Showdown at SEMA" is the title of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge National Championship at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. This year 13 High School Auto Tech teams competed Oct 29 through Nov. 1, 2012 in the engine teardown and rebuild contest in front of thousands of spectators at the entrance of the SEMA show.

Loara High School Wins Their Third Straight National Championship Title

Team MOTIVE GEAR - Loara High School from Anaheim CA. won the 4th Annual "Showdown at SEMA" their third straight, with the average time of 21:24 minutes. The top three teams were so competitive that they all ended up less than a minute apart! All thirteen teams competing this year did fantastically well with the 13th placed team average being only 33:46!

Event Winners and Wildcard Teams Compete 

The thirteen teams earned their way to the "Showdown at SEMA" national championship. Eight teams by winning their events straight out and five additional teams that had the next best qualifying times in the Nation were invited to compete.

Time Averaged Playoff Format 

During the normal event competitions through the year, all teams compete once. The best time wins the event and that team has the opportunity to compete at SEMA. But during the national championship "Showdown at SEMA" all the teams competed a total of 4 times during the SEMA show starting Monday. At the end of the fourth day each team's highest time was thrown out and the remaining three times were averaged.


The National Champion for 2012 - Team MOTIVE GEAR (Loara High School from Anaheim CA.) was determined the winner with the best average time of 21:24. Trophies and scholarships were given out on Friday morning at the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow award presentation.

Second Place - Team ENERGY SUSPENSION - Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Ctr., Choctaw, OK. - Average Time - 21:54

Third Place - Team MR. GASKET - East Ridge High School from Chattanooga, TN. - Average Time - 22:19

Fourth Place - Team AEROMOTIVE – Burton Center for Arts & Technology, Salem, VA.- Average Time - 24:46

Fifth Place - Team MAGNAFLOW - North Orange County ROP, Anaheim, CA. - Average Time - 25:35

Sixth Place - Team ROYAL PURPLE - Elkhart Area Career Center #1 - Average Time - 25:50

Seventh Place - Team ARP- Elkhart Area Career Center #2- Average Time - 25:53

Eighth Place - Team PROFORM - Peach County High School Fort Valley, GA.- Average Time - 26:14

Ninth Place - Team THERMO-TEC –Thomas County Central High School, Thomasville, GA.- Average Time - 27:40

Tenth Place - Team EDELBROCK - Fremd High School, Palatine, IL.- Average Time - 28:50

Eleventh Place - Team HEDMAN HEDDERS - Belvidere North High School, Belvidere, IL - Average Time - 31:04

Twelfth Place - Team MSD - Joliet Central High School, Joliet, IL.- Average Time - 32:31

Thirteenth Place - Team PAINLESS PERFORMANCE - Sequoyah High School, Soddy Daisy, TN.- Average Time - 33:46


1.2 MILLION DOLLARS Awarded to the participants in scholarship money

Three Auto Technological Colleges: 

Ohio Technical College (OTC), 

University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) and 

School of Automotive Machinists (SAM) 

are presenting all the High School students participating scholarship money.

Each College is awarding the following:

$10,000 to each first place team member,

$9,000 to each second place team member,

$8,000 to each third place team member,

$7,000 to each fourth place team member,

$6,000 to each fifth place team member and

$5,000 to each sixth thru thirteenth place team member.

50th Anniversary / Birthday Rally 11.1.12

On November 1, 2012 Loara High School celebrated their 50th year in existence.  Covered in an earlier blog, Loara Beginnings - 80's you'll remember the school opened on November 1, 1962.  We have been planning this day for quite some time but with the help of David Sporn (class of 1990) Chuck McCance (class of 1974), Susan Nicholas (class of 1965) and alumni teachers Gary and Jeanette Cleaveland we were able to pull this off in full Saxon fashion.  Of course the main players were in place, asb, the band, the choir, jrotc, the cheerleaders and the color guard ready to perform to put on a great show.  We also had help from the PTSA bringing in over 2000 cupcakes for our kids, our new Principal John Briquelet as our emcee, the Superintendent Elizabeth Novack as our guest speaker and several alumni, alumni teachers and staff along with board members and other district officials.  It was an afternoon to remember.

50th Anniversary Celebration

Other Loara Dignitaries were;

1. Alden Esping (Health and Activities Director / Also at Ball Jr. High 30 years)
2. Carol Cook 
3. Dr. Jan Billings (taught in AUHSD and former Superintendent)
4. Shirley Miller (Ball Junior High's Cafeteria)
5. Dr. Agnes Meck (AP)
6. Mike Greenwood and his wife (Math)
7. Don Budd (Math)
8. Dave Hurlburt (taught Drivers Ed and Math - the longest at Loara)
9. Luis Ruiz (one of the first teachers at Loara)
10. Beverly Nicholas (school nurse)
11. Dave Strauht (custodian in the 60's and 70's)
12. Chuck Darrington
13. Bob Gardener (Principal at Clara Barton)

I can't explain the feeling of the campus by students and teachers alike, they were more complimentary than I've ever seen them in recent memory.

That morning during the video announcements, Gwen Stefani wished the Saxons a Happy 50th Anniversary (a video we also showed those in attendance of the Homecoming Assembly.)

Gwen Stefani's Congrats

"Back on November 1st, 1962, Loara High School first opened its doors to the public. Over the intervening 50 years, it has been an outstanding public high school, one with a rich history of academic and athletic successes and one that is still cherished by its students, staff, alumni, and the local community. Because this Thursday marks the actual 50th Anniversary of the Saxons, we will be celebrating with a pep-rally and ribbon-cutting ceremony during our students’ lunch period. In addition to our own students and staff, dignitaries from AUHSD, and Loara’s storied past have been invited to attend. We are looking forward to a wonderful event that will help all of us memorialize this important date."

Mr. John Briquelet - Principal 2012

November 1, 2012 Saxon Shield

The Saxon Shield is back, after a few lean budget years and a year where they didn't know the name was the Saxon Shield, the Shield prints it's first issue in years and does so on the 50th anniversary of the school opening.  On November 1, 2012 the following shield went out.

Just a disclaimer, this is not done as a class any longer and the kids do this by their self .  Yes there is an adviser but for the most part it is a true student publication so any typos or not knowing formatting of newspapers needs to be forgiven.  At least for now, it's their first one.  

click here to see issue one November 1, 1962

Homecoming Dances

Seaxe 1966 / Loara's First Homecoming Dance, Gym 11.19.1965

High school dances have changed in the last 50 years.  If you read the Saxon Shield and Yearbooks of old you will see that the Homecoming Dances were true Homecomings.  The alumni were invited back for free and the cost of the dance was $1.00.  But the decor was not extravegant but it worked for the time.  Most of the time there was a Dj spinning records in the corner and everyone had a great time.

Loara High School Gym 10.20.2012 / taken at the same angle as the 1965 Homecoming Photo

Surprisingly the cost hasn't shot up that much in 50 years.  A ticket is $15.00 today, surly that doesn't match the cost of living increases.  Loara works hard to make the dances as affordable as possible for all to attend.  Nothing worse than a dance with no one there.  In a 1990's yearbook they reported they were over 400 attendees, today we get about 800 in attendance in good years but we generally hit the 700 mark.  Sadly that's about 1/3 of the school, many have to work, baby sit or are not interested in dances.  

In 2013 terms Dj is a name that has morphed Vj (Video Jockey), Digital Dj's and more have entered the scene.  Oddly enough many have turned back to vinyl to mix their music but most do so on a Digital turntable not playing records or cd's at all but digital remixes that are further remixed at the dance itself.  Video has entered the dj scene that allows Dj's to play music videos of the songs they are tracking at the same time.

Homecoming Queens & Kings 1988 - 2012

The Age of the Homecoming King

1988 - 1989 Seaxe

The second 25 years marked a transition with bringing in Homecoming Kings to the mix.  After a game against the Cypress Centurions that ended in a tie, a new set of traditions set in motion.  The field not only had Queen candidates present, but King candidates were there too.  Hearing names like Craig Beltran, Adam Dove, Imron Hussain, Mark Plettink, Billy Kang, Vince Carpino, Dan Bokelman or Robert Garcia announced must have had alumni what had happened, but they didn't hear wrong.  Jerry Halpin, Activities Director at the time, and his cabinet thought it was time to join many in the county that were adding Prince and King candidates on the ballot.

Below, click on to see a video of the Queens / Kings of 88 - 12.  Again, sorry I cannot show the YouTube Video direct, but the link will get you there (click here). Enjoy!

Queens & Kings: The Second 25

Loara High School Homecoming 1988 - 2012

(click here)

1988 - Michelle Wilkoff (the last stand alone queen)

1989 - Nicole Conner & Billy Kang (first King)

1990 - Katy Valdez & Coy Collins

1991 - Jill Stefani & Mark Axtman

1992 - Kerry Swallows & Bryant Jackson

1993 - Diana Rankin & Brent Sporn

1994 - Elana Fox & Vince Pla

1995 - Jaimee Strand & David Ferguson

1996 - Kelli Heise & Richard Meza

1997 - Sunny Chung & Alex Martini

1998 - Erika Guzman & Zack Winnick

1999 - Elisa Vartanian & Sean Moses

2000 - Cheyanne Holton & Aviran Barlev

2001 - Cindy Kobayashi & Greg Pak

2002 - Erin Craton & Chad Peach

2003 - Michelle Malanga & Jack Lam

2004 - Kristy Vincent & Zach Langhauser

2005 - Monse Gallardo & Carlos Vazquez

2006 - Clare Morgenstern & Denni Ki

2007 - Nichole Simpson & Joshua Apia

2008 - Christina Mantas & Patrick Boyle

2009 - Brionna Davis & Mike Jones

2010 - Alyssa Flores & Nolan Sanchez

2011 - Amanda Jones & Esteban De la Cruz

2012 - Kelly Low & Nicholas Garcia

Saxon Shield October 14, 1988

Homecoming Queens 1962 - 1987

Saxon Shield / November 18, 1965

The First Queen to 1987

Patti Williams - Saxon Shield Dec. 9, 1965

As the school opened in 1962 there was no Homecoming held until they graduated in 1965, the class of 1966 got the first Queen.  Often times people are confused as to who was Queen their year, because Graduation is the calendar year after Homecoming ever happens. This means during the 1966 year the Queen is crowned in 1965.  

Loara's first Homecoming was November 19, 1965.  Loara played Kennedy High School at Handel Stadium and it also marked the night that the Larry Lawrence Memorial Circle was dedicated.  The dance was held after the game in the Gym from 10:30 pm - 12:30 am and cost $1.00 with ASB and $1.50 without ASB to attendees and free to all alumni.

Patti Williams / First Queen

To keep things simple (I hope) I've listed the Queens in their graduating years not their crowning year, and I've separated them in 25 year chunks (which means more to follow).


Enjoy the video montage of the first 25 years of crowning.  Oh and before I hear any chirping I stuck some other photos from other dances in there just to make the video flow with time, see if you can spot them and which dance they were from.

Loara High School Homecoming 1962 - 1987 Video
 (click here)

I apologize that I can't seem to get a video to insert, I believe it's because of special graphics, so you'll need to click through to the video by clicking the link or graphic.

The Queens

1963 - First Class enters Loara
1964 - Sophomores & Juniors only
1965 - First Graduation
1966 - Patti Williams

1967 - Cheri Lessley
1968 - Nancy Freedman
1969 - Anne McDonald
1970 - Dorothy Bye
1971 - Nancy Ribacchi
1972 - Robin Humphry
1973 - Silvia Haaz
1974 - Dean McDonald
1975 - Sue Lee
1976 - Laurie Hoffart
1977 - Linda Emond
1978 - Sara Schantz
1979 - Robin Ray
1980 - Dana Krygler
1981 - Christie Dubach
1982 - Sheryl Sutherland
1983 - Wendy Fowke
1984 - Nancy Reiss
1985 - Ange Andros
1986 - Robyn Gorrie
1987 - Kathy Rodrigues

October 5, 1989 Lockdown

School Hostage

Whenever you hear about a school shooting you'll always hear Loara's name associated with them.  Early in October, 1989 Loara went on a lock down and the rest was History.  The story made news as fast as it could even without Facebook and Twitter.

Rock Hill Hearld, October 8, 1989

The real story for us was how quickly the school went into safety mode and how our Classified Employees stepped up and became the heroines of the day.  The counseling office was right next door to the room Cory Robb was holding the class hostage and when a kid ran into let the counseling secretary know what was going on Marilyn Erkenbrack stepped into action,  the student that entered was shot, she applied pressure to the wound "there was no time to be scared."  Nancy Snyder the health clerk administered first aid until paramedics arrived.

Although the employees had received no training in dealing with a hostage situation (remember this is pre-Columbine) they had received only training in earthquake and other emergency situations along with first aid training.  We know classified employees are often the first on the scene because they are not inside a classroom with 35 - 40 students under their immediate care.

Cory emulated "Heathers"

After Robb was lead away by police the day man Robert Gallegos secured classroom doors while attendance clerks Sharon Rasmussen and Linda Blain fielded numerous calls from worried parents.  The teachers hunkered down and waited for an all call that things were clear.

School Principal Jerry Glenn later commended the classified employees for their professional manner in which they handled the crisis.

I recall the day like it was yesterday, I was on the campus as a substitute in those days and it was an eye opening experience.  What lingers with me the most though is how it was handled in such a way that students dealt with the issue, faculty and staff handled it professionally and the world continued to rotate.  

Catcher in the Rye, another link

 Although potentially dangerous to all and quite scary we survived what would be a beginning to what becomes a major issue in the coming years ahead ... School violence and School bullying.  Loara seems to have an open policy in regards to student rights, Race, Religion, Sexual Orientation and Nationality.  In the 23 years here I feel that all are accepted here, I am proud to be a part of a school with that kind of acceptance.

The Inside scoop / The game changer

Although this was violence happening upon a campus, this one act brought an awareness of bullying in the late 80's that has become a national awareness of what has been going on behind the scenes for years.  

I'm not sure that anyone at any school has avoided being bullied.  I have worked with many organizations to make Loara a bully free zone.  One of those organizations, Teen Truth, has made a film called "Bully" that has been shown nationally and internationally and has made an impact on schools that many have failed to do.  I truly believe that to end bullying we need to focus on the positive that is going on a campus, to share everyone's story (because it's hard to hate someone once you know their story) and embrace student activities on all levels.  In fact, the California Association of Student Leaders (CASL) is using the theme of "Know the Story, Know the Person"  as their statewide conference theme.

Again, if you've reading these blogs, I bring up an organization that is near and dear to me, California Association of Directors of Activities (CADA), this organization has worked to further developed a program that helps Raise Student Voices, that was brought the them from The National Association of Student Councils (NASC).  Furthermore a group called the Alliance for Student Activities has become an important resource because they are bring to light what seems obvious, that the hidden equation at schools is student activities the x factor, x=student activities.  An involved student is a happy student and one that does well in school.

As October, coincidently, is anti bullying month, we as an ASB or student government want to share a message of love and embrace all that is good at schools, and Loara.  One of my students, Miguel Baligod, found this video on YouTube that I feel needs to be shared.  Although it may support a non profit I'm not fully aware the message of hope is clear and needs to be shared.

Loara is and will always be a Bully free zone.  Together we can end teasing and create a TEASE zone ... To Encourage A Safe Environment.  Let's work together to make Loara a safe, happy and healthy environment to learn.

following are articles found online in regards to the shooting.

Loara High School, Anaheim, California

Thursday, October 5, 1989

15-year-old Cordell "Cory" Robb's father committed suicide. This left the young boy in the custody of his stepfather, who wanted to move the family to San Mateo. Cory did not want leave southern California. He began dropping hints to his friends in the last few weeks that he was planning a violent act to kill his stepfather at school. He told his friends he was going to take the second period drama class hostage until his stepfather arrived, at which point he would kill the man. He showed one his neighbors a .22-caliber semiautomatic pistol he had obtained and even gave some of his personal items to his friends. Around 9:30 this morning, Cory entered classroom 77, where the drama class had been focusing on overacting for the past 20 minutes.   He pulled out his pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun and ordered the teacher, Ken Tuttle, to leave. Ken told his students to grab their things and leave, however, Cory pointed one of his guns directly at Ken and said, "I don't think so." Ken then left the room. Many of the students thought Cory was part of the lesson. He sat down on a piano bench, laid out five bullets and unlocked the safety on the shotgun. He made small talk and even offered his captives sips from his can of Coca-Cola. One of the students in the room, Anthony Lopez, also 15, and still believing this to be part of the overacting lesson asked Cory if he could see is gun. Cory said, "No." and pointed his pistol at Anthony and told him to sit down. A few minutes later, after Cory had moved to the back of the room, Anthony and another student went to the front of the classroom where Cory had left the shotgun unattended. Anthony said, "If that is a real pistol then why don't you shoot me?" Cory replied, "If you want me to shoot, then I will." The two boys exchanged curse words for about ten minutes before Cory shot Anthony and wounded him in the jaw. Anthony left the room as the girls were going hysterical from the gunfire. Cory's best friend Mike Berault, 14, convinced him to let the girls leave the room. Cory agreed and the girls left the choir room. Over the next half hour, Cory talked to his mother and stepfather, and police negotiator Steve Stempniak over the phone to bring the hostage situation to a peaceful end. Steve was able to get Cory to surrender without firing another shot. He was taken into custody at 10:10 in the morning. Cory was sentenced to nine years in prison and released when he was 25-years-old.

Source: The Orange County Register - Armed Boy Holds Class Captive- Anaheim Drama Student Shot in Face Before 'Suicidal' 15-Year-Old Gives Up; The Orange County Register - Shooting Victim Thought it Was an Act

Teen-Ager Holds Class Captive at Anaheim School

October 06, 1989|BOB SCHWARTZ and MARIA NEWMAN | Times Staff Writer

A 15-year-old Loara High School student, armed with a shotgun and pistol, walked into a drama class, shot one boy in the face and held other students hostage for more than a half hour Thursday, Anaheim authorities said.

The armed ninth-grader, reportedly beset with family problems, ordered the drama teacher out of the room and later allowed the injured student and terrified female classmates to leave. The student held the rest of the class at gunpoint while talking to police on a classroom phone and then surrendered.

"Who would have thought he was serious?" said the wounded student, 15-year-old Anthony Lopez, interviewed at his hospital bed Thursday evening. "I mean, the guy was calm. He didn't look crazy. . . .

"I asked him whether the gun was for real and then I said if it was real, why didn't he just start shooting."

Lopez was in satisfactory condition at UCI Medical Center in Orange after being shot in the left side of his face. His jaw is shattered, and the bullet is lodged in his neck, said Lopez's mother, Pam Lopez. He is the son of an Anaheim police officer.

Police said the incident began shortly before 9:30 a.m. when the youth, identified by students as ninth-grader Cory Robb, entered the school's choir room where the drama class was being held and ordered the teacher, Kenneth Tuttle, to leave. The teacher tried to take the rest of the class with him, but Robb insisted that Tuttle leave alone, students said.

About 10 minutes later, after firing one shot, Robb allowed most of the girls in the class and the wounded boy to walk out, said Police Lt. Marc Hedgpeth. Police negotiators talked Robb into surrendering about 10:10 a.m.

By the time the police had talked Robb out of the room, word of the hostage situation had spread. Students were lined up to call their parents on the two pay phones outside the school office, and many of the girls were crying.

"My son called me from here and said, 'Get me out of here. There's a shooting going on,' " said Jackie Blacketer, who waited for her son Brian along with other parents who said they had heard word of the shooting on the radio or from friends and neighbors.

Most of the school's 1,600 students remained in class for the rest of the day. Two psychologists were sent to the school to talk to students from the drama class, and three psychologists will be at the campus today, said Anaheim Union High School District Assistant Supt. Lee Kellogg.

Police and school officials provided few details about the incident and what might have led up to it. Family members refused to discuss the incident. Students and parents, some shaken by the ordeal, talked about what they knew of the young man and his problems.

They described the brown-haired freshman as a troubled but friendly youth who fought bitterly with his stepfather and was upset about his family's impending move to Northern California. Several students, some of whom said they have known Robb for years, said Robb had also told them that his father, a Vietnam veteran, committed suicide, although that account could not be confirmed by family members.

Several students said Robb had hinted for the past few weeks that he was planning some act involving weapons and possible violence. But they had not taken him seriously, they said.

Drama Class

Nor did most of the students in the drama class at first take seriously the threat posed by Robb, dressed in jeans and a green T-shirt beneath a red-plaid flannel shirt, when he walked into the ampitheater-style classroom and ordered teacher Tuttle to get out.

Tuttle tried to take some students with him, Pam Lopez said, but Robb would not let him and ordered him to leave again.

The teacher could not be reached for comment.

Tuttle had been teaching the class--in which Robb was not enrolled--about the various parts of a theater stage, students said.

"Everybody thought it was a joke," said ninth-grader Season Rodriguez, who was in the room. "He came in and kicked back, said 'I'm not gonna hurt you, don't worry.' I don't think Cory meant to go in there and shoot anyone."

After Tuttle left, Robb--who police said was armed with a .12-gauge, short-barreled shotgun and a semiautomatic handgun--told the students that they could change seats and sit by their friends if they wanted to, said 15-year-old Matt Grimsley.

"He just kind of screwed around," Grimsley said. "Then he said he wanted to get back at his stepfather."

Anthony Lopez, said Season Rodriguez, mocked Robb, saying, " 'Oh, we've got a suicidal killer on our hands.' " Other students said Lopez told Robb he didn't believe the guns were real.

Robb fired one shot in the classroom of 36 students, hitting Lopez in the face, students said.

"He grabbed his face and fell down by my feet," Grimsley said. "There was blood everywhere. I went to help him, but he (Robb) said, 'Don't move.' "

Academic Rally

Part of the 400 students that were honored

 In the 2011 -2012 school year we realized that we were missing out on recognizing an entire group of students for their talents and gifts in education.  These kids have high academic achievement and great attendance records and nothing was done to recognize them.  Being the Activities Director for the school for 23 years I knew better but I was so overwhelmed by everything else that it was hard to do yet another thing. I remember when I was a student that we received certificates when we hit high academic honors, and that alone was pretty cool to receive.  But why not recognize them in the same manner as the athletes?  The idea isn't a new one, many schools have begun to change cultures and create a positive spin on getting great grades.  A company called Jostens started a Renaissance Program that showed schools how to put on great rallies and how to recognize students differently.  This program is nationwide, and should be applauded for it's efforts.  Many schools have Renaissance Classes and Officers that work just in the academic part of the schools inner workings.

Color Guard before Assembly

At Loara we have taken that idea and made it our own.  For many years Loara has had an Educations Officer in Student Government and that role has morphed into a Renaissance type role.  We do student of the month, read birthdays on announcements and some other minor things but we never hit them all at once in a public setting. On September 28, 2012 we held an assembly to change the culture, and stepped up what we have been talking about ... recognizing high achievers in all they do.  The assembly is very similar to a spirit assembly.

Sammy pumping up the crowd

The kids with 3.5 and higher walk through the sports tunnel as the band and drum-line play them in, the cheerleaders cheer, the color-guard twirls and the band plays the Alma Mater.  The only difference is, we have keynote speakers, the Principal speaks about education and an Honors Teacher talks about how proud they are of all the hard work and accomplishments put in by these students.  The video we show doesn't show how we did at a football game but shows images of the students working toward education and the clubs they are involved in.  Watch the video "What makes you beautiful" 

(spoiler alert) there is one grammar error in the video, I left it there on purpose to see if people were truly watching, I recall hearing that  Disney does things like this so in Disney n  style they always put in some kind of thing just for the people that made the film.

Alumni in the Olympics

When looking back to our alumni it's often hard to find their personal histories unless I call them up or facebook them, and I just can't find myself to be their personal stalkers.  So with the help of Wikipedia we can reminice about our alumni and how amazing they are.

Dana Schoenfield (class of 71)

Dana Schoenfield (71) Dana was born in Harvey, Illinois and spent her childhood in Schererville, Indiana. She first learned to swim at the local Sherwood Golf and Swim Club, where she began to excel in the breaststroke. Her family relocated to Anaheim, California in 1963 where Dana, along with her brother Michael, actively swam on the Disneyland Hotel Swim Team. She qualified for the Women's Senior National Championships in the 200 meter breaststroke at age 12 years, the youngest swimmer to participate. At 14 years, Dana was the second fastest Women's 200 meter breaststroke swimmer in the country, and just missed making the 1968 U.S. Olympic Team. She would have been the youngest swimmer on the U.S. Team. After semi-retiring for the next 3 years, she was a varsity cheerleader for Loara High School in Anaheim, California.
After graduation, Dana, along with her swim coach Ray Woods, began a 1-year regimen of serious training in an effort to make the 1972 Olympic Team. At the 1972 Chicago Olympic Swimming Trials, she qualified first in the 200 m breaststroke, with a personal best time of 2:43.7. At the Munich Olympic Games, Dana was not expected to 'medal' as she had just the 4th fastest time/ranking for 1972. She placed fourth in the qualifying heats, and was in lane 6 for the Munich final. With her swim idol, Galina Prozumenschikova-Stepanova of Russia swimming in lane 3, Dana out-touched Stepanova with a time of 2:42.03, another personal best. Beverly Whitfield of Australia, on the outside #7 lane, beat Dana for the gold medal at 2:41.7.

Lauren Lappin (class of 02)

Lauren Lappin

Lauren Lappin (b. 26 June 1984 in Anaheim, California) is an American softball player who won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Lappin attended Stanford University from 2002-2006 playing shortstop and catcher for the softball team and graduated in December 2006 with a degree in American Studies. She also played with the USA National Elite Team in 2003 and 2005 and was an alternate for the US Olympic Team in 2004. Prior to the 2009 season, Lappin joined the Northwestern University team as a volunteer coach.

A Few Accomplishments
• Olympic Silver Medalist (2008)
• Pan American Gold medalist (2007)
• World Cup Champion (2007)
• Alternate on 2004 Olympic Gold Medal Team

At Loara, Lauren was in student government and was a 4 athlete Letterman on the Varsity teams each year for Soccer, Volleyball, Softball and Basketball.  In talking to Loara coaches while she was there and former principals that have seen the school grow from the 70's to the 2000's there is a common feel that Lauren just may be the best Athlete overall that Loara has ever seen.  As a four sports varsity Letterman and Most Valuable player in them all she has truly left her mark on Loara's history.

Banners hanging in the Saxon Palace honoring our Olympians

Anaheim Achieves

Today, Sept 24, 2012, marks the return of Anaheim Achieves for its 5th consecutive year on Loara High School's Campus and I couldn't be any more thrilled they are here!

What is Anaheim Achieves?

Anaheim Achieves is an afternoon program, sponsored by the Anaheim YMCA, that came to Loara in 2008 and it has since become a mainstay on the Loara campus. It started as an elementary program but with good hiring and some great philosophical changes the program is something that Loara really can't live without.

Anaheim Achieves is a place where students can get help with their academics, CAHSEE prep, community service hours, social skills and also focus on their creative side with art projects, dance, hanging out, career workshops, games, music and video production. One of their goals is to introduce students to traditional and nontraditional professions to prepare them for life after high school. Throughout the year, they plan to have career workshops, where the students will be able learn and explore different types of professions in the work force to see if they would like to continue after high school.

Last year they had photography, dj and music production, dance, art design, and this year they would like to grow with cosmetology, sports management, and movie production. It’s a fun place to be after school where students have the opportunity to understand who they want to be and find out where they want to go.

This year we are looking for people to come and talk to the kids once a week for about a month on topics like:

Anaheim Achieves Jonathan Abbas @ Sign Up Day 9.21.12

1. Cosmetology
2. Art
3. T Shirt Screen Design
4. Photography
5. Graphic Design



Promotional for the Kick Off Event

6. etc.

OR One Day Presentations for the kids job fair style so if you are a:

1. FBI Agent
2. Fireman
3. in the Music Industry
4. Television and Movies
5. Sports Athlete
6. Miliatary
7. Make Up Artist
8. Stunt Man
9. in Theatre
10. Dance
11. Education 
12. Disneyland
13. etc!

and have an afternoon free contact Jonathan Abbas at jabbas@anaheimymca.org.

Last year, Loara was lucky to have many volunteers come and help out. We had an art program where students learned different art skills and how to present their art. Artist from Hybird Apparel has a non profit program called "Blackbook Sessions", they visited Loara to help the students with their art. After a three month art program at Loara, the students where able to enter their art into a contest at a Blackbook Sessions event at Westwood College. It was a great event with food, live art, and a challenging art contest. When the day was done, one of our own students Mohammed Bibi won third place. Students found a college to explore their art oppertunities for life after high school because of this program and the visit to Westwood College.

If you would like to volunteer at Anaheim Achieves to share your occupation or a life skill with the students please contact Jon Abbas at jabbas@anaheimymca.org. 

Jonathan Abbas working "Join a Club Week 2012"

Who is Jonathan Abbas?

Jonathan was the key that turned this elementary idea into a High School program.  Along with Loara graduates Chris Moses and Chris Kent who work at other school sites, he was able to recruit kids that really wanted a home after school. Jonathan has worked at YMCA for 5 Years and has been 3 years at Loara High School. He is married with a 8 month son named Micah.  Furthermore Jonathan is involved with programs at the YMCA like Camp Fox and Miehana, Youth Institute, and Volleyball Coach. He likes volleyball, high fives, soccer, video production, long walks on a short pier, and does hardcore parkour only in his sleep.

QUICK FACTS

Program began in 1999
Serves 4,600 students in 46 school sites each day (37 elementary sites, 6 junior highs and 5 high schools)
Award-winning Collaboration
The Anaheim Family YMCA is the lead facilitator. Other partners include the City of Anaheim, California and O.C. Departments of Education and dour school districts (Anaheim City, Magnolia, Savanna, and Anaheim
Union High School)
Provides a balanced curriculum of academics, enrichment, character and fitness/nutrition
Keeps kids safe from 2:37 to 6 p.m., the hours where kids are most susceptible to negative influences.
Provides students with tutoring and mentoring
Quarterly community events: Student Showcase, Student Film Showcase

A VALUABLE COMMUNITY RESOURCE: 

Keeps kids safe and our community safe
Gives parents peace of mind during the work day
Builds community pride by involving students, parents, business leaders and volunteers in the lives of our young people.

SERVES STUDENT NEEDS 

Safe, on-site after-school environment
Fun and engaging learning activities
Highly-trained staff
Career Academy Program (CAP)
Homework assistance and tutoring
Academic enrichment that supports state and district standards
Activities designed to build assets in students and support their success
Character-building activities
Fab 5 fitness & nutrition program
Mentoring programs
Student interest clubs (art, music, cooking, dance and many more)
Life skills, goal setting, and more!

AWARDS & RECOGNITION 

Top collaboration in California by the Cities, Counties & Schools Partnership in 2001
Regional Learning Center through the California After School Partnership (serves as one of 13 outstanding “learning hubs” in the region)
Award for Educational Excellence from the Association of California School Administrators in 2003
Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association in 2003
National nomination as a promising after-school program in mathematics by the Southwest Educational
Development Laboratory (SEDL) in 2005
Certificate of Congressional Special Recognition, 2007

Kids enjoying the day

Why do a blog about it?

Anaheim Achieves has changed the landscape of the school.  When Loara started the nuclear family was a nuclear family.  Now we have split families, multiple families under one roof, Motel kids and the likes.  These kids need a place to be and Anaheim Achieve fills that void.  As stated above the programs they offer truly connect kids to the school, and as a teachers day is long, they no longer can hang in one room for a group of students to hang with them.  Programs like this aren't just cool they are essential.  As the Anaheim Achieves liaison I'm truly happy that they and especially Jonathan are on our campus.

Back to school dance

I am always amazed at the first dance and how much fun the kids seem to have yet everyone isn't here. For the upper class men, it's like a "cool" thing if you don't come and yet the ones here seem so much cooler than the ones that choose not to go.  The dance is free if you have an ASB card and only $5.00 if you don't.  We lose money a bit on this dance but it's all about the spirit and welcoming everyone back to the school year.  Plus we want to sell ASB Cards.

Freshmen get their taste of a night time dance and they try to be all tough on the outside yet they are just as thrilled to be here, more than most ... They'll never admit it though.  Junior High Dances these days (if there are any) are held right after school, they don't have night time dances. I had only 2 altercations with Freshmen trying to find their place in High School, it's expected really, but boy is it silly.

It's 9:17pm and they are dancing away.

DJ Brought a Trailer with a Outdoor lighting package

About 500 kids are in this picture alone enjoying the dance ... notice the 4 LCD Televisions streaming videos in the back