Branham High School

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Location
Branham High School

1570 Branham Lane San Jose, CA
Information
School district	Campbell Union High School District
Principal	Tom Utic
Enrollment	1500
Type	Public
Mascot	Bruin
Established	1967
Information	(408) 267-1020
Homepage	branham.cuhsd.org

Branham High School is a secondary school located in San Jose, California. It first opened in 1967. From 1991 to 1999, Branham had been leased out to Valley Christian Schools. In 1999, the school was reopened as part of the Campbell Union High School District due to increased enrollment within the district^[1] and graduated its first senior class in over a decade in 2002. Branham, as well as Branham Lane, is named after Isaac Branham, an early pioneer of California who became a successful farmer and lumber mill owner. The Branham colors are blue and white and the official mascot is the Bruin. Branham is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

1 Academics
2 Athletics
3 Theater Department
4 2003 Code Red alert
5 Notable Alumni
6 See also
7 External links
8 Notes

[edit] Academics

Branham was awarded the title of California Distinguished School during the 2006-2007 school year.^[2] During the 2005-2006 school year, Branham's API score increased by 47 points, enabling the school to apply to become distinguished. Branham also participates in the College Board's Advanced Placement program and offers seven AP courses for students.

[edit] Athletics

Branham High School participates as a member of the Blossom Valley Athletic League (BVAL). Branham fields teams in numerous sports, including football, basketball, baseball, swimming and diving, tennis, badminton, soccer, softball, track and field, cross country, golf, field hockey, and wrestling. Although the athletics program is relatively new, Branham teams have won a number of awards and annually sends representation to the Central Coast Sectionals (CCS).

The traditional "rivals" for Bruin athletes are the Leigh High School Longhorns, mostly due to the close proximity between the two schools. The Bruins baseball team also consider the Westmont High School Warriors to be a division rival.

The 1984-85 Bruin boys varsity soccer team made it to the Central Coast Section finals losing to Menlo Atherton 4-3 in a thrilling double overtime game. The team finished the season with a record of 17-2-2. The team was lead by CCS First Team selection and "Senior of the Year" Eric Mestressat (forward/defender), Cliff McCready (midfielder) CCS First Team selection and Scott Coutts CCS Second Team selection (goalkeeper).

[edit] Theater Department

Kicking off the inaugural season in 1999-2000 with Euripides' classic Medea, the department quickly grew to stage seasons of up to seven plays including original works like "Hollywoodn't" (2002) and a modern adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" (2003) alongside major musical and non-musical productions including Jason Robert Brown's Songs for a New World (2003), Durrenmatt's The Visit (2001), Li'l Abner (2004), Eugene Ionesco's Killing Game (2004), and Michael Bennet's A Chorus Line (2005). The group showcased both faculty and student-directed works, developed relationships and internship programs with local theater companies, and produced touring productions. After piloting the first multi-level, multi-faceted curriculum in the district, the department earned the 2001 Glenn Hoffman Award for "Outstanding Fine Arts Curriculum", the 2003 Penwomen of America Award for "Outstanding Theater Teacher (E. Dale Smith)", and the 2003 High School Musical Honors Award for "Outstanding Ensemble". The department currently offers a full theater curriculum including a musical theater course taught by Sharon Salazar, a drama club, and a full season of outstanding productions.

[edit] 2003 Code Red alert

On October 29, 2003, Branham High School was the location of an emergency situation when the campus was locked down for about two hours after a potentially dangerous situation unfolded. San Jose police officers chasing a suspect close to the high school alerted school administrators after the suspect dropped a bag that was found to contain a sawed-off shotgun. Just a few minutes after school had been let out, school officials broadcast a "Code Red Alert" over the PA system and students were hustled into classrooms in order to wait for the all-clear signal. The irony of this is that earlier that same day, the Branham students had practiced a "Red Alert" drill earlier in the day. Police eventually arrested the suspect close to the BHS parking lot without incident, but the campus remained locked down until about 3:15 PM.^[3]

Branham High School was praised for its quick and effective response to the situation by San Jose mayor Ron Gonzales on November 5th, 2003 in which Gonzales stated, "We are safe because of successful completion of training," and that "Branham did everything it was supposed to do." Branham's administrators and office staff received praise for their quick handling of the situation.^[4]

[edit] Notable Alumni

Jenelle Gomez: Class of 2004, went on to play golf for San Jose State University. Was named the 2006 WAC individual champion.^[5]
Louis Sakoda: Class of 2005, went on to play football for the University of Utah as a kicker. Considered to be one of the most consistent and accurate kickers in NCAA football, proved to be a key player in the 2006 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl against Tulsa which resulted in a 25-13 Utah win and earned him the game MVP award.
Gary Radnich: sports anchor, KRON-TV, San Francisco
Pat Hughes '73, the Voice of the Chicago Cubs
Troy Benson: Class of 1988, attorney, Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, prosecutor for the "Leo the Dog" case;[1]
Kelly Shenefiel: Class of 1986, former professional cheerleader, Laker Girl - Los Angeles Lakers
Cynthia LaHerran: Class of 1985, former professional cheerleader, Gold Rush Girl - San Francisco 49er's
Michelle LaHerran: Class of 1988, former professional cheerleader, Gold RushGirl - San Francisco 49er's
Karen Robinson: Class of 1981, Superior Court Judge of Orange county