Estancia High School

Estancia High School is a public high school in Costa Mesa, California. Estancia is part of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District in Orange County and is located at 2323 Placentia Avenue.

Sports

Estacia is part of the Orange Coast League of the CIF Southern Section. The school offers varsity teams in: Football, Boys and Girls Volleyball, Cheerleading, Boys and Girls Waterpolo, Boys and Girls Tennis, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Boys and Girls Track & field, Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Soccer, Coed Wrestling, Boys and Girls Golf, Girls Softball, and Baseball.

Each year, rival football teams from Costa Mesa High School and Estancia High School play each other in a game known as the Battle of the Bell.^[1] Costa Mesa High School currently has the bell. Estancia plays in the Orange Coast League. The last Estancia team to win a CIF championship was the 2004 Boys Volleyball team. The 2011 Football team made it to the semifinal round of the playoffs.

Music

Estancia was once noted for its fine music program. From 1970 until 1981 the instrumental music program was under the direction of Peter P. Fournier. During that time the program grew from 40 musicians to over 100, and the school boasted a well rounded instrumental department that included an Intermediate Band, a Symphonic Wind Ensemble, a Jazz Ensemble, a String/Full Orchestra, and a Marching Band.

The marching band, at its peak, enjoyed many successes at SCSBOA Parade Band competitions in Southern California, including first place awards at the Colton and Santa Monica Band Reviews, as well as a well deserved appearance in the 1977 Rose Parade.

During Mr. Fournier's time at Estancia HS the concert groups enjoyed an unprecedented series of achievements in concert venues, including many unanimous superior rating ratings at both district and regional festivals for the wind ensemble, symphonic band and orchestra. The wind ensemble performed by invitation for the CMEA Western Region Convention in Tucson, AZ in 1972, the CMEA National Convention in Anaheim in 1974 where the brass ensemble opened the exhibition hall and the wind ensemble performed with composer Dr. Brett Heisinger.

Since the departure of Mr. Fournier in 1981, EHS, like all schools in the NMUSD has undergone a steady decline in the department due to lack of district support for music. What used to be a vibrant and important program for the high school consisting of seven periods of instrumental performing ensembles (as well as a similarly outstanding and complete chorale program) has declined to a few students and one part time instructor.

Notable alumni

• Rich Amaral, Former Major League Baseball player (Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles)
• Jeff Gardner, Former Major League Baseball player (New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Montreal Expos)^[2]
• Mitchell Hurwitz, creator of the television show Arrested Development. Graduated in 1981.^[3]
• Allan Mansoor, Assemblymember representing the 74th Assembly District and former mayor of Costa Mesa^[4]
• Uber Gallegos, Professional Mixed Martial Artist, Class of 2004
• Matt Fuerbringer, Professional Beach Volleyball player,^[5] Class of 1992
• David Khachadoorian, Author and Professional Coach, Class 1989
• Jeff Stratton, Director of LPO Band
• Jeff Graham, gridiron football player

References