Valencia High School (Placentia, California)

Valencia High School in Placentia, California, was established in 1933. The high school originally shared buildings with Bradford Avenue Elementary School until 1964, when Bradford Elementary closed and Valencia High School became the sole occupant of the campus property. Until 1967, when El Dorado High School was built, Valencia was Placentia's only high school. Valencia High School is located at 33.87622,-117.86929.

Roy Leon Tillery was the first VHS graduate, as the only member of the Senior Class of 1933-34. At the June 12, 1934, graduation ceremony, Tillery was treated to the address "Who Are Educated?" by Vierling Kersey, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Tillery served as the student speaker (as well as class valedictorian); and was presented with diploma #1.

Many of Valencia's buildings, including the auditorium and cafeteria, were built during the Depression by the WPA.

Today the school serves a student body of approximately 2,500 students. It is one of four high schools in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.

Beginning in the summer of 2010, Valencia underwent a series of renovations and construction projects, including a new 17-classroom building, modernized school breezeway and administration building, and new bleachers at Bradford Stadium. A modernized "quad" was also among the list of projects, serving as a center of campus life and a common location of school activities. Funding for these improvements was provided by Measure A, which was approved by local voters in 2008.^[1]

The school's mascot is the Tiger, and its team colors are blue and gold.

Valencia's first IB class graduated in 2006.

Academic Decathlon

The 2008-2009 Academic Decathlon team was the first Valencia team to make it to the State round of competition, taking First Place in Orange County.

Athletics

In 2014, the Valencia High School Varsity Football Team, and VHS Girl's Tennis Team, were the Empire League champs. Additionally, the VHS Boy's Varsity Cross Country won the Empire League finals.

The Valencia boys' varsity soccer team for the 2008–09 season was the best it has ever been. The team defeated Santa Ana High to win CIF with a final score of 1–0.

Tennis has been a strong suit of the Tigers, with the boy's tennis team winning the 2012 CIF Championship.^[2] The girls won CIF three years in a row (2006, 2007, 2008). Also, boys' and girls' basketball dominated the Empire League in the 2008–09 season.

The Boys Lacrosse Captain from 2012-2015 Jean-Marc Saouma was the first player to play in the College level accepting an offer to play at the University of Nevada-Reno.

The Tiger Regiment

The Valencia Marching Tiger Regiment took the gold in the SCSBOA Marching Band Competition in 2003 and 2004, under the direction of Phil Mortensen. And has placed either second or third consistently since then. In 2007 the Tiger Regiment took 10th place in the Western Bands Association Field Finals and 2nd place at SCSBOA in 2008 under the direction of Michael Collins. Pete Perez has been directing the jazz bands throughout all these years, and under his direction the jazz bands have won numerous awards. The Valencia colorguard is known for their second place wins and taking sweepstakes at nearly every SCSBOA field show they attend. They are one of the best colorguards in the U.S., winning seventh place out of hundreds in the 2009 WGI International Supreme Ruler of the Galaxy Colorgaurd World Championship in Dayton, Ohio. The obsequios drum line finished 7th place at 2004 WGI World Championships in San Diego, California. Tiger Regiment is now ranked 1st in Orange County by SCSBOA in Fall 2013

School Rivalry

Valencia High School's cross-town rival is El Dorado High School. The rivalry is highlighted every year on the football field with the annual "Bell Game," in which the victorious team brings home a large, frame-mounted bell.

• In 2008, the Valencia High School football team won the bell by a score of 17-16.
• On September 25, 2009 El Dorado High School took the bell back by a win of 28-15.
• On September 24, 2010 Valencia won the bell back from El Dorado 23-10.
• On September 23, 2011, El Dorado High School regained possession of the bell.
• On September 14, 2012, Valencia took possession of the bell from El Dorado 14-7.
• On September 13, 2013, Valencia retained possession of the bell in a 24-7 victory over El Dorado.
• On September 19, 2014, Valencia once again retained possession of the bell in a 31-13 win over El Dorado.

Notable alumni

• Héctor Ambriz, Pitcher for the Cleveland Indians.^[3]
• Michael Chang, U.S. Tennis Player.
• Chris Draft, NFL pro football player, Falcons/Giants/Panthers.^[4]
• Suzanne Enoch, romance novel author.
• Michele Granger, (Class of 1988), U.S. Olympic Gold Medal-winning softball player.
• Daryl Mallett (Class of 1986), author and actor.
• Linda Sánchez (Class of 1987), U.S. Congresswoman representing the 39th District of California.
• Julie Swail, U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo team captain at 2000 Summer Olympics and Triathlete at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
• Chris Tidland, Professional Golfer (PGA Tour) Nationwide Tour.
• Danny Worth, professional baseball second baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball^[5]
• Beneil Dariush, professional MMA fighter currently fighting for the UFC.

References

External links

• Valencia High School Web Site
• Valencia High School Athletics
• Valencia High School Alumni Association