Tustin High School

Tustin High School
"A History of Excellence – A Future of Promise"
Address
1171 El Camino Real Tustin, California, 92780-4660 United States
Coordinates	33°44′14″N 117°49′07″W / 33.73726°N 117.818509°W / 33.73726; -117.818509Coordinates: 33°44′14″N 117°49′07″W / 33.73726°N 117.818509°W / 33.73726; -117.818509
Information
Type	Public
Established	1921
School district	Tustin Unified School District
Principal	Christine Matos
Grades	9th–12th
Enrollment	~2,300
Campus	Suburban
Campus size	29 acres
Color(s)	White      Black      Red
Athletics conference	Empire League
Mascot	Tillers
Rival	Foothill High School
Publication	Pitchfork TV
Newspaper	The Pitchfork
Information	(714)730-7414
Website	Tustin High School

Tustin High School is a public high school located in Tustin, California, with their mascot being the Tillers. Tustin High is a part of Tustin Unified School District and was originally established in 1921 as Tustin Union High School.^[1]

Tustin High School is officially a Title I school and is a California Distinguished School.^[2] In 2015, Tustin High was recognized as a California Gold Ribbon School, given to top high schools in the state for its academic success, positive school environment, and innovative learning centers. Additionally, it has been recognized by Newsweek Magazine as one of the top 600 public high schools in the United States seven years in a row.^[3]

History

Tustin High School, c. 1925

Tustin Union High School Pool - 1956

Founded in 1921 as Tustin Union High School because it served five elementary districts (Tustin, Laguna Beach, El Toro, Trabuco Canyon and San Joaquin),^[4] Tustin High School was a stately two story structure surrounded by miles of orange groves and other agri-businesses, thus the school nickname, the Tustin Tillers. Tustin High School is the oldest school in the district, with the second oldest (Foothill High School) being built in 1963. The original layout of the school included a neoclassic building with a 1,000 seat auditorium, outdoor Greek theater, domestic science department, mechanical and manual training departments, athletic field and gymnasium (opened in 1924). In 1927, a new wing was added, then a large gymnasium and swimming pool.

The football stadium and 440 track were constructed in the mid-1940s. The stadium and field were later named Northrup Field after Orville Northrup, who taught woodshop and physical education, and served as Principal of Tustin Union High School from 1941 to 1962.^[5]

In 1966, the original building was judged to be unsafe in case of an earthquake. It took wreckers 10 days to demolish the structure during July of that year. The old building was replaced with the current facility which, without the charm of the original Tustin Union High School, continues to carry on its excellent traditions, excelling in both sports and academics.

In 1972, the Tustin Union High School District merged with Tustin Elementary School District to create the Tustin Unified School District. Tustin High is a California Distinguished School and has been recognized by Newsweek Magazine as one of the top 600 High Schools in the nation.

Tustin High School is located on 29 acres of land in the middle of the City of Tustin. Today's campus consists of twenty-two single-story buildings, a two story science building and seventeen portable classrooms. The campus also includes two baseball fields, two softball fields, a discus field and two gymnasiums. It also houses the District football field, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, two soccer fields, six tennis courts and a synthetic track and field.^[6]

Alma Mater

Our strong bond can ne’er be broken,

Form’d in Tustin High,

Far surpassing wealth unspoken,

Seal’d by friendship’s tie.

High school life is best at passing,

Gliding swiftly by,

Then let us pledge in work and deed,

Our love for Tustin High.

Alma Mater, Alma Mater

Deep graven on each heart,

Shall be found unwav’ring true

When we from school shall part.

Tustin High Student Quad

New Campus Construction and Modernization

Tustin High Sports Pavilion - Exterior

In June 2008, the Tustin school board approved a master plan that would guide the possible renovations of Tustin High School or the construction of a new campus.^[7] The plan would include a new administration building, a 2-story science center, a sports pavilion, and a 2-story performing arts theater and classroom building. The estimated cost of the renovation was put at around $150 million.

Tustin High Sports Pavilion - Interior Foyer

School Map

The Sports Pavilion, finished in the summer of 2012, costing $11 million itself seats 2500 students and faculty within 29,000 square feet of space. Amenities include ticket windows, concession stands, foyer, dance room, trophy cases, mens' and womens' team rooms equipped with smart boards, two professionally sized scoreboards and a drop down display screen. The new facility houses 4-sided bleachers, and can be formatted either as 3 basketball or volleyball practice courts (width wise), or a college sized basketball court or main volleyball court (length wise).

In December 2012, reconstruction at Northrup Stadium and swimming complex began. The updated stadium includes a synthetic field, 9-lane synthetic track, concessions building, a 1000-seat visitor bleacher and 1000-seat home bleacher. The new $1.7 million swimming complex includes an Olympic-sized pool, new scoreboard, bleachers, and renovated locker rooms.

Academics

Tustin High School offers many different academic programs, including many AP courses, honors courses, and STEM, alongside normal high school college-prep courses. Tustin is the only high school in the district to offer MUN (Model United Nations), which is an educational simulation and/or academic competition in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations through conferences against other high school students.

THSMUN 23rd Conference - Prism of Possibilities

MUN

The Tustin High School Model United Nations (MUN) program is an educational simulation and/or academic competition in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. Tustin High is the only high school in the district to offer this course.

The THSMUN program hosts an annual 2-day novice/advanced conference, usually in late November, and invites high schools across Southern California and also an international group of students (usually from the Czech Republic). The conference hosts over 50 schools, totaling over 1600 delegates, in many different committees dealing with local and international issues. As of 2015, Tustin High hosted its 23rd annual conference.

STEM

The Tustin High School Academy of Technology & Engineering; also known as T-Tech, is a four year program that emphasizes the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) guided by PLTW (Project Lead the Way). The academy, started in 2010, is known for being one of the premier technical education programs in Orange County. The class of 2015 was its first "complete" class; seniors were awarded special recognition during graduation for their hard work and dedication toward finishing the four year program.

T-Tech

The Freshmen: Introduction to Engineering course is a hands on introduction to basic engineering, programming and technology principles in a fun and engaging class.

The Sophomore: Principles of Engineering course is an advanced science and technology curriculum with hands-on lab activities, robotics, and computer simulations.

The Junior: Product Design & Engineering course encompasses 2D drafting, 3D Computer Aided Design & Modeling with SolidWorks, and 3D printing.

Seniors have a choice of two courses for their final year. The capstone "Engineering Design & Development" course and the "Computer Science & Engineering" course. The capstone class is a senior product design class (Senior Project) that emphasizes advanced engineering skills, communication and teamwork that students have learned in their 4-year academic career to solve real-world engineering challenges.

A club is also available during the school year with a centerpiece project being electric cars/go-karts. Along with a full classroom of computers, the program features 3-3D printers, wood and steel engraver, smart boards, and full workshop. All classes in the program are recognized by the UC system as "UC approved" courses.

T-Tech annually competes in the UCI Energy Invitational, a competition between high schools and universities to create vehicles that run on only $1.00 of electricity. Tustin continuously has done well at these competitions, alongside defeating rival high school Foothill High School in 2015.

T-Tech is proud to be an education partner of the Boeing Corporation. Each summer, THS chooses six students to participate in the eight week, engineering internship in Boeing's Huntington Beach campus. Only 75 interns from 13 high schools across Orange County are accepted. The Boeing Internship is exclusively offered to Tustin High School T-Tech students finishing 11th grade in the TUSD (Tustin Unified School District).

In 2015, T-Tech was awarded the prestigious Golden Bell Award, given by the California School Boards Association, for its outstanding achievement in the STEM fields. Over the past five years the university acceptance rate for T-Tech seniors has been double that of the average OC high school student. T-Tech alumni currently attend a number of prestigious universities including UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCI, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, etc...

Athletics

The Tillers currently compete in the Empire League of the CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS), apart of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). League teams include:

• Tustin High School
• John F. Kennedy High School (La Palma, California)
• Pacifica High School (Garden Grove, California)
• Cypress High School
• Western High School (Anaheim, California)
• Valencia High School (Placentia, California)

Seasons

Tustin High School offers 15 different sports, in 25 teams.

Tustin High Aquatic Center

Fall:

• Cross Country (Men's/Women's)
• Football
• Golf (Women's)
• Tennis (Women's)
• Volleyball (Women's)
• Water Polo (Men's)

Tustin High Sports Pavilion - Interior

Winter:

• Basketball (Men's/Women's)
• Soccer (Men's/Women's)
• Water Polo (Women's)
• Wrestling (Men's/Women's)

Spring:

• Baseball
• Golf (Men's)
• Lacrosse (Men's/Women's)
• Softball
• Swimming (Men's/Women's)
• Tennis (Men's)
• Track and Field (Men's/Women's)
• Volleyball (Men's)

Football

Tustin Football - 2011 CIF Southwest Champions

Tustin High - Northrup Field

In 2008, Tustin High School had six players in the NFL at one time, tied with Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the most in the United States.^[8] The players were: Sam Baker (Atlanta), Beau Bell (Cleveland), Chris Chester (Baltimore), DeShaun Foster (San Francisco), Matt McCoy (Tampa Bay), and Frostee Rucker (Cincinnati).^[9] The totals were based on the 1,693-man 2008 NFL Kickoff Weekend rosters (September 4, 7-8).

Super Bowl 50 High School Honor Roll Golden Ball

Tustin, since 1996, have won 10 league titles, went to 10 CIF semifinals and 4 finals appearances (1997, 2008, 2010, 2011).

Tustin Union High School - 1924 Football team

On December 10, 2011, Tustin defeated the El Toro Chargers in the CIF-SS Southwest Division championship game at Anaheim Stadium, their first CIF Championship since 1948.^[10]

Since 2004, the Tiller football team is on top against rival Foothill High School, with a record of 7-6-0.

Tustin High, as part of the National Football League Super Bowl High School Honor Roll Program, were awarded a coveted Golden Football for its impact on Super Bowl history. The program recognizes each high school that has had one of their alumni participate or play in a Super Bowl. DeShaun Foster, a running back for THS from 1994 to 1998 participated in Super Bowl XXXVIII with the Carolina Panthers in 2004.

Tustin Basketball - CIF-SS Division 3AAA Champions

Men's Basketball

The Tiller mens's basketball team is the reigning Empire League champions (2015), with a perfect league record of 10-0. They have won the league title three of the past four years (2012, 2013, and 2015). During the 2012-13 season, the team set a school record for wins in a season with 31 (31-3 record). That same season, the Tillers defeated Royal High School (California) in the Division 3AAA finals; their final ranking being 27th in California and 167th in the nation. The following season (2014), after being raised to Division 2A, the team made it to the semi-finals, only to be defeated by Calabasas High School 56-49. For the 2014-2015 season, again being raised to Division 1A, the team pushed far into the postseason, reaching the semi-finals again, but being defeated by Village Christian Schools (the eventual champions) 58-44. The team has also qualified for the Division II State playoffs twice, the 2012-2013 season where they made it to the second round and the 2013-2014 season losing in the first round.

Tustin High Dance Team and All-Male Dance Team

Although the THS Dance Team is an applied art credit, it receives no funding from the Tustin Unified School District. They are completely funded by dancer families and numerous fundraisers & hosted events. Without the donations of the community and the hard work of the team's booster club, having this team would not be possible. The THS Dance Team has won two International titles (1999 & 2003) and 28 U.S. Championship and National titles through the National Dance Alliance, the United Spirit Association, & Sharp International^[11][12] and the 2003 National Dance Alliance^[13] wall of fame for Varsity Dance Kick.^[14] The Tustin High Dance Team is mainly dancers that start out with little to no dance experience, however manage to appear as if previous studio dancers. The current coaches are Coach Nielsen and Coach Kaylee for the girl's dance team and the All-Male Dance Team is coached by Coach Aldanese who continue to coach because of their passion for dance and their beliefs in spreading that passion to young students. The 2012-2013 team has also received many trophies throughout its lucrative competition season, with the Girls' Dance Team winning two national titles by the end of the season. The 2013-2014 Tustin Dance Team once again regained their title of State Champions in Small Female Hip Hop at CADTD State Championships. Afterwards, they won two national titles at Miss Dance Drill Team USA (MDDTUSA) 2014 in Small Female Hip Hop and Kick. Kick also received 3rd place Grand Championship out of 200 routines! The Tustin All Male Dance Team also won their first national title in Medium Male Hip Hop.

Notable alumni

Sports

• Sam Baker, former NFL offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons.^[15]
• Beau Bell, former linebacker for the Cleveland Browns, current Canadian Football League linebacker for the Philadelphia Soul.
• Heath Bell, former 3x MLB all-star Pitcher. Last played for Tampa Bay Rays^[16]
• Milorad Čavić, Serbian Olympic Freestyle and butterfly swimmer,^[17] set eight school and four state records while winning seven CIF state titles. Named the 2002 National High School Swimmer of the Year. He was the 2008 Summer Olympics Silver Medalist, 100m butterfly, famously falling to Michael Phelps by 1/100 of a second.
• Chris Chester, NFL lineman for the Atlanta Falcons.^[18]
• DeShaun Foster, former NFL running back for the Carolina Panthers and the San Francisco 49ers.^[19]
• Evelyn Furtsch, Olympic Gold Medalist, 4x100 Relay, 1932 Summer Olympics.^[20][21]
• Doug Gottlieb, host of The Doug Gottlieb Show and former NCAA collegiate basketball player.^[22]
• Mark Grace, former MLB all-star first baseman for the Chicago Cubs.^[23]
• Shawn Green former MLB all-star outfielder & designated hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays , L.A. Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and New York Mets.^[24]
• Matt McCoy, former NFL linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks.^[25]
• Rick Partridge, NFL punter for the New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills.^[26]
• Frostee Rucker, NFL defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals.^[27]
• Dave Staton, former MLB First baseman for the San Diego Padres ^[28]
• Jim Steffen, former NFL safety for the Detroit Lions and the Washington Redskins.^[29]
• Richard Umphrey III, former NFL center for the San Diego Chargers and New York Giants.^[30]
• Anthony Wilkerson, former running back for the Stanford Cardinal from 2010–2013.

Film

• Eva Angelina, adult film actress, attended Tustin but graduated at Foothill High School .^[31]
• Cuba Gooding, Jr., actor, Jerry Maguire, attended Tustin but graduated elsewhere.^[32]
• Robert David Hall, actor, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.^[33]
• Rachel Kimsey, actress, The Young and the Restless.^[34]
• Kim Krizan, writer, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset.

Miscellaneous

• Dan Choi, US Army officer, activist against the US Military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.^[35]
• David C. Leestma, astronaut and current director of flight crew operations at the Johnson Space Center.^[36]

References

External links

• Tustin High School
• Tustin Unified School District

City of Tustin Orange County, California, United States Areas Tustin Legacy Tustin Ranch Schools Tustin Unified School District Tustin High School Transportation Santa Ana Freeway Interstate 5 State Route 55 Jamboree Road Metrolink station Landmarks Marine Corps Air Station Tustin The Market Place Peters Canyon Peters Canyon Wash