A few months ago, in June, three students from the MESA team won the first-place trophy from the 2010 MESA USA National Engineering Design Competition Wind Energy Challenge at the University of Colorado.  The competition required participating student teams to build a windmill from household objects and put their project through a series of rigorous tests.  The teams are judged based on windmill performance, technical paper, academic display and oral presentation.  Kalin Zaluzec, Steven Chau, and Scott Nguyen (who were juniors at the time) competed against teams in Arizona, Colorado, Washington, Utah, Oregon, and Maryland after winning MESA regional and state competitions earlier this year.  They ended up winning first in five of the six contest categories in the national competition, while winning second in the remaining category. 

The creation of the windmill began in September 2009, right around the beginning of the school year.  Scott explained that they wanted to redeem themselves for losing at the state competition last year. The trio looked for scrap metal around the house along with other household materials such as pizza pans and 'no trespassing' signs. The other parts of the windmill (such as the gears) were ordered online.  They first started with a prototype and a windmill kit, eventually improving their machine as they passed each level of the competition.  After reaching nationals, it was "an entire year's worth of work paid off," according to Scott.

MESA stands for Math Engineering Science Achievement, an academic development program administered by the University of California supporting high school students so they can excel in math and science studies. Hon Shiu “Sunny” Costello, a district math teacher on special assignment, advises the MESA students at GGHS.

Garden Grove High School is fortunate to have such dedicated and friendly staff on campus.  The past four years at GGHS allowed for the senior class of 2010 to become with one, or several, staff members.  These seniors would like to express their gratitude for all the hard work and all the inspiration the staff have provided for them. Thank you, staff, for always being there for our students!

Read more: Thank You Staff

This year, six faculty members will retire and move on to finish their many life goals they have yet to accomplish. Ms. Adams, Mrs. Real, Dr. Czarnecki, Mr. Pines, Mr. Adams, and Mr. Wilbert, we thank you for you many years of service and we hope you have a relaxing retirement! Read more to learn more about each staff member.

Read more: Farewell to Our Retiring Staff

Congratulations to the Most Worthy Argonaut, Adan Juarez! The decision was not easy to make, according to the judges.  All the finalists were excellent candidates for the title. Read more to learn about Adan.

Read more: Most Worthy Argonaut

We have done it again Argos!  Garden Grove High has made Newsweek's "America's Best High Schools" list for 5 consecutive years. In 2006, we were ranked 1151 out of 27,000 high schools, putting Grove in the top 4%.  In 2007, we went down to 1312, but in 2008, we jumped to 847.  Last year, we went up further to 715.  Now we are at 592, which is the top 2.1%. GGHS is "the only GGUSD high school to make the list."  That in itself is a great honor, even without the increase in ranking. 

This just shows how much the school has improved over the last 12 months.  It could not be possible without the effort of the students and teachers and the support of the parents and everyone else who supports the school.  For more information about our achievement, go to the Newsweek article.

The class of 2010 will bid their final farewell this June 23rd when they toss their caps towards the sky as they move on to a bright future.  To many of our seniors, their bright future will begin at college, where they will learn to experiment with independence and college life. 

Read more: Seniors Head Off to College

Congratulations to the Most Worthy Argonaut finalists who made it to the Top 8!  The Golden Fleece Awards will be an exciting night for these finalists because the Most Worthy Argonauts will be revealed.  Read more to read why teachers believe each student deserves to be a Most Worthy Argonaut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ylan Ha

“Ylan has been my best student in French for each of the three years I’ve enjoyed having her; she received the Student of the Quarter for all three levels in French for her consistent A+’s! Her dedication to community service is incredible including hundreds of hours given freely to Garden Grove Hospital, CST, NHS, and Key Club. This wonderful candidate for the ‘Most Worthy Argonaut Award’ is perfect example of the best in our business of education. I cannot think of a better qualified student over my thirty years of teaching to be recommended for this prestigious award from G.G.H.S.”  
- Mrs. Adams

 

 

 

 Joey Murray

“Joey Murray has stood out as a student since his first day on campus in September of 2006. He never distinguished himself in a loud or obtrusive way, but rather with a quiet confidence and purposeful manner. As his World History teacher I quickly learned of his positive attitude and quality of character on a daily basis. He absorbs knowledge easily, producing excellent, thoughtful work. He is the type of student who understands how useful an education is, and he has made the most of his time here in high school. As an athlete, Joey is the individual anyone would want on his or her side, especially in a hard, difficult contest with time running out. He competes with…confidence and purpose. These two traits allow him to improvise and overcome as well as any athlete I have ever coached. The attainment of success is hard earned and difficult. Yet I am confident that Joey is well on his way to accepting the challenges of this future contest in life as well. No matter what, you will always be an Argonaut!”
- Mr. Frank

 

 

 

Stephanie Nguyen

“Stephanie Nguyen embodies what it means to be a Garden Grove Argonaut. Academically, she challenges herself and strives to succeed. Not only for the grade, but to achieve personal satisfaction that the hard work she has done has paid off. Athletically, she is a representative on the court and off for being a team leader. Her peers respect no only her dedication to Volleyball but also her teammates and coaches. Socially, she associates herself with service organizations such as Key Club. As a member and leader she knows that she doesn’t care about only making her life a success but that of her peers, her school, and her community as well. Even though these aspects of Stephanie are admirable, Stephanie is deserving of Most Worthy Argonaut for she is mature beyond her years, compassionate to others, and genuinely a nice person. Stephanie has become such a success because she has the heart and dedication to succeed in whatever task lies in front of her whether it be an A in an AP course, a perfect season in volleyball, or serving a meal at a soup kitchen.”
- Ms. Norton

 

 

 

Adan Juarez

“A student who embodies the spirit of ‘Most Worthy Argonaut’ is Adan Juarez. Adan is one of the few students I have had who challenges me to be a better teacher. Whenever I would raise the bar of expectation in my course, he would rise to the challenge, succeed, and then be waiting on the other side with a look of excitement as if to say, ‘What’s next?’ Adan Juarez is most worthy of this honor due to his strong work ethic, his commitment to excellent work, and his passion for learning. I wish him all the best.”
- Mrs. Bartolotti

 

 

 

Andy Le

“It’s hard to imagine anyone embodying our school motto, ‘Pride, Performance, and the Pursuit of Excellence,’ any better than Andy Le. Andy is a throwback to a bye gone era. He is unfailingly polite and respectful to all (not just adults, but especially adults). He knows how to look someone in the eye while talking, and has a great handshake, not too much pressure but firm. He also exudes humility, which make him accessible, likable, and approachable. Perhaps Andy’s best trait lies in the trust that is bestowed upon him. Students, parents, all teachers alike know that he is capable and dependable. No job is too small or too large to get his full, focused effort. Andy smacks of integrity and it’s truly the best compliment I can give a young scholar.”
- Mr. Griffin

 

 

 

John Heck

“John Heck is deserving of the title of Most Worthy Argonaut because he is a well-rounded student and a dedicated athlete.  John is an excellent student, he excels in the realm of academics and is always ready and willing to help tutor his peers with course content materials.  I feel that the winner of this prestigious Garden Grove High School award needs to represent his/her family, teachers, and school when he/she graduates from this institution, and I am confident, without any doubt, that John will fulfill this expectation.  John, it was a pleasure to have had you as a student and I wish you continued success in your future endeavors.”

- Mr. Luong

 

 

 

Rebecca Ruvalcaba

“Even if you took away her AP Classes, even if she had never played any sports for Grove, or had ever edited a single frame of awe inspiring video, Rebecca would still stand tall as a Most Worthy Argo.  A Most Worthy Argo is not someone simply with titles and accomplishments- they transcend those things because their motivation for doing everything comes from a passion for living, a sincere concern for others, and the simple desire to make their world a better place. When 2300 students are mesmerized by the All School Video, they often have no idea who spent countless hours laboring over every frame.  As a lead editor for Mediatech for the past three years, Rebecca has dedicated herself to showcase Argos in their moment of glory while she remained behind the scenes.  This is the true Spirit of a Most Worthy Argo- not self-aggrandizement but a generosity of heart that celebrates what’s best in others- allowing them to have their moment in the spotlight.   Well, Becca, this is your moment to shine- your character, integrity, and dedication made our school a better place and in ways you don’t even know, you have enriched our lives with your sincere friendship, kind heart, and your childlike zeal for life.  You are indeed a Most Worthy Ago! (And the fact that you were completely shocked even to make top 20, speaks volumes and shows how you deserve this honor all the more). ”  
- Mr. Kim

 

Kathy Ton

“Caring, involved, honest, personable, dedicated, hardworking are just a few of the words that come to mind when describing Kathy Ton. Probably the two most important things that qualify her for the Most Worthy Argonaut Award are her hard work, and honesty. Kathy does not sign-up for things just to put them on a resume. When she walks in the room, she is delivering things like a box, in which to recycle paper, or to get the class as involved and spirited, as she is. When she reads the announcements, I can just picture her smiling, and then frowning if she hasn’t read things perfectly. I also think of the times when she quietly enters the classroom and her face matches the emotions and concerns she has for herself and other students. Usually after discussing the problem, the smile starts to return and Kathy is back to work. The Most Worthy Argo, the candidate should be more than just a list of academic firsts, have headlines in the school newspaper, or be most popular. I think that the Most Worthy Argo should be the student who over four years has made the best use of her or his time with all the opportunities offered here at Grove. It should go to the student that made this a better place than it was before- Kathy Ton is this person.”    
- Mr. Sharp

 

 

Pennies For Patients is a program with the sole purpose of saving the lives of cancer patients. The cost of chemotherapy is expensive and the proceeds go towards the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It has been a part of GGHS for well over a decade; the event is organized by ASB’s Public Relations Commissioners, Lindsey Dang (10^th grade) and Jennifer Nguyen (11^th grade). Lindsey Dang values this program because her young cousin suffered through leukemia. Both Lindsey and Jennifer understand the difficulty of this disease. Pennies for Patients opens the door for people who are not as fortunate as others to have a chance for life. Last year we raised about $1,500, and this year we hope to double this mark with $3,000! The two 4^th period classes that raise the most money will win either 1^st place with Subway sandwiches and cookies or 2^nd place with Coldstone’s ice cream.

Congrats Argos, we are only four points away from meeting our 800-point API goal! For years, our principal Dr. Cross has pushed the students to strive beyond their own means and prove, not only to the district, but to our state and nation why Grove is the best. Every year just before the CST begins, she gives the students a motivational speech comparing Grove's API numbers from previous years to that of other GGUSD high schools. With testing currently going on, Dr. Cross wants everyone to take the tests seriously and show why GGHS is #1.

A few weeks ago, we reported: On February 19^, 2010, three of our fellow Argos, Kalin Zaluzec, Scott Nguyen, and Steven Chau, participated in the 16^th annual Popsicle Stick Contest. Two hundered and fifty high school students from thirty-nine schools around the LA and Orange County area  gathered in Los Angeles at the Annenberg Building in the California Science Center.

The activities included: lading the bridges, poster competitions, technical reports, presenting in front of judges, and 2 impromptu events conducted in partnership with the Science Center Education Department, which featured miniature sailboat races and a rollercoaster design contest. Kailin, Scott, and Steven won 1^st place in oral presentation, 2^nd for their technical paper, and 2^nd place for the overall contest. In response, Scott said, “We were surprised that we won and feel very accomplished.”

May 8th: MESA went to the state championships in UC Santa Barbara and the team won first place and are on their way to Nationals! The windmill the team contructed was very impressive and it drew much attention.  The MESA team will be heading out to the National Competition in Denver, Colorado from June 24-27. Good luck at Nationals, MESA!

Final State Results

Technical Paper: First Place
Academic Display: First Place
Oral Presentation: First Place (Judges asked them some extremely tough questions)

Windmill Performance:
Mechanical Power: First Place
Wind to Vehicle Transfer: First Place
Electrical Power: Second Place

 The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation has local branches partnering up with the Adopt-A-School Program in order to provide $1,000 donations for schools. Banks are joining this program to help schools because of budget cuts.

Read more: Local bank adopts GGHS

Well done to the 2010 Graduates of the GGHS Ten Educational Commandments class! The "10 Commandments" Program has been apart of GGHS since 2006 with the mission to help parents whose native language is not English navigate through the education system and assist in their student's success. The class teaches parents how to support their children so that they can perform better at school and become more motivated. The program wishes to remove the barriers harboring student's success focusing on:

1. Commit as a family to be involved in school. The guide affirms the important role of each family member in student success, and identifies ways that facilitators can help families get more involved with their children's education.

2. Do my part in helping my child study. Parents are encouraged to set aside study time for their students, and to establish routines that will promote good study habits.

3. Understand how grades work. In this section, the A-F grading system is explained and parents can learn how to calculate their student's grade point average.

4. Learn how schools are ordered. This describes basic levels within the U. S. educational system, and provides an explanation about each level from preschool through college and university.

5. Learn what my child needs to graduate successfully from high school. Taking a look at what to expect in grades 9-12, parents are informed about grade-level requirements, and given information about how to support their student throughout the high school experience. Information is also provided about the California High School Exit Exam.

6. Help my child prepare for college early. (a – g requirements and college aptitude tests)

7. Realize college is affordable. (Various options for seeking financial aid and scholarships are covered)

8. Support the learning of mathematics, science and English.

9. Encourage my child to take honors and advanced courses.

10. Teach my child to hope and visualize their future.

Graduates of this program are now able to support their children in a whole new level of motivation and awareness. Once again, congratulations to the graduates of the Ten Commandments program.

Press Release from Garden Grove Unified School District: Garden Grove Unified School District parents and voters are invited to tap the resources of the Internet for the latest information on the ‘Measure A’ school bond on the June 8 primary election ballot. 

The GGUSD this week unveiled the official Measure A website containing factual resources dedicated to assist voters as they prepare to go to the polls next month. Web users may access the page by selecting the ‘Measure A’ link from the GGUSD website at www.ggusd.us or navigate directly to www.ggusd.us/measurea.html.

The new webpage is host to Measure A questions and answers, bond measure ballot language, district Measure A news, projected tax assessment calculations, poll hours and voter registration information, the proposed project list, the adopted school board resolution, facility needs assessment, and Measure A fact sheets customized for each GGUSD school. Visit the Measure A site often as new content is added daily.

Measure A, if approved by 55 percent or more of district voters, authorizes $250 million in general obligation bonds and enables the GGUSD to qualify for as much as $200 million in matching state school bond funds for large-scale infrastructure repair, improvement, and modernization projects.

As identified in a draft facilities needs assessment, bond revenues – paired with state matching funds – may be used for renovating electrical circuitry, plumbing, lighting, roofing, intercom, and fire safety systems; improving energy efficiency; replacing doors, windows, and outdated heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; updating playground safety matting; upgrading telecommunications systems to accommodate current technology; replacing restroom and drinking fountain fixtures; and retrofitting schools for better accessibility for the disabled.

By law, bond revenue may only be directed for school facility improvements such as repair and modernization projects, new construction, land acquisition, and furniture and equipment. It cannot be used for teacher and administrator salaries or operating expenses unrelated to the bond measure.

Bond funds are kept and monitored by the Orange County Treasurer, and are subject to oversight by a citizen’s committee and annual independent audits open for public inspection.

For additional information go online at www.ggusd.us or call the district’s Public Information Office at (714) 663-6503. Measure A questions may also be directed by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


The Garden Grove Unified School District serves most of Garden Grove and portions of Santa Ana, Westminster, Fountain Valley, Cypress, Stanton, and Anaheim.


PressRelease #779

It's that time of year again! The Garden Grove High School faculty have a wonderful show filled with laughter and hidden talent for everyone to see. This year, the Teacher Talent Show will take place in the Don Wash Auditorium on April 29th starting at 7pm.  Buy your tickets today! Presale tickets for GGHS students are $3 and everyone else pays $5 at the door.

Read more: Teacher Talent Show

The GGHS cheerleaders dominated this year at the GGUSD District Championships and brought home first place!  The competition took place at Santiago on April 3rd, 2010.  The girls were able to win the gold with the help of the cheer coaches, their advisor, and months of preparation. Read more to get a glimpse of their victorious journey! 

The Central Orange County Cheerleading Competition held annually by Aaron Shahrestani of Santiago High School is the highly anticipated cheerleading competition of the season for most schools in the GGUSD.  Formerly known as the GGUSD Competition, this wonderfully orchestrated collection of athletes, dancers, and drill teams put on the show of the year for the GGUSD community at large on April 3rd, 2010.  Unlike other nationally associated cheer competitions, Shahrestani has managed to elevate the athletic spirit, drive, camaraderie, and hard work of the GGUSD by offering a wide variety of events to highlight the teams' as well as individual's strengths with such competitions as the Jump Competition, the Extenstion Competition, Spirit Competition, Dance Competition, and Overall Cheerleading Competition.  For the better part of the last decade, Shahrestani has organized this competition as a fundraiser for his football team, with the full understanding that each year, every GGUSD cheerleader anticipates the day when they can take the mat amongst their peers, families, and friends on their own turf.  He has built a phenomenal program that no doubt leaves an indelible mark in the life of every cheerleader that steps out in front of the massive crowds at the competition and every coach that spends countless hours creating, tweaking, and revisiting the routines that they've put all of their hopes into on that Saturday morning. 

May 2009

The GGHS Cheerleading teams started off this year with 2 brand new coaches- Jen Jones of UCI as the JV Coach, and Jessica Shay of NYU as the Varsity Coach.  With a combined cheer resume touting over 20 collective years of cheer experience, Jones and Shay set out to do what no other GGHS coaches have been able to accomplish- to win the District Competition.  While both coaches have their fair share of seeing cheerleaders on their original teams come and go, they remain stolid and unwavering on their path to their Championship win.  When both coaches walk into the GGHS doors in May of 2009, the teams make their intentions crystal clear- they want to win the district competition.  Both Shay and Jones know from that moment that they will win.  But this will not be easy.  Although the Varsity team has competed in other cheer competitions in the past, they have no idea what their coaches have in store for them in order for them to realize their dream.  The summer of 2009 is their first introduction to this new hard core competitive cheerleading world.  Shay and Jones focus on their physical fitness transformations with running, jumping, strength training, core, flexibility, and tumbling drills.  Conditioning is brutal.  The cheerleaders leave every practice battered and tired, but come back every day thereafter with a new fire and new attitude that fuels their determination to be the best they can be.  The coaches also focus on their mental and emotional development by having the teams attend team bonding excursions over the summer called the Ropes Course that teaches them team work, determination, trust and confidence.  The remainder of the year proves to be challenging to both the teams and the coaches, as people drop out, tensions rise, and the competitive spirit dwindles in the face of frustration, soreness, fatigue, and injuries.  The coaches, having dealt with these same feelings before on other teams, know that this phase will pass, but only by working hard at getting back on track with their goals and their passion and love for cheer.  Both teams enter 2 more competitions before the April 3rd competition.  JV takes home two well deserved 2nd place trophies and Varsity gains the experience that they need to take their routine to the next level.

March 3rd, 2010 

4 weeks before the COCC competition-

Shay, Jones, Laura Lewis the cheer advisor, the JV team and the Varsity team decide that they will embark on their championship win as one collective team.  While both coaches know that this is no easy task, they both have faith in their teams and know that what one team lacks, the other has in spades.  They know that JV's fresh energy will complete Varsity's competitive experience.  They know that Varsity's experience will complete JV's transformation into cheer greatness.  This inevitably creates the most unique dynamic in Argo cheer history.  There is something different about this team now.  There is a collective vested interest in the success of each and every cheerleader on the team.  22 members, including one male that they recruited 5 weeks before this competition, all set out on their championship path once again with a new found sense of urgency, determination, and fearlessness.  The coaches spend countless extra hours of practice prepping the combined routine, complete with new stunt combinations, formations, dances, tumbling sequences, and even a new format.  In any other situation, 4 weeks before a competition for a veteran team that has been working together for an entire season is hard enough.  Combining these 2 teams proves challenging, but certainly not impossible.  They are now one team.  And they own it.  In fact, the coaches stress to the team that no matter what happens on the day of the competition, that they not leave the mat with any regrets.  "Leave it all on the mat," they say.  And the team listens.

March 26th, 2010 

9 days before the COCC competition-

During a routine stunt performance, Brenda- one of 2 senior cheer captains- comes down from a stunt and lands awkwardly on her wrist.  She knows something is wrong, but in true athlete fashion, finishes the routine with a brilliant smile as if nothing is damaged.  Once those two and a half minutes are up, Brenda walks off the mat, right arm clutched tight against her stomach.  There are tears in her eyes and she can no longer hold them back.  The morale of the team is shaken.  Some members of the team have hands over their mouths.  Some members look away with their heads in their hands.  Some are speechless and frozen.  Could this be the end of the dream?  Nine days before competition and they lose a main component of their team.  The odds seem against them but their coaches assure them that nothing in the world will stop them on their journey.  They will overcome this, they say.  They will make it work, they say.  And in the next few days, they will all step it up to complete their mission. 

March 29th, 2010

6 days before the COCC competition-

Michelle, a base, is asked to step in as a flyer for Brenda in a stunt that has taken the collective team months to perfect.  Even the coaches think this will be a challenge.  They even contemplate Plan B to downgrade their stunts if this one doesn't pan out.  Stephanie also has two new stunts to attempt in Brenda's place.  What happens in the next few days is nothing short of 110% pure grit and determination.  By the Friday before competition, it is clear that the team is more than ready to perform and "leave it all on the mat."  All that is left is to do it. 

April 3rd, 2010

Competition Day-

What starts off as a parade of athletes, continues in a loud roar of support from each respective school's crowds chanting their colors, letters, and mottos:  "WE ARE... ARGOS!", "SHS!", "RAAAAAANCHO!", "LET'S GO LOBOS!", "AZTECS!"  It is as if the ground is shaking beneath them as the rumbling and cheering gets louder and more intense.  The sense of competition is palpable but the overwhelming support of all of the teams in attendance is massive.  This is the stage where all of the Argo cheerleaders' hard work will pay off.  This is the place where their dreams of winning their first championship will be realized.  This is where GGHS Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors put their reputations on the line for one collective performance in front of hundreds of onlookers.  In two and half minutes, it will all be one foggy memory, gone all too fast.  One entire year of hard work will all come down to these two and half minutes. 

The Argo cheer team takes the mat.  Their new uniforms are a symbol of new beginnings in GGHS cheer history.  GGHS ASB, parents, friends, and family are in attendance by the truck loads.  Signs, red shirts and pom poms sprinkle the crowd in multiple large droves.  "WE ARE... ARGOS!" can be heard as far back as the parking lot.  The team is set, ready to give it their all.  Coach Jones sits in front of her team, camera in hand.  She is excited with nervous energy.  She knows they have been working their hardest and can make their dream a reality.  She takes a deep breath, exhales, and then presses the record button.  At the same moment, on the other side of the gym, Coach Shay puts the CD in the stereo.  She glosses over at the team that she believes are winners no matter what the outcome.  She looks them all in the face moments before they stepped on the mats, "You are going to win" and she fully believes that they will.  She takes a deep breath, exhales, and then presses play.   

Two and a half minutes of pure excitement commence. The team hits every single stunt.  Their energy is overflowing.  Their voices are a thunderous roar, as if there are 100 people, not 22 on the mat.  They look as if they are enjoying every second of their time on the mat.  They have just accomplished what no other GGHS team in the history of this competition has done- performed the best routine of their cheer lives so far. 

Minutes after the performance-

The rush of adrenaline subsides and the remaining nerves and sense of accomplishment rush together, and like a shaken up soda bottle, every emotion explodes from each of the cheerleaders' and coaches' faces.   Tears of pure joy.  They knew what they had just accomplished...

Final Scores

1st Place- GGHS
2nd Place- Santiago High School
3rd Place- Rancho
4th Place- La Quinta
5th Place- Los Amigos

Jump Competition:
GGHS Clean Sweep
1st Place- Rachel Kang
2nd Place- Nicole Hupp
3rd Place- Kaylee Simmons

 

Written by Ms. Shay

  Ms. Shay is the Varsity Cheer Coach at GGHS.

Buy your yearbook before the price goes up or we run out!  The price during registration was $85; the current price is $100.  After Spring Break, the prices goes to $110, and after June 11th, the price will be $120.  We have ordered 700 copies and sold over 400 already.   This year, the format is larger: 9 inches x 12 inches instead of 8.5 inches x 11 inches (like going from a a 42 inch TV to a 50 inch TV!) and we've also added almost 100 pages.  It's going to be heavy, so some of you better bring your rolling backpacks that day.  After we run out, we will no longer be able to order any more yearbooks.  Go to the bookstore and pre-order your copy now!  We promise you that it will be an amazing yearbook.

 

Every year students from all over the world studying Latin, take the National Latin Exam during the Ides of March- commemorating Julius Caesar’s legacy. The test focuses on grammar, mythology, and the language’s historical aspects. This year 64 Argos took the exam on March 12 in the Library Media Center.

 

Garden Grove High School's English Language Arts Club is hosting its first Unity Festival April 23rd.  Come out to Golden Fleece for a fun afternoon filled with games, raffles, food, performances, and other activities! All proceeds will go to scholarships for Garden Grove High School students.

Read more: Unity Festival

For the 4th year in a row, GGHS has been listed in Newsweek Magazine's list of America's Top 1500 High Schools. For 2009, we ranked at 715.

Every year, Newsweek releases a list of what they consider to be the best high schools based on a certain ratio.  This ratio involves the number of Advanced Placement courses taken by all students during the school year divided by the number of graduating seniors.  Our new rank at 715 is 431 points up from our rank in 2006! That is a lot of points! Thus we have moved further up in the rankings, "putting us in the top 3% in the nation!" exclaims Dr. Cross. GGHS is the only school in the district to even make it to the list this year.

Ever since we have first been honored in Newsweek, more students have accomplished and improved in their studies and achieved their goals.  Without the constant support from teachers and parents, this would not be possible.  We will all try our best to continue to be on the list next year and beyond. Congrats Argos, or as Dr. Cross says, "Pats on the back all around!"

Ever since the 1970's, Argonauts of every class have been able to unite and celebrate the beauty of written word. This year was no exception. With well over 150 entries in five categories: poetry, place description, autobiographical incident, character sketch, and short story, the English Department had a lot to consider when judging the competition.
Mrs. Cardoza-Starnes, the Creative Writing teacher and Place Description Judge, described her group as the best she's ever had. She also noted that each entry had its own unique ring to it.
To all of the participants, Cardoza wrote: "Walter Wellesley Smith said, 'There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at the computer and open a vein.' Writing is as difficult as it is wonderful. We, at Garden Grove High School, wish to honor all students who felt compelled to opening 'that vein' and sharing with us the mastery and eloquence of your words. There were well over 150 entries this year and the judging was difficult. Please continue on your journey of the written word!"

The 1st place entries will be published in the 2009-2010 Garden Grove High School Yearbook as well.

 

 

 

1st Place: Natalie Koziar

"Hey Philly" It was most certainly not always sunny in Philadelphia. In fact, it was almost never sunny at all. Well, this was only necessarily true for Baxter Dumont, age 28—for in one spontaneous evening-turned-early-twilight, he had orchestrated a master plan to block out the sun indefinitely to prevent it from further disturbing his intoxicated pre-dawn exploits (he always considered himself a night owl anyways). So after a night spent catching up with his closest friends Jack and Samuel Adams, he stumbled into his father’s tool shed, grabbed hammer and nails, and set to work barricading the windows and doors; the whole thing looked more like he was prepping for an ensuing zombie invasion than it looked like he was trying to prevent any further infiltration of sunlight into his home (correction: his parents’ home). Needless to say, two years later there are still slats boarded over the windows—he had blacked out cold on the patio before he had ever finished his task. Baxter Dumont was his real name, believe it or not. He lived in his parents’ basement since he ruled out that college was ultimately not worth the time, money, and brown-nosing it took to get there. He lived in his own right, played by his own rules, set his own standards in a country he unceremoniously dubbed Funtasia. Of course he was the only resident of such a land that the rest of the world did not even acknowledge. He spent most of his days presiding over his court, watching old VHS tapes of Porky Pig cartoons—he was always one for hearty laughs, and nothing made him choke on his Smack ‘Ems more than old Hanna-Barbera toons. As a 20-something having barely graduated from North Eastmount High, he somehow stumbled upon becoming a piñata engineer—this engineer position entailed stuffing fireworks and other “party favors” up the mule’s backside for the sole purpose of trafficking goods in high demand across the Pennsylvanian border (the Amish liked to party as much as the next folks). No one suspected a thing—not the cops, not his parents, hell, not even his best friend...read more

2nd Place: Sarah Gwynn's “The Last Night” Click here to read 3rd Place:  Kim Tran's “Choices” Click here to read Honorable Mention:  Sarah McDonald Tran's “The Operating Room” Click here to read

"To All the Nameless Towns" Some nights, I don’t feel like sleeping; some nights, I feel like getting in a car and driving far, far away—to some anonymous town whose streets incite nostalgia yet exude an air of unfamiliarity. Specifically where is not important as to where not— as long as it is some distant town with modest streets bathed in incandescent lights. I long to tread its concrete veins and bask in the comfort of its silence, for in that moment, nothing is more perfect—just the crisp night air gingerly caressing my sore skin. I long to see all the lights from the late night coffee shops, convenience stores, and fast food joints that shout silently against the night sky. Their neon greens and sunset oranges that clash against an obsidian background are more beautiful than all the piercing diamonds in the world. Don’t get me wrong though. I’m not talking about no Vegas town. It is always the humble ones that harbor my fondness—the ones with black, gum stained cement and coin operated laundromats whose inhabitants always seem so complacently distressed. Some nights, I just want to sit down with one of them, listen to their life stories, and forget all about mine for a while. Their words and tears would be better than any movie or play: they are the masked emotions of reality. As the black in the night sky deepens, perhaps I could sit on the sidewalk of a reticent neighborhood street and hope against nature that the sun does not rise, for this beautiful modesty I do not want to leave. I’ll miss these insipid streets and ever repeating scenery. As I revert back to my daily routine, I’ll spend more sleepless nights peering out my window at that warm, yellow hum just above the horizon. The glow will entice me, lure me until I break down and float towards town again—that nameless town.  I’ll walk the streets once again in a sleepless dream, admiring the inexplicably mundane, the painfully ordinary, and the simply beautiful.

1st Place: Khoi Nguyen

2nd Place:  Sarah Gwynn's “Atop a Hillside” Click here to read 3rd Place:  Sarah Ho's “The Garden” Click here to read Honorable Mention:  Karen Islas'  “The Forest” Click here to read

1st Place: Rebecca Ruvalcaba

"A 'Most Worthy' Moment" I sat in third period, my math class, taking notes, merging ink and tree together as if it were a type of symbiosis that needed to be done, a habitual instinct living in every student. The marker painfully screeched as it met the blank the board, wishing it were pressed with one less pound of pressure so that it may cease to sing. And I, sitting there- with pen in hand of course- kept on doing what I was doing (besides breathing and shaking my leg), wondering if the person sitting next to me (that's one of my closer friends) had really just put a name other than mine on my face ('tis a pretty nice face,too, methinks). It was just a tad disappointing- until a Saint waltzed up the torn steps of room C6, with white message in hand, and the Saint's lips parted, and the premature sound waves tickled everyone's skin, sticking a pin cushion of suspense into everyone's paper soul- and then the sound waves that were once premature were now not-premature sound waves, and all was relieved.  "This is for Rebecca Ruvalcaba," the Saint said....read more

2nd Place:  Christian Lopez's “Palabok” Click here to read 3rd Place:  Nancy Cadenas'  “Blueberry Tamales” Click here to read Honorable Mention:  Ylan Ha's  “Wealth” Click here to read

"Suicide of Love"      The blood from her wrists Leaves stains on her broken heart In the red bathwater She silently falls apart  You finally broke her Her spirit and her soul All the hurt and the memories Have finally taken toll  The scalding flame Strikes and strikes again Over and over Like a hot rain that never ends  Alone in the darkness The quiet screams your name Your voice in her head Reminds her of her pain

1st Place: Courtney West

2nd Place:  Branda Bui's “Pandemonium” Click here to read 3rd Place:  Chris Sov's “Silence” Click here to read Honorable Mention:  Dayna Chu's “Eyes Closed” Click here to read Honorable Mention:  Barbara Vines' “Where I Walk” Click here to read

1st Place: Jasmine Nguyen

"The Messenger" As I sat listlessly among the long wooden benches, a man whose name I did not know grabbed my attention from across the bustling room. This man had a subtle distinctiveness- he did not particularly stand out, yet if he were to catch your eye, you would see was more prominent than anyone else. I gave a sudden and total disregard to all of my surroundings, giving heed only to him. His presence held a strange influence. Curiously, I watched him from afar.       This man was tall and slender, yet slightly toned. He had peach-colored skin, and had neatly messy dark brown hair. He was wearing a midnight blue, long-sleeved jacket, with blue jeans. He held a poised posture, as he was gazing upward at a familiar figure. His once straight posture slouched in the slightest bit as he stared at the cross on the wall. His back exuded sorrow infinitesimally, until he flinched. Suddenly, he turned around and his eyes met mine. His slightly-bewildered face quickly changed into a serene smile. Almost forcefully, I felt my lethargy transition into tranquility.       He slowly raised his index finger to his mouth, a playful grin on his face. He then lowered his hand, kneeled to the ground, and made a cross. “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” he mouthed. As this man slowly rose, he emanated an ethereal glow. Hw turned to me again, and he laughed softly. Somewhere, I heard the sound of the bell. As I blinked, he disappeared. Beside me, there laid a soft golden-lined feather, emitting the same glow as he did.

2nd Place:  Stephanie Clements' “My Nameless Warrior” Click here to read 3rd Place:  Sarah Gwynn's “O, Woe is Me” Click here to read Honorable Mention:  Gabriel Rose's “Miss Jane” Click here to read

As senior Argonauts prepare for their final walk through high school, one of their own will overcome the biggest fear: public speaking. Kim Tran competed in the 2010 Bacclaureate Speaker Contest held February 11 afterschool and has been chosen to represent and speak on behalf of her class in June.

Attention all, whether you are a student, teacher, parent, alumni, or just a visitor passing by, the school website has gone through a drastic transformation!  As you can tell, there is a new layout and design, with different background colors, new menus, and there are now modules, similar to iGoogle's and MySpace's layout. 
  All of the features from the old website are here, as well as some that have disappeared from the website since the new school year started. For example, after a one-year hiatus from being updated, College Spotlights will return to the site, focusing directly on the comments from teachers about their college experiences, so if you ever want advice from your teachers about college, we have the place.  And within the last months, have you seen any photos of the various sports and events of this year on the website? No? Well now, we brought those "photo galleries" back, and you can relive the moments of the recent CIF game or other exciting events that seemed interesting to you. 
Be on the lookout for the new features.  On the new slide show, you can go directly to the article that relates to the picture; just click on the "Read the Full Story" button next to the picture. Although registered users can no longer use their accounts, they have to make a new account to view the new photo galleries and to email to the staff directly from the website. The web team is considering posting up an archive of the old web layouts that the school website has had in the past, including the first dramatic transformation in 2007, when the management of the site completely transferred from the school administration to the students themselves, with the help of the webmaster Mr. Kim.
Whether you are excited or you are in horrified shock, Mr. Kim and Mediatech have worked on this new website for several months. We hope that with each new year, the new Web Team will produce amazing layouts for the home of our Argo pride on the World Wide Web.

 Every year, Garden Grove High School and its teachers honor students who over the semester, or year, have improved in behavior and grades, displayed a positive attitude, and tremendous effort to better themselves.

This year’s Honored Argo Breakfast was held February 12 in the Library Media Center.

Mrs. Voeller, who was a key figure in organizing the early morning banquet, began by thanking teachers, ASB officers, janitors, administrators, and everyone else who contributed to planning and decorating.

 

Forty-six students were recognized for exhibiting Grove’s Expected School Wide Learning Results (ESLRs). Teachers described the students as “cheerful” and a daily reminder of why they teach. Teachers were asked to "find a kid you would want to clone", one that represents what Garden Grove High School is about. Teachers explained that a perfect student is not just a student who earns all A’s, but a student who learns from mistakes made and puts effort forth to everything he or she does to make the grade.

 

With only 30 minutes, teachers gushed about their outstanding student and could go on for days but had to keep it short. Ms. Anderson complemented Monica Bardon as “the most polite student she’s ever met,” while Mr. Lunow boasted about how helpful and inspirational his AP Human Geography student, Leslie Velado, was. Ms. Stoner choked back tears as she remembered a letter her honoree wrote to thank her for her help as she transitioned from special education to general education.

 

The Honored Argos are the voice of Garden Grove High School: they carry themselves with pride, and perform so that they will pursue their dreams and best of all excellence.

 

 

 

Honored Argonaut	Recognized By	Teacher Quotes
David Rayo	Ms. Adams	I love getting pleasantly surprised by students!  Alma Negrete was one of those Fall semester surprises in my ROP Interior Design class.  She had a very slow start, but really all on her own she improved her grade 2 full points by the end of the semester.  She discovered she has a natural eye for color and completed a wonderful color board for her 'client', and despite her shyness, she gave a very professional oral presentation.  I'd highly recommend her for your decorating needs!" ~ Mrs. Lucas "Estefania wrote me a thank you note some time ago. It has been on my fridge ever since. In her note she wanted to thank me for being her teacher. She appreciated the opportunity to be challenged in a regular English class; since in prior years she had been enrolled in Special Education English courses. I suddenly realized that this student had reminded me why I had become a teacher: to challenge and to inspire. Estefania is an inspiration to me and I'm glad I have the opportunity to honor her today. :)"~ Ms. Stoner "I have chosen Yesenia Berumen as my Honored Argo and she is a junior at GGHS.  I came to GGHS under unusual circumstances this year and was in need of immediate help getting adjusted.  I started teaching in the middle of the quarter for some classes that had been taught by multiple substitute teachers.  Yesenia has become my rock in class.  She is always helping organize the room and student work.  She is hard at work everyday in class without ever being asked.  She has a goal of becoming a teacher one day and she will be one of the greats." ~ Mr. Sullivan "I picked Alejandro to by my Honored Argo because he reminds me of myself in high school and he is one of the students in his class that makes the class enjoyable.  He participates well  and gets his work done while having a good time with his classmates without be too disruptive.  Everyday he comes to class with a good attitude, and makes me look forward to my 3rd period. Thank you Alejandro! Congratulations." ~ Mr. Voeller "I remember when I first met her. She timidly walked up to me and asked if it would be okay if she ran for freshmen class president even though her GPA was below the minimal requirement. I told her it would be okay as she seemed like an honest person (besides, she was the only person running and we needed a freshmen class president!). Over the past two years I have seen her grow into a responsible young adult who is willing to take charge and truly become a leader on our campus. I look forward to a bright future for her as both her grades and leadership skills improve with each season. I feel lucky to have a student such as Desi and all like her." ~Mr. Starnes "Jesse Sanchez started high school as a water polo player but soon after wasn't allowed to play because of a low GPA.  He never returned.  He's a Senior, and having him in class I was able to see how smart he really was, and find out that his low GPA was solely a result of laziness. He really picked it up this year in all classes and got much better grades than before.  If he can take the effort he put into this school year and apply it to everything he does, he will do very well." ~Mr. Henninger "Linda Valdez: She has a twinkle in her eyes that makes her spepcial and makes me feel good.  She is a hard worker and never complains about work.  She is a joy to have in class.  I appreciate her very much" ~ Ms. Sigaty "I'm Mrs. Neilson, and I'm honoring Ellie Chen.  This is my second year with Ellie.  She was in one of my Trig classes last year and really struggled with it.  Not for lack of trying, it just came hard for her.  She did pass, but not with the grade she wanted.  So instead of just riding it off, she elected to repeat Trig this year WHILE concurrently taking A P Statistics.  So I got to see her pretty smile first period and sixth period, and started and ended my day with her wonderful British accent.  And I'm proud to say that she earned a B in both classes at the semester!  (Hug)" ~Mrs. Neilson "I picked Triet Nguyen because not only is he a fabulous student, but he is also an amazingly positive and encouraging person. He is always there for students who need a little help on a problem or just someone to listen to them. He is a positive role model not only for other students but for me, too!" ~Mrs. Hudock "Danny Duong has matured so much since I first had him last year.  This year, he's proven that he truly does care about what he's learning in class.  He has made it a priority to earn A's in his classes, including mine.  Not only does he work hard to earn a high grade, he's working hard to actually LEARN the material!  Plus, he makes me laugh in class which is a great way to start off the day.  I will miss him when he graduates this year." ~Mr. Nguyen "Juan Hernandez is one of the primary examples of why I chose to become a teacher. He always comes to my Math class on time and with his materials. Juan is very respectful and illustrates a maturity level above most of his peers. Despite Juan having a tough time with understanding some of the concepts taught earlier in the school year, he has proven to me that he is committed to learning and trying the best to his ability. He has learned to speak up and ask questions when unclear on a newly introduced concept, and will also personally choose to stay after class when necessary. It has been a pleasure to watch Juan progress and have his hard work pay off not only my class, but also having a strength in art to help decorate my room.  Thank you and keep up the good work Juan!"~Mr. Spiegel "Thelma Bilal is my most honored Argo because she is a fighter who is determined to succeed!  This year has not been an easy one for Thelma.  She has faced tremendous personal challenges and despite that, she has come to class every day ready to learn and succeed.  I admire her perseverance.  She is not a typical "good student" who does everything like the teacher tells her.  She challenges me to be a better teacher and I appreciate that." ~Mrs. Alba "David Rayo's great improvement in French I since he started in September.  His polite and soft-spoken manner were welcome at the end of day when he comes in to my classroom 6th period!" ~Ms. Adams "Bradley Wilkes: As the school nurse, I have known Bradley for almost three years now. Over the past year, he has really grown and matured becoming very responsible in the care of his health (Diabetes) and has improved academically. Although it has been challenging at times, I really see him trying to improve and better himself. He is a pleasure to know and I am happy to honor him at the Argo Breakfast, he deserves it."~ Mrs. Kovats "Kendrick Gonzales was my most honored Argonaut.  I had seen a big change in attitude, academics and attendance when the 2nd quarter started and he began working harder and raised his grade from a D to a B."~ Mr. Machir "Vincent Stanton always has a friendly smile and says hello.  He works in the Library and exemplifies good customer service.  He is always interested in helping others and is on track for graduation." ~ Dr. Czarnecki "Andy is such a sweet and kind person.  When she comes into my class she greets me with such enthusiasm and a bright smile that it lights up my day.  It doesn't matter if I am up or down, it always brings a smile to my face." ~ Mr. Yoshida "Catherine Tran is one of the most positive students I have had the pleasure of teaching. Her attitude changes the entire dynamic of the class. She not only submits high quality work, but encourages her classmates to do the same. She is always willing to lend a helping hand to another classmate which ultimately makes my job easier! The world would be a better place if we had more Catherine Trans." ~ Ms. Pham "I am very impressed with Vanessa. Last year, Vanessa was having some trouble with her grades, and it seemed that no matter how hard she tried, things just kept going further downhill.  Then, near the end of last year, Vanessa made a choice to change.  I was very impressed as I began to see her grow and improve, both personally and academically.  It's like she decided she was going to grow up and become an adult and take responsibility.  Today, she is a changed young woman, and I am extremely proud of her!"~ Ms. Kalayjian "I have had Stephanie for the last two years, and she is a bright spot in my classroom on a daily basis!  She exudes kind gentleness, as well as hard-working dedication and loyalty.  This young woman is truly a rare gem, beautiful both on the outside and the inside!  This year, she has served as my TA, and believe me, I would be lost without her; she is my rock.  If a teacher could claim a student as a good friend, she would be mine." ~Ms. Kalayjian "I chose to honor Binnie Truong.  Binnie always brightens my day with a smile, a hello, and a passion to dance.  He is a leader and a true talent.  If I ever need anything I can count on him.  He is not only my student but also my friend!"~ Ms. Ingram "Giovana is the quiet gem of a girl who says little when she does not have to, but always has the answer and is willing to take a chance on the answer (and she is usually correct).  She focuses in class, whether it is on the text or to what I am saying and you get the feeling that the things that go on in the classroom sink in and end up making an impact on her.  She is the kind of student that we all hope for in class.  She is also the reason we all got into teaching in the first place." ~Mr. Griffin "Leslie is an extremely bright student. She comes into class every day with the biggest smile. Her positive attitude is contagious, and everyone in the class seems to brighten up when she is around. She inspires me to want to be a better teacher." ~Mr. Lunow "I am honoring Jacob today because of his dedication to his studies even though he is home most days of the week ill. He is very sick, but comes to school when he can and makes up all his work. Whereas most students wouldn't make up their work or care about missing school, Jacob is applies himself even while seriously ill. I wish all students who miss class were like Jacob." ~ Mrs. Voeller "I am honoring Lourdez today because she has worked through some tough times and although wants to give up occasionally, has always pushed through and I want her to know there are a lot of people pulling for her who want her to succeed. She is a Police Explorer and I am very proud of her dedication to the Explorers and to her studies through her times of trouble." ~Mrs. Voeller
Thelma Bilal	Mrs.Alba
Monica Bardon	Ms. Anderson
Naomy Duran	Mrs. Bartolottie
Paloma Ocampo	Mrs. Bush
Cassandra Castaneda	Dr. Cross
Vincent Stanton	Dr. Czarnecki
Arturo Gonzalez	Mrs. dos Santos
Shea Bannon	Mr. Frank
Ezri Calderon	Ms. Godfrey
Daryl Roberts	Mr. Griffin
Giovana Ramos	Mr. Haines
Jason Hampton	Mrs. Hathaway
Alan Sisonbath	Mr. Henninger
Triet Nguyen	Mrs. Hudock
Binh Troung	Ms. Ingram
Hieu Vu	Mrs. Jue
Vanessa Cortez	Ms. Kalayjian
Stephanie Rocha	Ms. Kalayjian
Lupita Davila	Mr. Kim
Bradley Wilkes	Mrs. Kovats
Stephanie Miranda	Mrs. Landeros
Alma Negrete	Mrs. Lucas
Leslie Velado	Mr. Lunow
Kendrick Gonzalez	Mr. Machir
Eleanor Chen	Mrs. Neilson
Danny Duong	Mr. Nguyen
Catherine Tran	Ms. Pham
Sara Thompson	Mrs. Real
Julie Laguna	Mr. Sharp
Linda Valdez	Mrs. Sigaty
Juan Hernandez	Mr. Spiegel
Desiree Lopez	Mr. Starnes
Estefania Ibarra	Ms. Stoner
Yesenia Berumen	Mr. Sullivan
Crystal Rocha	Ms. Ta
Mark Wiersma	Mr. Takach
Jorge Ayapantecatl	Ms. Thomas
Alejandro Perez	Mr. Voeller
Jacob Farmer	Mrs. Voeller
Lourdez Hernandez	Mrs. Voeller
Nancy Cadenas	Ms. Wakefield
Elana Gamiao	Ms. Whiston
Kevin Do	Mr. Wolf
Andrea Del Castillo	Mr. Yoshida

What does success mean to you? For some, success alludes riches and the luxuries of life; but for the Varsity Boys Basketball team, success means teamwork, “selfish offense and defense”, and reaching their goal by securing the League Championship. This season, the team maintained an impressive 19-5 overall record to clutch the back-to-back title.

February 14, 2010, marked a New Year on the Chinese Lunar calendar; this year is symbolized by the Tiger. Since the holiday fell on Valentine's Day, the themes for this year's celebrations reflected the "Spring Of Love".

 

The New Year, most often referred to as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year is the longest and most important festivity of the Chinese culture and is followed by all Asians. The celebration originated in the ancient centuries, drawing significance from myths and traditions, to reflect on how the people behaved, what they believed in the most, and how they could improve in the next year. It is celebrated throughout Asia and America, where the Chinese immigrated during the 1800s.

 

Garden Grove, known for having the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam, hosted their annual Tet festival to honor both the Chinese and Vietnamese New Years. Grove's ASB, with the help of several ethnic clubs, put on the "Lion Dance" with traditional dragon costumes on Thursday, February 11. During the lunchtime celebration, gifts were given away to on-lookers. The festivities usually last for one full week beginning with a family feast on its eve, attending parades or festivals, shopping at markets and village fairs, and ending with a visit to kin. During that week, the Chinese decorate and share gifts with the young. Red and gold are popular colors used to represent happiness, wealth, and longevity. The Chinese celebrate their youth the most, showering them with small gifts including "red packets" -- holding money to 'put down the evil spirit -- new clothing, materials, and even food.

 

The Chinese sweep away ill-fortune by cleaning their homes; that practice has become popular among other world cultures in hopes of making way for incoming good luck.

 

 Attention Class of 2010!  With only a few months away from graduation, you should consider buying your Gradnight ticket.  Gradnight is a memorable event for all seniors and should not be missed! More information can be found below.

Read more: Gradnight 2010

The Argonaut Decathletes have been preparing for their competition since July 2009. Almost 7 months of rigorous studying has been dedicated to this competition.  The students are required to read A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens and study 14 packets with topics ranging from Chemistry, Music, Art, Economics, and Mathematics (from algebra to differential calculus.) Also, the students are required to present speeches, write successful essays, and perform well in their interviews.  The 2010 Decathlon team is prepared to succeed this year at the competition.  Co-President, Adan Juarez says, " My goal for the team this year is to place in the top three teams and move on to state competition; a lofty goal but very doable."  This is the sixth year the GGHS team competes, and they have the honor of being the only GGUSD team competing in Division 1 with all the top schools in Orange County.  "This year we've stepped up our game and have studied harder, longer, but most importantly smarter," explains Adan, "I believe we will sweep the competition."
Academic Decathlon is a great example of what are school strives for: "Pride, Performance, and the Pursuit of Excellence."  Adan Juarez and the rest of the team agree that Decathlon has been a wonderful experience for them. "I encourage everyone to try out for the team," says Adan, "this is not about brains, it's about heart, it's about having the self motivation and determination to stick with something that is so challenging."
The Super Quiz rally competition will be held Saturday, February 4th, 2010 at the Westminster gym.  All our best wishes go out to the team! This list of the decathlon members is located below.  Remember to congratulate them!


2010 Decathlon Team:

Honors
Adan Juarez (12)
Grace Mortero (11)
Kathy L. Nguyen (11)                                                                
Lillian Vu (10)
Arlene Ho (11)
Vivian Nguyen (10)
Judy Nguyen (10) - Alternate

Scholastic
Nathan Carranza (12)                                                                
Kalin Zaluzec (11)
Scott Nguyen (11)
Sana Aljilani (11)
Joseph Pham (11)
Kimberly Hogan (10)

Varsity
Victoria Baldwin (12)
Gerardo Villasenor (11)
Joel Gamioa Jr. (11)                                                                  
Vu Nguyen (11)
Laura Ortega (11)
Nicholas White (11) - Alternate

 The list of the All-District Honor String Ensemble has been released and GGHS is proud to announce that four of our argonauts have made the cut!  The Honor String Ensemble is a group of students in all of GGUSD who practice and then perform together in SCSBOA Festival, Honor Orchestra Concert, GGUSD All District Spring Concert, and Baccalaureate. The orchestra consists of 28 students selected from all the high schools in the the Garden Grove Unified School District.  Eleventh graders Irving Nguyen, Arlene Ho, Kalin Zaluzec, and ninth grader Sarah Ho showed enough potential to join the advanced orchestra!  We asked these four Argos a few questions about their talent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irving Nguyen

 

Q: What instrument do you play?

Violin

Q: How many years have you been playing your instrument?

Seven or eight. I've lost track.

Q: How does it feel to be in the Honor String Ensemble?

It's wonderful. There are people around me whom I look up to. The members can all play beautifully, so the restraint of a regular high school orchestra where the talent is so concentrated in one section and weak in another isn't present.  The music we play is definitely a challenge so there's such potential for accomplishment. I love it.

Q: Where do you see yourself in the future?

I see myself.... I don't know. It will most likely just be a hobby when I get out of high school. But regardless of whether as a hobby or a full time job, it will stay with me - as a part of me.

 

 

 

Arlene Ho

 

Q: What instrument do you play?

Violin

Q: How many years have you been playing your instrument?

Eight years

Q: How does it feel to be in the Honor String Ensemble?

It just feels like making the ensemble is the manifestation of the practice, time, and work I've put into violin.  Although I'm a little disappointed about not getting the concert mistress position like last year, I'm very excited about the pieces that we are going to play this year.

Q: Where do you see yourself in the future?

  Music is definitely going to be a big part of my life, and I plan to either teach music on the side or perform regularly with a city or state orchestra if possible.

 

 

 

Kalin Zaluzec

 

Q: What instrument do you play?

Viola

Q: How many years have you been playing your instrument?

Two years

Q: How does it feel to be in the Honor String Ensemble?

It feels good to have made it in, because I never thought I would make it in the first place, although, now I have to practice more.

Q: Where do you see yourself in the future?

I see myself playing viola (I would also like to learn bass, however) in a college orchestra.  I don't plan to pursue music beyond college except for my own enjoyment.

 

 

 

 

Sarah Ho

 

Q: What instrument do you play?

Violin

Q: How many years have you been playing your instrument?

Since fourth grade... so about five years.

Q: How does it feel to be in the Honor String Ensemble?

It feels really special.  I feel motivated; as if getting into this group means I have to practice more and learn more about music.  Being in that ensemble is really something special.

Q: Where do you see yourself in the future?

Hopefully, I'll be in the LA Philharmonic...or maybe not.  Maybe I'll be a hobo on the streets playing for spare change in front of Da Lat Supermarket.  We'll see...

A massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the tiny poverty-stricken island of Haiti just before 5pm on January 12, 2010. The 'quake hit 10 miles South of the capital, Port-au-Prince and was felt at Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba. The quake caused damage to the Presidential Palace, a hospital, and most of all the homes.

Garden Grove was flooded with thunderstorms, winds, and even a tornado warning, but the Argonauts didn't let rain dampen their spirit. The 2010 Senior class dominated Winterfest Week participating in lunchtime activities, including standing in the pouring rain for the annual spirit line and outshining the underclassmen at the pep rally Friday.
 
This year's theme was 'Nickelodeon' -- or as many seen it, a chance to recapture childhood moments because most students grew up watching the kid-friendly network. The festivities began Tuesday, January 19as spirited Argos dressed as their favorite Nick character, ranging from Spongebob Squarepants, Rugrats, Jimmy Neutron, and the Fairy Oddparents. The next day, students sported orange: the Nick logo color, then headed to the quad to see their class president get 'slimed.'
 
The ultimate test of spirit came Thursday with the spirit line. ASB advertised the event, "Rain or shine come out to the quad waring your class color to support your class in the last spirit line of the year!" In the pouring rain, class members rushed to find their members, bring them to the quad, count, and determined a winner: Seniors.
 
ASB members described the effort as 'better and unexpected' considering the weather where many pulled out umbrellas was no as pleasant as previous years. Members of each class put together a skit for the pep rally Friday. For freshmen, assemblies and pep rallies are still fresh and they struggle with memorizing lines and choreography, but as on member put it, "They were better than previous freshman classes."
 
The seniors dominated the skits, taking first place and performing their set at the night's Boys Varsity Basketball halftime show, also celebrating their first home game.

For the third year in the row, Garden Grove High School has been awarded a Silver Medal by US News and World Report!  There are over 21,000 schools that are evaluated  based on how their students are served on campus and how much the students challenge themselves. "The primary reason we received the award for the third time is the number of students we have taking AP classes." explains Dr. Cross, "Our students don't avoid hard classes...they embrace them and get the job done."  In fact, just last year, over 1,000 AP exams were given to students here at school. This award has made possible with the support of great teachers and awesome students! 

Aside from winning the Silver Medal, we were able to move up in the rankings by 300 points! Gold medals are given to the top 100 schools, silver medals are given to the next 461 schools, and the rest of the schools are given bronze medals.  Receiving a Silver medal means we are in the top 2% of best high schools in the nation!  It is a real pleasure to know that we were able to make the list of best high schools and Dr. Cross is glad to say, "...the 3-peat Silver Medal acknowledges that academically, Argos really rock!!!"

12/11/09:  Tonight there is no disappointment in the hearts of the Argonauts, their families, and friends.  It's been three long months since the passing of Kevin Telles and the football team did more than just dedicate the season to their teammate. Since September, the school has become more united than they ever had before.  The support at tonight's game was amazing, as Argo fans flooded the stands with pride for the team that had shown such passionate strength throughout the whole season.  The first half of the game was a fantastic start for the Argos, which they led 21 to 14.  One of the players, Sean Young, was injured and had to be taken to the hospital for precaution.  Even though the second half of the game was to be played without Sean, the Argos did not lessen their strive and determination. The last two quarters were very suspenseful and strenuous for the football players. La Mirada was able to catch up by the third quarter, but the fans still stood up enthusiastically in the stands to support the team.  The Argos were able to move up on the score board, but the game ended with the official score 27-49. The Argos did not win but there was no doubt that they were still proud for making the CIF finals for the second time in history.  All the Argonauts that participated in the excitement of the previous games in the season knew that the team played with their hearts full of love. It was a tragedy to lose Kevin Telles, but he became a miraculous motivation for the team and was able to strengthen the bond of the Argo family. Thank you for the wonderful season Argos!

The Argos could feel the clock pounding in their ears as they looked at the scoreboard.  Would they make it or was it the end for the valiant Argos? With Norwalk in the lead for the first half of the game, the football players still had hope.  "We came into the game with confidence," says Joe Taufette, " and once we realized we were winning, it felt good."  But the team had to save their celebration until after the game. There were twelve games played so far, twelve games that were won with love and determination, and this game was no different. With Kevin Telles in their thoughts, the Argos succeeded by the end of fourth quarter and beat Norwalk by 12 points.  When asked how the team felt about winning the semifinals, Taufetee responded, "[We] are excited that we got this far and are thankful for our coaches and staff." 

For the second time in history, our football team has made it to the CIF championship!  A fellow player, Steven Meredith, assures us that he is "positive we are winning" the final game against La Mirada.  Steven and the rest of the football players are only asking the Argo family to "come out and support the team" by going to the game to cheer them on.  The final championship game will take place at Orange Coast College on Friday, December 11th at 7:30 pm. Tickets will be available for purchase in the Main Office with the following prices: $9 for adults, $5 for students.

With excitement already in the halls of GGHS, there is more good news for the Argos! Fox 11 News is giving the public an opportunity to vote for the high school game they should cover.  To vote for our school go to http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/sports/high_school/Pick_The_Game and vote for "La Mirada at Garden Grove" game!

Parent Portal is coming soon!  GGUSD has a new student information system that is web-based, and parents will soon have online access to valuable information about their own child's progress.  Parent Portal gives parents the ability to use a log-on that is specific to their child to access up-to-the-minute, "real time" information on attendance, grade/assignment details, transcript and graduation status.  Parents can log-on at 10:00 AM and see that their son was tardy to first period that day, and didn't turn in his homework in Algebra the day before.  Parents can monitor transcripts for progress toward meeting the A-G requirements for college admission, or can quickly see if their child is on track to graduate.  Having access to view the teacher grade books will be a powerful tool for parents to use to support academic progress and hold their kids accountable for homework completion and studying for tests and quizzes.

Parent meetings to receive your personalized access code for Parent Portal will be held December 2nd.  We are holding three meetings to allow for parent work schedules:  7:15 AM in the Library, or 6:30 and 7:30 PM in the Cafeteria--all on Dec. 2nd.  Each meeting will last less than 30 minutes.  We'll give you the access code, then show you how to navigate the website.  The Parent Portal goes live on December 1st, so parents can leave the meeting and immediately access the website when they get home.  If a parent cannot attend one of the three meetings on December 2nd, they'll need to come in person to the Main Office between 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM to pick up the personalized letter.  We will not mail these access codes to prevent the possibility of a student intercepting the mail.  Please note: 2nd quarter Progress Reports, and all subsequent grade reports will not be mailed, since parents will have daily access to grade details through Parent Portal.

GGHS is very excited to offer this program.  We are one of only 5 schools in the district chosen to pilot the Parent Portal.  Please join us on December 2nd and plug into the power of information!

Each week, ABC7 picks a NFL Coach of the Week from High Schools all around Southern California. The coach who is chosen is interviewed and is featured on Channel 7 and the ABC7 website. Garden Grove High School is honored to have Coach Hay chosen as the NFL Coach of the Week! This is great news to the Argonauts next to our 9-0 team record and our #1 CIF Southern Division ranking. On November 24th, we will have the honor of having Channel 7 arrive to our school to interview Coach Hay and some of our Argo football players. Be sure to tune into Channel 7 November 28th to watch the airing of the interview after the College Football game of the week. As Coach of the Week, Coach Hay is also nominated to be Coach of the Year! The nominee who receives the most support through letters will win the title of Coach of the Year. To vote for Coach Hay, write a quick letter explaining why he should be Coach of the Year to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Winning Coach of the Year would be a great honor to our coach, students, and our school. Show support and participate in the letter writing campaign by emailing your letters! Congratulations Coach Hay!

“Never regret what you do for love” was the message Element Skateboards creator and president, Johnny Schillereff, wanted to convey to over 200 high school students of the Garden Grove Unified School District. The 11th annual “Food For Thought” luncheon, sponsored by the Garden Grove Community Foundation, was held on October 8, 2009 at the Embassy Suites Hotel. 

Garden Grove High School’s guidance counselors selected twenty-five students to attend this event. Dressed in professional attire, the Argonauts mingled with the city’s most elite businessmen and businesswomen. 

The crowd watched a documentary how Schillereff grew up, moving from place to place with his military family. After his parent divorced, troubles began. He sought refuge in skateboarding, developing a love-hate relationship for his education.

At the age of 19, Johnny and friends began brainstorming ideas for a skateboard company. In 1992, Underworld Element Skateboards was born. When the company began struggling, Schillereff took full ownership to revamp its mission. He dropped the “Underworld” portion of its name and focused on more positive things.

Billabong International bought the company in 2005, which brought in over $140 million in revenues the next year. Today, the company hosts an annual summer skate camp for children 8 to 17 to “encourage friendship, communication, laughter, personal growth, and of course, skateboarding.”
After his speech, Schillereff asked the crowd, “Who’s going to college?” The entire room filled with hands raised in the air. His story inspired the students to set a goal, stick to it, and never regret the road taken to accomplish it.

Greetings, Argos!
Welcome to a new school year! We’ve had a very smooth start, considering we have 2350 students, our largest enrollment in over 20 years. We opened the year with the fantastic news that our 2009 API score went up a whopping 14 points, to a score of 796! The State goal for all schools is 800, so we are VERY close to reaching that target. As I observe students and teachers hard at work, I am confident we will exceed 800 in 2010, Much of this confidence comes from just recently having the privilege of hand delivering Principal’s Honor Roll certificates and pins to 719 students who made Principal’s Honor Roll for their 2^nd semester grades. Any student who earns a grade point average of 3.0 or better in any single semester receives this honor. It’s always such a pleasure for me to go to classes and give these awards! As a reminder regarding the API, student performance on the CAHSEE in March and the CST exams in May are major factors in our API score, as are attendance and graduation rates. Our attendance has steadily improved, and the graduation rate, even with the addition of the CAHSEE requirement, has remained consistently strong. Bravo, Argos!

One more accomplishment that bears mentioning (and celebrating!) is Grove’s participation in the international Advanced Placement (AP) program. This past Spring, we gave 1005 AP exams, almost twice as many as any other high school in GGUSD. Students’ willingness to challenge themselves with rigorous courses, and teachers’ dedication to supporting academic growth though caring attention and quality teaching has allowed the Argos to make significant academic progress. As a side benefit, students have also noted an increase in self-confidence as they experience success in AP-level courses. It’s a please to watch this growth!

Thank you, students, for making every day enjoyable… you do a great job of embracing our school’s motto: Pride, Performance, and the Pursuit of Excellence.

Sincerely,
Dr. Colleen Cross
Principal of Garden Grove High Schoo

At 6:30 pm Sunday evening, the student body, its faculty members, and the surrounding community gathered at Saint Columban's Murphy Hall to pay their respect to the beloved Kevin "Troy"' Telles. Life Teen, with association to Saint Columban Catholic church, worked avidly to set up this memorial within a days notice. As the Telles family car pulled up, hugs and sympathetic hands were stretched out to the family in their time of need. As the night came to a close, a sense of peace set itself in the room. Tears were wiped away, and smiles as big as Kevin's began to come through on the faces of many. Christian Wisniewski presented the Telles family with the money the football team had fund raised earlier in the day at a car wash. The amount reached to $4,700 and the fire department contributed another $400. After hugs of consolidation, the football players created one last huddle to celebrate the life of a grand Argo. As Sean Young puts it, "God needed an Angel, and he picked the best one."

It was the first game of the season. The Argos marched fearlessly into Lions Territory at Westminster High School, filled with hope and anticipation. It was a well fought game, and the Argos were leading 9-0, but with 1:30 left in the game, fullback/linebacker Kevin Telles collapsed on the field. Paramedics rushed him to Huntington Beach Hospital but it was too late. Students held a candlelight vigil and created a makeshift memorial in front of the school, next to the Argo Statue. Kevin was a senior at Garden Grove High School and football was his life and passion. His enthusiasm and energy was contagious and he gave his everything every time he stepped on that field. Friday night, he gave it his all, one last time- for the game that he loved and the school for which he played with so much pride. Our condolences go out to the Telles Family. Please remember them in your thoughts and prayers in this difficult time.

Make an appointment with any yearbook member to take a photobooth picture with your friends! For only $5, you will get 2 strips and your picture published in the yearbook! The photo booth will be available during lunch in the grassy area by the ASB room. The dates are as followed: 3/2, 3/3, 3/4, 3/9, 3/10, 3/11.  Stop by room B1 to make your appointment.

It had been six days since the loss of Kevin Telles, the heart and soul of Argo Football. It was a heart-wrenching tragedy that would drive the Argos to win for a greater purpose; win it for Kevin, win it for number 45. The Woodbridge-Garden Grove game opened with a moment of silence, uniting both the Garden Grove Argonauts and the Woodbridge Warriors. The Argos kicked off and started off on defense, but the Warriors ended up scoring on their first drive, 7-0, Warriors. "Remember what we're playing for!" shouted one of the Argo football players from the sidelines. And that's all it took to revive their spirits. The Argos responded back with a touchdown of their own, setting the game on even ground once again. By halftime the score was 14-14. Woodbridge took the lead with a 45-yard field goal with 8:06 left in the third, but the Argos came back and scored a touchdown on a recovered fumble by Avery Williams, 21-17, Argos. They scored once more on a 5-yard touchdown run by Sean Young, 28-17, Argos. Early in the fourth quarter, Avery Williams scored again, this time on an interception returned for 46 yards, making the score 35-17. After reaching and leaping for every last inch, the game ended with a 35-24 victory for the Argos, helmets in the air, Argos chanting "Forty-five!" and a Kevin Telles shirt held up high by numerous members of the Argo Football team. "We found what we ought to play for," says Coach Hay. The entire football team attended the wake at Rose Hills Memorial Park. Coach Hay gave a few last words before they left. "Tonight I want you to get closure. Kevin Telles, may you rest in peace."