El Rancho High School
Encyclopedia
El Rancho High School is a public school located in the city of Pico Rivera, California
, United States. It is a part of the El Rancho Unified School District
.
In 2011, The El Rancho School Board voted to name the Football field at El Rancho 'Don Memorial Stadium'- "Ernie Johnson Field" in honor of his numerous and remarkable contributions and achievements during his tenure of Head Football Coach at El Rancho. A Banquet in the El Rancho Gymnasium with over 400 past players, Coaches and fans attending was held on August 28, 2011. The City of Pico Rivera also declared that day as "Ernie Johnson Day". Official Field dedication will take place September 23, 2011 at El Rancho's Homecoming football game.
El Rancho's campus was 45 acres (182,108.7 m²) and was named after what the land used to be a ranch. Before it was home to orange groves and avocados, soon it was made to serve the ever growing population of the two cities. No seniors were present during the first year of school until the Juniors of 1952 graduated as the first batch of seniors to leave the Ranch and head on to be the pioneering Dons of the future in 1954. Reflecting the local demographics, the school opened its doors to a population of primarily white, non-Hispanic students and a notable percentage of Hispanic students.
When El Rancho was in the process of opening, the students who were planning to attend the school attended assemblies to decide their mascot. The Don was adopted as the schools mascot by a vote of the student population. Other mascot candidates included the Swallows, the Rocketeers, and Grizzlies.
In 1990, the school was used for the film Zapped Again!
. On Tuesday, May 31, 2011, El Rancho made history by becoming the first San Gabriel Valley high school to host a Teen Court. The court was held at the City Council chambers across the street from the school.
El Rancho last won a league championship in 1997-1998. El Rancho's last CIF Semifinals appearance was in 1991 losing to Nogales High School. El Rancho last made it to the CIF Championship game in 1988 losing to Los Altos high school 12-0.
El Rancho football's crosstown rivals are the Montebello Oilers, Pioneer Titans, Whittier Cardinals, and Santa Fe Chiefs.
Soccer
The varsity soccer team has won league 10 times. They were CIF champions in 2003 and CIF semi-finalists in 2008. Their most recent result in the CIF playoffs was a 3-1 win to Crescenta Valley in the quarterfinals after narrowly beating Hawthorne 1-0. The 2010-2011 Varsity team has recently won the CIF Division IV Southern Section Championship winning 4-2 against Oak Hills. During the Season of 1976-1977, a CIF-4A record (Southern Section), was set by GoalKeeper Duane Joel Daniel, who made a total of 257 saves in that season. Daniel also made 148 saves during Pacific League play the same year.
Cross Country
El Rancho's running dynasty has captured 8 Del Rio League titles in the last 10 years, making it the most successful team in the recent years. The team of 2005 was ranked 18th in the nation and finished 5th at the California State Championships.
Track and Field
El Rancho's Track and Field recently became Del Rio League Champions in 2010. All four level were undefeated.
Pico Rivera, California
Pico Rivera is a city located in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. The city is situated approximately 11 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, on the eastern edge of the Los Angeles basin, and on the southern edge of the area known as the San Gabriel Valley...
, United States. It is a part of the El Rancho Unified School District
El Rancho Unified School District
The El Rancho Unified School District is located in the City of Pico Rivera, California.-School Closures:During the summer of 2008, the El Rancho school board voted to close four elementary schools in order to meet the new demands placed upon them by budget cuts and declining enrollment...
.
History
El Rancho High School opened its doors in September 1952. Whittier High School provided many of the original El Rancho students, and the Whittier Union District administered the new school until 1962 when the El Rancho Unified School District was developed. The school was located within the unincorporated community of Rivera before the municipal incorporation of Pico Rivera. The school colors are Blue and Gray, representing the colors of the Union and Confederate soldiers of the American Civil War. The two neighboring communities were Pico and Rivera: in symbolic terms, the North and the South.Ultimately the school brought students from the two communities together. El Rancho, Spanish for The Ranch, provided the student body and community with the nickname, The Ranch. The football stadium slogan is "You haven't been hit until you've been hit by The Ranch, which became well known throughout the Southland during the El Rancho powerhouse years of the 1960's."In 2011, The El Rancho School Board voted to name the Football field at El Rancho 'Don Memorial Stadium'- "Ernie Johnson Field" in honor of his numerous and remarkable contributions and achievements during his tenure of Head Football Coach at El Rancho. A Banquet in the El Rancho Gymnasium with over 400 past players, Coaches and fans attending was held on August 28, 2011. The City of Pico Rivera also declared that day as "Ernie Johnson Day". Official Field dedication will take place September 23, 2011 at El Rancho's Homecoming football game.
El Rancho's campus was 45 acres (182,108.7 m²) and was named after what the land used to be a ranch. Before it was home to orange groves and avocados, soon it was made to serve the ever growing population of the two cities. No seniors were present during the first year of school until the Juniors of 1952 graduated as the first batch of seniors to leave the Ranch and head on to be the pioneering Dons of the future in 1954. Reflecting the local demographics, the school opened its doors to a population of primarily white, non-Hispanic students and a notable percentage of Hispanic students.
When El Rancho was in the process of opening, the students who were planning to attend the school attended assemblies to decide their mascot. The Don was adopted as the schools mascot by a vote of the student population. Other mascot candidates included the Swallows, the Rocketeers, and Grizzlies.
In 1990, the school was used for the film Zapped Again!
Zapped Again!
Zapped Again!, directed by Doug Campbell, is a 1990 direct-to-video film. It was the sequel to Zapped! . It is marketed with the tagline "Emerson High has raised more than its academic standards."-Plot:...
. On Tuesday, May 31, 2011, El Rancho made history by becoming the first San Gabriel Valley high school to host a Teen Court. The court was held at the City Council chambers across the street from the school.
Sports
El Rancho High School football team during the 1960s established themselves as one of the most respected high school football programs in the California. The Dons were led by head coach Ernie Johnson, who coached from 1956-1968. In 1966, the Dons were awarded the National Championship and California State Championship when they beat Anaheim High School by a score of 35-14, in the Championship game. Coach Johnson directed El Rancho High to nine League Championships in 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968. Three CIF Championships in 1960, 1966 1968, were CIF Runner-Ups in 1960 and 1963 and a National High School Football Championship in 1966. Coach Johnson ended his coaching tenure in 1968 with a 108-31-5 record.El Rancho last won a league championship in 1997-1998. El Rancho's last CIF Semifinals appearance was in 1991 losing to Nogales High School. El Rancho last made it to the CIF Championship game in 1988 losing to Los Altos high school 12-0.
El Rancho football's crosstown rivals are the Montebello Oilers, Pioneer Titans, Whittier Cardinals, and Santa Fe Chiefs.
Soccer
The varsity soccer team has won league 10 times. They were CIF champions in 2003 and CIF semi-finalists in 2008. Their most recent result in the CIF playoffs was a 3-1 win to Crescenta Valley in the quarterfinals after narrowly beating Hawthorne 1-0. The 2010-2011 Varsity team has recently won the CIF Division IV Southern Section Championship winning 4-2 against Oak Hills. During the Season of 1976-1977, a CIF-4A record (Southern Section), was set by GoalKeeper Duane Joel Daniel, who made a total of 257 saves in that season. Daniel also made 148 saves during Pacific League play the same year.
Cross Country
El Rancho's running dynasty has captured 8 Del Rio League titles in the last 10 years, making it the most successful team in the recent years. The team of 2005 was ranked 18th in the nation and finished 5th at the California State Championships.
Track and Field
El Rancho's Track and Field recently became Del Rio League Champions in 2010. All four level were undefeated.
Notable alumni
- Rich CamarilloRich CamarilloRichard Jon Camarillo is a former professional American Football punter who played 16 seasons in the NFL for the New England Patriots , Los Angeles Rams , Phoenix Cardinals , Houston Oilers , and Oakland Raiders . Before his NFL career, he earned All-America honors at Cerritos Junior College...
, former NFL punter. - Tom EganTom EganThomas Patrick Egan is a retired professional baseball player who played 10 seasons for the California Angels and Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball. On September 28, 1974 he caught Nolan Ryan's 3rd No-hitter.Egan attended El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, California.-References:...
, former major league catcher. - Randy FloresRandy FloresRandy Alan Flores is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. Flores is a career left-handed relief specialist.-Early life and career:...
, left-handed pitcher for the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. - Ron FloresRon FloresRonald Joel Flores is a left-handed relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 29th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. He is the younger brother of Colorado Rockies pitcher, Randy Flores...
, left-handed relief pitcher. Currently a free agent. - Mickey KluttsMickey KluttsGene Ellis "Mickey" Klutts is a retired Major League Baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1976 to 1983 with the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays...
(1954-), Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player from 1976 to 1983 for the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
and Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. - Bill NelsenBill NelsenWilliam Keith Nelsen was a former football player who played collegiately for the University of Southern California and professionally with both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. He was known for his leadership ability and ability to play with pain, having endured a series of knee...
, former quarterback with the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
and Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Scott Reid, former major league baseball outfielder with the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. - Jeanette JuradoJeanette JuradoJeanette Livier Jurado is a member of the popular girl group Exposé. She was born on November 14, 1965, in Pico Rivera, California, a suburb of Los Angeles.Jurado is a member of Exposé, along with Ann Curless and Gioia Bruno, then later Kelly Moneymaker...
, actress/singer - Paul Phipps, former General Manager of the San Diego Clippers, Denver Nuggets and executive of Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer and NASCAR
- Cesar Ramos (baseball)Cesar Ramos (baseball)Cesar Ramos is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher, with the Tampa Bay Rays.-Amateur career:...
, left handed pitcher for the Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay RaysThe Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
., Captain of the football team.
External links
- The Don Page, El Rancho High School.
- School overview at greatschools.net.