Ygnacio Valley High School
Encyclopedia
Ygnacio Valley High School (YVHS) is a public secondary school located in Concord, California
. It draws students from Concord as well as from the neighboring communities of Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill. The school opened in 1962, and its first senior class graduated in 1964. Originally conceived as a temporary facility, the school currently carries an enrollment of over 1,500 total students for grades 9 through 12. When the nearby Northgate High School
opened in 1974, YVHS lost approximately half its student body. The school is part of the Mount Diablo Unified School District
.
Eagles. The main athletic rival were the College Park Falcons, until the schools were redistricted to prevent on-going vengeful stunts that were hindering good sportsmanship in the early 2000's. YVHS also shares a lesser rivalry (as well as a property line) with neighboring De La Salle High School
.
The first varsity YVHS Warrior football game to be played at the YVHS campus in 38 years took place on September 16, 2006. Ground was broken on a new running track and all-weather turf football and soccer field at YVHS in August 2005. Prior to the completion of the new field, most football home games were played at Mount Diablo High School
or Diablo Valley College
, due to poor field conditions, condemned bleachers, and a lack of lighting.
In December 2005, the YVHS football team coached by Mike Ivankovich won the NCS-2A championship against Miramonte High School
for the second time since 1999.
In the 2009-10 football season, the YVHS Football team won the DVAL league championship for the first time. The league was created two years prior. The team then advanced to the NCS playoffs, losing in the second round to Eureka High School.
In 2009, head football coach Joshua Davis resigned, and Chris Turner was named the new head coach. As of 2010, Chris Turner has stepped down, and former defensive coordinator Todd Bauleke is now the head coach.
In 1992, YVHS changed its school colors to navy blue and gold. The student body felt that the previous colors of powder blue and yellow were no longer fashionable for athletic team uniforms.
On March 14, 1987, the YVHS Boys Basketball team, coached by Jim Grace, won the (Division 1) Northern California Championship at the Oakland Coliseum Arena. 56-54(2OT) over James Logan High School. It marked the first time in history that an East Bay High School (east of the Caldecott tunnel), has accomplished such a feat. The 1987 squad set and still holds the school record with 28 wins. One player on that team was George Streeter, who now teaches and coaches the varsity basketball team at Ygnacio Valley High School.
During the 1988 Presidential campaign, then Vice President
George Bush
made an appearance at YVHS and addressed the student body. In 1996, YVHS received another Presidential
visit when Bill Clinton
and Vice President Al Gore
made a rare joint appearance. They visited the campus as part of the NetDay
96 event, which kicked off a drive to connect California public schools to the Internet
.
YVHS is an ideal location for such high-security visits, due to the limited entry points into school property.
In the early 1990s, YVHS also received visits from U.S. Representatives
George Miller
and Bill Baker, sponsored by the school's now-defunct Public Policy Society.
, the warrior
, is represented as a Native American
with a feathered headdress
. Similar mascots representing Native American culture are often a point of contention throughout the state of California
, where over 100 high schools have American Indian mascots.
YVHS is occasionally cited in the ongoing school prayer
debate, after allowing Muslim
students to use an available room for prayer during Ramadan
in 2004.
Concord, California
Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County, California, USA. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 122,067. Originally founded in 1869 as the community of Todos Santos by Salvio Pacheco, the name was changed to Concord within months...
. It draws students from Concord as well as from the neighboring communities of Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill. The school opened in 1962, and its first senior class graduated in 1964. Originally conceived as a temporary facility, the school currently carries an enrollment of over 1,500 total students for grades 9 through 12. When the nearby Northgate High School
Northgate High School (Walnut Creek, California)
Northgate High School is located in the affluent North Gate community of Walnut Creek, California, and is part of the Mount Diablo Unified School District. Opened in 1974, its name derives from its location at the north entrance of Mount Diablo State Park.- History :The movie The Principal was...
opened in 1974, YVHS lost approximately half its student body. The school is part of the Mount Diablo Unified School District
Mount Diablo Unified School District
The Mount Diablo Unified School District is a public school district in Contra Costa County, California. It currently operates 32 elementary schools, 10 middle schools and six high schools, with 13 alternative school programs and an adult education program. Mt...
.
Athletics
Since 1964, one of the school's main athletic rival has been the Clayton Valley High SchoolClayton Valley High School
Clayton Valley High School is a secondary school located in Concord, California. and just under two miles from Clayton. It is part of the Mount Diablo Unified School District. Most of the students live in Clayton and the nearby Concord neighborhoods with some coming from Pittsburg...
Eagles. The main athletic rival were the College Park Falcons, until the schools were redistricted to prevent on-going vengeful stunts that were hindering good sportsmanship in the early 2000's. YVHS also shares a lesser rivalry (as well as a property line) with neighboring De La Salle High School
De La Salle High School (Concord, California)
De La Salle High School is a Roman Catholic Private school for boys in Concord, California, United States. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland, the school was founded in 1965 as a Lasallian institution. De La Salle currently enrolls just over 1,000 students, and roughly 99% of each...
.
The first varsity YVHS Warrior football game to be played at the YVHS campus in 38 years took place on September 16, 2006. Ground was broken on a new running track and all-weather turf football and soccer field at YVHS in August 2005. Prior to the completion of the new field, most football home games were played at Mount Diablo High School
Mount Diablo High School
Mount Diablo High School is a public high school located in Concord, California. It is the oldest school in the Mount Diablo Unified School District, founded in 1900...
or Diablo Valley College
Diablo Valley College
Diablo Valley College is a two-year community college in Pleasant Hill in Contra Costa County, California.DVC is one of three publicly supported two-year community colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District , and was first opened in 1949...
, due to poor field conditions, condemned bleachers, and a lack of lighting.
In December 2005, the YVHS football team coached by Mike Ivankovich won the NCS-2A championship against Miramonte High School
Miramonte High School
Miramonte High School is a public high school located in Orinda, California. It is part of the Acalanes Union High School District, which has a college preparatory program, with 15 Advanced Placement courses offered. Over 98% of its graduates go on to college. 320 students graduated in 2005, with...
for the second time since 1999.
In the 2009-10 football season, the YVHS Football team won the DVAL league championship for the first time. The league was created two years prior. The team then advanced to the NCS playoffs, losing in the second round to Eureka High School.
In 2009, head football coach Joshua Davis resigned, and Chris Turner was named the new head coach. As of 2010, Chris Turner has stepped down, and former defensive coordinator Todd Bauleke is now the head coach.
In 1992, YVHS changed its school colors to navy blue and gold. The student body felt that the previous colors of powder blue and yellow were no longer fashionable for athletic team uniforms.
On March 14, 1987, the YVHS Boys Basketball team, coached by Jim Grace, won the (Division 1) Northern California Championship at the Oakland Coliseum Arena. 56-54(2OT) over James Logan High School. It marked the first time in history that an East Bay High School (east of the Caldecott tunnel), has accomplished such a feat. The 1987 squad set and still holds the school record with 28 wins. One player on that team was George Streeter, who now teaches and coaches the varsity basketball team at Ygnacio Valley High School.
Famous visits
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
George Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
made an appearance at YVHS and addressed the student body. In 1996, YVHS received another Presidential
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
visit when Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and Vice President Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
made a rare joint appearance. They visited the campus as part of the NetDay
NetDay
NetDay was an event established in 1995 that "called on high-tech companies to commit resources to schools, libraries, and clinics worldwide so that they could connect to the Internet". It was developed by John Gage and activist Michael Kaufman...
96 event, which kicked off a drive to connect California public schools to the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
.
YVHS is an ideal location for such high-security visits, due to the limited entry points into school property.
In the early 1990s, YVHS also received visits from U.S. Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
George Miller
George Miller (politician)
George Miller III is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1975. He is a member of the Democratic Party. From 2007 through 2010, Miller served as chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, formerly known as the Education and the Workforce Committee.-Early life, education, and early...
and Bill Baker, sponsored by the school's now-defunct Public Policy Society.
Ongoing issues
The school mascotMascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
, the warrior
Warrior
A warrior is a person skilled in combat or warfare, especially within the context of a tribal or clan-based society that recognizes a separate warrior class.-Warrior classes in tribal culture:...
, is represented as a Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
with a feathered headdress
Headgear
Headgear, headwear or headdress is the name given to any element of clothing which is worn on one's head.Headgear serve a variety of purposes:...
. Similar mascots representing Native American culture are often a point of contention throughout the state of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where over 100 high schools have American Indian mascots.
YVHS is occasionally cited in the ongoing school prayer
School prayer
School prayer in its common usage refers to state-approved prayer by students in state schools. Depending on the country and the type of school, organized prayer may be required, permitted, or prohibited...
debate, after allowing Muslim
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
students to use an available room for prayer during Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
in 2004.
Noteworthy alumni
- Mike BellottiMike BellottiRobert Michael "Mike" Bellotti is a college football analyst for ESPN and ABC. A native of California, he was hired as football offensive coordinator by the University of Oregon in 1989. From 1995 to 2009, he was the head coach of the Oregon Ducks football team...
- University of OregonUniversity of Oregon-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
athletic director. - Lance BlankenshipLance BlankenshipLance Robert Blankenship in Portland Oregon, is a retired Major League Baseball utility player.Blankenship played his entire career with the Oakland Athletics after the A's drafted him in the 10th round of the 1986 MLB amateur draft. He made his Major League Baseball debut on September 4, 1988,...
- Member of 1989 World Series1989 World Series†: Game 3 was originally slated for October 17 at 5:35 pm; however, it was postponed when an earthquake occurred at 5:04 pm.-Game 1:Saturday, October 14, 1989 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California...
championChampionA champion is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition.There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional / provincial, state, national, continental and world championships, and even further divisions at one or more of these levels, as in soccer. Their champions...
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....
. - Jonathan DaytonJonathan Dayton and Valerie FarisJonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris are a team of American music video directors, also husband and wife, that received critical acclaim for their feature film directorial debut, Little Miss Sunshine....
- Director of Little Miss SunshineLittle Miss SunshineLittle Miss Sunshine is a 2006 American comedy-drama film. The road movie's plot follows a family's trip to a children's beauty pageant.Little Miss Sunshine was the directorial film debut of the husband-wife team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. The screenplay was written by first-time writer...
. - Tami ErinTami ErinTami Erin is an American actress and model from Wheaton, Illinois. Erin began acting and modeling at 8 years old after becoming an Elite Model with Elite Model Management one of the world's biggest modeling agencies. After signing with Elite Model Management she booked many national and...
- Actress, best known for title role in The New AdventuresThe New Adventures of Pippi LongstockingThe New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking is a 1988 Swedish/American fantasy–adventure–musical film based on the books of the fictional character Pippi Longstocking, created by Swedish children's book author Astrid Lindgren . While the title suggests the movie is a continuation, it is in...
of Pippi LongstockingPippi LongstockingPippi Longstocking is a fictional character in a series of children's books by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, and adapted into multiple films and television series...
. - Kiko GarciaKiko GarciaAlfonso Rafael "Kiko" Garcia is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He played ten seasons in the major leagues from until...
- Shortstop; played for Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in 1979 World Series1979 World SeriesThe 1979 World Series matched the National League's Pittsburgh Pirates against the American League's Baltimore Orioles , with the Pirates coming back from a three games to one deficit to win the Series in seven games...
. - Kristin HeastonKristin HeastonKristin L. Heaston is a female shot putter from the United States.Heaston was a participant in the 2008 Olympic Games where she placed 23rd in the qualifying round with a throw of 17.34m...
- Shot putShot putThe shot put is a track and field event involving "putting" a heavy metal ball—the shot—as far as possible. It is common to use the term "shot put" to refer to both the shot itself and to the putting action....
athlete; in 2004 became the first female OlympicOlympic GamesThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
athlete ever to compete in Olympia, GreeceOlympia, GreeceOlympia , a sanctuary of ancient Greece in Elis, is known for having been the site of the Olympic Games in classical times, comparable in importance to the Pythian Games held in Delphi. Both games were held every Olympiad , the Olympic Games dating back possibly further than 776 BC...
. - Damian JacksonDamian JacksonDamian Jacques Jackson is a major league second baseman who currently plays for the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League. He bats and throws right-handed.-Early life:...
- Former infielder for the Washington NationalsWashington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
and other teams. - Carl Ryanen-GrantCarl Ryanen-GrantCarl Winslow Ryanen-Grant was the 1997 University Medalist at the University of California, Berkeley. He received national media attention that year for academic successes realized while battling malignant melanoma....
- UC BerkeleyUniversity of California, BerkeleyThe University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
University Medalist in 1997; received widespread attention for his battle with malignant melanoma. - Dave TollefsonDave TollefsonDave Tollefson is an American football defensive end for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round, with the 253rd pick of the 2006 NFL Draft...
- Defensive end; played for New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in Super Bowl XLIISuper Bowl XLIISuper Bowl XLII was an American football game on February 3, 2008 that featured the National Football Conference champion New York Giants and the American Football Conference champion New England Patriots to decide the National Football League champion for the 2007 season...
. - Chris Walsh - Retired Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
.