El Dorado High School (Placentia, California)

Infobox_School | name = El Dorado High School


imagesize = 241px
established = 1966
type = Public
district = Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District
principal = Karen Wilkins Assistant Principals-John Bellows,Jennifer Graves
grades = 9-12
faculty = 92
enrollment = 2450
colors = Black and Gold
mascot = Golden Hawk
conference = Century League
location = 1651 Valencia Avenue Placentia, CA, 92870
country = USA
website = [http://www.edhs.org www.edhs.org]

El Dorado High School is a 9th–12th grade public high school located in Placentia, California. Established in 1966, EDHS is one of four high schools in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. The school currently has an enrollment of over 2,400 students and is directed by principal Karen Wilkins. The school's first graduating class was the class of 1969. The campus received a major renovation in 2002. The gymnasium is dedicated to Joe Raya who was the original athletics director. The theatre is dedicated to Mrs. Gai Jones, who directed the theatre department from 1967 to 2002. The campus is located at 1651 Valencia Avenue. It is approximately 29 miles from downtown Los Angeles, 18 miles from the California coastline, and 7 miles from Disneyland. El Dorado is a nationally acclaimed school whose staff has received many awards. In 2004, Athletic director Sally Reclusado was selected as the CIF Southern Section Athletic Director of the Year. Librarian Linda Birtler was awarded the Orange County Department of Education's Outstanding Contribution to Education Award. El Dorado has also won the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award.

In addition, El Dorado is home to the renowned El Dorado Hawks Marching Band, who have consistently achieved top honors under the direction of Richard Watson. They currently won the top prize for their field show, accompanied by an undefeated season, at the Arcadia Tournament in 2007. Their past achievements include a performance in the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony, the Tournament of Roses Parade and top honors in two trips to the Hawaii International Competition. Notable field performances include the 2003 Chicago, the 2004 and 2005 Gordon Goodwin compositions, The Big Phat Field Show and The Bigger, Phatter Field Show, and the 2007 Live from the Blue Note. The Band Department as a whole is quite accomplished, including the jazz groups. Jazz I under the same direction won the entire Reno International Jazz Festival in 2007, beating the top groups of the world. Currently, El Dorado graduate, Ethan Helm, achieved the honor of best overall musician in the 2008 Reno Festival.

EL Dorado Staff

*Karen Wikins,Principal
*John Bellows,Assistant Principal Of Cuiuimm
*Jennifer Graves,Assistant Principal Of Student Services

Past El Dorado Principals Since 1966

*Howard Roop (1966-1969)
*Marvin Stewart(1969-1973)
*Jerry Jertberg(1973-1986)
*Alvin Hawkins (1986-1988)
*Richard Bernier(1988-1989)
*Joann Ball (1989-1994)
*Joe Quartucci (1994-1999)
*Karen Wilkins (1999-2009)

The El Dorado Band

Directed by Richard Watson (El Dorado High School Director), this band had gained the reputation of being one of the top bands in Orange County. The El Dorado Marching Band has a 30 year history of excellence, both on the street and on the field. They have performed in Canada, Florida, Hawaii, and Nevada, as well as at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2005 Tournament of Roses Parade. This outstanding organization has also performed for President Ronald Reagan and President George Bush.

During the 2007 marching season, El Dorado was undefeated in field tournament competition, receiving sweepstakes awards at the Irvine Field Tournament, the Mira Mesa Field Tournament, the Vista Field Tournament, and the Arcadia Festival of Bands Field Tournament.

CIF SS Champions

In 2006, the El Dorado Football team won the CIF Southern Section Championship for the first time in school history by beating Charter Oak High School 17-6.Fact|date=February 2008 In 2007, the El Dorado Football team won the CIF Southwestern division championship by defeating Trabuco Hills High School 13-12.Fact|date=February 2008

The El Dorado Wrestling team made history by being the 1st Back to Back CIF Championship Wrestling Team in the school's history.In 2007, the El Dorado Wrestling team won the CIF Central Divisional Championship with 188 points, edging out Canyon Springs & Calvary Chapel of Santa Ana.In 2008, the El Dorado Wrestling team won the CIF Central Divisional Championship with 186.5 points, edging out Millikan & Calvary Chapel of Santa Ana.

Notable alumni

El Dorado High is the alma mater to:
*Bret Boone - Major League Baseball player, Class of 1987.
*Chris Dressel - NFL tight end, Houston Oilers and New York Jets, Class of 1979.
*Janet Evans - Olympic medal winning swimmer, Class of 1989.
*Jason Freese - Touring member of the band Green Day, Class of 1993.
*Travis Miguel - Guitarist for the band Atreyu, Class of 1997.
*John Mykkanen - Olympic medal winning swimmer, Class of 1991. Fact|date=February 2008
*Phil Nevin - Retired Major League Baseball player, Class of 1989.
*Kris Hudson - Class of 2007.
*Dan Petry - Retired Major League Baseball pitcher, Class of 1976.
*Brett Tomko - Major League Baseball pitcher, Class of 1991.
*Deborah Voigt - World-renowned soprano opera singer, Class of 1978.
*Christy Clark - Actress "Days of Our Lives", Class of 1992.
*Kent Nichols - Comedian and co-creator of Ask A Ninja, Class of 1994.
*Shawn Ray - Former professional bodybuilder.
*Audrina Patridge - Cast member on MTV reality show The Hills, Class of 2003.
*Kherington Payne - Dancer on FOX dance reality show So You Think You Can Dance, Class of 2008.
*Matt Dufour - Baseball player UCI, Okotoks Dawgs, Class of 2005.
*Katelyn Morgan - America's Prom Queen on ABC Family, Class of 2008.

External links

* [http://www.edhs.org El Dorado High School's Website]
* [http://www.eldoradoalumni.com EDHS Alumni website]