Bell Gardens High School
Encyclopedia
Bell Gardens High School is a public high school
in Bell Gardens, California
, part of the Montebello Unified School District
.
In 2005, the high school underwent a further phase of renovation when the school's athletic field, otherwise known as "Lancer Stadium", received a $1 million dollar upgrade. The gradually decaying long-standing natural dirt/grass field was replaced with a state of the art synthetic turf playing field along with a new 440 yard track surrounding it. The process commenced during the latter half of the 2004–2005 school year and was gradually completed the following spring in January 2006.
80% of Bell Gardens students were eligible for free or reduced lunch.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in Bell Gardens, California
Bell Gardens, California
Bell Gardens is a city in Los Angeles County, California. The population was 42,072 at the 2010 census, down from 44,054 at the 2000 census.Bell Gardens is notable for being one of only five Los Angeles County cities to permit casino gambling...
, part of the Montebello Unified School District
Montebello Unified School District
Montebello Unified School District is a school district based in Montebello, California, United States.Montebello USD serves the city of Montebello, portions of the cities of Bell Gardens, Commerce, Rosemead, Pico Rivera, and Monterey Park, and a part of the unincorporated community of East Los...
.
History
The campus was built in the 1930s and 1940s. After years of development and construction, BGHS's new three story building was opened on December 18, 2005.In 2005, the high school underwent a further phase of renovation when the school's athletic field, otherwise known as "Lancer Stadium", received a $1 million dollar upgrade. The gradually decaying long-standing natural dirt/grass field was replaced with a state of the art synthetic turf playing field along with a new 440 yard track surrounding it. The process commenced during the latter half of the 2004–2005 school year and was gradually completed the following spring in January 2006.
Demographics
The school had 3626 students as of the 2004–2005 school year, consisting of:- 98% LatinoLatinoThe demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
- 1% White AmericanWhite AmericanWhite Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
- Less than 1% African-American
- Less than 1% Filipino AmericanFilipino AmericanFilipino Americans are Americans of Filipino ancestry. Filipino Americans, often shortened to "Fil-Ams", or "Pinoy",Filipinos in what is now the United States were first documented in the 16th century, with small settlements beginning in the 18th century...
80% of Bell Gardens students were eligible for free or reduced lunch.
Sports
The boys soccer program has won 3 C.I.F. titles in 1984, 1991, and 1994.Notable alumni
- Patty CardenasPatty CardenasPatty Cardenas is an American water polo player. She was a member of the US water polo team that won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics....
, Olympic Water PoloWater poloWater polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a... - Johnny Lee ClaryJohnny Lee ClaryJohnny Lee Clary is a former Ku Klux Klan leader who became a Pentecostal Christian and now travels around the globe preaching the gospel and teaching against racism and hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, Neo Nazis, and Aryan Nations...
, Professional WrestlingProfessional wrestlingProfessional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
champion Johnny Angel, former racist KKK leader turned born again Evangelist - Eddie CochranEddie CochranEddie Cochran , was an American rock and roll pioneer who in his brief career had a small but lasting influence on rock music through his guitar playing. Cochran's rockabilly songs, such as "C'mon Everybody", "Somethin' Else", and "Summertime Blues", captured teenage frustration and desire in the...
, musician - Priscilla FloresPriscilla FloresPriscilla Flores is currently a Councilmember in the City of Bell Gardens, California.Flores was elected to the Bell Gardens City Council in March 2005 and was appointed to the mayoral position in February 2009. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Cal State Northridge and a Masters...
, mayor of Bell Gardens - John ForceJohn ForceJohn Harold Force is an NHRA drag racer, a 15-time Funny Car champion driver, and a 17-time champion car owner. Force owns and drives for John Force Racing. He is one of the most dominant drag racers in the sport with 133 career victories...
, NHRANational Hot Rod AssociationThe National Hot Rod Association is a drag racing governing body, which sets rules in drag racing and host events all over the United States and Canada...
drag racerDrag racingDrag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
, 15-time Funny CarFunny CarFunny Car is a drag racing car class. In the United States, other "professional" classes are Top Fuel, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Funny cars have forward-mounted engines and carbon fiber automotive bodies over the chassis, giving them an appearance vaguely approximating manufacturers'...
division champion - Brenda VillaBrenda VillaBrenda Villa is an American world-class water polo player for the US National and Olympic teams....
1998, water poloWater poloWater polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
, 3-time Olympic medal winner