El Camino High School (Oceanside)
Encyclopedia
El Camino High School is one of two high schools of the Oceanside Unified School District, located at 400 Rancho Del Oro Drive in Oceanside, California
. Declared a California Distinguished School in the early 2000s, it was originally named "Oceanside High School East", and officially became El Camino High School in 1976. El Camino's Truax Theatre was built in the early 1980s and houses a large performance venue, an adjacent classroom with stage and large music and drama rooms. It also recently built a new Science and Technology Building and is undergoing constant construction to clean up the campus. El Camino maintains a close athletic rivalry with Oceanside High School
. The ECHS mascot is the "Wildcat" and the school colors are brown and gold.
The school drew national media attention in June 2008 for staging a controversial fake car accident, telling students their classmates had died as part of an anti-drunk driving program called "Every 15 Minutes--Extreme". The hoax was orchestrated by counselor Lori Tauber. "I would rather see a couple people (disturbed), versus see a couple people dead," offers Tauber. However, the tactics have been criticized in the media, and by students, one of whom remarked, "You feel betrayed by your teachers and administrators, these people you trust,". At school assemblies, some students held up posters that read: "Death is real. Don't play with our emotions." The Chronicle Herald said "While their objective was laudable, school officials deliberately lied and, far worse, did so in an elaborate hoax. In trying to instill one important message, school officials undermined their credibility and weakened their authority by such an unconscionable stunt." while The Daily News Record said "Each day, driving under the influence kills a young American full of life and hope for the future. Plenty of frightening tragedy is in that truth. Manufacturing such trauma was stupid, insensitive and possibly dangerous, and we can only hope that a similar ill-conceived idea does not surface here."
Oceanside, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Oceanside had a population of 167,086. The population density was 3,961.8 people per square mile...
. Declared a California Distinguished School in the early 2000s, it was originally named "Oceanside High School East", and officially became El Camino High School in 1976. El Camino's Truax Theatre was built in the early 1980s and houses a large performance venue, an adjacent classroom with stage and large music and drama rooms. It also recently built a new Science and Technology Building and is undergoing constant construction to clean up the campus. El Camino maintains a close athletic rivalry with Oceanside High School
Oceanside High School
-Campus:Oceanside High School rests between the beach and Interstate 5. The remodeled campus includes many palm trees and new sport fields. There is a three-story Science & technology building and Senior Hall...
. The ECHS mascot is the "Wildcat" and the school colors are brown and gold.
The school drew national media attention in June 2008 for staging a controversial fake car accident, telling students their classmates had died as part of an anti-drunk driving program called "Every 15 Minutes--Extreme". The hoax was orchestrated by counselor Lori Tauber. "I would rather see a couple people (disturbed), versus see a couple people dead," offers Tauber. However, the tactics have been criticized in the media, and by students, one of whom remarked, "You feel betrayed by your teachers and administrators, these people you trust,". At school assemblies, some students held up posters that read: "Death is real. Don't play with our emotions." The Chronicle Herald said "While their objective was laudable, school officials deliberately lied and, far worse, did so in an elaborate hoax. In trying to instill one important message, school officials undermined their credibility and weakened their authority by such an unconscionable stunt." while The Daily News Record said "Each day, driving under the influence kills a young American full of life and hope for the future. Plenty of frightening tragedy is in that truth. Manufacturing such trauma was stupid, insensitive and possibly dangerous, and we can only hope that a similar ill-conceived idea does not surface here."
Notable alumni
- Dokie WilliamsDokie WilliamsDarryl "Dokie" Eugene Wiliams is a former professional American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League for five seasons for the Los Angeles Raiders from 1983 to 1987.-College career:...
- Ken StillsKen StillsKen Stills is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the eighth round of the 1985 NFL Draft...
- J.C. Pearson
- Bryant WestbrookBryant WestbrookBryant Antoine Westbrook is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League.-College career:...
- Michael Booker
- Toniu FonotiToniu FonotiToniuolevaiavea Satele "Toniu" Fonoti is a gridiron football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
- Heath McCoy
- Antwain SpannAntwain SpannAntwain Joquan Spann is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
- Mike KracalikMike KracalikMichael David Kracalik [KRAH-cha-lik] is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
- Noel PrefontaineNoel PrefontaineNoel Prefontaine is a professional Canadian football punter / kicker with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.- Early years :...
- Ernest Spears – Defensive Back drafted in 1990 by New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. - Toussaint TylerToussaint TylerToussaint L'Ouverture Tyler was a running back in the National Football League . He played with New Orleans Saints in 1981 and 1982....
– Fullback/Running Back drafted in 1981 by New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. - Darron Norris – Running Back drafted by New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
in 1989. - Lafo Malauulu – Wide Receiver played for San Jose State UniversitySan José State UniversitySan Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
and for the B.C. Lions of the CFLCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. - Denise RichardsDenise RichardsDenise Lee Richards is an American actress and former fashion model of Croatian and Welsh descent. She has appeared in films including Starship Troopers, Wild Things, and The World Is Not Enough...
- Rich WilkesRich WilkesRich Wilkes , attended El Camino High School in Oceanside, CA, and is an American filmmaker. His work to date is generally noted for its rooting in contemporary music and youth culture.- As screenwriter :...
- screenwriter