Commentary: Estancia’s 50th suggests a missed opportunity at Mesa

Re: “Time capsule from 1965 and 1990 surfaces at Estancia High” (June 17):

It was nice to see Estancia High School commemorating its 50th anniversary with special ceremonies and festivities. I wish Costa Mesa High School would have done something similar a few years ago.

I am an alumnus of Costa Mesa High (class of ‘71) and a 25-year employee who recently retired from teaching at the school. Additionally, my brother is a member of the graduating class of 1962 — the school’s first.

During the 2008-’09 school year, I mentioned to the administration that it was the golden anniversary of the school’s opening in fall of 1958.

Well the year went and ended and nothing was mentioned, celebrated or recognized regarding the school’s 50 years of existence. Needless to say, I was disappointed at the missed opportunity to celebrate our school and give recognition to its past.

Four years later, I had an idea to make up for this oversight. I told the new administration about the failure to recognize the school’s milestone. I said that, in the spring, it would be the 50th anniversary of the first graduating class. Since nothing was done to celebrate the school’s 50-year anniversary, I thought this would be a good time to make up for that and at least celebrate the school’s first graduating class of 50 years ago.

I know that plenty of alumni from that first class are still living in the area, and several more outside the area might attend a celebration. Once again, the date came and nothing was done.

For years, tradition has not been recognized at Costa Mesa High School. A recent example was the unilateral decision by one staff member to change the name of the school’s newspaper from The Hitching Post to The Equestrian. The Hitching Post was the name established by the first graduating class and the original staff members of the paper.

I protested this action, and I am still waiting for another administration to reinstate the original name.

It seems that the history and traditions of the school are not important. All that seems to matter is the here and now.

I was recently at my grandson’s commencement ceremonies, where he and his classmates were promoted from eighth grade to ninth grade at Costa Mesa High. During the ceremonies, speakers talked of all the “firsts” of which these students were a part. I couldn’t help to wonder just how long these “firsts” would be in the minds of administration, staff and students.

How many more traditions will be forgotten. Where is the pride? It’s no wonder that Costa Mesa High School is often referred to as the ugly stepchild of the district.

Fifty-eight year Costa Mesa resident KENT M. PAUL is a retired teacher and alumnus of Costa Mesa High School.