Tag Archives: JGHS

Eagles Spring Sports Roundup: Softball and Baseball

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By Jason Leyva

Now that JGHS spring sports have ended, let’s check in on how the softball and baseball teams finished this spring.

The Eagles softball team had a season to be proud of.

Even though our softball team ended their season with a disappointing 9-1 loss in round two of the CIF playoffs, the girls played strong softball all season long consistently. 

The Saint Joseph Jesters ended the Eagles’ dream season, winning 9-1 after a huge 7-run outburst in the 3rd inning, effectively ending the game. The May 9 loss ended the season for the Eagles, but did not put a damper on an otherwise very successful team who has more to look forward to next year. Besides the graduations and departures of star SS Beatriz Galvez, OF Alize Diaz, and IF Kaylani Moncada, the Eagles will be returning a talented roster ready to take the next championship step.

In their opening-round playoff victory, the Eagles trounced Moreno Valley 11-1, thanks to 3 RBI from junior Anais Perez, another 2 runs driven in by senior Beatriz Galvez, and a big 3-for-3 day by Carissa Galvan. In addition to her perfect day at the plate–which included driving in and scoring 2 runs–Galvan pitched a masterful 6 innings, striking out 8, walking none, and allowing just 1 run on 3 hits.

Eagles Softball finished in 2nd place to undefeated Cerritos with a 7-3 record in the 605-League (16-4-1 overall). At one point, the Eagles were 14-0-1, but their undefeated run ended on April 18 with a 14-1 loss to Cerritos, who would come back a week later and beat Glenn again by an 11-1 score.

In a pregame ceremony on March 17, the Eagles softball team honored Ms. Pamela Trimble, who is retiring this summer. Ms. Trimble has been teaching at JGHS since 1988 and graduated from JG in 1980. She was the former softball coach and the Eagles thanked her for her years of service and dedication to Glenn.

Mrs. Trimble honored by the softball team on March 17
(photo: weareglenneagles on Instagram)

And now onto the baseball team. How did the season go? Glenn’s baseball team finished with a 5-12 overall record, and 1-7 in the 605-League, going 4-7 at home and just a 1-5 record on the road. Cerritos was at the top of the 605-League, finishing with a 7-1 record (17-10 overall).

Some big wins for the Eagles were a season-opening 13-5 rout of Bell Gardens, including a 7-run outburst in the 2nd inning, and the 605-league win being a 6-5 road victory over Pioneer.

Baseball had a team with some strong underclassmen who should be returning next year, including juniors Angel Aguilar and Santos Hernandez.

As the Brooklyn Dodger fans used to say, “Wait ‘til next year!” When spring comes around in 2024, be sure to keep an eye on our baseball and softball teams.

Top 10 College Commitments from John Glenn High School

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Eagles and Bulldogs Pick Their Colleges

By Genesis Garcia-Rizo

John Glenn High School Eagles

  • Diego Contreras (Valedictorian): MIT
  • Sammy Hamouda (Salutatorian): University of California, San Diego
  • Javier Reynoso (#3): Stanford University
  • Madison Luna  (#4): Cal State University Fullerton
  • Stany Hernandez (#5): University of California, Santa Barbara 
  • Gael Rojas (#6): Cerritos College
  • Hailey Stoner (#7): Cal State University Fullerton
  • Karen Lopez Calderon (#8): Cerritos College
  • Angelica Garcia (#9): Cal State University Long Beach
  • Gilberto Calderon (#10): Cal State University Long Beach
  • Michelle Gonzalez (#10): Cal State University Long Beach
  • Andrea Urena (#10): Cal State Poly Pomona

Southeast Academy High School Bulldogs

  • Maryann Park-Cunibertti (#1): University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
  • Naidy Cuadras (#2): University of California, Irvine
  • Jonathan Garcia (#3): University of California, Davis
  • Christianelle Lapid (#4): University of Hawaii
  • Evelyn Bejarano (#5): University of California, Riverside
  • Erick Estrada (#6): West Point Military Academy (New York)
  • Daisy Penaloza (#7): University of California, Irvine
  • Melody Castro (#8): Wayne State University (Detroit, MI)
  • Alexa Perez (#9): Cal State University Fullerton
  • Alexander Gonzalez (#10): Rio Hondo College

Other Notable College Commitments

  • Carlos Lopez: Cal State University Dominguez Hills
  • Adriana Zaragoza: Rio Hondo
  • Evelyn Magaña: Cerritos College 
  • Margarita Calderon: Cal State University Long Beach
  • Daniel Flores: Cal State University Long Beach
  • Joey Abugotal: Cal State University Long Beach

Beautiful Day to Save Lives

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By Laura Gomez

The JGHS American Red Cross donation event collected 150 pints of blood. 70 John Glenn High School Students have saved 450 lives with their donation of those 150 pints of blood. The second blood drive of the school year for the American Red Cross was on April 25, 2023 which took place in the school’s gym.

The blood drive was held at the gym from 7 in the morning to 3:35 in the afternoon. It was organized more efficiently compared to the first semester’s Drive. CSF organized this event and allowed CSF and AVID Club members to volunteer. We have been hosting this event at Glenn for at least 10 years. CSF provided snacks, drinks, meals, and music; and once you donated, you were able to pick a shirt of the ones that were displayed.

12 of the JGHS students who donated gave “Power Red.” A Power Red donor donates double the amount of a regular donor and receives plasma and platelets. Once they donated, the volunteers made sure students rested for at least 30 minutes, with snacks and drinks just to make sure they were good to go.

Overall, I would like to thank Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Kennedy, Robert Torres, who always advertises these events, the 70 donors, the volunteers, and last but not least the nurses who got the job done.

Opinion: Wellbeing Center at Glenn a Good Service

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By Stany Hernandez

In August 2022, the Norwalk-La Mirada School Board decided not to go forward with a Planned Parenthood partnership as part of a Wellbeing Center at Glenn due to community comments and concerns. The Board listened to the community and voted against approving the MOU. The partnership with Planned Parenthood was dissolved and the school moved forward with the Department of Public Health/Mental Health only.

While many parents showed up to demand the board not go through with this plan, hardly anyone asked the students what they thought. The purpose of the clinic was to educate and provide resources for students involving medical issues, not to provide abortions. That was never the purpose of the center. One of the main misconceptions about this clinic was the issue of abortion, however, it shouldn’t have even been a point of discussion because it would not be provided, nor would Plan B (“abortion pills”). It is not a way to indoctrinate the children but simply to give support to those who need it.

Currently, the Wellbeing Center is aimed to provide services in three areas for students: to treat substance abuse, to provide mental health support, and to give sexual health education and resources. We have many at-risk teens in our school district, with around one-third of them reporting the ease of finding alcohol and drugs and almost half reporting feeling depressed or suicidal. After COVID, many students around the world became depressed, including our students.

The purpose of the Wellbeing Center is to give our students a trusted adult to help them through their emotional turmoil and to prevent them from turning to alcohol and drugs to cope. Too many children in our community have been subjected to addiction and it serves as a way to prevent them from being victims of a vicious cycle. In addition, sexual health support and education is another preventative measure because realistically, some students are sexually active and need assistance.

Originally a third partner in the Wellbeing Center, the canceled facility would have included pregnancy and STI testing, physicals, mental health resources, and contraception, if requested by the student. The goal of a Planned Parenthood-type of facility at Glenn was, first and foremost, to provide healthcare to all students. Almost all students were not even aware of the board’s consideration of a “Planned Parenthood” until they saw news of parents protesting being spread online and the notice shortly thereafter that they were postponing the vote. It was only later that the district and school informed parents and students alike that they would not be pursuing the matter anymore as part of the Wellbeing Center. 

A number of students took a stance online and in the comment section of NLMUSD and other posts covering the protests. A majority of them were in favor of the Planned Parenthood facility being included on campus and were enraged by the parents’ lack of discussion.

As pointed out in the proposal, California law allows minors 12 and over access to sexual and reproductive health services, mental health services, and alcohol and drug treatment without parent knowledge. Technically, anyone at this school could still pursue the same services elsewhere outside the safety of the school. Students are not obligated to tell their parents anything; however, it is always a parent’s hope that their children will disclose their troubles. However, if their parents are not accepting or educated, it draws their children away. It’s better for a child to be treated for something that is bothering them (mental or physical) than having it fester and grow before it becomes a bigger issue.

The Wellbeing Center is a middle ground for parents and students to still treat issues and support students without the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood.

Opinion: College Decisions Bring Pressure

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By Stany Hernandez

With college decisions coming out from various CSUs and UCs, there’s certain expectations for seniors to come up with something big. Our last year is meant to be our final hurrah and demonstrate the last four years were not a waste, that we have accomplished our greatest potential. We are determined by others by our medals, our cords, and admissions in our last year. Most of us are here to just get through it to make it on the other side. 

It’s been completely valid to not overwork yourself or take every AP and college course in the history of humanity. It’s hard to compare to the students who get into MIT and Stanford, nor should we have to. While it’s certainly a great accomplishment on their behalf, it is not the aspiration for some students and we should not be treated as such.

For a lot of students, we are addressed as lost potential or simply not regarded at all when we come short of what others expect of us. We are not all the same and we shouldn’t be treated to the same standards. We have been told since the beginning of our educational journey that a four year university should be our goal and that we have to work towards it; however, that is not the goal for everyone nor required for their profession.

There are so many different paths we could take and we shouldn’t be determined by these trivial things in high school. At the end of the day, what matters is doing the best we can, walking the stage, and being the best adults we can be, not appeasing the people in our lives by making it into schools we don’t care about.

It’s your life, live it for you.

Cheerleading at Glenn Supportive and Inclusive

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By Evelyn Magaña

The cheer program at John Glenn High School grew a lot from last school year, so much so that they were able to have both a varsity and a junior varsity squad.

In my opinion, the program is a really good one–it has a very positive environment for newcomers, and you get welcomed with open arms by many other cheerleaders. I went into this team with no experience at all but they helped me learn how to break out of my shell, and build my leadership skills, and make new friends.

But just like all the other sport teams in a high school, there could be one thing that gets better for me–I wish that the JV girls would get more recognition because they are still a part of the team. There were not many chances to show what JV could do as there was only 1 game by ourselves; and when they were gonna come together as a full squad, JV was in the back and we kinda looked out of place. Even though I feel like it shouldn’t have happened, the issue was definitely fixed over time.

The cheerleaders at JGHS are very supportive and they help you when you fall. They help you no matter how much you know, and the memories that you make with these girls, you keep them forever. It’s been a little while since I left and I still remember how much fun I had. I was the captain of the JV Cheer Squad during the football session but I had to leave due to the fact that I was behind on school work. The bonding moments we would have as a team has taught me so much on how to work as a team.

So if you are an underclassman (grades 9-11), I highly recommend you at least try to be a part of the John Glenn cheer team next year. You will join a supportive and positive squad.

Pics courtesy the JGHS Cheer Instagram Page

Hope is the Best Fourth Quarter Motivation

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A student needs motivation, hope and confidence that they’ll achieve their goals

By Laura Gomez

“Optimism is the earth that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

-Helen Keller

The school year goes based on your success rate, your participation, effort, attention and of course your grades. Once you start gaining confidence and feel secure about completing your goals, your success rate increases, you feel invincible, like the world is at your feet. However, students have a social and personal life that they have to look out for.

Eventually there may be a point here in the fourth quarter where it’ll be too much to handle. You’ll be overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted, and stressed. This will affect you mentally and physically. It’s affecting your grades, your mentality, and you’ll lose hope towards anything that once mattered to you. You may feel that you don’t have the strength to keep going and you’ll give up.

Hope is what matters, hope that you’ll succeed, hope that you’ll overcome any obstacle that comes in your way, and hope that your work will pay off in your future.

Researchers have found that students who are high in hope have greater academic success, stronger friendships, and demonstrate more creativity and better problem solving. Students will have lower levels of anxiety, stress and depression and are less likely to drop out of school. Having hope may actually predict a student’s future academic achievement. Normally, students lose hope from the impact of their family circumstances. Hope is refined, even among students who are on the verge of giving up.

As we near the end of the school year, set clear and attainable goals, develop multiple strategies to research your goals, and stay motivated to tie it all together. Break down your goals by identifying and prioritizing and always keep going no matter the cost.

JGHS Teacher Proposal Stories

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By Stany Hernandez

While proposals are often one of the most magical times of your life, they may also require a lot of planning and coordination. Here are some great proposal stories from JGHS teachers.

Mr. Niemann had been dating his wife for four years before asking the big question. At the time, she lived in the Philippines and he popped the question on a trip there. Originally, Niemann was planning to ask her parents separately and on a later date with beautiful lighting and historical backdrop. However, the day came with a lot of frustration and stress.

If it went as planned, Niemann would have proposed to her in the ruins of a mansion, waiting for nighttime as its beauty grew, and for the diamond to sparkle as it basked in the night. Together, her family and Niemann visited some ruins of a mansion, but her family was getting exhausted as too many other people were around in the usually desolate location. He followed his gut and just proposed to her there and then, where her mom said yes for her. She did accept the ring and the proposal and they have been together ever since.

Typically, an engagement is one big event, however, Mrs. Lorenzana-Bobic experienced hers in two parts. During a trip to the Philippines, Mrs. Lorenzana and her husband were staying in a resort overlooking the water. At this point, they were 25 and had been together for nine years when they began dating in high school. One night during their stay, he gave her a card about growing old together and proposed to her. However, he did not have the ring on him. Mrs. Lorenzana recalled the proposal being more meaningful because it was private and personal, rather than being in a crowded and loud place with peering eyes.

She would get her ring on the second leg of their trip, when they went to Maui. Her husband’s family lived in Maui and went to dinner together. During the dinner, he had put the ring in her champagne flute and as they raised their glasses, everybody looked at her expectantly to celebrate their engagement, but Mrs. Lorenzana had not even seen it yet! It was a funny experience for her to have to drink the champagne in order to get her ring.

Small Clubs Spotlight

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By Stany Hernandez

Over the years, many clubs have been dead, founded, and revived, here are some of the most recent that we believe deserve more attention:

1) Key Club

Key Club is an international volunteering organization with many social aspects involved. It serves on a club, division, district, and international level, providing many opportunities to network and build connections outside of high school (neighboring clubs are grouped into divisions and districts are combinations of states, further divided into regions). In 2019, the club was revived after being dormant for a couple of years by a senior named Vidal Reynoso; it had 7-10 members in its start, mainly composed of younger siblings who were freshman and friends who hung out in the same social groups.

He started it as a way for students to do “real volunteer work” in a way that was impactful and non-exclusive. During the 2020 term, the same group remained after the two seniors had left. It was during this time that we established a division presence and became more active on a district level through underclassmen representation. Last year, now-senior Javier Reynoso served as their president increasing member participation, improving organization and framework within the club, and setting resources for the leaders to come. His term was revolutionary for the club, marking a great change within Key Club, and establishing a district presence while creating a name for itself on campus.

Due to his work, we were able to double membership to 23 dues-paid members and increase Fall Rally South attendance. Some of our most popular events include: Fall Rally South where we go to Six Flags all day and have a giant spirit battle between five other divisions, and Rose Parade Float Decorating, where we help with flower cutting and scaffolding to decorate the Key Club, Kiwanis, and Lions Club floats.

Key Club Members in 2022

2) Anime Club

Anime Club was founded in 2019 by a senior named Jose Cervantes to discuss anime titles and host watch parties during lunch meetings. The pandemic would mean a pause in the club’s history, as there was no one to take over or get it started again during a hectic time. Last year, the club was taken over by AMP’s very own Logan Torres, hosting meetings every Friday in Mr. Barr’s room as soon as he agreed to be the club advisor. Unfortunately, many of the members involved in the club went to other schools, causing the club to disband.

3) Debate Club

Debate Club was founded in 2020 by myself during my sophomore year. The club was founded in response to the controversial summer that year in which the Black Lives Matter movement was in full swing, and many controversial social & political topics were being brought to light. I felt it was important for students to have a voice and have discussions with their peers about issues which they found passionate, so my co-founder, Valery Montinola , thought it would work well as a Debate Club. Our club only had 7 members in its first and ultimately last year. We tried starting it last year, however, we had low member turnout, resulting in its disolution. As of now, we have no advisor, as our old advisor left this school year to become an administrator at Benton Middle School. We are incredibly happy for her, but we have not found an advisor since.

If any of these clubs intrigue you and seem like something you would want to revive, I would suggest talking to their original advisors, current presidents, or founders. Clubs are an essential part of the high school experience and look great on your college applications, however, they do take time to start up, so if you also want to support your fellow peers by helping with that process, I suggest you start with the clubs on this list.

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