Letter to the Editor

In response to Tim Cromwell’s Nov. 27 letter (“Close Estancia High

School and open a super school”), we welcome the opportunity to respond

to his allegation that Estancia High School is “Costa Mesa’s dirty little

secret.”

As longtime residents and proud parents of Estancia students, we

believe that Estancia is Costa Mesa’s “best kept secret.”

For years, we have been listening to, and are now ignoring, the rumor

mill of untruths about our local high school. We have come to a place of

acceptance about the personal choices that some Mesa Verde residents make

regarding their high school of choice being outside the Estancia zone. We

may not agree with their reasons, but we respect their choices.

Those of us who have embraced both TeWinkle Middle School and Estancia

have chosen our neighborhood schools and community because of the rich

social, cultural and ethnic diversity that you will find there.

As for our Latino community on the Westside, do not assume that the

community at Estancia does not embrace it. Our academic programs, student

leadership, athletic teams, drama department, band and campus clubs are

all culturally mixed with a social/emotional climate that is outstanding.

We are not perfect by any means, but our diversity provides daily

opportunity for our students to grow in understanding and acceptance of

each other.

Students from all neighborhoods excel academically, artistically and

athletically. We have championship soccer and cross country teams. Our

drama department won 17 awards this past year and continues to entertain

our community each year with outstanding theatrical productions.

For those children with challenges, the staff and faculty offer

support and encouragement both in the classroom and on the playing

fields. The intimate environment encourages and supports each student to

find their talent and develop it. The campus monthly character-building

theme of respect and responsibility and the weekly affirmations inspire

students to do their personal best while reaching out to fellow students,

friends and family.

Our students have much to be proud of. For example, our football team

struggled this past season; however, every player who had the spirit to

stay at Estancia amid a controversial preseason played with personal

integrity, heart and soul. What they gained from this experience was far

more meaningful in terms of life lessons than winning all their games for

glory. There is more to high school spirit than the win-loss column. Our

kids learned lessons in character-building, sportsmanship and loyalty to

friends and school.

If you check the facts, you will discover that we seldom lose students

once they’ve attended Estancia. We only fail to gain those students whose

parents are too afraid to find out who we truly are.

Take a chance, Cromwell. Walk on campus, interview a student, attend

one of our plays, read our bilingual parent-student handbook, attend a

parent-teacher-student meeting or one of our many open houses. Better

yet, come unannounced and take in the atmosphere of esprit du corps that

we enjoy at Estancia. Do not make such an important decision based on

hearsay and rumors.

NANCY KAPKO, HILLARY LARSEN AND LUDY GROETSCH

Costa Mesa