Subject:Encina (history/athletic support/store/missing/what's new) Date:Wed, 25 Nov 1998 16:40:57 -0800 Encina alumni, HISTORY More on Encina during the 80s from two alumni who were there. Vancy Beers '82 wrote: "I graduated from Encina in January 1982 according to school records. I only took 5 classes - 2 of which were electives (band and shorthand). (I was physically at school thru March 1982 but they bussed me over to Marconi Tech where I flew thru computer/word processing training and they got me a job so I was done with school.) I was only there for 1 semester but it was pitiful. I have a very low opinion of Encina so I can't say many nice things about it. The teachers wanted to be our friends, not teach us, and didn't bother to take roll, etc. I'd bet I rarely ever had homework. It was too-laid back and too easy. I should've gone to El Camino. Plus I went there to enroll with my transcript from my old high school showing I carried a 4.0 for 3 years and my counselor had me take Consumer Education because it was "required" even though I tried to tell her it was probably the same as my Consumer Math class I'd already taken. Then I found out of end of year you could challenge a class by taking the final -- she should've known I could do that with my eyes closed and then I could've used that period to actually learn something. I mean I'd already been thru Trig and was balancing my mom's checkbook and knew how to read the stock market prices. Anyway, the school was in such bad shape that they had to beg everyone to buy yearbooks for $19! The yearbook doesn't say size of graduating class but I'd say it was low. Oh, and even though I was a valedictorian, they forgot to invite me to graduation. I heard that I was from a sophomore that lived in my apartment complex -- he had attended the graduation ceremony. I went to work full-time after graduation. I stopped by the next year on one of my day's off and talked to Mr. Kirrene. It was some sort of experimental, continuation-type school. I moved out of No Calif and was gone for 10 years. I was surprised to hear they were a regular high school again." Aaron Ford '88 wrote: "Regarding Encina's Academy program, I was a freshman at Encina in 1984. If memory serves me correctly, we were the first batch of students in the "Academy" and there were several branches-I was in the "Academy of Science and Technology" (I think there was also a medical and a vocational branch). We got a fair amount of grant money from the Academy program but it came with some restrictions. At least, that was what a couple of the teachers told me when I asked why we were using generic software (custom written, low budget word processor, spreadsheet, & database). At the time, we should have been using word perfect, lotus, and dbase. I think Carol Young's business class actually got to use real software, but they were the only ones to my knowledge. There may have been some administrative advantages, but from a student's perspective it was just a lot of hype-didn't seem to change things one bit. There were academy related events (career guiding) during 1984 and one or two in 1985 but I didn't hear much of anything after that (or I stopped paying attention). I guess I was disappointed because we didn't have qualified teachers for any technical/computer classes. I ended up taking drafting and Dbase programming during summer school at American River College after my sophomore year and continued on with night school the next semester for Autocad. The only additional class that I saw was an introduction to computers class that was a total joke. My guess is that the Academy probably attracted a few more students and funded the purchase of some equipment. So, maybe it wasn't a total waste." Other comments are welcome. Rebuttal anyone? ATHLETIC SUPPORT Deborah Young sent me some additional information on her son Neil. I was going to attach the word file but it would have taken too long for most of you to download so here's a summary with no picture. Name: Melvin "Neil" Young II Grade: Junior GPA: 3.5 Height: 6'9" Weight: 200 lb Position: Center Neil Young writes: "I want to attend a College that will afford me the opportunity to play basketball and earn a bachelor degree in engineering. I would like to attend Georgetown University. I’m currently in the Business Academy at Encina High School. I’ve Varsity lettered in Football and Track, and played Basketball last year (and earned most improved player). I plan on playing Baseball and Track this year. I’ve been active in volunteering in my community through the Open Gym at Encina, and worked over this past summer at Greer as a Recreation Aid for the Parks Service. I’ve been active in the Boy Scouts of America for the past seven years, and am now working on my Eagle Project to earn my Eagle rank in May. I’m going to restore the snack bar near the Baseball field here at Encina. I enjoy camping, fishing, and all sports." The Encinan Booster Club is a non-profit organization. Encina alumni who wish to contribute to the Encina Booster Club can send their contributions to: Encina Booster Club 1400 Bell Street Sacramento,CA 95825 916-971-5801 Deborah Young wrote: "I raised only $50.00 at Bingo Sunday, towards the needed $3,000.00 for Basketball uniforms. I plan on doing a raffle for a donated certificate for karate lessons at the game tomorrow and Bingo next Sunday. I've spoken with the Head Coach at EHS who wants to put on a spaghetti feed sometime soon." STORE Christmas is coming. Order your gifts now on the internet from the Encina store and save yourself the grief of fighting the crowds at the mall. If my application is approved, I'm hoping to add etoys soon, one of the largest toy stores on the internet. The weekly report from amazon.com showed another alumni purchase so that's $3 so far! I'm hoping things pick up over the holidays... amazon.com sent me this message about holiday shopping: "We've got some good news that we hope will make your holiday shopping more enjoyable: our Video and Gift stores are now open. During the holiday season, you can visit our Gift store and find hundreds of our favorite toys, gifts for kids, personal electronics, gadgets, and computer and video games-- everything from PalmPilots to Pictionary, chemistry sets to cameras. (This is, of course, in addition to our selection of over 3 million book and CD titles, at everyday savings of up to 40%.) My favorite new feature, Gift-Click, is the easiest way I know of to send a gift. Just type in the recipient's e-mail address, and we'll take care of the rest-- we'll even find the physical address. Within seconds, you can select, wrap, and send your gift to anyone, anywhere. Our new Video store should also make your holiday shopping easier, now that you can stay in the same place to take care of the video fans on your list. You'll find more than 60,000 VHS titles (plus thousands of DVD titles), comprehensive video information, expert reviews, movie quotes, and trivia. With a New Releases section and hundreds of genres to browse through, we think you'll find it easy to discover the videos you want. Finally, don't forget that we can gift-wrap and ship your gifts wherever you want. Or, if you can't decide on a gift or if you've waited until the last minute (which I've done...once or twice), an Amazon.com Gift Certificate is a great solution (you can even send one Christmas Day)." MISSING A few new names on the missing list this week. Please check the list and see if you can help. Julie Baxter 83 Robert Watson 79 Mark Posehn 79 Mike Lamb 74 Laurie Lindseth 74 Sara Schuler 74 Julie Stewart 74 Karen Miller 77 Greta Miller 73 Tim Vince 84 Kym Thorstad 91? Ann Schirle 68 Karen Rhodes 68 Kathleen Wilkerson 68 Steve Bradshaw 69 Cathy Jordan 70 Nancy Rhinehart 70 Gail Bogavich 69 Bill Hutchins 75 (new) Stephanie Opitz 84 (new) Brenda Baker 62 (new) WHAT'S NEW 11/24/98: Ruben Reveles 84, Jerry Baxter 67, Diane Baxter 69, Gail Siemion 82 Teachers: Chester Wilcox, Susan McGuire 11/22/98: Frances Oates 74, Jack Oates 67, Jeff Oates 70, Chris Oates 72 11/21/98: Yvonne Paul 83 bio, Colleen King 78/bio Class of 1968 directory: added all the alumni who attended the 30th reunion (too many to list) Related links: Added Encina directory with administrators and their phone numbers 11/20/98: Steve Mikesell 86, Debbie Peterson 73, Brian Knoff 89 bio, Charlie Dodds 89 Teachers: lots of additions thanks to Cindy Rea 68. We have addresses/phones for Rees Lee, Jack Bassett, John Figenshu, Don Golden, Cornelia Whitaker, Susan McGuire Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Harlan Encina webmaster