HIGH LIFE: A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Beaches Are More Than Sand, Surf
High school students may be forgiven, at this time of year, for letting their minds wander to the hours they’ll soon be spending on Orange County’s miles of beaches. But not all beaches were created equal, say students who answered High Life’s question: “What is Orange County’s best beach and why?”
“Newport. I meet some fine babes there.”
Neil Antis, 16,
sophomore, Bolsa Grande
“Corona del Mar. Because they have tide pools where you can hold starfish and look at the animals.”
Sarah Alam, 16,
sophomore, Valencia
“Salt Creek, because there’s a lot of people there, and I like the area.”
Jacqui Sassler, 16,
junior, Santa Margarita
“Huntington, because it’s close, has all the rad surfer guys and you can go hang in downtown at night.”
Ajesta Alcock, 17,
senior, Ocean View
“Huntington Beach, because there are a lot of things happening there.”
Raymond Tsai, 18,
senior, Kennedy
“Laguna north of Main Beach. There’s a little stand where they sell caramel apples.”
Sherilyn Apgar, 17,
junior, Newport Harbor
“Huntington, because there are no rocks under the water, which makes me feel safe. Because of this I can ride the waves safely.”
Michael Cho, 15,
freshman, Sonora
“Corona del Mar. Because it’s not crowded, and they have a lot of volleyball nets.”
Sharon Ma, 16,
sophomore, Valencia
“Newport Point, because the waves are always good, and there’s a party on every corner.”
Casey Rising, 17,
junior, Ocean View
“Between 17th and 18th streets on the Peninsula. As long as it’s in Newport.”
Lindsay Curtis, 17,
junior, Newport Harbor
“Newport Beach, because it has it all: the pier, the zone and the waves.”
Ray Perez, 18,
senior, Orange Lutheran
“Huntington Beach, because of the chicks.”
Buck Mason, 18,
junior, Servite
“Newport Beach, because it’s not crowded.”
Tejesh Joshi, 15,
sophomore, Kennedy
“Huntington, because I meet some nice-looking guys there.”
Selena Aquino, 15,
sophomore, Bolsa Grande
“Balboa, because it’s close and there are lots of things to do, like eat at Ruby’s.”
Ryan Jiles, 18,
senior, Servite
“I like Newport and Huntington. I like Huntington at night because of the bonfires. But I like Newport because the sand is not as rough.”
Art Francis, 16,
junior, Valencia
“Laguna Beach, because it has beautiful scenery.”
Patricia Camacho, 18,
senior, Kennedy
“Newport Beach, because it has good waves.”
Paul Al-rayes, 15,
freshman, Servite
“Huntington is the best, because all the rad girls go there.”
Myke Lane, 17,
junior, Bolsa Grande
“Newport, because my boyfriend, Oscar, and I go there all the time at night and walk along the shore. The special person who’s with you makes anyplace the ‘best’ place.”
Monica Guerrero, 15,
freshman, Sonora
“San Clemente Pier, because there are places to eat, it is in a good location, and it is near my house.”
Caroline Kelley, 16,
sophomore, Santa Margarita
“Huntington is Orange County’s best beach, because my grandma lives right by it.”
Aiyarn Nash, 14,
freshman, Sonora
“Huntington is my favorite, because I’ve grown up around here.”
Nicole Ward, 15,
freshman, Ocean View
“Huntington Beach, because of the people there and the nice surroundings.”
Ben Bost, 17,
junior, Santa Margarita
“The beach is the beach. I don’t have a favorite. I just go.”
Mandy Clayton, 16,
sophomore, Newport Harbor
Next Week’s Hot Topic:
Do you think metal detectors should be installed in schools as a security measure? Why or why not?
Responses were gathered by Analisa Castro (Valencia High School), Tina Ghattas (Santa Margarita), Abby Fung (Kennedy), Dan Eastmond (Newport Harbor), Mary Alice Perez (Orange Lutheran), Henry York (Servite), Aimee Johnston (Sonora), Susanna Lee (Ocean View) and Kelly Maakestad (Bolsa Grande).