Costa Mesa High

Costa Mesa High

2650 Fairview Road

Costa Mesa 92626

(714) 424-8700

* Enrollment: 1,100

* Established: 1959

* Team name: Mustangs

* Newspaper: The Hitching Post

* Principal: Andrew Hernandez

* Student president: Kim Daniels

* Famous alumnus: O.C. Sports Hall of Famer Dan Quisenberry, formerly a relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals

* Unsung hero: Carolyn Casey, who has taught at the school for more than 25 years

* Winning moments: Selected as digital high school for Newport-Mesa School District; social studies teacher Tracey Olguin named one of Orange County’s five teachers of the year; girls’ volleyball reached Southern Section playoffs for first time in six years; football team had best record (9-1) in the district

* Traditions: Mesa-5000, a yearly fund-raiser race; International Week

* Memorable event: The El Nino flooding of some classrooms

* Graduation: June 18, 7 p.m., at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa

SENIOR STANDOUT

Alicia Polite of Santa Ana

* Achievements: Earned five Macy’s awards; two first-place awards in high school talent shows

* Connections: Performing Arts department; choir soloist; photography; former movie theater employee; acting

* Ambitions: Attend a community college and transfer to a performing arts school; become a recording artist and actress

* Family: Mother is Virginia Polite; four brothers; one sister

* Words of wisdom: “I believe I can fly”

THE SENIOR CLASS: 243