by Kristie Hoang, Editor-in-Chief
Past and current students, teachers, staff members and community members celebrated Fountain Valley High School’s (FVHS) 50th Anniversary on Fri. March 4.
Thousands flooded the school’s bowl area to partake in what some called “the biggest party of the half century.” Student clubs sold food, offering anniversary-goers everything from Korean barbecue to street tacos. FVHS performing arts groups—the Choir, dance team, cheer team, band, and theater—entertained guests with their best showcases. In addition, visual art students displayed their pieces in the gym for those to see.
The 50th Anniversary Ceremony commenced with the national anthem and Alma Mater sung by the famed FVHS Troubadours. Following that, Don Marion, master of ceremonies for the night, introduced state and local dignitaries, as well as five of the school’s past principals. The school received recognition by the state assembly and senate. Current FVHS Principal Dr. Morgan Smith gave a speech and respectively opened the door for the next 50 years.
On where he hopes to lead the school in the future, Morgan said, “The only way our students will continue to feel the way so many feel about the last 50 years, is to instill a love of school and dedication to championing school pride and culture.”
The ceremony finished with a historic time capsule burial planted by each one of the past principals.
Throughout the night as as the school welcomed friends from the past and present, reunions from all throughout the past half century occurred between alumni and former teachers.
“It was wonderful, it made me feel younger. I loved hearing what they were up to,” said FVHS English teacher David Theriault.
Those who attended the school’s anniversary spent time walking among 50 years of Baron Pride. Truly, the school’s mantra “B4L,” or “Baron for Life,” reverberated throughout the event’s atmosphere. For FVHS senior Tyler Le, he especially saw “B4L” in the alumni.
“FVHS is special in that it’s a separate community and entity within the city itself. The students are incredibly generous, kind, and proud of who they are as both individuals and as Barons,” said Le. “The varied booths to represent every unique and quirky interest and the thousands of alumni returning contribute to that fact.”
