HELIX HIGH SCHOOL

'Helix High School (HHS)', in La Mesa, California, is a charter high school built in 1952. It received its charter in 1998. Part of the Grossmont Union High School District, it serves a low to mid-level socioeconomic community and has a student body of approximately 2,350 pupils. Helix serves parts of La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Spring Valley; however, as a charter school, all high school students in the state of California are eligible to attend.
Helix High School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is a 2001 California Distinguished School.
In 2004, two of the five finalists for the most prestigious individual honor in college football, the Heisman Trophy, were HCHS graduates: quarterback Alex Smith and running back Reggie Bush. This was the first time ever that two graduates from the same high school achieved this. Bush would then go on to claim the 2005 Heisman.

Contents

Traditions

Notable alumni

Notable faculty

See also

References

External links

Traditions

'Mission statement'
:Helix Charter High School is dedicated to preparing some students to graduate as highly literate, vocationally aware, life long learners. Some graduates will gain confidence and self-worth as a direct result of the Helix learning experience. A few Graduates will be empowered to take increasing responsibility in their educational direction and academic success. Many students will be prepared with the skills necessary for success in college and adulthood.

Notable alumni

★ Leah Andreone, pop singer

★ Reggie Bush, National Football League (NFL) running back, New Orleans Saints and 2005 Heisman Trophy winner

★ Chuck Cecil, former National Football League strong safety, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and Houston Oilers; currently safeties and nickelbacks coach, Tennessee Titans

★ Karl Dorrell, 1981, college football head coach, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins

★ Dennis Hopper, 1954, actor and film director

★ Kyra Phillips, news anchor, Cable News Network (CNN)

★ Tom Philp, 1979, associate editor, Sacramento Bee, winner of 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing.

★ Alex Smith, National Football League quarterback, San Francisco 49ers, and #1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.

★ Bill Walton, 1970, sportscaster and former National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Fame center, Portland Trail Blazers and San Diego Clippers (now the Los Angeles Clippers)

★ Todd Watkins Wide receiver on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad

★ Cathy Scott [1], 1967, Bestselling true crime author and award winning national journalist

★ Dr. J. Michael Scott, 1959, author and senior scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey, and a federal biologist and unit leader with the Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Notable faculty

★ Myrra L. Lee, 1977 National Teacher of the Year

See also

★ List of high schools in San Diego County, California

★ List of high schools in California

References

★ [2] Article on Heisman trophy winners

★ Distinguished school synopsis

★ Grossmont Union High School District - school mascots and colors

★ Helix High School - School Accountability Report Card 2004-2005

★ List of California Distinguished Schools in San Diego County

External links

★ Helix High School