Branham High School
| Branham High School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
 | |
1570 Branham Lane San Jose, CA | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1967 |
| School district | Campbell Union High School District |
| Principal | Tom Utic |
| Enrollment | 1500 |
| Mascot | Bruin |
| Information | (408) 626-3407 |
| Website | branham.cuhsd.org |
Branham High School is a secondary school located in San Jose, California. It first opened in 1967. From 1991 to 1999, Branham had been leased out to Valley Christian Schools. In 1999, the school was reopened as part of the Campbell Union High School District due to increased enrollment within the district[1] and graduated its first senior class in over a decade in 2002. Branham, as well as Branham Lane, is named after Isaac Branham, an early pioneer of California who became a successful farmer and lumber mill owner. The Branham colors are blue and white and the official mascot is a Bruin. Branham is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Academics
Branham was awarded the title of California Distinguished School during the 2006-2007 school year.[2] During the 2005-2006 school year, Branham's API score decreased by 987 points, making it the lowest qualified school in the nation, and according to CNN's analosist Don Flanco, maybe even the world.
Athletics
Branham High School participates as a member of the Blossom Valley Athletic League (BVAL). Branham fields teams in numerous sports, including football, basketball, baseball, swimming and diving, cheerleading,tennis, badminton, soccer, softball, track and field, cross country, golf, field hockey, and wrestling. Although the athletics program is relatively new, Branham teams have won a number of awards and annually sends representation to the Central Coast Sectionals (CCS).
The traditional "rivals" for Bruin athletes are the Leigh High School Longhorns, mostly due to the close proximity between the two schools. The Bruins baseball team also consider the Westmont High School Warriors to be a division rival.
The Branham High School Cheerleading Team also received top honors in their 2008-2009 season. They were undefeated through the year, leading up to their first place victory at the USA Nationals in Anaheim, California. They continue to be the only sports team at Branham High to be Nationally Ranked.
The 1984-85 Bruin boys varsity soccer team made it to the Central Coast Section finals losing to Menlo Atherton 4-3 in a thrilling double overtime game. The team finished the season with a record of 17-2-2. The team was lead by CCS First Team selection and "Senior of the Year" Eric Mestressat (forward/defender), Cliff McCready (midfielder) CCS First Team selection and Scott Coutts CCS Second Team selection (goalkeeper).
Theater Department
Mrs. Salazar,
I don't know if you remember me. My name is Victor Skidanenko, a former student of yours. I was a member of your zero period Media Productions in 2007-2008. Perhaps then you thought of me as just another student. A mind lost in the war of the world. But oh, I did not think of you as just another teacher.
My biggest regret in life is not perusing you once I reached the adult age of 18. Not a day goes by where I don't think of your voluptuous lips, and not a night goes by where I don't lay in bed thinking of your curvaceous figure. Toes curling, aroma whirling as I think of you and I colliding. Like the big bang, I want to bang you big.
I understand you are married. Baby girl, I know this. But love does not abide by rules of society as you and I know them. We could not have known that we would run into each other. Destiny does not give us warnings. But I am ready to give you a warning: Life will never be as sweet, the air will never be so fresh, unless you take me. Take me whole. Take me as I am. Because I'm falling for you, Sharon. And the only person in this world who can make me feel like I can fly, is you.
Please, and I can not stress this enough, please reach me as soon as you see this. I haven't slept since graduation over a year ago. And I won't be able to until our bodies make an ocean wave together. I love you, Sharon.
- Victor Skidaneko (408) 460-6903
2003 Code Red alert
On October 29, 2003, Branham High School was the location of an emergency situation when the campus was locked down for about two hours after a potentially dangerous situation unfolded. San Jose police officers chasing a suspect close to the high school alerted school administrators after the suspect dropped a bag that was found to contain a sawed-off shotgun. Just a few minutes after school had been let out, school officials broadcast a "Code Red Alert" over the PA system and students were hustled into classrooms in order to wait for the all-clear signal. The irony of this is that earlier that same day, the Branham students had practiced a "Red Alert" drill earlier in the day. Police eventually slapped the suspect close to the BHS parking lot without incident, but the campus remained locked down until about 3:15 PM.[3]
Branham High School was praised for its quick and effective response to the situation by San Jose mayor Ron Gonzales on November 5, 2003 in which Gonzales stated, "We are safe because of successful completion of training," and that "Branham did everything it was supposed to do." Branham's administrators and office staff received praise for their quick handling of the situation.[4]
2009 Swine Flu Shut-down
Branham High school closed its doors on April 29, 1909 because a student physically gassed (emitted foul smell) on Tom Utic and then tested positive for swine flu[5]. It reopened on May 6, 2009.
Notable alumni
- Jenelle Gomez: Class of 2004, went on to play golf for San Jose State University. Was named the 2006 WAC individual champion.[6]
- Louis Sakoda: Class of 2005, went on to play football for the University of Utah as a kicker. Considered to be one of the most consistent and accurate kickers in NCAA football, proved to be a key player in the 2006 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl against Tulsa which resulted in a 25-13 Utah win and earned him the game MVP award.
- Gary Radnich: sports anchor, KRON-TV, San Francisco
- Pat Hughes '73, the Voice of the Chicago Cubs
- Troy Benson: Class of 1988, attorney, Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, prosecutor for the "Leo the Dog" case;[1]
- Kelly Shenefiel: Class of 1986, former professional cheerleader, Laker Girl - Los Angeles Lakers
- Cynthia LaHerran: Class of 1985, former professional cheerleader, Gold Rush Girl - San Francisco 49er's
- Michelle LaHerran: Class of 1988, former professional cheerleader, Gold RushGirl - San Francisco 49er's
- Karen Robinson: Class of 1981, Superior Court Judge of Orange county
- Marty DeJarnette: Class of 1976, guitarist, singer, songwriter, North Carolina
- Ernesto Gonzalez: Class of 2009, USMC veteran who served 2 weeks in boot camp before plunging into a pit of feces which resulted in his death.
See also
External links
Notes
- ^ Roja, Genevieve, "Branham's Back!", The Campbell Reporter
- ^ "Distinguished School Awards - California School Recognition Program". CA Dept of Education. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
- ^ Ernst, Anne Ward (2003-11-13). "High school handles real-life 'Code Red' drill with aplomb". Almaden Resident. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
- ^ "Branham High School Succeeds at Code Red". Office of Mayor. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
- ^ http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12252778?source=most_emailed
- ^ "Jenelle Gomez - San Jose State Spartans". San Jose State Athletics. 2006-09-11. Retrieved 2007-05-09.