Tag: alumni

Poly Royalty

Since its founding in 1895, Poly has set the standards for sports, academic, and music on a national scale. Built upon a unique history marked by academic achievement and athletic records, Poly has become a kingdom that dominates all other high schools in the nation. Many alumni have gone on to prove that Poly is the best starting point for success. Poly’s reign has lasted for over a century now, and these achievements prove that our empire is not falling any time soon. Add your name to the list of kings, queens, and pharaohs who made the right choice by starting here.

NIMBLE NOBLES

Jackrabbits are well-rounded students: with five small learning communities including Justice (law), BEACH (math and science) , MAPS (medical), PAC RIM (business), METS (media), and two college-prep magnet programs, PACE and CIC, Poly utilizes academies as personalized learning curricula for students to model their courses based on their interests. Academies were designed to imitate a more personal learning environment.

MUSICAL MONARCHS

Poly’s six-time, Grammy award- winning music program has trained many artists to carry on the legacy of excellence. One alum in particular, Ikey Owens, started off in our notable music program. He went on to become a famous, two- time Grammy-winning pianist , receiving the first in 2011 with his band, Mars Volta. Owens was awarded a second Grammy in 2015 for his work on Jack White’s most recent album, Lazaretto, but unfortunately, he did not live to receive it, as he passed away last October.

DIVERSE DYNASTY

According to the Los Angeles Times’ California School’s Guide, Poly has a perfect score of ten for its diversity. Poly has the most even distribution of minorities amongst its student body out of all other high schools in the district. The school consists of 32.2% Latino, 30% Asian, 10.6% Caucasian, and 25.4% black students. Royal Jackrabbits stem from all kinds of ethnic backgrounds, keeping the kingdom varied.

THE PRINCE OF POWERADE

Did you know that Poly had its own flavor of Powerade? “The Flavor of Champions” was created for Poly in 2011 in honor of being crowned as #1 on ESPN’s “Fab 50” list, recognizing the most talented high school athletics. It’s not surprising since Poly has sent more football players to the NFL than any other high school over the last century.

September 14, 2015
Jackrabbits Hop Back In: From Student to Staff

PACE counselor Connie Loggins. Little do people know that Poly PACE counselor Connie Loggins was once a student here at Poly, under the name Connie Marie Durr. Before graduating with the Class of 1974, Loggins was very involved with Student Commission, serving as an officer for three years. In addition, she was also a member of the track and softball teams, the latter of which she was deemed as MVP. Her initial goal was to be a physical education teacher because of her love for athletics and of her high school mentor, P.E. teacher Linda Ve. After graduating from college, Loggins was hired to be the career college specialist here at Poly, eventually becoming the counselor for the Communications academy and moving on to her current position as PACE counselor. “I love my students and I take pride that my students hold fast to the motto enter to learn and go forth to serve,” said Loggins. Poly was instrumental in helping her to learn how to interact with the world comfortably. Her high school experience showed her how diverse the school was and continues to be, and this is what makes the school a family. “There always has been and will be a strong Poly connection. Poly pride is like no other,” said Loggins.

Campus Security Officer Vuthy Cheav. Vuthy Cheav is currently the Campus Security Officer here on campus. He graduated from Poly in 1992, and his high school career mainly revolved around being a student-athlete, for he was on the volleyball team for three years. He came back to Poly in 1993 to become the volleyball coach and resigned in 2012. On top of his involvement here at Poly, Cheav has also worked as a real estate agent for over ten years. He loved Poly and though it was a great school back when he was a high school student “It’s the best high school in Long Beach,and green and gold are my favorite colors,” said Cheav. The Poly legacy will continue on in his family, for his daughter will be enrolled in the PACE program this coming fall.

Activities Director My Ngoc Nguyen. My Ngoc Nguyen is the new Activities Director at Poly this year. A product of the Class of (date), Nguyen has been involved in Student Commission ever since her high school years. Aside from ASB, Nguyen was also involved with the Vietnamese and Red Cross Clubs and served as the Youth Leader for NCCJ and the student representative for the District. After graduating from UCLA, Nguyen worked as a teacher before coming back to Poly. “I worked at Avalon for 1.5 years until Mr. Carlson became the principal at Poly and Mr. Ashley became the principal at Jordan. At Jordan, I taught Career Math, Geometry, Intermediate Algebra and started AP Statistics. I also coached Badminton, was the Senior Senate Advisor, and Link Crew Teacher. When Mrs. Speir retired last year, I was offered the Activities Director position at Poly,” said Nguyen. Without Poly, Nguyen feels that she would not have access to the opportunities given to her during high school and after graduation. Her favorite memory was back when she was the ASB President. “One time, I came in to the tardy sweep in the morning in the Commission room and Mr. Carlson obnoxiously embarrassed me and exclaimed, ‘Look at our ASB President— tardy! What a role model…’ No one can be perfect,” said Nguyen.

School librarian Pamela Oehlman. Pamela Oehlman is currently the teacher-librarian here at Poly, her high school alma mater. Hailing from the Class of (date), she was actively involved in extracurricular activities both on and off campus. “When I went to Poly the values and pride you have now being a Jackrabbit was central during my years here as well. At that time, there were off-campus clubs… I was a member of one. I was also a member of a service club [called] Caprice. I was a Polyette and active in the drama club. [Everything] was so much fun,” said Oehlman. She chose to become a librarian because the job was different from being a nurse, secretary or teacher, occupations typically reserved for women in 1965. She was able to get the position when the former Poly librarian, Maggie Chandler, retired. “I had been part of the opening staff at Jackie Robinson. I loved it, loved it, but I loved the chance to be part of the Poly family even more. I knew if I didn’t try for the position, it would regret it. I am so glad that I did,” said Oehlman. She believes Poly has truly inspired her to do things differently and to give back. “Poly taught me to try, and then try again. To always give my best effort. I entered to learn and went forth to serve. Thinking about it, it made me a joyful, optimistic person,” said Oehlman.

Campus Security Officer Alton Jerome (AJ) Luke.

Athletic director Rob Shock. A favorite amongst everyone roaming Poly’s halls, Rob Shock is a Poly alumnus with so much pride for his school. Serving as the Dean of Students, Athletic Director, Poly North coordinator, Link Cree Advisor and countless other positions, Shock works extremely hard to make Poly the best school it can be. He cites Poly as the place where he met his biggest inspiration. “I had a teacher named Mrs. Dunn back when I was here, and she helped me step outside what I thought was the only path I had, and she showed me how much I could actually accomplish in life. I was going to just end up going into the service like my father, but she showed me that college was a real option and a reality,” said Shock. Shock keeps this memory in mind when he steps onto the campus. “She believed in me, and I think that’s part of the personality I have now. I like to share her spirit now with what I do,” said Shock. He has been a vital aspect to Poly since 1989. “I came in as a college aide, and continued as a sub all over the district working towards teaching. Then I got a full time position at Poly [and] now I tackle several different jobs here for Poly,” said Shock. When asked what his favorite part about Poly was, he shook his head and chuckled. “It’s hard to say in one phrase. I think the main thing is family. The staff, the students, we’re all a family. It is just a great place to work, and I really take it to heart. It’s tradition, it’s mystique, it’s the generations on Poly, it’s a special place to be. People know Poly all over the place, wherever you travel, and it’s such a special thing to be apart of. I am privileged to be here. It’s not just a job; it’s an experience and a memory every day.”

March 17, 2015

Tag: alumni

Poly Royalty

Jackrabbits Hop Back In: From Student to Staff