Redondo School Board recognizes state champs
December 9, 2015
by David Mendez
In a room packed with proud parents, teachers and coaches, the Redondo Beach Unified Board of Education celebrated its two most recent championship-winning programs at its most recent board meeting,
Redondo Union High School Principal Dr. Nicole Wesley opened with an introduction for band director Ray Vizcarra. In his second year at RUHS, Vizcarra’s Redondo Union Marching Band and Dance Guard was top ranked in the state for much of the marching season, before falling to second place the week of the state semi-finals.
“It made the kids work harder that last week, and taught them that when you want to, you can make that final push to overcome and end up a champion,” Vizcarra said.
Smiling wide, Vizcarra considered his band’s championship run to have come “against all odds.” RUHS’s disadvantages in fundraising and staffing, compared to other larger, more storied band programs throughout the state, made their win in the state’s 4A division “that much sweeter,” he said.
“As the parent of a former Sea Hawk self-proclaimed ‘band geek,’ we’ve carefully watched the rise of this band under your leadership. It’s truly remarkable,” said school board president Michael Christensen.
Board vice president Anita Avrick agreed. “What you’ve done in the last two years has been amazing — the kids are talented, but you’ve guided them through,” she said. Avrick then praised Vizcarra’s efforts in visiting the districts middle and elementary schools, encouraging students to pursue music at higher levels.
Vizcarra was then presented with a crystalline trophy by Christensen — one which he could be seen admiring throughout the rest of the meeting.
RBUSD Board of Education President Michael Christensen presents RUHS band director Ray Vizcarra with an award commemorating the RUHS Marching Band’s state championship. Photo by David Mendez
The board then recognized the back-to-back state champion RUHS volleyball team, fresh off of their victory against Menlo-Atherton last Saturday.
RUHS assistant principal Jens Brandt called the team “historic,” praising them for having doubled the school’s state championships, from two to four, within the last two years.
“It’s always an honor to represent what [Superintendent Steven Keller] says is the finest school in the South Bay — and I would argue, finest in the country,” said volleyball coach Tommy Chaffins. “This team was amazing to work with, every single day, and I’m honored and blessed to be their coach.”
“It’s not just about getting championships, but the way you got them,” Christensen said. “The kind of coaching you and your staff did, and what you’ve done with this team is awesome on so many levels.”