High School Matchup
San Joaquin’s high schools have plenty of school spirit—and just as much friendly rivalry
profile photography and story by JEREMY FLETCHER
It could be the Friday night football games, the school spirit, the traditions, and the rivalries. It might be the academics, the teachers, the students, or the final year before college. Or maybe it’s the new classrooms and new classmates, new books and new goals. It doesn’t matter what gets you excited about the new school year, as long as you get excited. This isn’t about whether you belong to the Trojans, the Rams, the Flames, or if you were a Tiger, Bulldog or part of the Wolfpack. It’s about San Joaquin’s high schools, and the best of what they have to offer.
In honor of the new school year, and with so many great high schools in San Joaquin County, we wanted to highlight a few of our favorites and let you know what makes these schools so great. Academics, athletics, notable alumni, and after-school programs are just a few points that give the 209 a reason to brag about our high school education. If you’re an alumni, a booster, or a parent, then you’ve got a vested interest as well—or maybe you just come out of hiding for the Friday night football. We do.
As the “original” high school of Lodi, the Flames have as much stake in the city as the numerous wineries. Founded in 1896, the 2,200-strong student body is one that prides itself on the circle of giving back, as many alumni have come back to teach, coach, and donate both time and money towards the progression of Lodi High.
LINCOLN HIGH
Simply a powerhouse in Stockton for more than 50 years, Lincoln is a high school steep in accomplishments, both through academics and athletics. The more than 2,500-student campus is situated in the center of Stockton, and draws students from the heart of the San Joaquin’s biggest city.
Student leadership programs, strong fine arts, and after-school programs, paired with strong community involvement make Lincoln one of the most popular public schools in the city. Last year the fashion program was featured on PBS, and the school is currently building an Engineering Construction Academy that has already drawn 400 enrollments for the 2009-10 school year.
The Trojans boast a strong drama program, and athletically have been a force as well. Lincoln has 29 CIF Sectional Championships in their history, including six in softball from 1983 to 1993. Alumni include brothers Ricky and Andy Barnes of professional golf fame, and professional baseball player Mike McFarlane.
Lincoln High School is a way of life for four years, as students participate in theme weeks such as Spirit Week, Multicultural Week, and St. Baldrick’s Day, where students raise money for cancer research and then have their heads shaved during lunchtime.
ST. MARY’S HIGH
Founded in 1876, St. Mary’s has long since established itself as the premier private school in the city of Stockton. The catholic high school, known as much for the towering statue of the Virgin Mary in the front of campus as their athletic dominance, offers over 130 courses, gearing students for some of the nation’s top colleges and universities.
With more than 25 extracurricular activities and 14 varsity sports, the Rams provide freedom to grow in all areas. They have totaled more than 40 CIF Sectional Championships, including almost a dozen for girls volleyball. The girls basketball team is not only a force throughout Northern California, but is routinely ranked as one of the top basketball programs in the nation.
With a large religious element, the school has been the choice for not only area students but for those throughout the county. Current University of the Pacific baseball coach and the only man to ever win a World Series ring, Olympic gold medal, and college world series title, Ed Sprague is a product of Saint Mary’s High, as is current NFL referee Pete Morelli, and former Stockton mayor Ed Chavez.
Almost 99 percent of the Class of 2008 were accepted at colleges and universities, and earned awards and scholarships totaling over $8,250,000.
WEST HIGH
Created in 1993 due to the expansion of Bay Area residents in the area, Merrill F. West High School is the youngest of the schools mentioned. The 3,200-student population is spread throughout a sprawling campus in West Tracy. The navy blue and gold Wolf Pack have done much to claim their rightful place in academics in Tracy.
Named for Merrill F. West, an Iowa resident who relocated to Tracy to serve on the Unified School District Board for 11 years, the school boasts both top academics and athletics. Numerous school activities make West High enjoyable, like the yearly Slam Jam, a combination of dress-up and spirit days throughout an entire week in January.
A plethora of AP courses and a Space and Engineering Academy accommodate a majority of the Wolf Pack, while many of the remaining faithful participate in the school’s up-and-coming athletic programs. Brittany Daniels, a USC Track and Field athlete, once named as the Gatorade High School Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year, attended West High, where she led the Wolf Pack to three straight CIF Championships from 2003-2005.
TRACY HIGH
Standing strong in Tracy has been the job of Tracy High since they opened their doors in 1917, and the expansion of West High in 1993 and another school to come next year has done little to deter a high school steeped in tradition and competition.
The green and gold Bulldogs have used this tradition to maintain a great relationship with their almost 3,000-student body and the community. A downtown homecoming parade, floats, and festivities throughout the week are just one of the ways that Tracy High has maintained their long-standing culture. In fact, a scene from The Candidate (1972) with Robert Redford was shot in Tracy, focusing on the school’s homecoming parade as the fictional senatorial candidate parade.
Academically, the Bulldogs have a highly ranked Mock Trial team that received awards in 2007, and the school continually keeps a high graduation rate and collegiate placement due to strong AP courses. Athletically, the Bulldogs have been strong in football, track and field, wrestling, and most recently golf on their way to winning eight CIF Championships in the school’s history.
A city icon for nearly a century, support has been huge from alumni. Notable alumni include professional athletes Nick Eddy and Rob Swenson, and former Playmate of the Year Christine Maddox.
LODI HIGH
As the “original” high school of Lodi, the Flames have as much stake in the city as the numerous wineries. Founded in 1896, the 2,200-strong student body is one that prides itself on the circle of giving back, as many alumni have come back to teach, coach, and donate both time and money towards the progression of Lodi High.
Covering North and West Lodi as well as Clements and Lockeford areas, the Flames are noted for a strong science and agricultural department. When the two schools split in 1972, Lodi High continued its tradition of both academic and athletic excellence, highlighted on the playing field with 35 Sectional Championships in the school’s more than one hundred year existence. The Flames have been a force in the country club sports, dominating in the pool, and on the golf course and tennis courts.
Alongside their top-level science programs, Lodi High took home a San Joaquin Award this year by placing first in the Academic Decathlon, a competition of ten subject areas that test the students academically.
Support for Lodi High has reached lofty levels, as notable alumni span many different disciplines, including winemaker Robert Mondavi, professional football player Greg Bishop, and co-star of The Girls Next Door and Playboy Playmate Bridget Marquardt.
TOKAY HIGH
The Tigers of Lodi, known to most as Tokay High, is a school that has not only developed its own identity since the split from Lodi High in 1972, but has thrived in the various areas of student involvement. With a diverse mixture of students covering the purple and gold campus, Tokay has done much for the city of Lodi while graduating its students on to bigger and better things.
A strong presence in clubs at Tokay has given the almost 2,000-student population a way to find each student’s niche during their four years as a Tiger. Clubs such as Future Farmers of America, Academic Club, Friday Night Live, and Choir Club all give identity to the school, while organizations like the widely popular Spirit Leaders provide a face for the high school.
UFC fighters Nick and Nate Diaz attended Tokay, as did former Miss San Joaquin Stephanie Heminger, and professional baseball player David Cooper.
Academically, Tokay strongly represents in the Academic Club, taking home first place this year in the Science Olympiad. On the athletic end, the Tigers have been a force for seven CIF Sectional Championships in softball, water polo, and most recently boys basketball. Football and basketball games are hugely attended, as the support of choice has been body painting. SJM
