Corona, CA: Golf Tournament to Benefit Rose-Parade-Bound Santiago High School

The public is invited to play in a golf tournament to help the Santiago High School Marching Band and Colorguard raise funds to represent the City of Corona in the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. Golfers of any skill level can play in the “best ball format” tournament at 8 a.m. on Saturday, November 10 at the Dos Lagos Golf Course in Corona. Following the tournament, golfers and other school supporters can attend the 19th Hole Award Ceremony & Silent Auction at the Steam Haus Gastropub. The Steam Haus Gastropub is at the Shops at Dos Lagos, located across the street from the Dos Lagos Golf Course on Temescal Canyon Road between Weirick Road and Cajalco Road, just off the I-15.

Corona, CA: I.E. Games of the Week

Is this the week that Redlands East Valley jumps into the mix with a huge upset against an out-of-county foe? Can J.W. North become just the second team to ever win a Big VIII league game against Corona Centennial? Will some key additions for Corona Santiago help the Sharks get over the hump against Norco? These are just a few of the questions awaiting Week 5.

A-Game

(ESPNLA top 25 rankings included)

Corona, CA: Hi, School - Santiago High School

Location: Corona, CA

Population: around 4,000

Mascot: Sharks

Newspaper: Shark Attack

AwesoME Achievement: California Distinguished School (2005)

Meet Santiago. In a shark tank of 4,000+ students still find ways to stand out by joining clubs and extracurriculars that let them express themselves and spruce up their college applications. With award-winning teachers and students with a heart to give back, we at ME couldn’t help but give this week’s Hi,School to the home of scholars, achievers and champions!

Corona, CA: 2011 football season kicks off 9/2

Dolphins will open the new season at Santiago of Corona.

The 2011 football season for Dana Hills High School kicks off Friday with the Dolphins visiting Santiago of Corona at 7 p.m.

Dana Hills, 4-6 last season, has a new coach, Todd Rusinkovich, and a new look. The Dolphins will go with all-black uniforms and metallic blue helmets this season.

Corona, CA: Santiago High assistant principal dies after cancer fight

John Sawaya, a beloved assistant principal in charge of activities at Santiago High School in Corona, died Friday night of complications from surgery intended to relieve fluid from a cancer diagnosed three years ago.

He was 47.

"John was a fighter," Santiago Principal Reggie Thompkins said. "He left this (world) a better place than when he came."

Incoming Associated Student Body President Rachel Songer and ASB alumna Krista Boice were setting up a memorial to Mr. Sawaya at the school Saturday afternoon. A Facebook page titled RIP John Sawaya had several pages of tributes from students, former students, other teachers and community members.

Mr. Sawaya joined the Santiago faculty as a history teacher in 1996, said Corona-Norco Deputy Superintendent Michael Lin.

Mr. Sawaya was diagnosed in the summer of 2008 with a form of cancer and was not a candidate for the one type of surgery to treat it. He sought alternative therapy focusing on mind, body and spirit. In the fall of 2008, he said he felt better than ever.

Boice said she and other ASB members would sometimes leave flowers and letters on the porch of his home. Teachers arranged fundraisers to cover costs of his alternative treatments.

Services are being planned for Crossroads Christian Church in Corona.

Survivors include his wife, Carol, and two daughters, Leslie and Brooke, both students at Orange Elementary School in Corona, and both of his parents.

Corona, CA: 2011 MLB Draft Tracker - Compensation Round Summary

1-38) Rays: Brandon Martin, SS, Santiago HS, Corona, California: Fast-riser up the draft boards due to his improved hitting and good chance to remain at shortstop.

Corona, CA: CB Sean Murray

Corona (Calif.) Santiago cornerback Sean Murray was part of one of the better secondaries in Southern California last fall, and he's seen here in highlights from his junior season...

Corona (Calif.) Santiago figures to be one of the top programs in the Inland Empire this fall, and despite losing Anthony Dye to graduation, the Sharks return some solid prospects in their secondary.
One of those is cornerback Sean Murray, who started for the Sharks on their CIF-SS Inland Division finalist team.

Murray had 96 tackles, 12 pass breakups and three picks for the Sharks, earning all-league honors.

This spring, at the UnderArmour/Scout.com Combine in Los Angeles, Murray had the third best forty, running a 4.47.

Corona, CA Welcomes new Principle to Santiago High School.

Two of the district's three high schools will have new leadership when students return to school in August.

The principals at Rialto and Eisenhower high schools are both leaving their posts.

Eisenhower Principal Reggie Thompkins, 42, will be moving to the 4,000-student Santiago High School in Corona, and Rialto High Principal Mehran Akhtarkhavari, 45, is off to Africa, where he will be an administrator at the International School of Lusaka in Zambia.

"It's a good move for my family," said Thompkins, who is planning to move to the Corona area, close to where his wife's family lives.

It's been a dream of Akhtarkhavari's to work in international education, he said.

"It's got nothing to do with Rialto. I mean here is an opportunity that I've got in front of me," he said.

Carter Assistant Principal Andres Luna will take over at Rialto, though a replacement for Thompkins hasn't been named.

In the interim, Assistant Principal Tom Hoak and former principal Armand Messer will run the school.

Thompkins, who's led Eisenhower for three years, said the school will be OK without him.

"I say the staff is intact on that campus, and they're the ones - along with the students - who have created that environment," he said.

Akhtarkhavari will be the deputy director of the International School of Lusaka, which has 600 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

"I kind of admire my wife coming along," he said, noting that moving across the ocean will be a big change for him. "Our whole life had to be reduced to a 4-by-4-by-4 crate."

He joked that his most important accomplishment as principal was that the Associated Student Body now takes credit cards, making it easier for students to purchase things like prom tickets and yearbooks.

"I cannot take credit for anything else," he said.

Luna, 50, said he wants to improve Rialto High's graduation rate and send more students to college, in part by working together with students, teachers and parents.

"I am hoping to raise the student achievement, to really bring the staff together, to really make a difference in the students' lives academically," he said. Luna, who called himself a "team player" and a "good listener," has worked in the district for 24 years.

Akhtarkhavari and Thompkins both said they'll miss Rialto.

"My message is thanks for the memories. It's been wonderful, and see you around the world," Akhtarkhavari said.

Cover Corner Looks For More Offers; Sean Martin Corona, CA

Sean Martin is a 6-foot-1 and 180 pound cover corner from Santiago High School in Corona, CA. Martin gained his first offer recently and has several other schools in pursuit. "Getting an offer this early is a blessing. I had a good junior season, so I am confident that more offers will come soon," he said. Minnesota was the first and is the only school to offer Martin so far. "Minnesota showed that they want me. They are one of my favorites right now," said Martin.

Relay for Life in June 14-15 at Santiago High School in Corona, CA

The Relay for Life this year is on June 14-15 at Santiago High School in Corona.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight experience designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer. At Relay, people from within the community gather to celebrate survivors, remember those lost to cancer, and to fight back against this disease.

Relay participants help raise money and awareness to support the American Cancer Society in its lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a major health issue. During Relay For Life ® events, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps.

TOP KEEPER JOINS LANCERS (Corona, CA)

California Baptist just made its defense that much better when Camryn Rogers signed to play for the Lancers in 2009. The best goalie in the Inland Empire was listed as the top player to watch in the Press Enterprise’s 10 players to watch.

“Cami has explosive leg strength that allows her to provide excellent goal coverage both laterally and vertically,” said first-year CBU head coach Jacob Medina. “Her experience at both the club and high school levels has shaped her into a defensive leader with great ability to vocally direct and anchor her defense.She will provide the women’s water polo team with excellent depth at the goalie position.”

The senior at Santiago High in Corona, Calif., was an All-CIF first team selection as a junior. She also earned all-county honors and is a two-time All-Mountain League selection. An All-America honorable mention in 2007, Rogers was the defensive MVP of the Mountain League and holds every Santiago High goalie record.