Sept 2023 - Welcome Back, Foothillers
As Grossmont High School began its 103st school year, it welcomed the Class of 2027 with preschool activities and then welcomed all students back on campus Tuesday, August 15th.
Freshman Orientation
August 10th, GHS’s G-Crew for 2023-24 led the incoming ninth grade students through a variety of activities to acclimate them to the campus and to make their transition to high school smoother. Each student was assigned a G-Crew Leader for the year, was able to pick up their schedules, pick up their Chromebooks, take a campus tour, and have lunch with their classmates and their G-Crew leaders.
Friday Spirit Activities
The first week activities, planned by the ASB, included a dress up Friday Class Color competition with the Freshman wearing gray, Sophomores wearing white, Juniors wearing gold, and the Seniors wearing Blue.
Friday’s standing room only Welcome Back Pep Assembly featured a “Name that Tune” contest between 3 staff willing to face off against 3 seniors. When a song was played, the first person to hit the light up button and guess correctly got a point. The teachers volunteering to compete were Chris Ray, Yvonne Payne, and Jeremy Ogilvie.
Afterwards, English teacher Yvonne Payne shared, “Being able to quickly share the songs' names and the artists was tricky, but it made it really fun. I loved the back-to-school energy! Hearing the hype from the crowd among the blasting music was invigorating. I definitely learned a few things today!”
Two other Pep Assembly competitions were a quarterback challenge between the football and flag football quarterbacks and a large scale Tic Tac Toe competition. The energy “rocked the New Gym”!
That evening the first home football game was held against San Diego High with the students using the new Jack Mashin Stadium home stands for the first time.
New Staff Members
This year, Grossmont High School welcomes three new classified staff, all of whom are Special Education aides, Ron Short, Special Ed Aide Mod/Severe, Michele Barker, Special Ed Aide Mild/Mod, and Kira Sedore, Special Ed Aide Mod/Severe.
Michelle Barker shares that “I have a son with autism spectrum disorder, a degree in behavioral health science, and I’ve been working with special education at the middle school level for the past 5 years. I am currently working towards my masters in school counseling and wanted to gain experience working with high school students. I am very excited for the opportunity to work at GHS and cannot wait to see my old middle school students who are now “big” high school students.”
Kira Sedore exclaims, “I am very passionate about helping kids. I peer tutored when I was in high school and I really loved it. That has driven me to take this job, and I also want to continue to work for special education in the future. Last year I worked as a substitute aide for mod/severe. I love working with the kids. I am excited to get to know a new school and new students.”
Two New Teachers
Math teacher Devon Shrestha, Class of 2018, shares the “I wanted to teach at Grossmont because of the strong sense of community and school spirit. I graduated in 2018, so it hasn't been very long, but it feels very exciting to return to teach! It's a little strange to be colleagues with former teachers, though.
I am teaching Integrated Math I, all freshmen, and Integrated Math II, a mix of all grades. I look forward to getting to know my students and just getting the hang of teaching!”
Experienced 14 year Social Science teacher Bob Talley reveals that his journey to GHS “included 5 years at Valley Center High School before moving to Poway High School, where I taught the past 8 years.”
“I grew up in the Fletcher Hills area and attended Fletcher Hills Elementary School, Parkway Middle School, and GHS for my freshman year before I transferred to and graduated from Coronado High School.
My family currently lives in Fletcher Hills and my daughters will eventually go to GHS. Moving from Poway High to Grossmont High allows me to volunteer at my daughters’ schools, attend the visual and performing arts events/sporting events at GHS more often, and be a more integral part of the community. It is a dream come true, and I really feel like I am coming home. Grossmont is the only school I would have entertained leaving Poway for.
I will be teaching a combination of 9th Grade Geography as well as 12th Grade Government/Econ. I have already helped with freshman orientation. GHS has a wonderful tradition of community, school spirit and engagement. I am thrilled to find ways that I can impact and support students both inside and outside of the classroom. It will be wonderful to participate in more of those activities and include my family, now that I am close to home. Go, Foothillers!”
Principal Dan Barnes exclaims, “I am really excited about the new school year, meeting new students, and being with teachers and staff. Our focus continues to be fostering community, cultivating learning, and embracing positive change.”
Obviously, there is great excitement and enthusiasm at GHS as another school year begins, with infinite possibilities for learning, friendships, and achievements in and out of the classroom.
Upcoming Reunions
Class of 1968 55th Reunion: September 28, 2023 from 12- 3pm at Anthony's Fish Grotto. Contact
Class of 2003 20th Reunion: September 2, 2023 7-10 Urbn Pizza, El Cajon
Visit our website at foothillermuseum.com to learn more about GHS, past and present. Contacts: 619-668-6140 and