Page 10 September 13 , 2012 TORRANCE TRIBUNE TerriAnn in Torrance School Days in Torrance By TerriAnn Ferren working. I said I am taking it home--I had They all seemed to be looking forward to school…I am happy that school is starting. Pee Chees, pens, spiral notebooks, pencils, to have it.” I asked Thomas why he wanted the new year. I have a red Ninjago backpack.” Christian’s books and school clothes were all part of to become a physical therapist and he said, mom Carolyn told me her son is ready to getting ready for school when I was little. “Because I got hurt in the military and I begin school tomorrow. Now, school supplies consist of a computer, felt it was my calling after I was doing rehab. Jim Stetson was born and raised in maybe a cell phone, school clothes and you It clicked. I wanted to help those who get downtown Torrance and has been teaching injured like those who helped me.” Spanish at South High School for 26 years. The Torrance schools have always been a He told me, “I enjoy it very much. Every model for excellence and high achievement. class you get is a little different. One of the Founded in 1917, Torrance High School is nice things about education is you’re dealing the oldest school in Torrance. The Torrance with people that have a lot of potential and school system broke off from the Los Angeles promise and that is a very good situation district in 1947 and in 1948 the elementary to work with because you are part of the and high schools merged into one unified mix. The way I look at teaching is it’s not district. The City of Torrance currently has just me giving them instructions and them 17 elementary schools, eight middle schools giving something back to me. I see their and four high schools. That doesn’t include achievement as a sum of their effort and my the continuation high school, the adult school effort. It is a mix--a dynamic. It isn’t like or the many private schools that reside in Jodi Gutierrez, English Teacher at Torrance High School. you are working with a machine. You are our community. Our schools are a beacon From there I went to a local Torrance eatery working with people.” From speaking with of learning and high standards. And that is where I met six-year-old Elliot Langston, who Jim, his students are lucky to have him. I not just because I attended them. I checked will be entering first grade at Fern Elementary out Newsweek’s America’s Best High Schools School. Elliot was having lunch with his sister Michael Lancaster. of 2012 and found South High, West High and mom. Elliot told me, “Most of them his are all set. Backpacks still accompany many, friends I already know.” He then went on to but I rarely see anyone carrying stacks of tell me his backpack is yellow, but he might books home. With school in full swing for get a new one. His sister Ryland, age three, some and just beginning for others, I decided was dressed up in a princess outfit and told to ask some students and teachers how they me she was excited to see her teacher “Miss felt about the beginning of school after the Christine” at Town and Country School. summer holiday. Listening to Elliot talk about his backpack Michael Lancaster, age 17, told me, “I reminded me of when I was in the fourth started school August 15. I am a senior at grade and I decided I needed a briefcase Gunderson High School in San Jose.” I asked to carry my school books because Jeffrey Michael who Gunderson was and he said, Barlough, who lived next door, had one and “Henry T. Gunderson--I heard it somewhere I thought it was great. My parents agreed, and read the plaque in the front by the Thomas Lancaster. so my sister and I both started school that office…I am taking economics, sociology, and Torrance High among its ranks. Pretty year with briefcases! What a sight we must marine biology, physiology, algebra II and impressive. have been… Samantha Shota, age 9. wrestling. Summer kind of drags on when Outside Torrance High School, the marquee asked him if he liked teaching and he said, you don’t do much. You get a little bored of read, “First Day of School Thurs. 9/6,” “Every year I have wonderful students.” This doing nothing.” Michael told me he wrestles reminding passersby when school begins. It year, Jim has 190 to 200 students. I asked in the winter and is happy school has started. was there that I ran into four teachers who him if he was ready for school to start today His brother Thomas Lancaster, age 26, happen to be leaving the school. Stopping and he said, “Yes. We have 11 weeks off and served in the Army as a combat engineer in to speak with me was Ms. Jodi Gutierrez, I think that is pretty good. Not a lot of jobs Iraq from 2007 to 2011 and is now going to who teaches freshman and sophomore give you 11 weeks off.” school on the GI Bill. Thomas began classes English. She is excited about the beginning All this preparation for the first day of at San Jose State University on August 22 and of school even though she was using crutches school made me think about all the first is taking archeology, chemistry, kinesiology due to a sprained ankle she suffered while days of school I have had and will have. (sport therapy) and a political science class. running a half marathon. “I am just starting Each day there is something to learn and He is studying to become a physical therapist. at this school,” Jodi said as she laughed. “I discover and everyone I spoke with was “I was glad to start school and get it have my what I did this summer story! I anticipating the unknown adventure in front started,” Thomas said. Like many students was at Mira Costa in Manhattan Beach for Ryland, age 3, and Elliot Langston, age 6. of them. Learning is an adventure that lasts I then bumped into Gail Shota and her a lifetime. I smiled as I remembered the old daughter, nine-year-old Samantha, who said, Beach Boys’ song in my head, “Be True to “I love school--it’s so much fun.” She told me Your School.” she is in fourth grade and her favorite subject “When some loud braggart tries to put is math. And when asked if she was happy me down and says his school is great, I tell school had started for her, she said, “Um… him right away, ‘Now what’s the matter kind of, yah because I saw my friends all buddy? Ain’t you heard of my school? It’s summer in day camp, but not all of them.” number one in the state.’ So be true to your Later that day, I met six-year-old Christian school now, just like you would to your girl Chun and asked him about kindergarten. When or guy. Be true to your school now and let I asked what school he attended, Christian your colors fly. Be true to your school…” told me, “First Lutheran in Torrance. I like And so it goes. • Christian, age 6, and Carolyn Chun. today, Thomas keeps himself busy by both two years and I was at South High here in working and going to school. He told me, Torrance and I am happy to be back here in “I work at a junkyard. It is funny to see all the Torrance district. I am really excited to be the good stuff and cars people throw away. I back,” added Jodi. Mr. Steve Love told me found a ’59 Rambler last August when I was he has been teaching English for 10 years. Torrance High School. Photos by TerriAnn Ferren.
Torrance 9.13.12
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