Upcoming Events
https://goodnews.pylusd.org/?s=esperanza
This is a friendly reminder to take the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) parent survey online before Friday, February 20. As parents and guardians, your feedback is extremely important and will help PYLUSD, as well as Esperanza High School, improve. To access this year’s parent survey, you will find it on the front page of the district’s website as well as on our school’s homepage.
EHS Jazz Selected for Globally Prestigious Essentially Ellington Festival IN NYC!!!
EHS Jazz Selected for Globally Prestigious Essentially Ellington Festival IN NYC!!!
Esperanza High School’s Jazz Ensemble I has been selected as one of only 20 finalists nationwide to compete in the 31st Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Program & Festival. The event, held at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, is the pinnacle of high school jazz education in North America.
Under the leadership of director Brad Davis, Esperanza HS Jazz I was chosen from a pool of hundreds of applicants across the United States and Canada. The selection process involved a rigorous blind audition of three recordings from the Jazz at Lincoln Center library.
“Essentially Ellington festival is the high water mark for high school Jazz,” Mr. Davis remarks. “We are so honored to be included in this list of amazing bands from around the country and I am so proud of our students and how hard they worked to make this dream happen. This is a true testament to their dedication to their craft, and to our community's dedication to our students and the high standards that we hold ourselves to. It's an unbelievable honor.”
During the three-day festival from April 30th to May 2nd, 2026, students will participate in workshops, jam sessions, and rehearsals led by members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and compete in a performance judged by a panel of jazz legends, including Wynton Marsalis.
Esperanza Jazz and Mr. Davis have history with Essentially Ellington, being selected to compete in the national festival 14 years ago. Current senior trombone player, Gabriella Shanedling, comments: “We are excited to be a part of this honorable experience. We cannot wait to step into the shoes of the last band that worked hard enough to earn the same opportunity.”
The Esperanza Band program is currently seeking community support and sponsorships to help offset the significant travel and instrument shipping costs for the ensemble. Local businesses or individuals interested in supporting these student-ambassadors can find more information at ehseu.org or donate directly at
https://ehseu.org/contact-us/donate-here/
About Esperanza High School Jazz:
The Esperanza High School Band Program, located in Anaheim, California, is a premier performing arts department known for its excellence in jazz, concert, and marching arts. The program focuses on fostering musical mastery and professional discipline, consistently placing among the top ensembles in Southern California.
About Essentially Ellington:
The Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Program & Festival is the nation’s premier jazz education initiative. Created by Jazz at Lincoln Center, the program aims to elevate the musicianship of high school students by providing them with the tools and mentorship to perform the music of Duke Ellington and other jazz masters.
Esperanza Wrestling Competes in
Esperanza Wrestling Competes in
CIF Division 1 Championship vs. St. John Bosco
CIF Division 1 Championship vs. St. John Bosco
IMG_0861.MOV
Esperanza Wrestling wrapped up an outstanding season with a competitive showing against St. John Bosco in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 dual-meet championship, earning its place among the top wrestling programs in Southern California. Reaching the Division 1 final reflects the Aztecs’ season-long commitment, toughness, and growth at the highest level of competition.
The Aztecs competed with grit and resilience throughout the championship dual, stepping onto the mat against one of the state’s most accomplished programs and rising to the challenge. Their performance showcased Esperanza’s depth, discipline, and determination in a high-pressure postseason environment.
A special thank-you goes to Head Coach Christian and the entire Esperanza wrestling coaching staff for their leadership, preparation, and dedication to developing student-athletes both on and off the mat. This CIF Division 1 championship appearance is a testament to their hard work and vision for the program, and the future of Esperanza Wrestling remains bright.
Classroom spotlight: yearbook
Classroom spotlight: yearbook
At Esperanza High School, the yearbook program is more than just a class; it is a legacy-building workshop led by adviser Mrs. Whitney Leonard. As an A-G Fine Art-approved elective, this course offers "Aztecs" a professional environment to capture the spirit of the school under the mantra "Once an Aztec, Always an Aztec."
Here is how the program breaks down:
Journalism & Storytelling: Students drive the narrative of the year, mastering concept brainstorming, investigative researching, and copy editing to produce a publication that serves as the school's historical record.
Real-World Tech: The staff utilizes industry-standard digital design tools and photo-editing software, gaining hands-on experience in content creation and brand management that rivals collegiate programs.
Life & Leadership: Beyond the page, the class is a hub for project management and team building. Students learn to meet strict publisher deadlines, manage public relations for senior ad campaigns, and network with the entire student body.
Follow us on Instagram for more: @aztec.yearbook
National Signing Day
National Signing Day
National Signing Day celebrates high school student-athletes who officially commit to play their sport at the collegiate level. It recognizes years of hard work in the classroom and in competition, and marks an exciting next step as these students continue their academic and athletic journeys. Congrats to these amazing student athletes!
National Signing Day celebrates high school student-athletes who officially commit to play their sport at the collegiate level. It recognizes years of hard work in the classroom and in competition, and marks an exciting next step as these students continue their academic and athletic journeys. Congrats to these amazing student athletes!
Finley Ali
Finley Ali
Ottawa University
Ottawa University
Soccer
Soccer
Tayloran Sicard
Tayloran Sicard
Alfred University
Alfred University
Softball
Softball
Calista Van Artsdalen
Calista Van Artsdalen
San Diego City College
San Diego City College
Softall
Softall
Samantha Gjersvold
Samantha Gjersvold
Eastern Oregon
Eastern Oregon
Soccer
Soccer
KAte Woodside
KAte Woodside
Cal State Fullerton
Cal State Fullerton
Cross Country & Track
Cross Country & Track
Activities
Aztecs on Air
Aztecs on Air
YouTube Channel
YouTube Channel
Please check out the latest news on the NEW Aztecs on Air YouTube channel. Weekly episodes will be uploaded every Monday and Friday. Enjoy!
EHS Orchestra Performs at Disney
Esperanza musicians proudly represented our school with outstanding performances at Disney, showcasing their talent, dedication, and hard work on a world-class stage!
IMG_2627.MOVIMG_2628.MOVIMG_2630.MOVIMG_2629.MOV🩷LOVE WEEK♥️
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
ACADEMIC DECATHLON
ACADEMIC DECATHLON
Our Academic Decathlon seniors wrapped up their final competition this past weekend at Westminster High School—and they did it the Aztec way!
From cheering on their teammates to creating fun, spirited gifts for fellow OC schools, our seniors showed incredible teamwork, positivity, and Aztec pride throughout the competition. The energy was high, the spirit was loud, and the memories were unforgettable!
We can’t wait to see the final results and celebrate all the hard work our seniors put in this season. No matter the scores, they’ve already made us proud.Great job, Academic Decathlon!
PYLUSD WINTER FORMAL
Tickets are on sale now for the PYLUSD Winter Formal. Tickets are $60 with ASB and $70 without ASB until Fri. Feb 20th at lunch.
No tickets will be sold after this date or at the door.
Purchase tickets at the finance office or on the EHS webstore!
Choir SinGing Valentines
Choir SinGing Valentines
The choir is selling Singing Valentines for your friends and loved ones!
They are $5 for an in-person performance or $10 for a phone message. Sales will run February 2nd–6th and February 9th–12th, and they’ll be delivered and performed in class on Friday, February 13th.
Choir will also be out in the quad this Wednesday at lunch, giving you a sneak preview of the songs you can choose from! Come and buy one!
EHS Culinary Dinner and Movie
EHS Culinary Dinner and Movie
EHS Culinary is hosting a dinner and movie
PRINCESS AND THE FROG
March 12th - 6pm
$20
3-course meal
Get in the game with go fan
Get in the game with go fan
The GoFan Link for tickets to all Athletics games is listed below. The QR code also takes you to the link.
EHS Baseball Holds Annual Alumni Game
EHS Baseball Holds Annual Alumni Game
Last Sunday, Esperanza proudly hosted Baseball Alumni Day, a meaningful celebration of the tradition, pride, and legacy of Aztec baseball. The event included the retirement of Hall of Fame Coach Mike Curran’s number and a special tribute to our 1986 National Championship Team. A highlight of the day was watching our 2026 Aztecs take the field against a team of alumni, creating a powerful connection between past and present. Alumni shared how special it was to be back on the field, with Jeremy reflecting, “Esperanza Baseball shaped who we are—being back out here brought back so many great memories.” Kevin echoed that sentiment, adding, “Once an Aztec, always an Aztec. It was incredible to see how strong the program still is and to reconnect with teammates and coaches.” Thanks to the tremendous support of our Booster Club and dedicated parent volunteers, the day ran seamlessly and served as a true celebration of Aztec baseball across generations. Go Aztecs! ⚾️
Girls Basketball
Girls Basketball
Girls' Basketball finished 1st in league and is headed to Division 1 CIF Playoffs . The team will face Santa Margarita at home on Thursday 2/12 at 7pm in the Gym! Only CIF passes will be honored. All spectators must have a ticket purchased through go fan. Go Aztecs!!
Boys Basketball
Boys Basketball
Boys' Basketball finished 1st in league and is headed to CIF Division 2 Playoffs. The team will face off against Edison at home on Wed. 2/11 at 7pm in the Gym! Only CIF passes will be honored. All spectators must have a ticket purchased through go fan. Go Aztecs!!
Boys Soccer
Boys Soccer
Boy's Soccer finished 3rd in league and are headed to CIF this upcoming Wednesday. They will face Bell Garden high school at home at 5pm. Go Aztecs!!
Wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling came in 2nd place in CIF Division 1 Finals this past Wednesday in their dual against St. John Bosco.
Varsity League Tournament is 2/7 @ Sonora High School!!!
Girls Soccer
Girls Soccer
Girls' soccer finished out their season this past week. It was apleasure to watch them play and give it their all on the field!
Softball
Softball
On Feb 17th, we will be honoring Coach Ed Tunstall before the game! Come out and help us celebrate!
9th-11th 2026-27 Registration Presentation
9th-11th 2026-27 Registration Presentation
Attention Senior Families: Please join us for a brief presentation from local community colleges highlighting what makes their schools a great choice for fall 2026.
Date: February 25, 2026
Time: 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Location: EHS Library
Participating Colleges:
Fullerton College, Santiago College, Orange Coast College, Irvine Valley College, and Cypress College
Please RSVP HERE
Scholarship Alert!!! Local Garden Grove Elks Scholarships. The Garden Grove Elks will award 3 to 5 $1,000 scholarships for seniors in Career Technical Education
programs.
The application deadline is 4 pm. February 23, 2026.
Visit the Scholarship Newsflash page on the EHS website for application link and qualifications or see Mrs. Botello in the College and Career Center for more information.
Big Local Scholarship opportunity for Pylusd seniors! the association of Placentia-Linda Educators 2026 aple scholarship.
Big Local Scholarship opportunity for Pylusd seniors! the association of Placentia-Linda Educators 2026 aple scholarship.
Visit the Scholarship Newflash page under the Counseling tab on the EHS website for details and link to the application
Visit the Scholarship Newflash page under the Counseling tab on the EHS website for details and link to the application
Attention seniors! Don’t miss this upcoming virtual workshop designed specifically for students who have applied to CSUF for Fall 2026. This session will cover scholarship opportunities that students can begin applying for even before their first semester at Cal State Fullerton. Awards range from several thousand dollars to full tuition coverage.
Cal State Fullerton’s Center for Scholars Department will be hosting a virtual information session for prospective CSUF students interested in learning more about these scholarship programs.
The session will highlight the following scholar programs:
President’s Scholars (Application Deadline: March 1)
Guardian Scholars Program, which supports current and former foster youth
Abrego Future Scholars, which supports first-generation college students
With the first scholarship deadline quickly approaching, this session is especially helpful for high school seniors who want more information before submitting their applications.
Scan the QR code to register and receive the Zoom link.
Scholarship Alert: Placentia Yorba Linda Unified Council of PTA/PTSAs Graduating HS Senior Scholarship.
Deadline: March 30 , 2026/Counseling Office
Access qualifications and application via the EHS website, Counseling tab, Scholarship Newsflash
Attention Seniors: The Nixon Library Docent Guild is seeking applications from graduating seniors from the PYLUSD school district for a $1,000 scholarship. Please stop by the College and Career Center for a copy of the application. The listing is also posted on the EHS website, under the Counseling tab/Scholarship Newsflash. Turn in completed applications to your counselor or Mrs. Botello.
Deadline March 13, 2026
Repeat Announcements
Distinguished Scholars Program
Esperanza High School is proud to offer the Distinguished Scholars Program, an academically rigorous program recognizing students who complete the most challenging courses available on campus. Students who meet the program requirements are encouraged to apply (click on the links below).
Distinguished Scholar Checklist and Application -- Application closes on February 20th, 2026, and students will be notified in March.
Participation in the Distinguished Scholars Program positions students for competitive admission to highly selective colleges and universities. Scholars receive annual recognition, including a student luncheon and an evening awards ceremony for families. Upon graduation, Distinguished Scholars are honored with front-row seating, a distinctive cap and gown, and a special diploma recognizing this achievement.
AP Exams: To purchase an AP exam in a subject, you must be currently enrolled in the course at EHS. We do not administer exams to students not currently enrolled in a corresponding EHS course.
September 29, 2025 – AP Exam sales open (in-person and online)
October 31, 2025 – Last day to purchase AP Exams without late fees.
Late orders: +$40/exam
Cancellations after this date: $40 cancellation fee
February 6, 2026 – Exam sales open for 2nd-semester-only AP courses (AP Gov, AP Macro, AP Micro)
Students - If you have an account with The College Board from last year, DO NOT make a new one. If you forgot your password, call the College Board at 888-225-5427.
Questions? E-mail Dr. Nguyen at stenguyen@pylusd.org.
Need extra help?
Check out the flyer for details about tutoring every Tuesday at lunch in Room 258, hosted by Esperanza’s National Honor Society students. Tutoring is available for all subjects, so don’t miss this great opportunity to get support!
Seal of Civic Engagement
Seal of Civic Engagement
PYLUSD developed local SSSCE criteria in accordance with parameters set forth by the CA State Board of Education. The PYLUSD Board of Education then approved the district’s criteria on November 15, 2022.
Students will show Civic Proficiency through scholarship, earning a C- or better in World and US History, citizenship, by earning citizenship marks of O/S, and exemplary character, shown by teacher recommendation.
Students will show Civic Engagement through participation in active research stemming from in classroom learning, personal interest, or programs, a project calling changemakers to action, and reflection on the impact of the project.
Submit Application Here (due 2/28)
Food Resources
As a resource for families facing food instability, OC Second Harvest Food Bank provides support across Orange County.
Here is a full list of locations by city: Second Harvest Food Bank, as of 10/13/2025. There is no limit to the number of food distribution locations families can visit.
Also, the PYLUSD Family Resource Center (FRC) currently has a limited amount of grocery store gift cards and non-perishable food items for all families. Please submit a FRC referral form: FRC Referral Form.
Senior Corner
Senior Corner
EHS Grad Night
EHS Grad Night
Big Senior Year Celebration!
Big Senior Year Celebration!
6/7 at Disney CA Adventure
limited amount of tickets available
Class of 2026 Yard Signs
Starting at $20
Aztec Care Closet
Aztec Care Closet
The Esperanza Aztec Care Closet is here for you. It’s a free, confidential space where students can pick up essentials like clothing, hygiene items, and school supplies—no questions asked. Our goal is to make sure every Aztec feels supported, confident, and ready to take on the school day. If you need it, the Care Closet is for you. The care closet is open on Wednesdays- before school, at break and at lunch in room 771.
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