Guest Column

Carol Crane

Vice President

NMUSD Board of Education

Mission Accomplished

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Courtesy of NMUSD

Carol Crane

Recently, I wrote a letter of recommendation for a Newport-Mesa senior. She was applying for Assemblywoman Dixon’s Minerva Scholarship Program. Reading the student’s biography, I was struck by the depth and breadth of her academic achievements, her impactful leadership experience and her volunteerism. Indeed, in the “Spirit of Minerva,” this young adult will undoubtedly be a “woman of promise!” From my lens as a Newport-Mesa District Trustee, this senior exemplifies our “mission accomplished!”

Our mission “…in partnership with the Costa Mesa and Newport Beach communities, is to graduate students who have acquired the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to achieve significant career, educational, civic and personal goals, which will enrich our society.”

With the finish line in sight, the Class of 2023 has proven to be resilient, accomplished, civic-minded and successful. Districtwide, the students have demonstrated incredible talent, commitment, humility and citizenship. The breadth of their involvement is prolific, their pathways varied. Our educational vision here at Newport-Mesa is to provide as many educational and career pathways to engage each student’s curiosity and passion. Whether it is matriculating to a four-year or two-year college; launching a technical, vocational, or military career; or entering the workplace, our students have a plan. Most came to us in kindergarten and here they are in the final stage of their undergraduate educational journey.

Overall, our seniors have excelled and collected a plethora of accolades. Amongst the Class of 2023 are Simon Scholars, Angels Scholars, National Merit Scholars, CIF Champions, Speech and Debate State Champions, Cappies and MACY Award winners; a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts; collegiate athletes, and enlistees at the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Marine Corps.

Furthermore, exit data demonstrate our students’ successes. Here’s a glance at the Class of 2023 representing my Trustee area-Area 3.

Back Bay/Monte Vista Alternative High School:

–Seventy-nine (79) expected grads.

–Four (4) returned to their home school in good standing at the semester.

–Thirty-eight (38) have completed applications to attend trade school/community college.

–One (1) recruited to the military.

Corona del Mar High School:

Four hundred and twenty-one (421) graduates.

–98% are heading to a four-year college/university.

–2% are heading to a two-year college or entering the workplace.

–84% are earning a 3.0 or above GPA.

–37% are earning a 4.0+ GPA.

–25% are recipients of the State Seal of Biliteracy.

–25 are recognized National Merit Scholars.

–One (1) is a National Merit Scholarship Winner.

–One (1) is a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts.

–Twenty-six (26) athletes committed to collegiate play – including three (3) to Harvard, two (2) to Brown and one (1) to Yale, University of Virginia, UCSB, University of Texas and Chapman, to name a few.

Public education is foundational to our democratic values. At Newport-Mesa, we welcome every child that enters our classroom doors. It is our obligation to empower and elevate every single student in our district. Only then can we live by our vision to “enrich our society…”

With the Class of 2023…it’s MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

It has been an honor and a privilege serving my beloved community.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts.

Carol Crane is the vice president of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District’s Board of Education and represents Trustee Area 3. She was elected to office in 2020 and her term continues through 2024.