1966Built for $4.5 million, FVHS opened September 12, 1966 with 2,300 students. The school was named for the city of Fountain Valley and was dedicated on November 9. Student government was patterned after the city government. Our first principal was Dr. Paul Berger. Dr. Berger came up with the French theme and the Baron name. The choirs were given French names–Les Chanteurs and Troubadours–and the yearbook was titled Raconteur. The school motto was “Toujours Avec Fierte,” French for “always with pride,” and the school paper was Le Mot.
A history of Fountain Valley. Information about Fountain Valley.
In 1968, 16-year-old Laura Shernaman created a design for the county’s official flag. Her design featured the official county seal centered on a yellow sunburst and a vivid orange background.
403 seniors graduated in 1968.
1970-1979
We had newsworthy aquatic seasons in 1972-1973 when the swim team was anchored by Shirley Babashoff. Ray Bray was our coach. Babashoff was an Olympian at the 1972 West Germany Olympic games and 1976 Montreal Olympic games. Her personal accolades include 6 silver medals and 3 gold medals. She was nationally ranked in events ranging from the 100 to 1650 yard races. Babashoff led the Girls Fountain Valley swim team to the CIF championship in 1973, where they defeated Long Beach Millikan.
In 1973 we were the largest high school west of the Mississippi River with 4,300 students. Designed for 3,000 students, the school had to offer double sessions with shorter periods to accommodate the huge number of students.
Fountain Valley High School formed girls athletic teams in 1975. The girl athletes participated in G.A.A. (Girls’ Athletic Association) until 1974.
1980-1989The Royal Regiment was selected to represent California in Ronald Reagan’s 1981 inaugural parade. They proudly marched down Pennsylvania Avenue playing “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” as the American hostages were released. Every classroom at FVHS had a TV for the students to witness their high school band marching in the parade. Frank Barnes was the band director, and he marched in the parade with the Booster President, John Hoefler.
1990-1999
Students at FVHS formed a Gay/Straight Alliance club in October of 1993. It started with over 45 members. There was great controversy. The board of Trustees votes 4-1 in favor of the club by way of the Equal Access Policy. Don Katz, Ron Katz, Amanda Martin, Jeff Edmonston and Ola Metwally were the student leaders of the Alliance.
2000-Present
Controversy developed during the taking of the 2004 senior class photo. 13 students tried to spell out “Jesus (heart) U” and “Jesus is the way” on their t-shirts. Refusing to merge into the larger group, 11 of the students walked out. The issue went all the way to the Board of Trustees, which voted 4-1 against taking a new picture. The issue eventually faded and the 13 students chipped in to purchase a $250 yearbook page.
List of PrincipalsPaul Berger 1966-1979 Founding PrincipalLarry Lucas 1979-1980David Hagen 1980-1985Mike Kasler 1985-1991Gary Ernst 1991-2000Connie Mayhugh 2000-2004Chris Herzfeld 2004-2014Kirk Kennedy (interim) 2014-2015Morgan Smith 2015-2021Paul Lopez 2021 - present
Noteworthy AlumniSummer Altice, Athlete and modelJack Babashoff, SwimmerShirley Babashoff, SwimmerCraig Brewer, ScreenwriterCarlos Briceno, Volleyball playerEmil DeCou, ConductorDavid Denman, ActorSteve Fifita, Football playerKathy Gregory, Volleyball playerSam Helfrich, DirectorLuke Hudson, Baseball playerCasey Janssen, Baseball playerLovieanne Jung, Softball playerCandy Kung, GolferRudy Land, ArtistDuval Love, Football playerKen Margerum, Football playerOmar Metwally, ActorMichelle Pffeifer, ActressKevin Romine, Baseball playerC.J. Wilson, Baseball playerRussell Holmes, Volleyball player