Dec 2023 - 1st Semester Good News
As the semester ends, let’s celebrate some of the impressive achievements of Foothillers in the past five months.
Performing Arts Department
The GHS Foothiller Players closed "Letters to Sala" after 6 incredible performances in the Audrey Seidel Black Box. The play chronicled the true story of Sala Garcarz as told through the letters she received from friends and family while imprisoned in labor camps in Germany during WW II.
The Players next offering will be the contemporary musical "Freaky Friday" on March 7-9 and 14-16 at 7:00 pm. Join us!
Winter Formal at UCSD on December 2nd from 6-10 pm
About the dance, Junior ASB Vice President shares “Grossmont's pirate-themed 2023 winter formal was an incredible night of fun! Our Foothillers enjoyed a variation of desserts and delicious lemonade along with a 360 photobooth and a print photobooth to take away forever memories from their wonderful night.
Students could also enjoy fortune “tellings” and palm readings, as well as casino tables with games ranging from Blackjack to Uno! The UCSD Price Center was transformed into the world's most extravagant pirate ship for a night of swashbuckling and cheer.”
GHS Mascot GUS
Since 1947, after the students had a contest to "name" and "draw" the school mascot, GUS has been Grossmont’s mascot, Since then, there have been many versions of GUS, whose name was taken from Grossmont's original name of Grossmont Union High School...remove the “H” and you have GUS! In 1960, Gertie joined Gus and has appeared periodically as Gus’s companion mascot.
Over the past 8 decades, there have been various versions of Gus, some simple and some more elaborate, such as the 1968 paper-mache head. In 2011, the GHS Educational Foundation and the GHS Museum purchased a commercially made costume based on images of the1960s mascots. This year, the ASB and the GHS Educational Foundation funded a new costume, quite similar to it.
Junior Gabrielle Wright is Gus for the third year and enthusiastically reflects “I’m planning on staying as Gus for all 4 years. My family and I used to go to the Lake Elsinore Storm baseball games, and their mascot would always draw my interest. I dreamed of being a mascot and doing it professionally. When I was a freshman, the first football game of the year was coming up. I knew I wanted to find who was in control of the mascot activities at Grossmont. I spoke with Mr. Hersch, our ASB Advisor, and he asked me to be the mascot for the game that night. Since then, I’ve been our school mascot Gus!
My high school experience would seriously not be the same without Gus. He brings out the best in me. He’s made me gain more friends and have closer relationships with my peers. I cannot thank Mr. Hersch enough for the opportunity he has given me with such a big role played on campus. I’ve connected with a lot of people at Grossmont because of Gus in the band, dance, theater, and more.
I hope to grow more as a mascot and more as a person with my experiences here, and let me tell you, it has been a bunch already!”
Instrumental Music News
Grossmont High School’s Royal Blue Regiment Makes a Return to the Southern California School Bands and Orchestra Association Competition Circuit
After many years absent, the RBR rejoined California’s premier music circuit, SCSBOA, taking trophies at our first two events, including second at the 46th annual Mt Carmel Parade and Field Competition.
“SCSBOA presents new challenges and more rigorous ‘old school’ adjudication,” says director James Villegas, “Two thirds of our band have never been on the field before, but these amazing students pushed themselves, made the commitment and grew beyond our expectations. RBR’s future is looking bright!”
Drum Major Allen Partain led the parade competition, while assistant Drum Major Artur Harutyunyan led the field competitions for perhaps the most spirited GHS band yet.
The RBR appeared in the Chula Vista Starlight Parade on December 3rd and will compete in the San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade on December 27th and appear at the community Mt Helix Walk to the Top on January 6th!
Our GHS String Orchestra is also making news, recently performing at the 2nd Annual GUHSD String Orchestra Showcase. Hosted by West Hills High School, the Grossmont orchestra performed alongside 157 amazing musicians from Santana, Valhalla, Steele Canyon, West Hills and Helix High Schools.
The String Orchestra also performed at the December 12th GUHSD School Board Meeting.
Grossmont’s spectacular band and orchestra musicians performed at our Winter Concert, December 14 at 6:30 in the new Grossmont Theater.”
Athletics
Girls Varsity Flag Football
Coached by Tony Lawrence, our first year program and the only team in the GUHS District, finished the year with a 12-5 overall record and were 7-3 in the Metro League. After competing in the CIF Division 1 as the #3 seed, the team finished the season ranked 5th in SD County. Incredible way to start, ladies!
GHS Varsity Football
After battling hard in the prestigious GUHSD Hills League, the team competed in CIF Division 3, winning two games and advancing to the championship game at Southwestern College. Coached by first year coach and former Foothiller quarterback Anthony Lawrence, the team’s achievement was amazing.
Baseball Alumni Day
Join Grossmont’s historic baseball program at the annual baseball alumni games and home run derby along with the dedication of the Shon Boney, Class of 1986, Clubhouse on Saturday, December 16th from 9-3. Register your attendance and support the baseball program at https://gofan.co/event/1203536?schoolId=CA72875.
Questions: contact David Youngblood at
Every day, wonderful things are happening at Grossmont High School due to the commitment of its teachers, staff, students, and community.
For information about Foothiller history and the GHS Museum, email us at