El Modena High School

A vanguard, used as the school's mascot, is a soldier in the foremost division or the front part of an army. Vanguards are the troops assembled in the front line when going into battle, which is why the school newspaper is titled The Frontline.[2] The school contains a variety of sports that they excel in, including but not limited to : Tennis, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Sprints, Hurdles, Distance Running, Cross Country, Pole Vault, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, Discus, Water Polo, Swim, Soccer, Lacrosse, Baseball, Wrestling, Dance, Cheer, Pom, and Softball.

• Wrestling: CIF champions in 2000, 2003, and 2014.
• Softball: CIF champions in 2008
• Football: CIF champions in 1978, 1983,1984 and 2017
• Volleyball: CIF and State champions in 2019

The El Modena Vanguard Marching Band and Colorguard compete in the AA Gold competition of the California State Band Championships circuit and play their field show every home game during halftime. Previously they competed in the Western Band Association. Their 2022 band has currently (April 15, 2022) made it to the preliminary division and semi-finals.

The El Modena Orchestra plays a variety of pieces ranging from classical to modern and soundtrack, learning fundamental skills throughout the years. They'll perform in various concerts throughout the year and in the Spring will join the Concert band to form the El Modena Full Orchestra.

Once finishing marching season, near the end of football season, the band splits into three groups. The Vanguard Marching Band percussion section forms the Vanguard Percussion Ensemble, also known as VPE. The Colorguard forms the El Modena Winter guard. These two groups, since 1975, traditionally perform on a tarp inside of the basketball court or high school gym. The Vanguard Percussion Ensemble has competed in circuits such as ADLA and WGI. The third group is the Concert Band, formed by the band and the percussion section. They play varied pieces such as soundtracks and scored originals and regularly perform through the winter and spring.

In 1999, the Orange Unified School District board refused permission for students to form a Gender-sexuality alliance. Students in the club sued the school board, claiming that their rights under the First Amendment and the 1984 Equal Access Act had been violated.

In the first ruling of its kind, Judge David O. Carter of the United States District Court for the Central District of California issued a preliminary injunction ordering the school to allow the GSA to meet.

Anthony Colin ("Colin") decided to form a "Gay-Straight Alliance" (now Gender-Sexuality Alliance) after Matthew Shepherd, a young man from Wyoming, died after being brutally assaulted due to his homosexuality. Colin wanted to form the club to promote acceptance among and for gay and straight students at the school. Colin asked Mrs. Maryina Herde, a drama and English teacher at the school, to serve as the faculty advisor and she accepted.[14]

Public schools have an obligation to provide an equal opportunity for all students to receive an education in a safe, nonhostile, nondiscriminatory environment. Our goal in this organization is to raise public awareness and promote tolerance by providing a safe forum for discussion of issues related to sexual orientation and homophobia. We wish to stress the need for people to put aside their personal prejudice and agree to treat everyone with respect when the situation calls for it. We invite ALL students, gay or straight, to join us in discussions, field trips, lectures, and social activities that will counterattack unfair treatment and prejudice. We respect privacy and require NO one to make disclosures regarding his or her own sexual orientation. This is not a sexual issue, it is about gaining support and promoting tolerance and respect for all students.

— Shannon MacMillan, Colin's friend, The club's submitted mission statement