By Naomi Kruh
Staff Writer
Most people think about students graduating from Mira Costa and moving a prestigious college, but nobody really wonders what they do once they move on from their lives in education.
Last year, Mira Costa created a Hall of Fame to honor distinguished alumni who have accomplished outstanding achievements. Eight new members were inducted on Sept. 20 at the second annual Hall of Fame ceremony.
“All of the potential inductees had extremely fantastic characteristics, but the chosen inductees stood out for their leadership, their service to the community and accolades they acclaimed,” Student Body President Kirk La said.
A selection committee made up of administrators and faculty members determined the 2013 Hall of Fame class.The eight inductees are Elroy Lang, Gary Hartzell, Kendra Fleagle Gorlitsky, Antonio Carbayo, Mike Silva, Cliff Meidl, Casey Minor and Danny Strong.
Lang, a member of Costa’s first graduating class to attend all four years, taught for decades in Costa’s Social Studies Department as well as local colleges such as El Camino, Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine. He laid the foundation for the competitive interscholastic surf program that is now popular across the South Bay.
“My favorite part of Mira Costa was being involved in the incredible diversity of our student enrollment,” Lang said, “Every day was an adventure.”
Hartzell initiated Costa’s AP History program in the early 1980s. He is one of the only eight people to speak at the White House Conference in 2002 and remains on the advisory board of the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries.
“The years I worked at Costa were years of personal fulfillment drawn from working with people who had the same goal,” Hartzell said. “The goal was to make Costa great.”
Gorlitsky graduated in 1969 and was the editor-in-chief of La Vista. Currently, Gorlitsky supervises students as Clinical Professor of Medicine at USC and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA.
Carbayo is a member of the 1969 graduating class. He attended the University of California, Irvine and was a graduate of the Post Baccalaureate program. Speaking both English and Spanish, he provides medical service to an underserved population in Santa Ana.
“It is a huge honor to have my story told as I know it will help those who are making important life decisions,” Carbayo said. “Kids need to believe that no dream is unattainable if one is willing to work hard for it.”
Silva graduated from Costa in 1979. He served as an attorney and then chief of staff for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, playing a role in international finance for the United States government, including time in Iraq working to stabilize its Central Bank.
Meidl, from the graduating class of 1984, nearly lost his life in a construction accident where three live electrical cables sent 30,000 volts of electricity through his body, causing damage to his legs. He then underwent 17 medical procedures and was able to walk again. He took up kayaking and competed in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Georgia, as well as the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
“Being inducted into the MCHS Hall of Fame is an incredible honor for me,” Meidl said. “I’m proud to be a graduate of a great educational institution.”
Miner, who graduated in 1988, dedicated 20 years of service to the United States Army. He developed a resiliency program that helped soldiers learn about effective coping skills to deal with stress. Miner was recognized with two Bronze Star medals and four Meritorious Service medals.
“I think my biggest accomplishment since Costa is realizing life isn’t about me and that since not all people have the same opportunities, I have an obligation to help in anyway I can,” Miner said.
Costa 1992 graduate Strong is an actor and an Emmy-winning writer. Some of his credits include “Pleasantville,” “Seinfeld,” “Nip/Tuck” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” He earned an Emmy nomination and won the Writers Guild Award for his screenplay, “Recount,” an HBO movie about the 2000 U.S. Presidential election.
Once construction at Mira Costa is complete, Dale is hoping to create a memorial to honor the members of the Hall of Fame.
“Eventually we will get a place on campus where we put all of their names,” Dale said. “Something like a Walk of Fame.”
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