Mira Costa recognizes distinguished alumni who have made contributions to the high school, community, country and society.
Compiled by Zoe Howard/Features editor, Katie Mitchell/Staff writer. photos courtesy of Mary-Clare Powell
Leslie Becker graduated from Mira Costa in 1983 and is currently a Broadway actress, Billboard artist and bestselling author.
“My drama teacher at Mira Costa, Sheralyn Smith, was a huge influence on me,” Becker said. “She taught me to love all aspects of theatre and that the actor is only one piece of the whole.”
While at Costa, Becker was involved in a multitude of programs and was an active part of the Costa community. She was co-editor of the yearbook, ASB secretary, vice president of the Drama Club and captain of the Song Leaders, which is now the cheer team.
“I learned how to set priorities and negotiate my time during my years at Costa. Since I was involved in multiple things, I had to know what was the most important thing so I could find balance,” Becker said. “I have carried that into my life.”
Becker winning the Hall of Fame Award got her thinking what she deems as success and how others do. She then realized her philosophy of life is never doubting something is possible, and taking consistent action to get there.
“Being selected as a Distinguished Alum was a true honor and surprise,” Becker said. “When I see the lists of past recipients, it’s difficult to think that I rank among them, many who have accomplished far greater things in the world than I. But I’m honored and humbled by this award.”
Michael Scott Moore graduated from Mira Costa in 1987. Thirty-one years later he released his book, “The Desert and the Sea.” This book shared his story of being held captive for 977 days by the Somali pirates. This led to him influencing government policy in hostage situations. His experiences also led him to his current job of raising awareness and funds to rescue hostages. According to Moore, a saying from one of his English teachers that gave him hope while he was held captive was that people can only hurt you if you give them permission.
“Obviously, [during my time I was at Mira Costa] there were lots of informative teachers that were really important,” Moore said.
While at Costa, Moore loved English and was a La Vista staff writer and editor. He also loved to surf before school, but at the time the Costa surf team did not exist.
“It’s great, it’s fantastic [to be recognized for this award]. It’s nice to be back at Costa seeing how things have changed,” Moore said.
Dennis Jarvis graduated in 1977 and is the founder of Spyder Surfboards. He is also an actor featured in various commercials.
“My whole [career,] everything from the top to the bottom, is based on Mr. Jancar, art teacher [at Mira Costa],” Jarvis said.
Jarvis loved to surf at any possible chance that he could get. He participated and won many surf contests hosted by the school before there was an official Mira Costa surf team. Not only did Jarvis love to surf, he also loved to play music and he had his own band called the Jetsons. At Costa, Jarvis’ favorite was Mr. Jancar’s art class because of everything he learned there.
“[Jancar] said to me ‘simplicity is the key to a good design’,” Jarvis said. “I learned how to get ridiculed here, I learned how to get belittled here, I learned how to be self aware and hide, but [the most important thing I learned was] that phrase, [that phrase] was my college education, I started my career directly after [Costa]. I went pro-surfing, and then I had to build my own boards and then I turned it into a business and now I have a career.”
Jarvis was recognized for his work as a world-renowned surfboard shaper and his contributions to the sport of surfing.
“I work really hard, still, to be where I’m at,” Jarvis said. “I didn’t know it until that moment at the first assembly how much it really meant to me, and I don’t know how to put that into words. I nearly cried, so that tells you what that means.”
Mark Fish graduated from Mira Costa in 1975 and joined the Air Force, where he became a United States Air Force colonel. Fish currently is part of Scientists Applications International Corporation, where he manages system testing of the next-Gen GPS satellites and controls.
“Mira Costa really gave me the start I needed to get into the college that I wanted, which was the Air Force Academy,” Fish said. “Whether they be a teacher or coach, Costa’s staff all had one thing in common: they all cared about their students and wanted them to succeed.”
During his time at Mira Costa, Fish was a four-year member of the cross country and track teams and won the CIF Championship three years in a row. Outside of athletics, his favorite class was Auto Shop, which lead to his interest in aviation and piloting.
“During my time on the cross country and track teams, we were unstoppable for my first three years,” Fish said. “My distance coach at the time, Mr. Dave Holland, taught us how to cope with the bad seasons and be grateful for the good seasons,” Fish said.
According to Fish, he was shocked but grateful to be a part of this particular group of people.
“Listening to [the other inductees’] stories made me feel very humbled to even be considered for this award,” Fish said.
Joe Moeller graduated from Mira Costa in 1960, and is known for being the youngest starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers in baseball history, starting his professional career at age 19.
Aside from his accomplishments on the field, he later became the head coach of El Camino Community College Warriors baseball team, as well as an advance Major League Baseball scout for the Florida Marlins and the Montreal Expos.
“Costa is the start and the foundation where I learned basic skills to take into the next level,” Moeller said. “Since I didn’t go to college right after I graduated, I was able to use these life skills with my career in baseball.”
Moeller was part of the basketball and baseball team all four years during his time at Costa. After graduating, he received an offer to play with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Being a part of the baseball team at Costa really sparked my interest in baseball as a career,” Moeller said. “I had fabulous coaches that really made me want to continue playing and see how far it could take me.”
According to Moeller, this recognition is a humbling and an amazing feeling.
“My journey through life started here at [Costa],” Moeller said. “Every time I speak or coach at other schools, it reminds me of how blessed I was to have been able to go here.”
Ernie Woods graduated in 1957 and has won the “Coach of the Year” honor seven times for his skills in coaching the Washington State Community College basketball team. He is also known for his best-selling book, “Advanced Basketball Defense,” and his website that contains an in-depth look into proven basketball strategies, HoopTactics.com.
“[Mira Costa] is where I found my love for basketball and where I decided to pursue my career.”
Woods was a four-year basketball and baseball player at Mira Costa. Off the court, Woods was also the president of the Key Club during his senior year.
“Costa’s faculty made a big impact on my life and career because these teachers taught me how to succeed and how to work hard for what I want to achieve,” Woods said. “It’s really cool coming back here and seeing how much the school has changed and how similar it is to when I was a student.”
Woods has spoken at many clinics and schools, but hasn’t had a crowd like this assembly in a really long time, said Woods.
“Truthfully, I was kind of stunned when I received this award. When you think about honors like hall of fame, athletes are usually neglected, they have their own hall of fame and things like that. But when you have a school or organization honor you, it’s really a big thing and a humbling experience.”
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