It's that time of year: Mira Costa students are getting local, state, and national accolades for their achievements.
Mira Costa's Odyssey of the Mind team won the World Champion title at the
Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, held at Iowa State University on May 24. The team won the "Deep Space Structure" problem in Division III, besting 31 other teams in their division. The competition - based on creativity, teamwork, and spontaneity - draws teams from all over the United States and internationally, including teams from China, Singapore, and Poland. Mira Costa's 15-gram balsa wood structure broke a personal record and held an incredible 1270 pounds.
The team of freshmen and sophomores includes Sierra Wolbert, Charlotte Fan, Audrey Treger, Matthew Chang, Zachary Green, and Daisei Horiguchi; coached by Brian Fan.
Mira Costa is currently the only high school in Odyssey history to four-peat as champion in a problem/division.
Mira Costa Drama/Tech received the
Premier Communities for Theatre Education distinction from the Educational Theatre Association for 2023-2026. This national distinction recognizes excellence in theater education and is rooted in EdTA’s Opportunity to Learn Standards for Theatre Education. Mira Costa was one of only 12 high schools across the country to receive this distinction.
("Footloose" at Mira Costa - Photo via Mira Costa Drama/Tech Boosters)
Mira Costa Junior Maia
Rocha, the winner of the
2023/34 Manhattan Beach Young Entrepreneurs Academy session, advanced to the top
six entrepreneurs nationwide in the Saunders Scholars competition. Her
productivity app, Doing Done, earned praise for its utility in helping students
manage their academic tasks. Doing Done is available at
doingdone.fun and
for download on the Apple App Store, featuring a comprehensive time
management system, including a calendar that notes To Do dates and Due
dates, a timer that sets 25 minute work periods and 5 minute
breaks, and To Do, Doing, and Done
lists. Rocha is currently seeking Beta users to further refine the app's
features and usability. To be part of the development phase, visit the
website or download the app.
(2024 Young Entrepreneurs Academy winner Maia Rocha. Photo via Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce.)
Mira Costa Boys Lacrosse captured first place in the CIF Southern Section Division II championships. They edged past Agoura Hills, 11-10, with a game-winning goal by Nicholas Marsh at the May 10 final. The defense also came up huge with two big stops in the final two minutes, led by goalies Zak Lachance and Michael Butler. This is the team's first-ever CIF Southern Section championship.
(Photo via Mira Costa Boys' Lacrosse)
Mira Costa Girls Swim Team won 2nd place in the CIF Southern Section Division I championships, the highest place ever in Costa swimming history.
Costa
junior Bella Brita won gold in the 100 Breast at 1.00.36, and silver in
the 200 IM at 1.58.37, setting new school records in both races. Teammate Delaney Herr won gold in the 100 back with a 53.93. Other
noteworthy performances included the Girls 200 Medley Relay made up of
Delaney Herr, Bella Brito, Andi Taylor, and Shea Steggell, which won silver at 1.42.55, breaking the Costa record, and the Girls 400 Free
Relay, made up of Delaney Herr, Heather O’Brien, Shea Steggell, and
Bella Brito, which also placed 2nd.
“We
could not be prouder of this CIF team. The girls really swam their
hearts out and had incredible races individually and in all relays
throughout the meet. To end with a 2nd place finish overall was just icing on the cake,” said Head Varsity Coach Heidi Nelson.
Mira Costa Choir won a "Gold" award from World Strides Performing Arts in San Francisco this weekend during the Heritage Festival.
And last but not least, Mira Costa Cheer members Sia Ellis and Gianna Scott were named CIF Southern Section athletes of the year for competitive cheer in Division 4AA.
Congratulations to all.
("Footloose" at Mira Costa - Photo via Mira Costa Drama/Tech Boosters)
(Photo via Mira Costa Boys' Lacrosse)
