“Struggle for a better education” is more than just a motto here at Esteban E. Torres High School. It is a legacy. This public high school opened its doors in 2010 in East Los Angeles. But its story began long before.
The school is named after Esteban Edward Torres. He was a retired U.S. Representative. Before it had a name, it was known as East Los Angeles Area High School #2.
Imagine the excitement when the school finally opened. Generations of East Los Angeles residents had fought for this opportunity. It was the first high school built in unincorporated East Los Angeles in 85 years.
Sintia Garcia, a high school junior, captured the feeling. She said she would be the first in her family to graduate from Torres High School. She would represent the struggle for better education in their communities.
Maria Leon, an activist parent, had struggled for a decade. The school’s opening was like a dream come true. She remembered negotiating with homeowners and construction delays. She campaigned to get the construction moving and to get the pilot schools approved.
The campus sits on 12.15 acres. This land was once home to Hammel Street Elementary School. It also included commercial and housing developments. Langdon Wilson Architects designed the buildings.
Esteban E. Torres High School isn’t just one school. It is composed of five smaller schools. Each focuses on a different area of study. There is the East Los Angeles Performing Arts Academy. Students explore dance, theater, and music. The Engineering and Technology Academy focuses on STEM. The Humanities Academy of Art and Technology explores arts-based study. The East Los Angeles Renaissance Academy studies urban planning and design. Finally, the Social Justice Leadership Academy focuses on social justice and law.
The school offers a variety of sports. These include soccer, cross country, basketball, and volleyball. Boys can also play baseball and football. Girls have a softball team.
Candy Moore, an actress, taught English at the East Los Angeles Performing Arts Academy. She stayed until 2019.
When Esteban E. Torres High School opened, it symbolized a united community. It fulfilled a demand from the 1968 student movement. This was a school that prepares all students for college. The school represents a legacy of struggle. It also embodies the work of Congressman Esteban E. Torres.
So, as you stand here at Esteban E. Torres High School, remember the struggles. Remember the dreams. Remember the legacy.