Disclaimer – My daughter goes to the “other” high school – jg

Here at Our Town Tustin, we try to be fair in our reporting (but not necessarily our opinion). We received a press release today from the city of Tustin announcing a pep rally to be hosted by the Tustin City Council to celebrate the Tustin High School Tillers Football Team CIF Championship. It has been 63 years since the Tillers brought home the championship and it hasn’t been for lack of trying. They have a great football team headed by an outstanding coaching staff. So, this is long overdue, even in my opinion.

I spend a lot of time slamming the city and the school district for the idiotic way they have hammered each other over the last couple of years, all at the expense of the taxpayer. It is true that there is a lot of bad blood between the two government entities and their squabbling over, what amounts to, who will foot the bill in case of “the big spill” is fraying the nerves of everyone who follows this sad judicial tale. The good news is there may be progress toward a settlement as the city council held an emergency closed session to discuss one of the lawsuits -but, as of yet, no one is talking.

In any case, the press release announcing the pep rally reminded me that the city has never attempted to place the blame on the schools or the school staff for the issues between them and the school district. In fact, the home page of their website proclaims, “Tustin loves Schools” and they even have a webpage set up for news about the schools. The city, on your behalf, also gives a substantial amount of money to the school district each year. Mayor John Nielsen is seen frequently at the schools, as are the other councilmembers.

So, all of this is to tell you about the pep rally that will be held on January 17, 2012 at 6:30 pm over at the Library Plaza located at 345 Main Street. If you went to the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in December, it is the same place. If you are still not sure, just go to the Library. You will find plenty of parking near the festivities.

“Tustin High School is our hometown high school and Tustin celebrates with the Tillers in their great accomplishment of bringing home the football CIF championship for the first time in over 60 years,” said Mayor John Nielsen.  “The pep rally gives the Council an opportunity to recognize the versatility, fortitude and talent that Coach Miller trains his players to achieve.”

Following the pep rally, each member of the team will receive a certificate from the City at the Tustin City Council meeting. A specail guest scheduled to appear is former Tustin Tiller football player and NFL player, De Shaun Foster. Foster most recently played for the San Francisco 49ers.

So, here is your chance to see some real hometown heros and have some fun. I hope you will join us for the pep rally and to cheer the team on to future victories.