Jerry Chris

On May 4, the Times published a thinly veiled editorial by Jason Reid titled, "Diablos Having Devil of a Time;" unfortunately, this article, filled with half-truths and insidious innuendo, was printed as a news story about Mission Viejo High. For "one of the world's great newspapers" to make this mistake is unforgivable. By printing this gossip as fact you have demeaned the efforts of athletes, coaches, teachers and parents. The reader asks, "Is a disgruntled ex-assistant coach, who has made three unsuccessful attempts at becoming the head football coach, a reliable source?

On May 4, the Times published a thinly veiled editorial by Jason Reid titled, "Diablos Having Devil of a Time;" unfortunately, this article, filled with half-truths and insidious innuendo, was printed as a news story about Mission Viejo High. For "one of the world's great newspapers" to make this mistake is unforgivable. By printing this gossip as fact you have demeaned the efforts of athletes, coaches, teachers and parents. The reader asks, "Is a disgruntled ex-assistant coach, who has made three unsuccessful attempts at becoming the head football coach, a reliable source?

Jerry Chris, humanities teacher at Mission Viejo High School for the last 15 years, says he finds technology to be a vicious cycle. "The equipment we now have will be replaced with improved equipment, eventually," he said. "And I don't have the time to spare to learn to use the equipment we have now. "Society needs to be current with technology." But Chris must be headed in the right direction; he was recently named Teacher of the Year by the California Assn. for the Gifted.

Jerry Chris, humanities teacher at Mission Viejo High School for the last 15 years, says he finds technology to be a vicious cycle. "The equipment we now have will be replaced with improved equipment, eventually," he said. "And I don't have the time to spare to learn to use the equipment we have now. "Society needs to be current with technology." But Chris must be headed in the right direction; he was recently named Teacher of the Year by the California Assn. for the Gifted.

No heads turned when comedian Russell Peters walked into Du-par's in Studio City this week, aside from Peters' himself as he scanned the diner's orange booths for attractive ladies. He sells out stadiums in Dubai, London, Sydney and Hong Kong. But stateside, he's just another groggy dude in a black hoodie. Even before his first cup of coffee and his cayenne pepper vitamin, though, there was a little red "on-air" light flashing behind Peters' eyes, and he was firing off antagonistic one-liners, hoping to get a rise out of his interviewer.

A group of high school students played teacher Thursday, leading 125 Foothill Ranch Elementary School kindergarten students on a nature hike through Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park to study animal habitats and native foliage. For some of the youngsters, the field trip was their first experience in the wilderness and an educational one. "I learned not to touch poison ivy," said Leah Bloomanstein, 5. Said classmate Brieann Hood, 5, "I got to see plants, holes and a squirrel."

25025 Chrisanta Drive Mission Viejo 92691 (949) 837-7722 * Enrollment: 2,251 * Established: 1967 * Team name: Diablos * Newspaper: Diablo Dispatch * Principal: Marilyn McDowell * Student president: Ann Desmond * Famous alumni: Olympic swimmer Brian Goodell; 1998 Masters champion Mark O'Meara; former NBA player Bob Thorton; Columbia Space Shuttle astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria; Olympic soccer player Julie Foudy; Olympic diver Wendy Williams * Winning moments: National High School Model United

President Clinton was there. So were challengers Bob Dole, Ross Perot, Harry Brown and Ralph Nader. Amid balloons, banners and bunting, a civics class at Mission Viejo High School held a mock presidential debate and rally Friday, with students portraying the candidates in the national election. Nearly 100 students took part in the rally, which included representatives from all parties, stump speeches by well-known figures such as Sen.

He's Prepared: "Former President George Bush campaigned for his son Friday at an Iowa high school. He was shot down during World War II and received a Purple Heart. There's nothing a high school can throw at him he hasn't seen before." (Argus Hamilton) High Pressure: The Weather Channel began airing its first regularly scheduled show last week. It's called "Your Weather Today." "Forecasters say there's a 50% chance it'll be canceled."

First the Kings applaud themselves for retaining their No. 1 pick in this year's draft, then turn around and trade next year's first-round choice for a player whose career has been in steady decline. The team must initiate each new generation of management into office by hitting them in the head with a puck. JAMES S. BRUST San Pedro Three new hockey definitions: 1--Dumb: Sam McMaster trading Alexi Zhitnik for Grant Fuhr. 2--Dumber: Sam McMaster trading the Kings' 1996 No. 1 draft pick for Dimitri Khristich.