of the Year, led Mira Costa to three consecutive California State Championships, and three consecutive Southern Section California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Championships. Recognition Mira Costa was recognized as a Blue Ribbon school in 1996. More recently, it was named a California Distinguished School by the Board of Education in 2011 and was ranked #341 nationally by Newsweek in 2015. In 2000, Marilyn Jachetti Whirry (January 12, 1935 – September 2, 2005) a 12th grade English teacher, was selected as the National Teacher of the Year. Whirry had taught at Mira Costa in the 1958–59 academic year, and then from 1967 through 2000. In September 2010, U.S. history teacher Bill Fauver was selected as one of Los Angeles County's 16 Teachers of the Year. Since he began teaching at Mira Costa in 1986, Fauver has served as vice-principal, chair of the social studies department, AP Government teacher, and as an advisor for many extracurricular activities. Fauver had been honored three times as the school's Teacher of the Year and was once named MBUSD Teacher of the Year. Notable alumni Milo Aukerman – Class of 1981, singer for punk rock band the Descendents David Benoit - Class of 1971, jazz pianist, conductor, and composer Rachel Bloom - Class of 2005, actress, comedian, and screenwriter; 2015 Golden Globes winner for Best Actress in a Comedy Series Jamais Cascio - Class of 1983, author and futurist Mike Dodd - Class of 1975, beach volleyball pioneer Eric Fonoimoana – Class of 1988, gold medal-winning Olympian, professional volleyball player Falyn Fonoimoana – Class of 2010, professional indoor and beach volleyball player Anitra Ford – actress and model, original model on The Price Is Right, 1972–1977 Alix Klineman (born 1989) - Class of 2007, gold medal-winning Olympian, volleyball player Jimmy Lindberg - Class of 1983, co-founder of punk rock band Pennywise Gavin MacIntosh - Class of 2016, model, actor in Freeform's TV series The Fosters Noah Mamet - Class of 1987, US Ambassador to Argentina Jill McCormick – philanthropist, activist and fashion model Holly McPeak – Class of 1987, Olympian, professional volleyball player Joe Moeller - Class of 1960, professional baseball pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers (1962–1971) Carrie Nugent - Class of 2002, astronomer Dylan O'Brien – Class of 2009, actor in MTV's Teen Wolf and The Maze Runner movies Mike Okwo – Class of 2003, professional football player, Chicago Bears Jeff Rohrer - Class of 1977, professional