We've Got History
Our school is named for Olympian Florence Griffith Joyner, a gifted athlete and trailblazer whose nickname was The World's Fastest Woman.
She was born nearby in Mission Viejo, California, and became a superstar during the 1988 Olympic Games in Korea.
One of the most memorable moments of those games became when she burst on the world stage in an event known for its focus and seriousness, track and field.
She became a sensation. "Flo Jo," as she was nicknamed, brought glamour and a new excitement to the sport. She wore flashy one-legged running outfits, her hair long and flowing, her fingernails deliberately feminine and brightly nail polished.
Joyner proved she was more than flash, but a dedicated athlete behind all her style. She captured four medals for her country at those games, and captured the heart of the world with her speed, grace and charm.
Joyner elevated women's track to a higher level as she broke world records in the 100-meter and 200-meter events. She was also talented off the track, too. She became a fashion designer, an actress, a writer and a television sports caster as well as a wife and mother. She won a prestigious appointment of the President of the United States to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
She rose from humble origins to become a superstar. She grew up in the sometimes rough government housing projects in South Central Los Angeles. She started running races at age 7, and her self-discipline emerged at an early age as well as she earned straight As in school.
But despite her incredible athleticism, she had health problems. In 1998, she died in her sleep at the age of 38. Her excellence in all endeavors inspired fans to achieve their own great heights. It is that spirit that Joyner representative that we have named our school for, so her legacy will inspire future generations.