Photo by Jordan Carroll

High School Athletics:

Editor’s Note: This is a surprise story for Mrs. Oualline. She has no idea what she’s about to see, including the quotes and video thanks from her students & BHS athletes past and present. This couldn’t have been completed without the tons of help I received from her husband, Jason Oualline.

By Brian Reed-Baiotto

A large part of being a sportswriter includes highlighting the daily and weekly success of star athletes and elite coaches and programs throughout each school year.

Sometimes, we get the chance to mention key role players, as well as the invaluable student-athletes who lead with character and heart even though they might not see themselves in a box score or a single headline.

One thing we never read about are the behind-the-scenes people who work just as hard as any coach or athlete to make sure those who perform on a field/court have their experiences documented in photos and stories.

It allows teenagers to one day show their children and grandchildren what mom/dad or grandma/grandpa accomplished in high school.

I’ve gotten to know a few of those selfless people.

They include Marshall’s Felita Kealing and former Pasadena sports information director as I called her, Elizabeth Champion.

Of those who serve a school, its athletes, programs, students or all four, it would be hard to match the contributions of Bonita’s Beth Oualline.

I’ve been covering local high school and college sports since 2000 when I began as a ‘stringer’ or freelance writer for the SGV Tribune.

Over that time, I’ve never met someone that wears more hats for a school than Mrs. Oualline.

I’ll let Bonita principal Kenny Ritchie describe her work at BHS.

Said Kenny Ritchie: “I hired Beth before the start of the 2019-20 school year. I was nervous that hiring an English teacher late in the summer would be difficult and hard to find quality candidates, but BHS won the lottery when Beth and her husband (Jason) decided to move from College Station (Texas) to California. She is our AP English Language Arts teacher, Teacher on Special Assignment for English curricular work, our Yearbook Advisor, WASC Coordinator and she does the stats for the boys and girls basketball teams for all of their home games.

She goes above and beyond for the students of BHS by always welcoming students to come and get extra help during break, intervention, lunch and after school. She is always willing to help students who seek out help in her English classes and in her yearbook class. Each year, our Valedictorian and Salutatorian ask her to proofread their speeches to get her insight and opinion on how to deliver their speeches. She is at almost every game taking pictures of our athletes for the yearbook or the coaches. In addition to the sports, she is at every play and concert taking pictures of our thespians and performing artists to make sure ALL students are supported in the yearbook. She wrote our WASC report during the last cycle where we received a six-year accreditation with no visit, which is the highest ranking you can have.”

I met Beth approximately six years ago at a Bonita home baseball game, and we were introduced by Michelle Okayama, who served as athletic director, alongside Darren Baumunk.

Starting that day, Mrs. Oualline has consistently sent me at least 25-30 pic photo galleries of any BHS event that she knows I might be interested in publishing.

They are always high-quality photos, and best yet, she knows how important it is to post stories and photos the night of events, so after a 12-hour day at the La Verne school, she doesn’t go to bed before sending her buddy a photo gallery that I can post that night.

Beth has mentored many young photographers, and once the quality of their work meets her standards, she passes them along for me to post on 210 Prep Sports.

A number of her student-photographers like Taegan Maysami and Cyara Vasquez have published galleries that have been viewed tens of thousands of times.

If I ever have a suggestion or request, Mrs. Oualline passes it along to her students.

And again, just like Beth does, her students go home the afternoon or night of events and she gives them a 10:30 pm or so deadline so they’re ready to post that evening on my website.

Of all the things this reporter appreciates about Mrs. Oualline, her willingness to capture a Bonita opponent in photos when she knows they reside within the 210 Prep Sports coverage zone is what I value the most.

She’s also someone of deep faith, and what seems to be more and more rare these days, Beth actually walks the walk.

While she might side with one group or another philosophically, Beth has zero hesitation to call out bullies or anyone who steps over a moral line.

To be clear, she doesn’t push her politics or religion on anyone.

But, if you ask her opinion, Mrs. Oualline has grounded and consistent principles, and she believes what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong for anyone and everyone.

She doesn’t need to check to see if a person committing an infraction or an indignity has an R or a D next to their name.

 

Who is Beth Oualline and how did she end up in La Verne?

Beth grew up in Odem, Texas, which is a small town outside of Corpus Christi.

She graduated in 1999 and moved on to Texas A&M, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English in May of 2003.

She also has two graduate degrees from Sam Houston State University in English and Curriculum & Instruction.

She met her husband Jason at Texas A&M’s Christ Campus Ministry.

Jason described the courting process.

“We ended up meeting on a weekend trip, where the college students would travel to a local town and work with the church there and their community as well as their youth group,” Mr. Oualline said. “That spring, my roommate and I hosted a weekly bible study at our place and she was a part of that group. That next summer, I was co-leading a mission trip to Kenya and Tanzania in Africa, and I asked her if she wanted to come when a spot opened up later on in the planning process. She did, we became close friends over the course of that year. The next fall we started dating, we co-led a mission trip back to Africa that next summer (2001). I proposed to her on that trip in Paris, France on our way back home and we were married on August 10, 2002.”

I asked Jason to explain why he and Beth became soulmates and it has a pretty interesting twist.

Said Jason Oualline: “Beth and I were really close friends before we ever even thought about dating. When we first met, we actually didn’t like each other. She thought I was arrogant and I thought she was a little full of herself as well. I was actually interested in a different girl on a trip when it began. Over the course of that trip, Beth and I continued to get closer and we both just truly appreciated each other and enjoyed spending time together. Beth had to leave the trip early due to prior commitments back in the states, and her absence was felt for the remainder of the trip.

That next fall, we were in a different bible study together and we just continued to get closer and ended up spending more and more time together. One night after one of our bible studies, she stayed behind and we were watching a movie. At some point, we just started having a discussion about life and our current friendship. We finally admitted to each other that we both had feelings for each other and decided to become a couple. That first kiss led to a life of love, passion, respect, and true admiration of each other. We know each other to the core and our relationship is built on such a solid foundation of faith, service, and love. This August we will have been together for 25 years and married for 23.”

Still residing in Texas, Jason Oualline was offered a job in 2019 as an Assistant Program Chair and Assistant Professor of the undergraduate game art program at Laguna College of Art + Design.

He now serves as the Program Chair of the Game Development BFA program at LCAD.

The job seeking process did not got smoothly for Beth.

She applied for many positions at high schools and colleges, but it wasn’t until she expanded the search to Los Angeles County that Beth and Bonita became a perfect fit.

In the summer of 2019, an English position opened at BHS, and as mentioned, Kenny Ritchie made a great hire.

Since then, Beth’s role at the school has expanded greatly over the past six years.

On top of everything else that she has on her plate, Mrs. Oualline also teaches four classes for the Masters of Fine Arts Game Design program at LCAD.

She runs the Thesis Research and Development courses.

Every graduate student in that program has to build a vertical slice of their game as well as write and publish their academic thesis research.

Beth is the one that teaches, mentors, and guides them through defining their research questions, conducting research to write their literature reviews, identifying which research methodologies and testing strategies they’ll be using in preparation for completing their research, and defending their thesis. 

Beth was able to capture one of the most viewed photos in this site’s history.

It featured Bonita running back Jayden Montenegro scoring a playoff touchdown and handing the ball to his little brother and ballboy, Jaxson Montenegro.

It evoked a lot of emotion from this site’s readers because of the obvious love and awe Jaxson’s face was displaying while sharing a special moment with his idol.

This photo got more than 100,000 views.

 

Jason Oualline said that he and his wife are intense sports fans, especially for Texas A&M athletics.

They go back annually to root on the Aggies and visit family in Texas.

Last month, the Oualline’s made a special trip to College Station to root on former Bonita star Noah Mikhail, who plays linebacker at Texas A&M.

Mikhail and the Aggies are 11-1, and they host Miami of Florida (10-2) in the NCAA D-1 playoffs on December 20th at 9 am.

The Oualline’s have a 21-year-old daughter named Bayleigh, who lives in College Station.

I wanted to send a special and personal ‘thank you’ to Beth for all she does for the student-athletes at Bonita and her contributions to 210 Prep Sports.

And to Jason, we all have great appreciation for your willingness to share your wife with all of us.

He said that it can be challenging from time to time, but that he and his wife happily live a life of service and giving back to one’s community.

Just like his better half, Jason Oualline is often seen on the sidelines or courtside at Bonita events.

There might be a teacher or two at BHS that are as popular with the students as Beth, but there is no one more beloved than Mrs. Oualline.

To add some credibility to that claim, check out the quotes and video clips below.

 

Quotable:

Bonita principal, Kenny Ritchie: “I have routinely asked her to help me with projects, and she never says no. With everything she has going on here, she is the consummate team player who wants every student and adult who asks for help to get what they need. She is an all-star player who every school would want on their team. Faculty and coaches see how she supports all students and they recognize the time and dedication she spends on ensuring BHS is cast in the most positive light. She supports all 4 of our A’s, which are Academics, Arts, Athletics and Activities. They all know that if they ask her to do something to support their programs, she will be the first in line to do that, and she will do it with the highest level of skill and professionalism. She does not like public praise and is quick to deflect successes as a team effort, but without her pulling the strings behind the scenes, or doing the work herself, countless things will not get done. Everyone sees the value she brings to work every day, and we are extremely lucky to have someone on our campus who gives it their all every day expecting absolutely nothing in exchange, except a regular paycheck.”

Bonita athletic director, Darren Baumunk: “Beth is the epitome of dedication, balancing her role as a full-time teacher as well as the yearbook advisor. In the classroom, Beth is known for always finding new ways to engage her students and get the most out of them. Outside of class, Beth pours countless hours into guiding her yearbook staff and ensuring that every memory is captured and that every student feels represented.  Beth’s commitment also extends to the sports field, where you will find her at pretty much all the athletic events making sure that every game is documented. Beth’s tireless efforts are a testament to her unwavering dedication to both her students and her school community. Thank you, Beth!

Bonita co-head football coach, Steve Bogan: “What Beth does is beyond special. The time she gives to Bonita and Bonita Football reveals a great heart. The quality of her work reveals a gifted professional that will bless us for decades. For years down the road her artwork will reconnect many to great friends and memories. Again, beyond special!”

Former Bonita co-head football coach, Bo Beatty: “It’s amazing how much she gives to the kids at Bonita. She stays up late, doesn’t want any recognition and just wants to spotlight our kids so they can be recognized for all they do, and the time she puts in is ridiculous. She does it all to help other people. She’s truly a selfless giver and a gift to our campus.”

Bonita girls’ basketball coach, Taylor Anderson: “Beth works exceptionally hard for our students at Bonita, both in and out of the classroom. She inspires critical thinkers, leads with courage, captures special moments, and above all, she’s invested in student’s journeys throughout high school. As our scorebook keeper, she consistently supports our teams and is invested in the players’ growth over the course of the years. I’m grateful to work with her. She truly makes our community better!”

Bonita baseball coach, Ryan Marcos: “Beth has been a huge supporter of Bonita Baseball over the years, and we sincerely appreciate her commitment to the program. She’s captured some great images of players in action for the parents, players, & coaches to cherish forever. She’s full-time here at the high school as a teacher/yearbook coordinator. It takes a very special human being who truly cares about the student culture of Bonita to add so much value behind the scenes. Often times the “behind the scenes” people don’t get the recognition they deserve, so this is wonderful to acknowledge Beth Oualline as one of the All-Star staff members of Bonita. Thank you, Beth!

Bonita boys’ basketball coach, Tim Godley: “Beth is extremely dedicated and committed to the students of Bonita. As a colleague, she is amazing to work with. She is giving and really cares about our students. Beth is one of the reasons Bonita is a great place!”

Bonita wrestling coach, Rob Froh: “Beth is pretty amazing. The time and effort that she puts into the kids at Bonita is special. Not every school has someone like her that sacrifices so much of their personal time just to catch memories for our kids. She has been super supportive of our program. She is at all of our home duals and takes amazing action shots of the matches. I love looking over and she’s sitting on the floor in front of the head table because I know she is getting some great pictures. It means the world to our program.”