GARDEN GROVE, Calif. — The history of Garden Grove High School began 100 years ago, long before Kevin Griffin started teaching English on campus.

For 32 years, Griffin has made it a point to take his freshmen students through the Hall of Fame Museum at the Heritage Hall to step into the past.

“The continuity of what this place represents, it has stood the test of time,” said Griffin.

Like sections in a history book, there are many notable alumni like Steve Martin, who went from being prom king to a well-known comedian and actor.

However, for all the high moments, there were also low moments. A freshman student named Elizabeth Pollard was crushed and killed on the front steps of the building during the 1933 Long Beach earthquake.

"If you look at the picture, here is the picture of the debris sitting on the steps," said Griffin. "Obviously they removed her body, but this must’ve been literally hours or days after this earthquake and this tragedy that happened."

Stories of a ghost named Lizzie roaming Heritage Hall have spread with every graduating class. Lori Cardoza-Starnes, who is now a teacher, graduated from GGHS.

"Of course I think she’s real," Cardoza-Starnes said. "It was a tragedy so you hate to make light of it, but it is definitely part of our culture. It’s definitely part of the allure of Garden Grove High School."

Part of the school’s history includes students who went on to risk their lives fighting for the U.S. Coach Ricardo Cepeda graduated with the class of 2000 and played football for GGHS alongside Michael Monsoor, a U.S. Navy SEAL who was killed in Iraq. In 2017, the school dedicated its new stadium in Monsoor’s honor.

"We’re playing on a field that’s named after who won the Congressional Medal of Honor, who gave the ultimate sacrifice of his life," said Cepeda. "We try to tell our players we got to honor him and honor our school by playing hard on this field."

Monsoor’s photo joins the Hall of Fame case with other students who served and died during wars.

Students often ask Griffin what Monsoor was like as a student. While Griffin never taught Monsoor, Griffin’s siblings did share classes with Monsoor. Griffin remembers Monsoor being quiet, polite and overall a good student.

“He didn’t necessarily stand out like, 'Oh, he’s extraordinary,' but what he had in him was something special,” said Griffin.

The teacher believes every student who has graduated from GGHS possesses that “something special,” and that their contributions add to the school’s 100-year legacy and will continue for centuries to come.

Garden Grove High School is celebrating its 100th anniversary this month. The GGHS Alumni Association is presenting a Centennial Celebration on Saturday at 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. All alumni, current students and teachers are invited. Family members are welcome, too and admission is free.