San Clemente High School officials say an investigation has confirmed allegations that students from Lincoln High School were subjected to racial taunts and slurs at a football game a week ago.

In a letter emailed late Friday to both school communities, San Clemente High Principal Chris Carter said the findings were made after collecting statements from students, parents, personnel, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and security personal and reviewing eight hours of video.

Carter said the “extensive investigation” of the events that took place at the Sept. 13 football game on the Orange County campus confirmed that two individuals in the restroom used a “racial epithet” to address a Lincoln High School student. In addition, he said, they confirmed “derogatory words were heard” in the bleachers.

Carter said his school worked collaboratively with Lincoln High School to review statements. He said it was evident from the testimonials that Lincoln High School students and fans felt unwelcome on their campus.


“As the Principal of San Clemente High School, I, along with my administrative team, deeply regret the pain caused to both the individual students affected and the Lincoln High School community as a whole and extend our sincerest apologies,” he said.

Lincoln High School Principal Stephanie Brown also emailed a letter to various stakeholders Friday informing them that Lincoln had completed its investigation into the allegations. The letter was shared with The San Diego Union-Tribune Friday afternoon.

Brown said Lincoln’s investigation found that students were subjected to racial and anti-gay verbal abuse. She said students were harassed while trying to buy refreshments and use the restroom and told to “go back to Africa.”

She said a complete copy of their findings will be posted on the school’s website early next week.


Ryan Burris, chief communication officer with the Capistrano Unified School District, wrote in an email Saturday that they will not share additional details of their investigation. He said both principals collaborated on the letter sent to both Lincoln and San Clemente High School communities.

Burris said Principal Carter’s letter was sent to Brown so she could distribute it to her school before they distributed to the San Clemente community and other stakeholders.

“Out of respect for Principal Brown’s community, we wanted them to see the letter before we distributed it anywhere else,” Burris said. “They deserved to hear from us first.”

Both school’s investigations confirm reports that students were subjected to racial taunts and slurs during the football game.


Alleged comments directed at students included calling students “n.....”, saying they needed to be put on leashes and asking if they were from the ghetto.

Lincoln High School cheer and drill team members were the first to report the taunts on social media. At least 10 of the 25 girls on the varsity cheer team were directly affected by the incident.

According to state education data, Lincoln High School’s enrollment in 2018-19 was 19 percent African American, 70 percent Hispanic and 3 percent white. San Clemente High School was 62.6 percent white.

“As a school and as a district, we do not tolerate racist or hateful rhetoric and actions that target any group or person,” Carter said. “While we strive to be a diverse and welcoming school community, our own students have told us that we have work to do.”


Carter said students from Lincoln High and San Clemente would participate in a Restorative Circle and a workshop facilitated by the Anti-Defamation League. Additionally, he said, the school will do on-going work with the Anti-Defamation League.

“We will incorporate lessons that help educate students and staff on the history and current reality of prejudice and racism in our country,” Carter said.

Varsity cheer coach Shay Ronna said she read Carter’s letter Saturday morning and appreciated his commitment to fixing the problem. She was also glad the investigations supported the allegations because some of the girls were being called liars on social media.

“It clarified that my kids had nothing to lie about,” Ronna said.


Mya Youngbood, a freshman and member of the cheer team, said she appreciated the letter, but would still like San Clemente’s principal to meet the team and apologize in person.

“It makes me very happy that they did an apology,” said Youngbood, 14. “I hope we can have a friendly game again.”

Ronna said that while she is sad her team had to go through this experience, she is glad it happened because now it can become a learning experience for other students.

