By Sofia Williams
and Ava Nicols
Editors-In-Chief
Longtime Mira Costa teacher and Manhattan Beach resident Michael “Mac” McAvin passed away on December 20, 2023 after battling a terminal illness.
McAvin’s impact on the MBUSD community and South Bay will never be forgotten. As a MCHS alumnus, he understood the standard of integrity to which Costa students are held as leaders on and off-campus. In his 21 years at Mira Costa, 2024 would have marked his 22nd
full year at the school, McAvin coached the badminton team, taught English and credit recovery, and served as advisor to La Vista Newspaper.
McAvin attended Grand View Elementary and Center Intermediate School before graduating from Costa in 1983. He attended El Camino College from 1986 to 1988. McAvin graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English in 1990 from USC, where he later also earned his Master’s in Education. He received his teaching credential from Cal State Dominguez Hills. McAvin taught at Venice High School from 1998 to 2000 and Westchester High School from 2000 to 2002, and joined Costa’s English department in 2002.
“[McAvin’s] connections run deep throughout our community, and so will his life’s lasting contributions to his students and colleagues,” said MBUSD Superintendent Dr. John Bowes in a newsletter on Dec. 22.
Under McAvin’s guidance, the La Vista Staff received 3 Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Silver News Hybrid Crown Awards. In keeping with a tradition begun under McAvin’s leadership, the 2023-24 La Vista Staff will travel to New York
City in March to attend CSPA’s 100th Annual Spring Scholastic Convention.
McAvin believed that to produce “great American journalism,” as he often said, students in La Vista must aim to “afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.” McAvin lived by this maxim, encouraging his students to push themselves outside their comfort zones to create impactful journalistic works. Mac supported La Vista in innumerable ways, often staying late at night to support the paper’s staff, helping to problem-solve as student journalists finished an issue. As advisor to La Vista, McAvin both held his students accountable and provided them with a space where they could make mistakes.
McAvin is survived by his family and two daughters, and will be remembered by the La Vista
staff and MCHS community.
Beach Cities Alcove counselors and Taking Time grief counselors have been on campus and are available to support students and staff on campus.
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