The Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) Board of Education approved naming  the Costa Mesa Middle/High School (CMHS) Performing Arts Center after long-standing CMHS teachers Sandra Gilboe and Jon Lindfors: “The Gilboe and Lindfors Performing Arts Center.” 

“Sandra Gilboe and Jon Lindfors were devoted to advancing the performing arts at Costa Mesa, and this heartfelt recognition is the perfect tribute to their contributions. Throughout their tenure, they provided mentoring, inspiration, encouragement, and guidance to their students,” said Principal Dipali Potnis.

During their combined more than 70 years of service to CMHS and NMUSD, Gilboe and Lindfors made a profound impact on the school, community, and students with their contributions to the growth of the instrumental and vocal music programs. CMHS now has five separate choirs; multiple piano courses; beginning, intermediate, and advanced instrumental music classes; and award-winning color guard, marching and jazz bands, and orchestra.

Before her retirement in 2023, Gilboe was named Orange County Outstanding Arts Educator for Secondary Instrumental Music by the Orange County Music and Arts Administrators (OCMAA). Her many accolades include recognition as Costa Mesa High School Teacher of the Year, Newport-Mesa Unified School District Super Star Award recipient, PTSA Honorary Service Award, and CMHS Academic Council Making a Difference Award. Under Gilboe’s guidance, CMHS marching bands and color guard teams won numerous awards from the Winter Guard Invitational, Winter Guard Association of Southern California, California School Boards Association, and more.

Throughout his career at NMUSD,  Lindfors, who retired at the end of the 2023-24 school year, has received many accolades including twice being named Outstanding Secondary Vocal Music Teacher by OCMA, Orange County Arts Educator of the Year, Orange County Teacher of the Year, NMUSD Teacher of the Year, and Costa Mesa Teacher of the Year. He received the Newport-Mesa Employee Excellence Award, PTSA Honorary Service Award, CMHS Foundation Vision Award, CMHS Academic Booster Council “Making a Difference” Award, PTSA Golden Touch Award, and South Coast Metro Rotary Citizen’s Cultural Arts Award.

Details regarding a naming ceremony for the performing arts center are forthcoming.