LADERA RANCH – The two young men sport neckties and smiles in their high school yearbook photos – two bright-looking seniors who appear prepared for whatever college and life beyond has in store for them.
Omar Khan, 18, beams in another photo as a member of the National Honor Society at Tesoro High School.
Tanvir Singh, also 18, poses with officers of the Associated Student Body.
Under his senior portrait, Singh included a favorite quote from Mark Twain:
"Don't let schooling get in the way of your education."
Today, those words took on a ominous tone as the community of Tesoro High School continued to absorb news of the two young men's alleged role in a scheme to cheat on tests and change school grades.
Relatives and attorneys representing Khan and Singh declined to comment in detail today on what authorities allege was a series of serious crimes committed between Jan. 23 and May 20 at the high school located in the foothills on south Orange County.
Some experts and local high school counselors said it's unclear what might have motivated the two teens, but the pressure to succeed in high school is higher today than ever before.
"A lot of times, parents don't realize just how stressed out their children are," said Jacquie Morck, the head counselor at Troy High in Fullerton, one of the county's top performing schools.
"Often, the most pressure comes from parents themselves. That's why it's important for teachers and counselors to bring parents in whenever it appears that a student is overwhelmed," she said.
Denise Pope, a lecturer at Stanford University, who wrote the book "Doing School: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed-Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students," said both parents and students often believe the misconception that a student needs to earn straight As and go to an Ivy League-type school to lead a successful life.
"There are multiple paths to success," she said. "I've met so many students who started out at a community college before transferring to four-year schools and eventually became top scientists or doctors."
Khan, who authorities say lives in Coto de Caza, has been charged with 69 felony counts, including altering public records, unauthorized computer access and fraud, burglary, identity theft and conspiracy.
Singh, who lives behind gates in the Covenant Hills community of Ladera Ranch, has been charged with four counts of conspiracy, burglary, computer fraud and attempted altering of a public record after he allegedly tried to break into a classroom to steal a test in advance of an exam.
Arraignment for both Khan and Singh has been set for July 8. Khan, released Tuesday on $50,000 bail, made a brief court appearance today at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach. He arrived in court wearing a crisp brown suit accompanied by family members. Singh appeared in court Wednesday.
Khan could be sentenced to up to 38 years of prison if convicted, while Singh faces a possible three years in prison. Both students were supposed to graduate with their class Wednesday.
Efforts to reach Khan at his home in Coto de Caza were unsuccessful today.
A man who answered the door at one of two addresses in Ladera Ranch that appear to be connected to Singh said he would not comment on the case.
A man who answered the door at the estate in Covenant Hills where Singh is believed to be living with his mother and step-father refused to comment.
Tesoro senior Tommy Vail said Singh was a friend and described him as funny and very mellow.
"When I heard about this it hurt me," Vail said. "He was accepted to UCSD and I saw all this potential just lost."
