| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, The year 2007 marks the 70th anniversary of the |
|
|
founding of Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston, and this |
|
|
milestone provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the rich |
|
|
history of this esteemed place of learning; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, On a late summer day in 1937, a new red brick |
|
|
building in southeast Houston opened its doors to students for the |
|
|
first time; Stephen F. Austin Senior High School began operation in |
|
|
the midst of the challenging times of the Great Depression, yet it |
|
|
quickly proved itself an exemplary institution under the direction |
|
|
of its first principal, George A. Loescher; in the school's 44 |
|
|
classrooms, students received a thorough course of study, and a |
|
|
wide range of extracurricular activities were available from the |
|
|
beginning; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Numerous student organizations and Mustang athletic |
|
|
teams soon became part of the Austin High story and contributed to |
|
|
the school's lively and stimulating atmosphere; the Scottish |
|
|
Brigade, the school's legendary drill team, actually took shape |
|
|
even before classes began in 1937; over the course of the next 41 |
|
|
years, some 4,000 young women would proudly wear the brigade |
|
|
uniform, and the organization's traditions and its dedication to |
|
|
serving Austin High are today carried on by the Scottish Brigade |
|
|
Alumnae; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, With the passing years, the city of Houston |
|
|
underwent immense changes, as did the educational needs of its |
|
|
residents, but Austin High School has adapted to the needs of its |
|
|
students and excelled in its mission, with many of the school's |
|
|
graduates going on to distinguish themselves in a variety of |
|
|
endeavors; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Today, some seven decades after its class bells |
|
|
first sounded, Stephen F. Austin High School remains a respected |
|
|
place of learning; in addition to helping its students master |
|
|
required high school studies, it provides many specialized |
|
|
offerings, including the Austin High School for Teaching |
|
|
Professions magnet school, career programs in business, |
|
|
technology, home economics, and agriculture, and a full slate of |
|
|
advanced placement courses; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, An important part of Houston's public education |
|
|
system for nearly three-quarters of a century, Stephen F. Austin |
|
|
High School has helped prepare countless young people for the |
|
|
challenges and opportunities of the future, and its legacy of |
|
|
educational excellence is most deserving of recognition; now, |
|
|
therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding |
|
|
of Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston and honor its students, |
|
|
faculty, and staff, both past and present, for their role in the |
|
|
storied history of this fine educational institution; and, be it |
|
|
further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for the school as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
|
|
House of Representatives. |