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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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W O M E N ' S
HISTORY MONTH
2023: "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories"
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National Vietnam War Veterans Day
29 March
Once upon a time...
On National Vietnam War Veterans Day, we recognize the service
and duty rendered by all servicemen and women of The Vietnam War Era.
In 2017, Senators. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Joe Donnelly (D-IN) introduced legislation to honor Vietnam War Veterans with a day on the anniversary of the 1973 official withdrawal of US military units from South Vietnam. President Donald Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Day Act on March 28, 2017, calling for U.S. flags to be flown on March 29 in honor of the men and women who served during that war.
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EPHS Alumnus A Medal of Honor Recipient •
Elementary school, airfield, destroyer honor El Paso hero 1st Lt. William Deane Hawkins
Trish Long, El Paso Times Published 6:00 a.m. MT March 17, 2018
On July 30, 1944, the El Paso Times reported that his mother, Clara Jane Hawkins, was planning a trip to Washington, D.C., where President Franklin D. Roosevelt would present her with her son's Congressional Medal of Honor:
(Photo: Courtesy El Paso County
Historical Society)
Mrs. C. Jane Hawkins will leave Tuesday for Washington, D.C., where, Mrs. Roosevelt had advised her, the President will present her with the Congressional Medal of Honor, awarded posthumously to her son, First Lt. William Deane Hawkins.
The airfield, which Lieutenant Hawkins helped to take on Tarawa, is named in his honor. As the leader of a scout and sniper platoon which he offered to match, 34 strong, against any 200 soldiers in the world, he landed ahead of the bombardment which opened the invasion, and paved the way for the capture of the airstrip.
He won his commission after serving in the ranks on Guadalcanal.
In her letter, Mrs. Roosevelt wrote: “I realize how hard it has been for you, but the war has been hard, as you well know, and I assure you changes are not because of anything unimportant.”
Mrs. Hawkins will visit her brother, Deane Moon, who lives in Louisburg, N.C.
The El Paso 20-30 Club will finance Mrs. Hawkins’ trip.
Lieutenant Hawkins was the only son of Mrs. Hawkins, whose husband died when her son was eight years old. He was a graduate of El Paso High School and College of Mines. Mrs. Hawkins, who lives at 1014 North Oregon Street, is a teacher at El Paso Technical Institute.
“I think it will be a wonderful thing to receive the medal,” Mrs. Hawkins said. “Of course, it could not take the place of my boy — a hundred medals couldn’t do that. But it is a signal honor and one any mother would be proud to receive.”
William Deane Hawkins, who died in World War II on Nov. 21, 1943, at the Battle of Tarawa, is shown, above, as a child standing between his parents. (Photo: Courtesy El Paso County Historical Society)
USS Hawkins honor
Three months later, on Dec. 26, 1944, Clara Hawkins had just returned from Orange, Texas, where she attended ceremonies christening the USS Hawkins:
Back from the christening and launching of the USS Hawkins — the largest destroyer ever built — Mrs. Clara Jane Hawkins has received posthumously one more honor for her son, First Lt. William Deane Hawkins, USMCR, killed at Tarawa.
In ceremonies at Orange, Texas, Oct. 7, Mrs. Hawkins broke the traditional bottle of champagne across the ship’s bow, a moment before it slipped its moorings to join the wartime flotilla.
“It was a wonderful thrill,” Mrs. Hawkins said Wednesday. “I was covered with champagne from top to toe and even had a few splinters of glass in my shoe.”
Remnants of the shattered bottle were carefully packed in a mahogany box, made of the same timber of which the ship was built. The Consolidated Steel Corporation presented her with a heavy silver platter, bordered with the laurel wreath, symbolic of heroism.
The ceremonies also included reading of the citation made by President Roosevelt when he presented Mrs. Hawkins with the Congressional Medal of Honor, Sept. 30. An oil painting of the Marine will hang in the ship.
Mrs. Hawkins, a teacher at El Paso Technical Institute, was accompanied to Orange by J.T. Reynolds, director of vocational education at Tech, and Mrs. Adah Mott, tech teacher.
Among the crowd of Navy and company officials which viewed the launching was Edward Cross, who had done most of the welding on the ship’s keel. Mr. Gross received his training in welding at Technical Institute. He is Mrs. Mott’s brother-in-law.
Coincident with the USS Hawkins’ launching, Capt. Walker Tynes, back from the South Pacific, told the Dallas Morning News:
“The story of Bill Hawkins is almost incredible — but I saw it. He was in the first wave to hit Tarawa. A pier jutted out from the beach some 300 yards and the Japs had a batch of machine guns hidden beneath it.
“Hawkins and a couple of others jumped from their boats to the pier to wipe out the machine guns. Suddenly, there was a terrific explosion. The Japs had mined the pier and blew it sky high. Marines were blown everywhere. Many had their clothes blown off. Hawkins sailed 50 feet and landed in the water.
“But he didn’t stop. He climbed into an alligator and went ashore. Then he loaded up with grenades and TNT and started for those machine gun nests again. He stood there and threw grenades and tossed TNT at them.
“The fellow knocked out 10 machine guns! It was magnificent. Then he sneaked over to some pill-boxes and calmly poured gasoline down the ventilating holes. He lighted matches, rolls of paper and weeds and tossed them. Burning Japs screamed.
“Twice he was wounded but he went on with his rampage. Next afternoon he was standing near a half-truck, directing fire at pill-boxes. He was standing out there in the open, blowing the daylights out of them.
“Finally, Bill Hawkins got it. A sniper picked him off. He was a hero — every inch a hero. I saw him.”
That tribute and one which a Marine sergeant telephoned from Union Depot to Mrs. Hawkins — “He was my commanding officer, and I just wanted you to know the inspiration he gave will last us all our lives” — mean more to Mrs. Hawkins than all the medals, courtesies and silver in the world.
Trish Long is the El Paso Times' librarian and spends her time in the morgue, where the newspaper keeps its old clippings and photos. She may be reached at 546-6179 or tlong@elpasotimes.com.
William Deane Hawkins, EPHS Class of January 1931, was featured in the World War II portion of the El Paso High School Centennial Committee's Legacy Series - ROTC & Military Service, performed 12 May 2016 in RR Jones Stadium. A display case in the El Paso High School Museum is dedicated to this Medal of Honor Recipient.
The USS William Dean Hawkins, D873, at sea.
The USS Hawkins, which saw combat action during WWII, the Korean Conflict,
and the Vietnam War, was decommissioned by the US Navy on 1 October 1979.
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Tigers Girls Soccer Defeated by Abeline •
In Midland on Monday evening, Abeline Eagles (17-3-2) defeated the El Paso Tigers (21-5) 4 goals to 2 in the UIL Class 5A Girls Soccer Area Round. No other details are available at this time.
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EPHS Student Opportunity Fund •
Will You Help, Please?
There are some situations which stand in the way of some students' achievement. Those obstacles may include physical health, emotional issues, family matters, and poverty. There are programs and agencies which address most of these matters; however, there remain gaps which stand in the way of even the most devoted student. To address the holes and to serve the best interest of any student at El Paso High School, an anonymous alumnus created the El Paso High School Student Opportunity Fund at the El Paso Community Foundation. The donor, at one time a migrant who did not speak English and knew limited funds, has an empathetic view of problems facing many students in El Paso, particularly at EPHS. So the donor created the Student Opportunity Fund specifically to fill-in the holes in the social fabric particulary for students in poverty.
The EPHS Student Opportunity Fund is operating in its third year, helping in little but meaningful ways. Right now, though, the fund needs infusions of cash. The original donor is still contributing, but the donor is also devoting funds to assist Ukranian war refugees in Europe which limits the sum available for El Paso Tigers. That's where you come in. Donations for the El Paso High School Student Opportunity Fund may be made by anyone, in any amount ($12 is the recommended minimum donation), and may be made at anytime. The need does not go away, unfortunately. Donations may be made with credit/debit cardonline or mailed by check or money order to
El Paso High School Student Opportunity Fund
El Paso Community Foundation
PO Box 272
El Paso TX 79943-0272
Donations may be made in Memory of someone or to Honor someone. Include the name of the person in whose name the donation is made as a Memorial or Honorary gift, along with a mailing address to which the El Paso Community Foundation may send a notice of your gift. Also, to receive a receipt of your contribution, include your name, mailing address, E-mail, and phone number, please.
How may your contribution be used?
A. An EPHS student's family lives in Cd. Juarez. With help of an uncle, an apartment was rented in the vicinity of EPHS so the student would have a place to stay Sunday through Thursday nights, returning to family after school on Friday. A request was made through a teacher for assistance for the student, so the authorized staff member at EPHS met with the student about the situarion and arrangements were made for the staff member to visit the apartment. The staff member found an apartment that was clean, with electric service and running water but no furniture, only a simple pallet on the floor. Spartan surroundings, to put it mildly. There are no EPISD funds available for such things as furniture, bedding and linens, or sanitary supplies for this dedicated student. The Student Opportunity Fund made a difference for the student who lived on their own five and six nights a week just so the student may attend high school and graduate with a diploma from EPHS.
B. Families in poverty do not always have a choice of where they reside. Sometimes families are forced to move to a different neighborhood far from where the children have been attending school. EPISD has a policy which permits such students to remain enrolled in the former school even if far from the the new residence. It is the responsiblity of the family, though, to get the student to school on-time, daily. So, for example, a student formerly residing on East Yandell now resides in public housing in Ysleta. To get to EPHS, the student may have to start at 5:30 AM to bus into the downtown transit center to change to a bus that will get near EPHS in time to be in class at 8:45 AM. The Student Opportunity Fund provides bus passes monthly for students such as these.
C. The father provides for the family as an independant gardner, traveling from contracted houses daily to cut grass and clean-up the landscaping in different neighborhoods. Breakdown of the pick-up truck or failure of the lawn mower may put the father out of business until the mechanical failure can be repaired or replaced. Living on a close margin, the cost of repairs or replcement may put the family at risk. The EPHS Student Opportunity Fund has purchased new lawn mower and paid for automotive repairs from new batteries or tires or starter replacement so the family can resume function promptly and the children are not adversely effected.
D. Medical expenses are usually a difficult challenge for students and family living at or below the poverty level. Health insurance is not an option, but low cost care may be found in the community. Medications may be different matter. So the EPHS Student Opportunity Fund may step-up to provide an prompt grant to purchase prescription and/or over-the-counter medications or supplies not only for the EPHS student but for other members of the family as may be appropriate. The same applies for room heaters or cooling systems where none exists or is woefully inadequate in the family residence.
E. In addition to the above examples, the El Paso High School Student Opportinity functions to provide clothing or uniforms so students may be an active member of the student body and student organizations (e.g., band, orchestra, JROTC, speech and drama). The fund also provides gift cards so that groceries, new shoes, and supplies may be obtained by the student and/or their siblings.
The purpose is to help overcome, at least temporarily, obstacles so the student may not be denied the opportunity to achieve academically and socially at El Paso High School. The administration of the program by EPHS staff together with the El Paso Community Foundation, aspires to perform in a manner whereby the student is not dependant upon the fund but may rely upon it as may be necessary. Perhaps at some point in the future, a recipient today will be a contributor to the Student Opportunity Fund.
Please contribute today and make the El Paso High School Student Opportunity Fund a part of your annual giving. Spread the word to family and friends.
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A HISTORY LESSON THROUGH THE AIR •
Red Tail Squadron's restored World War II era North American P-51 Mustang
single engine persuit fighter.
You don't have to be a history buff or air show enthusiast to appreciate the RISE ABOVE project of CAF (formerly the unfortunately named Confederate Air Force). The volunteer pilots, mechanics, flight engineers, and historians/docents of the CAF are touring air shows around the USA during March to November this year with actual World War II aircraft and an important history lesson. regarding the famous Tuskegee Airmen and the overlooked Women Airforce Service Pilots (the WASP). RISE ABOVE is aimed primarily at youth from marginalized populations using the Red Tail Squadrom of the CAF and the story of the WASP to encourage young persons to aspire, to rise above circumstance as did the heroic Tuskegee Airmen and the unheralded Women Airforce Service Pilots who ferried military planes across the country and across the oceans during the war.
CAF RISE ABOVE static display at an air show
So, if you live in or near any of the communities were the CAF will appear with the RISE ABOVE Project, make plans toattend the air show and visit the CAF static aircraft display. Even if you are not in the vicinity of the air shows, you may support the Red Tail Squadron, the Women Airforce Service Pilots, and CAF RISE ABOVE with a donation. Want to take a group, students or otherwise, contact the CAF.
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EPHS Magnet Programs, Add One More •
El Paso High School is noted nationally and internationally for its "Connecting Worlds/Mundos Unidos," Dual Language magnet program. This program is recognized for its "innovative curriculum that is delivered fulidly between multiple languages."
The school has also been entrusted to develop and produce a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) academy with the additional designation of the "T for Texas" prefix: T-STEM Academy. The Texas Education Agency states the designation process ensures that school districts and colleges operating T-STEM campuses maintain the integrity of the model, which was researched and designed to target and serve students who might not otherwise attend college.
Another unique magnet program at EPHS is the AP Capstone, a two-year, upper level Placement Diploma Program sponsored by The College Board, the folks who create and administer the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). According to EPHS Principal, Mark Paz, PhD, "The AP Capstone is as rigorous and comparable to the International Baccalaureat (IB) Program offered at Coronado HS."
The Dual Language, AP Capstone, and T-STEM Academy can be combined and taken simultaneously, according to Paz.
The above described magnet programs have been offered at EPHS for no less that four years. A fourth magnet program is now accepting applicaion for the 2021-22 year. EPHS administration and faculty had to demonstrate its capabilities, facilities, know-how, and dedication to be granted the opportunity to open a PTECH magnet. Those students who enroll as Freshment next school year in the PTECH magnet will have the opportunity to graduate with an associate degree or nationally recognized certification in computer science and/or networking. "Because of the rigorous course load," Principal Paz said, "PTECH students CANNOT participate in additional magnet programs."
When El Paso High School is referred to as a unique high school, it's academic programs, including Advance Placement (AP) and Dual Credit courses, as well as the incomperable magnet programs and CCTE (Center for Career & Technology Education) offerings, continue the long history of dedication to opportunity and to excellence. It requires outstanding, devoted teachers and students willing to accept the challenges!
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History of the letters on Franklin Mountain•
"See, see, see, the 'E'!" was the popular chant that announced to the audience in RR Jones Stadium that El Paso High's "E" on the mountain had been lit to signify to the community that the proud Tigers were defending the Orange & Black on their home field. The lighted collegiate "E", accomplished by placing dozens of oil cans filled with sawdust and kerosine into the form of the "E" on the mountainside near where is now the KVIA television transmitter, was a seasonal expression of the Tiger spirit. But close-by on the mountain was a white washed "E", also for El Paso High, which was visible everyday throughout the year. The "E" Association, a volunteer aggregation of EPHS students, assumed the task of preparing and igniting the "E" during football season and in the sping the intrepid "E" Associaiton members took-on the arduous duty of white washing the "E" to keep it well defined on the west side of Mount Franklin.
How these traditions began is the topic of Trish Long's article in the 20 May 2018 El Paso Times: A look back at the history of the letters on El Paso's Franklin Mountains and NMSU's 'A'. Actually, the "E" is hardly mentioned, but El Paso High is credited with initiating the concept in the 1920-21 school year; Long's article is mostly about UTEP's "M" and NMSU's "A."
E
El Paso High's "E" faded from the slope of Mount Franklin in the 1970s because of a city ordinance which forbad such displays; school district regulations, and a general risk aversion pertaining to injuries which may occur while packing gallons upon gallons of white wash up the mountain and returning back to a more safe terrain at a parking area along Scenic Drive. The lighted "E" was prohibited also for much the same reasons, although the flickering, orange glow of the cans afire was a beautiful sight set against the blackness of the night.
Today there is a whitewashed "E" in the vicinity of EPH's original "E." The new "E" first appeared in the Spring of 2015. It was not an "E" but a crude "C". On the second day after the appearance of the "C" the figure had been turned into an "E" by squaring-off the corners of the "C" and adding a center prong. Of course, the suspicion was that new "E" had been painted on the mountainside by El Paso High afficionados, but there was no evidence of that. In fact, the "C" appeared preceding the Cathedral High School Senior Prom. There were, of course, denials from that quarter, too. The owner of that portion of the mountain did, later, admit privately that when the "C" appeared, he arranged for his employees to make the change to an "E" in keeping with tradition. The land owner is an alumnus of Cathedral but has close family ties to "The Lady on The Hill."
On the east side of Mount Franklin, Austin's "A" is still displayed as is an "I" for Irvin. The reason the "A" is still maintained is that the owner of the property permits it and the story is that the land owner gained a variance from the city's beautification ordinance which otherwise put an end to whitewashed school letters littering the mountain.
The "E" on the mountain was part of El Paso High tranditons for nearly 50 years. In more recent year, the tradition has been literally re-ignited during Homecoming with the Eve of The "E" Ceremony in RR Jones Stadium. Instead of using sawdust and kerosine in oil cans, the Senior class creates a design featuring the "E" on the field using lumenaria lit by battery powered tea lights. It is not quite the same proclaimation from atop the mountain, but each suceeding Senior class endeavors to out-do the previous class, so creativity has a larger part than in the past as each Senior class assumes the role of The "E" Association to light the "E" for Tigers' Homecoming.
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Centennial Banner Makes Debut •
The banner shown above was previewed in January during a media conference initiating the EPHS Centennial Legacy Series, but it had it's debut on 24 March for the Legacy Series presentation about Sports at the El Paso High School "On The Hill." The unique banner will be displayed at various events during the Centennial Year, including the Centennial Celebration on 8 October when The Claw Game will be contested in RR Jones Stadium followed by the world record attempt for the World's Largest High School Reunion. The banner is also expeted to be marched at the front of the El Paso High School Centennial Section in the annual Sun Bowl Parade on Thanksgiving Day 2016. The El Paso High Alumni Association is also sponsoring a float to mark the centennial of "The Lady on The Hill" where the Sun Bowl was born and it's first three games played in 1936, 37, and 38.
Now that you've seen this new banner while it was displayed on the parking-lot fence across the street from the Schuster Avenueu entryway, take another, closer look. You may not see the image of the columnaide from the portico at the front of EPHS, but can you you make-out why this banner is named "The Tiger Eyes Banner"? Yup, that's a tiger looking back at you from behind the columnaide and superimposed text. Had you missed those amber eyes? You won't again, will you? The idea for the design for this 15-foot long banner came from Susan Torres Macias, the Student Activities Manager at EPHS; she is an alumna of the Class of 83. The banner was created under the direction of Jamie Rupley at El Paso's Perky Press. Anna Mares (Class of 80), an Alumni Association Director, generously underwrote "The Tiger Eyes Banner."
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Congressman Beto O'Rourke Addresses the Centennial Year Class of 2016 Graduation (6 min 30 sec video) •
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Welcome to El Paso High School Centennial Year 2016. Take a moment to view this video, take in the excitement, then, if your are not yet a member of the EPHS Alumni Association, take a couple of minutes to join at EPHSalum.com.
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The Pride of El Paso • E-P-H-S Rah! Rah! Rah!
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El Paso High Kicks-off Centennial Year with First Legacy Series Presentation •
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EPHS Centennial Legacy Series: Architecture -- Program Sample •
A brief sample of the first Legacy Series presentation. This video produced by students of the EPHS Broadcast Journalism Class under the direction of Michael Reese, EPHS 2015-16 Teacher of the Year.
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Perspectives, An Interview Program of El Paso Community College •
Sandy Aaronson (Class of 64) and Betty Ann Seiler (Class of 62) talk about the El Paso High School Centennial Celebration.
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KTSM-TV News Presents Feature on EPHS Centennial •
Linda Ong, a morning anchor for KTSM-TV, Channel 9, along with two cameramen were on the El Paso High campus to collect video and to conduct an interview with Janie Pierce Shockley (Class of 62) and Hannah Jay, a member of the 2016 Centennial Class. The feature story was broadcast onFriday (5 February) during the News Channel 9 Today program. Watch Ong's report by clicking here.
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EPHS Dual Language Program •
Learn about "Two Languges, Two Cultures" Dual Language Magnet Program at El Paso High School.
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New Mascot Art Adorns Gym Floor •
As the CD Jarvis Gym turns 50-years old this fall, the building was repainted inside and out and the gym floor got a much needed reconditioning. The gym arena was closed much of the summer as the floor's existing, aged varnish and paint were stripped. Where the flooring had become uneven over the years, the planks were refastened and leveled, chips and holes were filled, and the floor sanded smoothe before new paint was applied and new, high impact varnish laid-down. The gym arena floor was finally reopened on 21 August, just prior to the start of classes for the 2015-16 school year.
The center court mascot art and surrounding font (pictured above & below) are dramatic departures from a traditional motif which it replaces and which adorns most gym floors at high schools and colleges across the US. The new art depicts massive tiger claw marks which have ripped-open the gym floor to reveal a tiger peering out from underneath.
The school district agreed to pay of portion of the cost of new mascot art and center-court font, but the bulk of that customizing cost was to be paid by funds raised by the Volleyball Boosters and the Basketball Boosters, the principal sports utilizing the gym. With gratitude, the following donors contributed funding necessary for commercial artist Jesse Corral to apply the unique artwork at center court of El Paso High's CD Jarvis Gym..
Lee Schwartz (62) Steven Blumenthal (66)
Amada Flores (63) Joe Herrera (66)
Mark Blumenthal (64) Anna Mares (80)
David Wilbanks (65) Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Ken Bruder (65) AIM Construction
Cyd Goldfarb (EPHS Guidance Counselor)
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EPHS Fight Song Ringtone Now Available at iTunes •
Strike-up the band with the familiar tones of the El Paso High Fight Song when your wireless phone rings. Now, for a mere $1.29 at the iTunes Store, you may download the fight song to your iPhone. If you have an Android phone, word is that the same recording can be added to the ringtones of non-iPhone devices, as well. A portion of every purchase of this ringtone benefits the EPHS Alumni Association, so hop-on and download a peppy instrumental rendition of the renowned chorus from "The Orange & Black!"
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Original Central School Bell is At Home at EPHS
The bell, which for years pealed from the tower of Central School at what was then the east side of downtown El Paso, is now part of El Paso High. The bell arrived on campus on 15 October 2014 and was presented to the student body, faculty, and a crowd of alumni less than 48 hours later during the annual Homecoming Pep Assembly.
The EPHS Alumni Association coordinated the transfer of the bell from the home of Ken Thomas, a retired EPISD employee, and alumni volunteers and voctional education students at EPHS will take part in the reconditioning of the bronze bell and the refinishing of the cast iron yolk and cradle.
The school bell was originally cast in 1885 in St. Louis, Missouri, by the L. M. Rumsey Manufacturing Co. which specialized in farm machinery and bells during the last quarter of the 19th Century until 1917 when the company closed. High School for El Paso started on the second floor of Central School in September of 1885. With the Old Central School Bell now at EPHS, an ad hoc committee is considering options on how and where the bell will be displayed. One proposition being given consideration is to mount the bell on a custom-made cart so The Old Central School Bell may initiate some meaningful new traditons at EPHS at the confluence of the end of the high school's first century and the beginning of it's second century of excellence in public education for El Paso. In this option, the bell may be used during football games to mark scoring plays by the Tigers; as signal indicting initiation or conclusion (or both) to graduations held in RR Jones Stadium; Memorial Day and Veterans Day Ceremonies on the front steps; Homecoming and Sun Carnival parades; and as part of other events on the campus and in the community.
Ken Thomas, the donor of The Old Central School Bell, told media before the Homecoming assembly that El Paso High was the ideal place for the bell because a) El Paso High is the succesor to high school at Central School; b) the JROTC program at EPHS was a continuation of the first JROTC unit in all of Texas which was formed at High School, then at Central School and it was Major James Gaines, an EPISD Assistant Superintendent for JROTC who saved the bell from oblivion and possibly the scrap heap; and c) El Paso High has an alumni association which cherishes and preserves the history of The El Paso High School dating back to the early days at The Old Central School. Thomas also told reporters that he was very impressed on how competently and amicibly the personnel of the EPHS Alumni Association had acted in the three weeks since he offered the bell to El Paso High. The palpable excitement on the EPHS campus among students, faculty, and alumni, Thomas said, was evidence The Old Central School Bell has found it's rightful home.
Read a report about The Old Central School Bell at these links: El Paso Times or EPISD .
The 1885 Original Central School Bell is displayed below after the bell has been cleaned and mounted on a custom-built cart with sign panels added to identify the bell and tie it to its home, The El Paso High School. Fernando Lopez (Class of 1966) volunteered to paint the bell cart and Nancy Schwartz (Class of 1966) donated the required primer, paint and other supplies.
Remaining to be repainted are original wrought iron yoke, holding the bell, and uprights, which cradel the yoke.
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Centennial Commemorative Tile Project Update •
On 25 April 2015, additional Centennial Commemorative Tiles were mounted on the backside of the press box at RR Jones Stadium, completing that installation. The second installation was begun on a wall between the Library/Cafeteira and the CD Jarvis Gym.
Photo Courtesy Sandy Aaronson
The second installation site is being laid-out around a new center tile application which continues the Tiger motif seen on the press box installation and includes the popular verse from The Orange & Black, El Paso High's original fight song: For when we're on the field of battle/ Then for our colors we will fight/ The Orange and Black will always stand for what we know is right! ...
Photo Courtesy Sandy Aaronson
To the left of the Tiger is a tile in tribute to Coach CD Jarvis with notation of the 1947 State Basketball Championship he lead. Next to that is a tile for Coach Ken Morehead recognizing his 22 years as Head Baseball Coach at EPHS. Further to the left is the tile purchased by Richard Crockett (Class of 1965) commemorating the Tiger basketball team of 64-65 which finished the season 3rd in State.
During the addition of tiles at the press box installation, it was discovered that the EPHS Class of 1966 tile was cracked and will have to be remanufactured. The Class of 1966 tile was one of only two tiles on the top row until the new additions were made; both those top-row tiles were cracked by undetermined causes. Each of those tiles, when remanufactured, will be added to a new installation on the EPHS campus.
Crack visible in lower right quadrant across "F" and "1" of "OF" and "1966." Photo Courtesy Sandy Aaronson
EPHS Centennial Commemorative Tiles may still be ordered from the El Paso High Tigers Friends & Exes. Find details elsewhere on this Home Page. Proceeds from purchases of these tiles have been donated by the Friends & Exes to the EPHS Project 100, El Paso High School's PTSA campus enhancement and beautification project (find donation opportunities for Project 100 elsewhere on this Home Page).
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Centennial Commemorative TileProject Continues to Grow (Updated 29 Mar 2015)
Installation of Centennial Commemorative Tiles on the backside of the press box at RR Jones Stadium is nearly complete and the El Paso High Tigers Friends & Exes are turning their attention to the second installation site for tiles: the wall surrounding the receiving area at the east end of the Library/Cafeteria Building.
The Centennial Commemorative Tile Second Installation site is to be on the wall at the right in this photo. Note the new tables and benches installed as part of the EPHS PTSA's EPHS 100 Campus Beautification & Enhancement Project. The new tables and benches were purchased with part of an additional $3,400 grant from the Centennial Commemorative Tile Project. The "Eye of The Tiger" art on the wall of the Library/Cafeteria Building is a gift of the EPHS Class of 2012. (Photo courtesy Sandy Aaronson)
Pictured above is the Centerpiece for the Second Installation of EPHS Centennial Commemorative Tiles(Photo courtesy Sandy Aaronson)
Centennial Commemorative Tiles may still be purchased at the price of $135 each, with up to three lines of text to salute alumni, a family, faculty member, or an enterprise which has been a support to EPHS during it's first Century of Excellence. To request an order from, use the Contact Us button on the Main Menu. Be sure to include your name, your E-mail/postal address, and a phone number at which you may be contacted, please.
On Friday, 26 September 2014, The EPHS Class of 1966 Centennial Commemorative Tile was mounted top row, center of the first tile installation on the back wall of the press box of RR Jones Stadium. The EPHS66 tile is situated immediately above the tile honoring the school's architects and engineers, Trost & Trost. This placement recognizes The Class of 1966 as the EPHS Semi-Centennial Class.(See The EPHS Class of 1966 tile on the top row, above the Tiger and "HIGH" in the photo below.)
The EPHS66 Centennial Commemorative Tile mounted top center (Photo courtesy Sandy Aaronson)
The 16" x 16" tiles, commemorating the EPHS Centennial, are a project of the El Paso High Tigers Friends & Exes organization. You may find additional images of the initial Installation of tiles at the press box in the EPHS Campus Photo Gallery. The second installation of tiles is expected to accommodate an additional hundred or so tiles. The EPH Friends & Exes initially donated $5,800 from tile sales to the EPHS PTSA for campus improvement and beautificationalso depicted in the EPHS Campus Photo Gallery.
The EPHS66 Quinquagenary Reunion Organizing Committee voted to assure that EPHS66, as a class, would be represented among the tiles which become a permanent reflection of the school's first century as it embarks on its second century.
So that the purchase of the commemorative tile would not place a burden on the reunion organizing committee's treasury, it was agreed to off-set the cost with voluntary contributions from EPHS66 classmates. Those who have contributed are listed below, but you may now join the list with your contribution of from $5 to $20, sent to EPHS66 Reunion, 2227 N Kansas St, El Paso 79902. More infomaton about the Centennial Commemorative Tile Project and how you may purchase one is displayed elsewhere on this Home Page. Thanks to these contributors:
Arthur Nieto (Denver, CO) Grace Ruiz (Albuquerque, NM)
Richard Baron (Santa Fe, NM)Freda Nelson Evans (Tustin, CA)
Angie Enriquez Heredia Norma Martinez Kernz
Rose Mary Arreola Lopez & Fernie LopezBob Novick
Romie Pichardo Monteros Steve Blumenthal
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Link to KTSM-TV Special Report: The 1963 Battle for the Claw; the battle that never fought
This will link you to the KTSM-TV website for the story broadcast on 8 November concerning the football rivalry dating from 1930 between EPHS and Austin High and the interruption of that string of battles between the Tigers and Panthers in 1963 when President Kennedy was assassinated.
Volunteer to Contribute to Brain Function Research •
Scientists are currently testing many promising treatments that could help reduce cognitive decline and delay the onset of brain disease. Yet a major challenge for research is recruiting participants for studies. Researchers need all sorts of volunteers to participant in clinical trials, not just those who are concerned about or diagnosed with brain disease. Healthy volunteers are often needed, for a variety of reasons.
The Brain Health Registry aims to speed up the drug discovery process by matching eligible volunteers with the right research study. The brain health and lifestyle information shared by volunteers helps The Brain Health Registry efficiently identify what kinds of studies for which a volunteer may be qualified. Once the Registry has identified a study for which a particular volunteer may be a good match, the Registry will send an email describing the study and giving the volunteer more information about how to participate.
Planning for the 50-Year reunion of the El Paso High School Class of 1966 is underway. The reunion will coincide with the Centennial Celebration of EPHS (1916-2016) at it's majestic location “on the hill.” That's why this website has been created, to help bring the class back together for some fun, some reminiscing, and to keep fresh the memory of our departed classmates. Make a commitment today to be a part of the Quinquagenary Reunion: it's not a reunion without you!
The Quinquagenary Reunion Organizing Committee has already formed and meets quarterly to plan a very special experience in 2015 or 2016. Want to volunteer or have suggestions for reunion events? Just send an E-mail through this website – first register, please. Find the Members Log-In box on this page and create your Classmate Profile. If you're not on the current list of classmates, please use the Contact Us tab on the left to get in touch. There is no cost to create a Classmate Profile and you decide what information may be displayed to other classmates.
EPHS66 Quinquagenary Reunion Schedule
Registration
Fee
Deadline
Early Bird Special
$70 /Person
Expired 30 June 2016
Standard Registration
$85/Person
6 September 2016
Late Registration
$85/Person
Memorabilia Not Assured
Quinquagenary Reunion Event
Homecoming or Centennial Activity
Thu 6 Oct
Noon to 5PM
On-Site Check-In
& Hospitality Room
Hilton Garden Inn - University
6PM – 11PM
Classmate Mixer & Buffet
Home of Lee Schwartz & Bob Novick
6PM – 7PM
EPHS Homecoming Parade
Neighborhood around campus
7PM – 9PM
Eve of The E
RR Jones Stadium
Fri 7 Oct
8 AM – 10 AM
On-Site Check-In
Hilton Garden Inn - University
9AM-5PM
EPHS Open for Touring
Lady on The Hill, Library, & Gym
1030AM -1145 AM
Class of 66 Assembly
EPHS Auditorium
11AM-2PM
EPHS Museum Open
EPHS Alumni Assn Reception
Noon - 1215 PM
Class of 66 Re-Gift Tiger Sign
1215 – 2 PM
Lunch With Friends
1PM-2PM
EPHS History
EPHS Auditorium
230PM-345PM
Homecoming Pep Assembly
CD Jarvis Gymnasium
4PM-530PM
Free Time
Dinner & Dance Decorations
Ballroom – Hilton Garden Inn
7PM-Midnight
Dinner & Dance
Ballroom – Hilton Garden Inn
Late Arrival Check-In
6PM-12AM
Centennial Parties of the Decades
Various Locations
Sat 8 Oct
9AM-930AM
George Hodge Ball Park re: George Hodge Monument
Balance of the Day Devoted to
EPHS Centennial Celebration Activities on Campus
9 AM-3PM
World Record Attempt
Check-In
EPHS Main Hall
11AM
Battle for The Claw
Panthers vs Tigers
RR Jones Stadium
3PM
World Record Attempt
Largest High School Reunion
430PM
Free Time
Evening With Homecoming Friends
Sun 9 Oct
8AM-10AM
Hasta la Vista Brunch
Dutch Treat
Hilton Garden Inn Restaurant & Terrace
NOTE: Times and Locations Subject to Change 25-Apr-2016
The Organizing Committee elected these classmates to head the committee: Chairperson: Steve Blumenthal; Vice Chairperson: Bob Novick; Secretary: Fernando " Fernie" Lopez; Treasurer: Norma (Martinez) Kernz.
Reunion Committees are forming and volunteers are welcome (see Quinquagenary Reunion menu tab).
In addition to working toward a meaningful and memorable Quinquagenary Reunion, the Organizing Committee is also dedicated to assisting with the George Hodge Monument Project. You'll find information about the project honoring your classmate below on this Homepage. Your contributions for the monument project as volunteer and as donor will be appreciated.
Bookmark the ephs66.org website, return often, and look for new announcements as well as new Classmate Profiles. Help spread the word to other members of EPHS66 and friends from those good ol' high school days. If you Facebook, watch for news of the reunion, the centennial, and the George Hodge Monument Project at EPHS 66 Reunion 2016.
Whether as a visitor or as EPHS66, we want you to enjoy this website. Tony Baldi is the website administrator so suggestions, problems, and compliments should be addressed to him through the Contact Us tab.
Who is EPHS66? If you attended El Paso High School in the class that began as lowly 8th Graders in September 1961 and which graduated in May 1966, you are EPHS66. You needn't have attended throughout that five year period; you didn't even have to have graduated from El Paso High School; nor did you have to begin in 8th Grade: you are a member of the EPHS Class of 66 if you are a classmate and at heart an EPHS Tiger!
George Hodge Ball Park Monument Project
Available Now! Take a virtual of tour of George Hodge Ball Park in the Photo Galleries menu tab.
A Conceptual Image displaying the George Hodge Monument at the site in the ball park where it is to be erected.
On January 8th, 2013, the El Paso Iindependent School District Board of Trustees approved an application from El Paso High School to name the new (completed in 2011) baseball & softball facility for EPHS in memory of George C. Hodge (EPHS Class of 66). The approved application included a monument concept of a tall hunk of quarried limestone on which would be attached a cast bronze plaque displaying a relief of George Hodge and a biographical sketch of him.
The El Paso High School Alumni Association has been authorized to collect donations for the George Hodge Monument Project. Contributions should be made payable to “EPHS Alumni Assn” and mailed to the following address:
When sending a donation by check, please write in the Memo “George Hodge Monument” and your EPHS Class above the date (e.g., Co1966). All donations will be acknowledged. The EPHS Alumni Association is an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; donations may be deducted for income tax purposes to the extent allowable.
Any donation is welcome, but it is asked that all donors consider a minimum contribution of $15 – the equivalent of just $1.25 per month for a year. EPISD provides no funding for this project: all funds and donated materials and services must be collected from EPHS alumni and from the community. If you can help collect in-kind donations such as contractor services, transportation for the monument stone; the stone itself; etc., please contact Steve Blumenthal or Tony Baldi, administrator for this website, through the “Contact Us” tab.
Carl Campos (EPHS Class of 69) volunteered to provide architectural services for the George Hodge Monument Project and has created four conceptual shemes for the monument and ideas for a paved plaza with coordinated benches to surround the monument. An EPHS committee adopted the design concept (see above) for the monument on 3 December 2013 from which final design work has been produced. A architects rendering is displayed above, on the website of the EPHS Alumni Association (www.ephsalum.com), and will be used in releases to news media in El Paso.
2018-2019 Association Officers
President: Amada Flores (Class of 1963)
Vice President: Sandy Aaronson (Class of 1964)
Secretary: Becky Huenneke (Class of 1979)
Treasurer: Roberta Rodriguez (Class of 1974)
NEW POSTAL ADDRESSEl Paso High School Alumni Association – PO Box 5024 – El Paso, Texas 79953
The EPHS Alumni Association Website is Under Reconstruction
"You only understand the tradition if you were blessed enough to live it."
EPHS Centennial Tile Project
El Paso High School has been a part of you for decades. Now, as the historic "School on the Hill" is preparing to observe its Centennial, El Paso High Friends & Exes has devised a way for you to become a part of EPHS, literally. Above is the 16-inch square tile purchased by the EPHS66 Quinquagenary Reunion Organizing Committee with individual contributions. The displayed tile will be installed at the school to commemorate the Centennial Celebration. Each high relief, etched tile is custom made with from one to three lines of personalized text (limit 21 characters and spaces per line). A tile may represent a family of EPHS students, an individual, a graduating class, a business, or a message.
The price per tile is NOW $135 plus $3 for each character over the alotted 60. Payment to El Paso High Friends & Exes.
For more information or to obtain an order form, contact EPH Friends & Exes Treasurer, Sandy Aaronson by E-mail sandyaaronson@gmail.com or by phone 915-588-7888 (or use the Contact Us menu tab on the left to request an order form; be sure to include the E-mail or street address to which you want the form sent).
Campus Enhancements Progress Take a look at the continuing change at the corner on Schuster and Virgina. The top photo is of transformation from a weed ridden yard within a short chain-link fence to a school bus waiting area as it first appeared early in 2014. The bottom photo is of that space now that some landscaping has been added and taken hold (April 2014)
This is significant enhancement undertaken by the El Paso High PTSA, but it is by no means the only improvement undertaken by parents, faculty, and students to spruce-up the campus before the Centennial Celebration Year, 2016. Additional evidence of the PTSA Outdoor Improvement Project is now displayed in an EPHS Campus photo gallery open on this website.
Thank to the donors who made the Bus Wait Area project possible. The PTSA is still in need of donations and sponsors for these additions to the campus through the end of 2014: Tree $200; Trash Receptacle $500; Classic 4' Bench $375; Classic 6' Bench $700; Classic Picnic Table $800; Round Table $900. Click on the SONSORSHIP FLYER links in the EPHS ROAR below for more information. The deadline for sponsorships is 1 January 2015. The EPHS Class of 1966 has contributed for a new tree planted at our venerable alma mater; individual donors have contributed for additional items.
The Lady on the Hill is turning 100 in 2016 and the PTSA has some very exciting projects to announce in anticipation of this historic event.
1. Because of an incredible gift by some very generous donors and the hard work and spectacular efforts of Jennifer Barr Ardovino and Desert Elements Landscape Design, LLC, the entrance along Schuster and Virginia will soon have new landscaping. Work will begin very soon. Our goal is to have this phase of the project completed by January, 2014.
2. You can participate in beautifying our beloved school and honoring your loved ones by making a general donation or purchasing trees, tables or benches for installation this Spring. All tables and benches will have a plaque stating in whose memory/honor the donation is made. All other donors’ names will be written on an El Paso High 100 Plaque, placed inside our school. Deadline for purchases is March 1. The sooner items are ordered, the sooner they may be installed. Please see the attached flier and/or go to the EPHS webpage – www.tigerptsa.org for more information.
3. Thanks to the generous donations of Pearson’s Tree Farm and the Christmas Tree purchases made by the following, we have planted beautiful new large oak trees at EPHS this week. We would like to thank: Hugo Arreola, the Claflin/Crane Family, Diane Williams, Felipa Solis, Beth Lucas, Gloria Ambler, Monica Benjamin, the Mowles Family, the Hallmark/Slavin Family, Judy Templeton, Susan Urbieta, Dan Knapp, Kristina Legan and Mike Bonilla.
The PTSA will again be selling Christmas Trees that will then be donated to EPHS. Look for a Tiger Roar announcement about this project soon.
4. El Paso High 100 will invite students to lead a national program, sponsored by El Paso Master Gardener Ileana Lazo-Kim, in partnership with Ms. Dawn Zumar. This group of students will learn about engaging in their environment and transforming spaces, all while serving and beautifying our school. Look for news about this exciting project coming soon...all students welcome. For more information you may contact Ileana L. Kim by email at ileanak@sbcgloglobal.net.
We hope you will join us in celebrating our city’s oldest high school!
If you would like to actively participate in this project or would just like further information, please contact Tricia Jay or Monica Henschel: elpasoptsa@gmail.com. We have many more plans to beautify our school and we could use your help to accomplish them.
EPHS COLLEGE RESOURCES
Check out the newest resource to find information on numerous colleges and universities, college readiness, as well as the schedule of upcoming college visits and scholarship opportunities.
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One proposition being given consideration is to mount the bell on a custom-made cart so The Old Central School Bell may initiate some meaningful new traditons at EPHS at the confluence of the end of the high school's first century and the beginning of it's second century of excellence in public education for El Paso. In this option, the bell may be used during football games to mark scoring plays by the Tigers; as signal indicting initiation or conclusion (or both) to graduations held in RR Jones Stadium; Memorial Day and Veterans Day Ceremonies on the front steps; Homecoming and Sun Carnival parades; and as part of other events on the campus and in the community.
Central School and it was Major James Gaines, an EPISD Assistant Superintendent for JROTC who saved the bell from oblivion and possibly the scrap heap; and c) El Paso High has an alumni association which cherishes and preserves the history of The El Paso High School dating back to the early days at The Old Central School. Thomas also told reporters that he was very impressed on how competently and amicibly the personnel of the EPHS Alumni Association had acted in the three weeks since he offered the bell to El Paso High. The palpable excitement on the EPHS campus among students, faculty, and alumni, Thomas said, was evidence The Old Central School Bell has found it's rightful home..jpg)
El Paso High School Alumni Association – PO Box 5024 – El Paso, Texas 79953 
