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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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  El Pasoans Respond to the COVID-19 Crisis   •

"We are all in this together."  A rather trite expression you've heard many times over your lifespan, but here, in 2020, with the spead of a novel coronavirus around the world, the expression carries extra meaning.  There are victims, and anyone can be a victim of the COVID-19 virus to lesser or greater degree, and anyone can help to aleviate the communial effects this novel virus has brought to virtually every corner of the earth.

 We'll get to some donation and resource information further in this article, but let's start with a couple of simple things in which you may participate.  Variously around the world where this virus has struck and the citizenry has been spending days and weeks at home, trying to bend the arc, demonstrations for appreciation for medical workers, hospital staff, first responders have become nightly occasion.  In El Paso, the #UniteWithLightEP project debuted on Good Friday.  To display gratitude simply turn-on your porch light at 7:30 PM every Friday.  Add glow sticks, lanterns, Christmas lights, or anything else to "light-up" your porch, your balcony, your apartment window.  All this as a way to say "Thank You" to the medical personnel in our hospitals, the people who clean the hospitals and perpare meals daily for patients and hospital staff; the first responders on the front lines, and technicians, CMAs, out-patient doctors and nurses.  If you are prone to do so, take a photo and share your display on the city's social media platforms with the hashtag #UniteWithLightEP via Facebook.com/elpasotexasgov, twitter.come/ElPasoTXGov, and/or instagram.com/iam_elpaso.  Maybe you'll write a letter to you neighbors to encourage them also "light-up" their proch or front window, etc.  Make it your objective to have everyone on your block or apartment complex to show their gratitude

A much more strong commitment to the people in your community is to volunteer to donate whole blood, or platelets and plasma.  During this crisis there is still a daily demand for blood and blood products, but fewer persons are eligible becuse of the exposure or because potential donors are doing what has been directed:  they're staying home.  Even if you are not eligible to donate blood, you can encourage those who are eligible to do it: donate.  With so many persons not working or attending classroom sessions, there should enough time in the week to show-up for a blood donation.  Vitalant is the El Paso and Las Cruces area non-profit blood bank (call (915) 544-5422  or click here for the Vitalant website). 

What about all the person who are not  working Get Shift Done for El Paso because their place of business has had to close or cut back on staff or hours?  Get Shift Done for El Paso provides wages of $10 an hour to workers left jobless by the coronavirus pandemic while providing meals for the disadvantaged. The program started Saturday, April 4 with the first of 40 daily shifts.  The ingenious nature of this project is that it provides waged labor at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger food bank for persons who worked in hospitality businesses.  That work helps distribute and pack food stuffs for food pantries who serve the greatly increased food insecure in far west Texas.  You can help with a donation to Get Shift Done El Paso.

The Paso del Norte Community Foundtion has created the El Paso COVID-19 Infomation Hub at EPcovid19.org.  According to Tracy Yellen (both her children are El Paso Tigers, by the way), CEO of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation and the Paso Del Norte Community Foundation, the Information Hub at EPcovid19.org is a bilingual website  which serves as a community center of local resources which can help individual and families navigate the crisis with updated information for parents, veterans, employers, and employees.  The resources address mental health issues, food insecurity, home schooling, physical activity, and much more.  Many of the resources are free of charge and available from home eiher on-line or by phone.

Information and resources for residents of Cd. Juarez are linked to the EPcovid19.org website and may be found at juarezcovid19.com.

The Paso del Norte Community Foundation has stood-up four funds to assist persons in the community:  El Paso COVID-29 Response Fund; El Paso COVID-19 Medical Equipment and Supply Fund; El Paso Food & Beverage Workers Fund; and Juarez COVID-19 Response Fund. 

"Donations of all sizes do make a difference in easing the economic impact from the coronavirus," Yellin said.

The El Paso COVID-19 Response Fund was establishe in partnership with the United Way of El Paso County to support non-profit organizations serving the most vulnerable in the commity.  The first grants from tis fund were awarded to El Pasoans Figting Hunger, cleaning supplies for area homeless shelters, utility assistance through Project Bravo, and food assistance for low income, homebound seniors through the Senior Fund.  Yellin advised that more than $650,000 in needs have been identified as urgent in El Pao County.

The El Paso COVID-19 Medical Equipment and Supply Fund was estblished to provid a grant to Workforce Solutions Borerplex to support food and beverage workers from El Paso, Sunland Par, and Santa Teresa, New Mexico, who have been laid-off or have significantly reduced hours as a result of the pandemic.

Give if you will. 

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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. 

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 on Friday (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 Tile Project 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 beautification also 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 Lopez  Bob 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.

http://www.ktsm.com/sports/high-school-football/1963-battle-claw-battle-was-never-fought

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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.

For more information and to volunteer, visit 

The Brain Health Registry