Lubbock High School

Lubbock High School

Lubbock High Logo
Sportsmanship, Then Victory
Location
2004 19th St.
Lubbock, Texas 79401
United States
Information
Type Public magnet
Established 1891
School district Lubbock Independent School District
NCES District ID 4828500[1]
CEEB code 444360
NCES School ID 482850010891[2]
Principal Douglas Young
Grades 9-12
Enrollment over 2,300
Campus type Urban
Color(s) Black and Gold         
Slogan "Once a Westerner, Always a Westerner."
Athletics conference 5A
Mascot Westerner
Information (806) 219-1600
Website

lhs.lubbockisd.org

Lubbock High School

Front of Lubbock High School
Location 2004 19th St., Lubbock, Texas
Coordinates 33°34′42″N 101°51′39″W / 33.57833°N 101.86083°W / 33.57833; -101.86083Coordinates: 33°34′42″N 101°51′39″W / 33.57833°N 101.86083°W / 33.57833; -101.86083
Built 1930
Architect Peters, Strange & Bradshaw; Haynes & Kirby
Architectural style N. Ital. Romanesque Revival
NRHP Reference # 85000924[3]
RTHL # 3144
Significant dates
Added to NRHP May 01, 1985
Designated RTHL 1984

Lubbock High School is a 5A high school serving grades nine to twelve in Lubbock, Texas (USA). Part of the Lubbock Independent School District, the school is known for its academic program and for the fact that it has produced a number of talented musicians, vocalists, businessmen, and scientists over the years (including Buddy Holly and The Crickets, Natalie Maines, Ralna English, and Mac Davis).

The school was founded in 1891. It was the first high school in Lubbock County. Lubbock High's colors are black and gold and its mascot is the Westerner. The school primarily serves students from the central and eastern parts of Lubbock, but the school's LEAP (Lubbock Exemplary Academic Program) magnet program serves students from all over the city.

History

The school was founded in 1891 as a one room school (two additional rooms were added in 1898). The original announcement of the school's opening read: "Schooling for all who could reach it by pony, wagon, buggy or on foot." The first (and only) teacher at this point was Miss Minnie Tubbs.[4] In March 1909, a fire set by students destroyed the building. After this, the school relocated to a brick building with two stories and a basement at the location of the current City Hall in Lubbock.[4] In 1922 a bond issue provided for a new high school. This school of 28 teachers was located between 13th and 14th streets in the 2000 block. Bonds were voted in 1925 for the addition of two study halls. This was the old Thompson Junior High building. In the fall of 1929, plans began for the construction of a new building for LHS. Construction began in 1930, and the building was completed in 1931. The school opened in its new location for the fall semester of 1931. This is the current Lubbock High School building. Due to its distinctive architecture, the school is included in the National Register of Historic Places.[5]

Academics

In 1979, due to low enrollment as a result of new school district boundaries, there was discussion of closing LHS. In order to solve this problem and to comply with an ongoing desegregation plan ordered by the US Department of Justice, LEAP (Lubbock Exemplary Academic Program) was developed. This college preparatory program offers advanced classes in mathematics, science, English, and history. Counselor Nancy Phillips was instrumental in the initial success of the LEAP Program. In its initial design, the LEAP plan included several incentives to attract students from outside the school's geographic district. These included unique classes not offered at that time in other Lubbock high schools, including Russian, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese, Western Cultures, Marine Biology, and Calculus, among others. Additionally, the school offered trips to relevant locations in conjunction with specific classes. For example, students in the Western Cultures class spent 15 days in western Europe at the close of the school year. Due to pressure from parents with students in other high schools in the district, some of these incentives were phased out by the school board in the 1983-1984 academic year.[4]

1983 saw the addition of the "Friday Enrichment Schedule," wherein students attended academic classes Monday through Thursday (for longer hours than other high schools in Lubbock) and attended either "enriching classes" (e.g. "Reading for Pleasure," "French Club," etc.) or review classes from 8am until noon on Fridays. The Friday Enrichment Schedule was altered to exclude the "enriching classes" in favor of shortened academic classes in 2007. The school now has an "abbreviated" Texas Friday schedule with classes ending at 1:35 on Fridays. Along with the "Friday Enrichment Schedule," a program was instituted in 1983 that allowed junior or senior students to take courses at Texas Tech University or South Plains College for dual credit.[4][5]

In 1996, Lubbock High was named as a Blue Ribbon school.[4][6][7]

Extracurricular activities

International Baccalaureate

Lubbock High School began its International Baccalaureate classes during the 2000-2001 school year, with Mrs. Sharon Mouser coordinating. Since then, the program has been expanding and for the most part, successful. As of the 2005-2006 year, 45 students had been candidates for the diploma. From the graduating class of 2010, over 80% of candidates received their diploma, making it the highest percentage Lubbock High School has ever witnessed. Today, the program is coordinated by Mrs. Kay Moore and has more candidates than ever.

Academic Decathlon

In 2002, the Lubbock High Academic Decathlon team made national news when its victory over J. Frank Dobie High School in the state championship competition was disputed in court.[8] The debate arose when there were questions about the scoring methods used in some of the competition's events. Both Dobie and LHS prepared for national competition in Phoenix, Arizona as the lawsuit developed. The Court ruled Lubbock High the rightful victor, and the team did not hear of this news until they were en route to Phoenix. At nationals, Lubbock High went on to place 3rd in the national competition, as well as 1st place among "rookie" schools in the competition. In later years, Lubbock High made history again when an LHS decathlete, Mirah Curzer, became the first competitor to achieve the highest score in the state without competing in the highest division. In 2006, the Lubbock High School Academic Decathlon team placed third in the state. In 2013, the Lubbock High School decathlon team placed 5th in the state, topping the previous year.

Athletics

Lubbock High competes in many sports. These include football (boys), wrestling (boys and girls), tennis (boys and girls), basketball (boys and girls), baseball (boys), softball (girls), golf (boys and girls), soccer (boys and girls), volleyball (girls), swimming (boys and girls), gymnastics (boys and girls), and track and field (boys and girls). Boys' teams are called "Westerners," whereas girls' teams are called "Lady Westerners." In 1922, the football team was named "The Pirates" despite the school's mascot being "The Westerner." This changed in the 1930s, and the team's name has been "The Westerners" ever since.[4] LHS was named "AAAAA Texas State Sportsmanship Champion School" in 1998 by the University Interscholastic League.[4][7]

The Lubbock Westerners football program had its heyday during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Weldon Chapman (1931–1939) guided them to the state championship game appearance in 1938, where they lost 20–6 to Corpus Christi. Chapman died in midway through the 1939 season. However, Lubbock overcame this tragic loss and went on to win its first state title, as assistant coach Goober Keyes took over as head man.[9][10] In 1948, Keyes was replaced with Pat Pattison, who guided Lubbock to consecutive 13–0 seasons and 5A state titles in 1951 and '52.[11][12] After Pattison left in 1953, Lubbock Westerners football slowly declined although they had several big-name coaches, including Wilford Moore, Grant Teaff and Fred Akers. Lubbock High School had not made the playoffs since 1975, marking the second longest playoff drought in Texas 5A football. During the 1998 season Lubbock High beat Monterey High School to win the annual Silver Spurs game for the first time in fifteen years. The next year, seniors Matt Porras, Chamayne Johnson, and Ryan Fuller lead the Westerners to a 16-13 win over Monterey to retain the Silver Spurs. They repeated this feat in 2007–2008. In 2012 the Lubbock High football team made playoffs for the first time in 37 years in the new 4-4A district.

The Lubbock High men's swim team has won 15 straight district championships and the Lubbock High Girls swim team has won 5 straight district championships and a regional championship in 2007. The men's district championship streak is an LISD record for most straight district championships in any sport.

Robotics

The Lubbock High team won the "Against All Odds" award at the US FIRST robotics competition in 1997. This was given because they had raised the money to enter and attend the competition (which took place in Orlando, Florida) themselves, rather than relying on corporate sponsorship like many other competitors did. Lubbock High has also competed in the West Texas BEST competition since 1996.[13]

Science Bowl

A team from Lubbock High won the first ever National Science Bowl in 1991. The team again achieved a Science Bowl victory in 1992.[7][14] Lubbock High also won the state Science Bowl for nine consecutive years.[7] From the 2006-2007 school year, however, Lubbock High's science bowl team has been on a slump: the Varsity "Black" Team placing 2nd place in 2006, 3rd place in 2007, but getting back up to 2nd place in 2008, at regional competition.

Mariachi & Ballet Folklorico

Lubbock High is the first and only high school in the Lubbock area to offer a Mariachi music program. The Mariachi program offers instruction in violin, trumpet, guitar, vihuela, guitarra de golpe and guitarron. The Mariachi program performs for various Lubbock High, LISD and community functions. As of 2015 It is led by Greg Cavazos.

The Ballet Folklorico program was added in the fall of 2008, and continues to be a great success there is an advanced class as well as a beginners class added in the spring semester 2010 the instructor is Maria Heredia the dance group performs throughout Lubbock. It is one of the most flourishing classes in the school.

Lubbock High School NJROTC

Lubbock High has an NJROTC (Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) program as well. In 2010, the Unit qualified for the 15th consecutive year for State, and often places in one of the top three slots in regular Drill Meets. The NJROTC program allows cadets to compete in teams such as Academics, Marksmanship, Armed Drill Team, Unarmed Drill Team, Physical Fitness Team, and Color guards. At the area 10 state championship drill meet the teams placed fourth in both 2010 and 2011, out of 67 schools.

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for {{{district_name}}}". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Lubbock H S". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  3. ↑ National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 History of the School and LISD. Retrieved May 2, 2006.
  5. 1 2 Lubbock High School. Retrieved May 2, 2006.
  6. ↑ Riley Names 266 Blue Ribbon Schools. February 8, 1996. Retrieved May 2, 2006.
  7. 1 2 3 4 LISD Schools of Choice: Lubbock HS. December 1, 2005. Retrieved May 2, 2006.
  8. ↑ "Texas Academic Decathlon". All Things Considered. April 8, 2002. Retrieved May 2, 2006.
  9. ↑ Pettit, Burle (2001-10-28). "The '39 Westerners were about more than football". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
  10. ↑ "Coach's death spurred LHS to first state title". Lubboch Avalanche-Journal. August 22, 1999.
  11. ↑ Hensley, Doug. "Golden years brought three state titles to Lubbock High campus". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
  12. ↑ http://lisdhallofhonor.com/inductees/single-gallery/7913597
  13. ↑ BEST Robotics, Inc. Lubbock High School Team Information. In 2014, the Lubbock High Robotics Team won a national Zero-Gravity Robotics competition at MIT. Retrieved May 2, 2006.
  14. ↑ 1991 - 2005 First Place Teams and Prizes. Retrieved May 2, 2006. Archived February 20, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
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