The Highlander Quarterly Newsletter (January - March 2013)

The Highlander

Published by Eastern Hills Alumni Association, Fort Worth, TX

Quarterly Newsletter (January - March 2013)

IN THIS ISSUE

Quarterly Meeting 1

Staff Directory 2

Chairman’s Corner 2

Join The Association 2

Upcoming Alumni Events 3

President’s Comments 4

Treasurer’s Report 4

Fallen Highlanders 4

Featured Story 5-7

Featured Events 7

Highlander Legacy 8

Advertisers 9-10

Community Resources 11

Jan-Mar 2013 1

The Highlander

EHHSAlumni.com facebook.com/ehhsalumni.com

2nd Quarter

EHHS Alumni Meeting

May 11, 2013

Meets Quarterly on 2nd

Sat of 2nd Month of

Quarter at 2pm-3:30pm

Woodhaven Country Club

913 Country Club Ln.

Fort Worth, TX 76112

Page 7 Page 7

Speaker is Tobi Jackson’78

District 2 Trustee FWISD

2nd Annual

Highlanderfest

http://www.highlandernetwork.com/

“Dear Eastern Hills,

Awake the sun. As we arise, life’s race to run.” When

was the last time that you heard your alma mater? I

presume it has been too long. Because of this fact, we

have set out on a course to charter a non-profit Eastern

Hills Alumni Association. Our mission states:

“The corporation is formed for the support of

benevolent, charitable and educational undertakings

by extending financial and other aid to students of

Eastern Hills High School; by promoting social,

literary and scientific pursuits; by perpetuating and

strengthening the ties of affection and esteem formed

in high school, middle school, and elementary school

days; by promoting the interests and welfare of

Eastern Hills High School and education generally in

the city of Fort Worth.”

We have undertaken an ambitious agenda in our first

year but we hope to deliver value not only to you, the

alumni, but also to the high school, feeder schools, and

our beautiful community in East Fort Worth. Many of

you have moved on to towns and many of you are still

right here in East Fort Worth. Regardless of your

distance we want you know that you always have a

home here. We hope that we can strengthen the ties

you formed during your formative years in East Fort

Worth and reconnect with some distant and not so

distant memories.

Today, we are working on developing a database to

help each class find classmates. The database will

connect to our website, EHHSAlumni.com. From our

website we also endeavor to create job and career

networking resources for our alumni. Additionally, we

intend to have at least two social events each year. The

Alumni Association has committed to co-sponsoring

the biennial event East Fort Worth Trash Bash and is

raising money to fund our objectives of meeting the

financial needs of EHHS through scholarships and

campus works projects. And of course we will publish

this newsletter quarterly to keep you up to date on

alumni happenings. Finally, we are pleased to

announce Mr. Lynn Spain’60, President of the first

EHHS graduating class, as the first President of the

Legacy Group who represents all EHHS alumni

graduating forty years ago or more. Mr. Spain will

oversee the election of the EHHS Hall of Honorees as

well as the design of the EHHS Alumni Center located

on the campus of EHHS. The board and I invite you to

participate in alumni happenings. Whether it is

volunteering your time to help, making a tax free

donation, or simply just peaking in on our website or

FaceBook page, www.facebook.com/ehhsalumni,

please show your support. “Tho life’s great peaks, may

give us thrills. You are the summit, Eastern Hills.”

Jean-Paul Puryear’92

2013 Chairman/Founder

Jan-Mar 2013

The Highlander


2

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Chairman/Founder Jean-Paul (JP) Puryear’92

817-655-2988 [email protected]

President/Founder Zak Najera’92


Legacy President Lynn Spain’60


Chairman Elect OPEN

Secretary OPEN

Treasurer Annbel Estrada’11


Legal Affairs Carmen (Salazar) Alford’81


BOARD MEMBERS Governmental Affairs Tobi Jackson’78


Mentorship Annette Jones’03


Webmaster Bo Salazar’85


Marketing Tamara (Ellis) Najera’92


Social Director Brandy (Brown) Oliphint’93


ATTN REUNION PLANNERS! If you are planning

a reunion for your class, please contact us. We

would like to promote your events and invite you to

serve as Class Agents.

Join the Association for just $20 per year. To join or

volunteer, please contact Zak Najera at

[email protected] or Jean-Paul (JP) Puryear at

[email protected].

Chairman’s Corner

http://www.ehhsalumni.com/



http://www.facebook.com/ehhsalumni






mailto:[email protected]








Jan-Mar 2013

The Highlander


3

ALUMNI EVENTS April 6, 2013 EHHS ’03 Free Car Wash Wendy’s

10am-2pm 1500 Eastchase Pkwy

Contact Annette Jones – 682.241.4219 [email protected]

• Donations Accepted

April 6, 2013 East Ft. Worth Trash Bash Eastern Hills Elem Soccer Fields

8am-11am 5917 Shelton St

Contact Jean-Paul Puryear– 817.655.2988 [email protected]

• Help E FTW pick up trash and party in Sundance Square after

May 11, 2013 EHHS Alumni Association Meeting Woodhaven Country Club

2pm-4pm 913 Country Club Ln.

Contact Zak Najera – 817.914.6064 [email protected]

• Guest Speaker Tobi Jackson, FWISD

Jul 19, 2013 EHHS ‘83 All Class Mixer Woodhaven Country Club


Contact Danny Salazar – 817.946.5982 [email protected]

• Guest Speaker Tobi Jackson, FWISD

Jul 20, 2013 EHHS ‘83 Reunion Woodhaven Country Club


Contact Danny Salazar – 817.946.5982 [email protected]

• Semi Formal

Sep 27, 2013 EHHS ‘93 All Class Mixer Picante Sports Cantina

8pm-2am 2108 E Rosedale St.

Contact Angela Rawlings – 817.914.6064 [email protected]

• Live Band is from Class of ’93

Sep 28, 2013 2nd Annual Highlanderfest Eastern Hills High School

10am - 2pm 5701 Shelton St.

Contact Zak Najera– 817.914.6064 [email protected]

• Pep Rally, School Tour, Alumni Softball Tourney, Concessions, Bounce Houses

Sep 28, 2013 EHHS ‘93 Reunion Reata Restaurant

5:30pm - 8:30pm 310 Houston St.

Contact Pam Rambo– 817.797.4828 [email protected]

• Semi Formal

Oct 18, 2013 EHHS ‘03 All Class Mixer TBD

TBD TBD

Contact Annette Jones– 682.241.4219 [email protected]

• Details coming soon!

Oct 19, 2013 EHHS ‘03 Reunion TBD

TBD TBD



Oct 19, 2013 EHHS ‘03 Brunch TBD

TBD TBD















Jan-Mar 2013

The Highlander


4

PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS

YOUR AD HERE!

CALL 214-674-5648!

Last year around this time a few of us started an amazing journey. We set out to create a

memorable weekend for our 20 year class reunion. In doing so we stumbled upon a

wonderful experience in which we were able to not only reconnect with our friends from our

youth, but we were also able to reconnect with a our alma mater in a way that we believe can

make a significant difference. What started as a 20 year reunion picnic warped into an

Annual Alumni event that not only excited our classmates but it allowed us to relive our high school

experience through the current students participation. I was so impressed with the young leadership that was

exhibited at our event. Student Leaders from the Softball Team and Baseball team humored us with an

Alumni/Student softball game (which we let them win). The JROTC presented their color guard for us in the

gym. The Band, Drill team, and Cheerleaders hosted a pep rally for us, and they topped it all off with

allowing us to take tours through the school and campus to see all of the changes over the years. Eastern Hills

has struggled over the years and had earned a well deserved reputation as being a “Thug- ish school”. Those of

you from my time there and before can hardly imagine it in that light. The administration has made vast

strides in returning EHHS to its former glory, and its reputation is on the mend. As a leader of this association

I challenge all of you former students and teachers to do your part. We can help change the perception, we can

help change a life.

Zak Najera’92

President/Founder

BALANCE SHEET

1ST Quarter, 2013 Item January - March Y-T-D

Income

Checking Account Balance 0.00

Dues Collected 160.00 160.00

Advertising Fees Collected 90.00 90

Donations 150.00 150.00

Fundraising 0.00 0.00

Total 400.00

Expenses

Secretary of State Charter Fee 50.00 50.00

Total 50.00

Checking Account Balance 350.00

Jeffery Taylor Stewart’86 – Jan 13

Virginia Bell Ward – Jan 21 (Vice Principal)

Danny McCook’61 – Jan 25

Gary P. Smoke’74 – Jan 27

Glynis Rhodes-Brown’82 – Feb 16

Kathleen M Gallant Garrington’69 – Mar 2

Kathy Gallant’69 – Mar 2

Stephen James Horton’84 – Mar 3

Courtney Dayle Austin Miller’96 – Mar 3

Jenny Williams’75 – Mar 3

Kristopher Mack’12 – Mar 6

Goto www.facebook.com/groups/94510625767

to post or get updates on other fallen

classmates and teachers. Page courtesy of

David Whitten’85. If you want to have an old

friend mentioned on David’s page, or the next

edition of the Highlander please contact us we

want to recognize all of our fallen classmates.

Fallen Highlanders

Treasurer’s Report Membership (New/Renewal): 8/0

Advertisers (New/Renewal): 1/0 Donations (New/Renewal): 1/0

Class of 1992 $150.00

EHHSAlumni.com

www.facebook.com/EHHSalumni.com




Jan-Mar 2013

The Highlander


5

Featured Story

Under New Principal, Fort Worth's Eastern Hills High School Is Making A Comeback

By Eva-Marie Ayala posted Sunday, May. 20, 2012

[email protected]

FORT WORTH -- As second-year Principal Cherie Washington w alks the hallw ays of Eastern Hills High School, bright red bullhorn in hand,

students know she doesn't mess around.

"Forty-eight seconds ... 42 seconds," Washington counts dow n. "If that bell catches you, you're going to be mine."

As the students race to class, most toss a smile at her.

"Tw enty-seven seconds.“

The bell rings, classroom doors are shut and not a student is in sight.

For a school that has been struggling w ith poor academics, high faculty turnover and student f ighting in recent years, the calm and order are

a sign that Eastern Hills -- a once proud cornerstone of its east-side neighborhood -- is turning things around.

Test scores, w hile still far below the state average, are up. Students are participating in more extracurricular activities, and this spring, the

school conducted its f irst National Honor Society induction ceremony in f ive years.

Senior Anthony Jones said he is proud of the progress.

"My freshman year there w ere f ights and gangs. When Ms. Washington came in, she got us in check the f irst day," Jones said. "To me,

having the honor society really means grow th at the school. It is a sign that w here I come from -- in my community -- w e can have programs that actually represent students w ho are doing very w ell in school.“

School district off icials, how ever, know that there is still much w ork to be done.

'The No. 1 thing‘

Eastern Hills is considered one of the low est-achieving schools in Texas and is one of only a handful in the state to be rated academically

unacceptable for f ive consecutive years. It has also failed to meet federal accountability standards for seven consecutive years. In the past,

f ive years in a row of such a rating w ould have forced the state to close the school. But that law w as changed in 2009 to allow schools more

time to improve.

In 2010, 39 percent of Eastern Hills' students passed the Texas Assessment of Know ledge and Skills, the low est passing rate of any high

school in Fort Worth and 10 percentage points low er than neighboring Dunbar High School.

That passing rate rose to 46 percent in 2011, though the state average is 76 percent.

"You can't get aw ay from assessment because that's the No. 1 thing that everyone looks at," Washington said. "So w e focus on that, but w e

also focus on taking the kids and moving them forw ard and w atching them grow . We deal w ith kids w ho come tw o or three years behind and

move them to grade level. We have bright kids that w e need to challenge and get them ready to be successful in college. ... A rating doesn't

define us.“

Data analysis of state tests and district-administered benchmark tests is helping teachers zero in on w hich students need help and in w hat

areas.

The school focuses on the 211 students on the bubble -- those w ho missed passing state tests by just a few questions. Those students are part of an "I promise" team that receives additional tutoring and support.

Each teacher's class roll includes student photographs, attendance information and a color-coded system to show whether a student is

excelling, passing, on the bubble or failing.

Washington monitors data to see w hich teachers have few students passing and w orks to get them additional training and resources. And

this year, the campus received $6 million from a federal grant program designed to help turn around the nation's bottom 5 percent of

schools. Most of that money -- to be spent over three years -- pays for seven additional staffers, mentor programs and a planned academy

for over-age students.





Jan-Mar 2013

The Highlander


6

'The spark‘

Many students and staff members say the most signif icant change at the school is Washington, Eastern Hills' f if th principal in six years.

One of the f irst things she did w as restore a sense of civility. Before her arrival, students w ere constantly wandering the halls. Fights often spilled over into the parking lots of nearby businesses or dow n streets, prompting neighborhood complaints.

"It w as too w ild," junior Keyon Triggs said.

Science teacher Laura Parker said that besides the chaos, the constant changes created a barrier to learning.

"It w as like w e kept trying to re-turn the w heel," Parker said. "But now w e have structure -- from keeping our classes running to how

students dress to the expectation that they get to class on time. It's just a better environment overall for the kids.“

Before arriving at Eastern Hills last year, Washington had been principal of nearby Meadow brook Middle School. Meadow brook is also struggling, having missed state accountability marks for several years. But w ith Washington on board, Meadow brook earned an

academically acceptable rating in 2009.

Nearly all current Eastern Hills students have a close connection to Washington because of her time at Meadow brook or because they had

attended Handley Middle School, w here her husband w as principal.

While students quickly responded favorably to Washington, teachers w ere more reluctant. Many w ere tired of getting a new set of

directives w ith each new principal.

"But the more she's been here, the more the staff believes that she's trying to get things done here," math teacher Miguel Garza said. Even state off icials have taken notice of her efforts.

Jobob Aanenson, w ho w as appointed by the Texas Education Agency to monitor Eastern Hills in recent years, said previous administrators

didn't seem to have a clear vision for the school.

"She w as the spark that school needed," Aanenson said.

Most importantly, the students see the difference.

Senior Kelly Morales said Eastern Hills didn't offer much in extracurricular activities or school events w hen she started as a freshman. Now the school has jazz concerts, college expo days, community events and even a fashion show . Participation in sports has climbed as

w ell. Garza, for example, began coaching girls soccer in the 2008-09 school year w ith 20 students on varsity. Now participation has almost

doubled, and Eastern Hills has a junior varsity team.

"It feels like the teachers and everyone really cares now ," Morales said.

Decline

Eastern Hills opened in 1959 and quickly became a landmark in the Meadow brook neighborhood.

By the 1970s, it w as know n for its annual Miss Big E pageant, w hich raised thousands of dollars for the school. In 1987, it became the f irst

Fort Worth school to offer academic sw eaters. The school w as a pow erhouse of musical talent, w ith the Symphonic Band and Stage Band

among five United States school bands to be invited by the Soviet government to play there in 1990.

Notable alumni include U.S. Rep. Kay Granger and Hook screenw riter James Hart. It's also the alma mater of R. Allen Stanford, a

prominent ex-financier w ho is awaiting sentencing for defrauding investors of billions.

But over the years, the community lost its connection to the school as the neighborhood aged and demographics shifted.

Eastern Hills had long been a predominantly w hite school, but that began to change in the early 1990s. By 1995, more than half the students w ere African-American, and only about 36 percent w ere w hite. Now 56 percent of its 1,294 students are black, about a third are

Hispanic and 6 percent are Anglo.

As the school began to struggle academically -- it w as rated low -performing by the state in 1994-95 -- some neighborhood residents sent

their children to private schools or bused them to other schools in the district, residents said.

Councilman Danny Scarth, w ho represents that area, said few residents took an interest in Eastern Hills other than to complain about

f ights, children loitering in the neighborhood, or trash from the campus blow ing onto streets.

But in 2010, Tobi Jackson w as elected to the Fort Worth school board, and she focused much of her energy on rebuilding the community's connection to the school.

"Tobi is just everyw here, at every neighborhood association going out and talking about Eastern Hills and getting the community back

involved," Scarth said.


Jan-Mar 2013

The Highlander


7

'Proud of my school‘

Jackson, an Eastern Hills graduate, said community support is key to re-establishing the school. She began partnering students w ith

residents w ho shared a related f ield of interest.

She pushed school district off icials to make improvements at the school, including renovating an old gym, w hich includes a rock climbing

w all, archery area and donated exercise equipment, w ith the goal of opening it for neighborhood use.

Washington, meanw hile, had the idea to install picnic tables outside for students, rather than have them linger in the neighborhood, and allow ing limited off-campus lunch privileges. Students must w ear campus IDs at all times, w hich off icials have said dramatically cut the

number of f ights, often started by rival gang members from other schools show ing up in hallw ays.

Police records show that since 2010, reported crimes at the school and its immediate area have dropped.

There w ere 358 police calls to campus in 2009, for example, but 178 in 2011, records show.

Washington and other staffers frequently attend community meetings and neighborhood events, and this month, the school had the highest

number of participants -- 485 -- for the district's seventh annual f itness w alk.

While some remain skeptical as to how much Eastern Hills can change, LaWayne Hauser said the turnaround is stunning.

A retired teacher, Hauser visits the campus periodically.

"When you go to the school now , the students are very w ell-organized, polite and groomed and seem to be concentrating on w hat they are supposed to be concentrating on," Hauser said. "Before, w ell ... not as much.“

Sophomore Glenda Maradiaga, w ho w as among the 59 students recently inducted into the National Honor Society, said: "I'm really proud

of my school. It feels like it's made a complete 180 and w orking its w ay back to the top.“

Eva-Marie Ayala, 817-390-7700

Read more here: http://w ww.star-telegram.com/2012/05/20/3973749/under-new-principal-fort-worths.html#storylink=cpy#storylink=cpy

2nd Annual

Highlanderfest

Featured Events

East Fort Worth Trash Bash Part of the Cowtown Great American Cleanup

April 6, 2013

Eastern Hills Elementary Soccer Field 5917 Shelton Rd.

Fort Worth, TX, 76103

Teams of neighborhood volunteers along with EHHS

Alumni and High School students will dispatch together

to assigned East Fort Worth areas to clean up litter.

A Celebration Honoring the Reunion Classes

of 1963, 1973, 1983, 1993, 2003, and 2013

10:00am – Old Timers Softball Tournament

10:15am – Game 1 (Class of ’83 v Class of ’93)

11:15am – Game 2 (Class of ’03 v Class of ’13)

12:15am – Championship Game

1:00pm - Pep Rally (Band, Lassies and Cheerleaders)

2:00pm – School Tours

Sept 28, 2013 Eastern Hills High School (Softball Field)


http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/05/20/3973749/under-new-principal-fort-worths.html











Jan-Mar 2013

The Highlander


8

In 1959 Handley High School was closed to relieve the crowded conditions at Handley and Poly High

Schools. The first year Eastern Hills had 600 students who chose the traditions that would become a

part of Eastern Hills. The name Highlander was chosen by a secret ballot as were the school colors,

blue, gray, and white. The first principal of Eastern Hills was Roy C. Johnson who served the district

until he retired in 1975.

September, 1959-1960 school year opened the new school with 600 students. Traditions were started

and are still a part of Eastern Hills today. Eastern Hills High School during the 2004-2005 school

year. In the last few years a new library, expanded cafeteria, and a new counseling center has been

added. The school underwent other building improvements and building repairs in preparation of the

2005-2006 school year. During the 2008-2009 school year the school has upgraded and enhanced the

use of technology. Beginning in 1984, Eastern Hills High School started a tradition of honoring

distinguished alumni.

Highlander Legacy Alma Mater

Eastern Hills High School

Music and Lyrics By

Judy Lingenfelter

(Student at EHHS, 1959)

Dear Eastern Hills, awake the sun,

As we arise, Life's race to run.

Your hallowed halls with mem'ries ring,

Our joyful hearts and voices sing.

Hail, gallant team, you heed our vic'try cry!

Hail school Supreme, we hold your colors high!

Tho' life's great peaks may give us thrills,

You are the summitt, Eastern Hills!

Our pride in you fulfill our days.

Within these walls we've come to know

Where, throughout life, our paths should go,

Now we would strive because for you we must.

To keep alive a flame of faith and trust.

Wisdom and hope in us instill

Dear Alma Mater, Eastern Hills.


Jan-Mar 2013

The Highlander


9

Full Page: $ 60 per issue/$ 180 for all 4 issues


Jan-Mar 2013

The Highlander


10

Real Estate Services: ♦ Sales, Leasing & Apartment Locating ♦ Buyer & Tenant Representation

♦ Property Marketing, Market Analysis & Valuation

♦ Property Management

Other Services: ♦ Credit Counseling & Restoration ♦ Mortgage Counseling

♦ Household Goods Moving

♦ Deep and Monthly Cleaning

The Radius Complete Moving Solution…

Jean-Paul Puryear

Broker/Owner 817.655.2988

[email protected]

Business card: $ 10 per issue/$ 30 for all 4 issues

Quarter Page: $ 20 per issue/$ 60 for all 4 issues

1/2 page $30/issue or $90 for all 4 issues

1 page $ 60/issue or $180 for all 4 issues

•Ads also placed at EHHSalumni.com

•Paid advertisements may be submitted

to [email protected] via business

card or paper.

•Any ad not been paid within 60 days of

renewal will be removed until paid.




Jan-Mar 2013

The Highlander


11

CODE BLUE CAPTAIN DUB HOLCOMB

817-451-0303 [email protected] NPO LLOYD COOK, #3188, Fort Worth Police Department, East Division NPD/#5

5050 East Lancaster Avenue

Fort Worth, Texas 76112 telephone: 817-871-5200 mobile 817-994-8479 FAX 817-871-5208 e-mail: [email protected]

CODE COMPLIANCE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER is TERRI BOCK, E 210 Code Compliance Department Field Operations/East District, City of Fort Worth

818 Missouri Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76104

telephone 817-392-5092 mobile 817-944-7058 FAX 817-832-2249 e-mail: [email protected]

CITY COUNCILMAN DANNY SCARTH, District 4, 1000 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102

telephone 817-392-8804 FAX 817-392-6187 e-mail: [email protected]

***Council meetings at City Hall in Council Chambers are open to public on the first and second Tuesdays of month at 7PM and on remaining Tuesdays at 10 AM.

RUBEN OLMOS, COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPT. City of Fort Worth Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods

818 Missouri Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104

telephone 817-393-6201 MAYOR OF FORT WORTH, BETSY PRICE,

telephone: 817-392-6118 FAX 817-392-6187 e-mail: [email protected]

FWISD TRUSTEE - DISTRICT 2 – TOBI JACKSON

telephone 817-457-7816 email: [email protected]

EHH

S C

OM

MU

NIT

Y R

ESO

UR

CES

”The Highlander” is published quarterly, 4 times a year. Its purpose is to keep Eastern Hills Alumni informed of upcoming events related to school and all graduating classes.

If you have information that would be interesting or beneficial to EHHS Alumni, submit it to the publisher. The deadline for submissions is the 1st day of every 3rd month by email to [email protected]. Please include your name and

phone number.

EHHS Alumni reserves the right to publish and accept or reject submissions for its publication. The newsletter is

available on the EHHS Alumni website: www.EHHSAlumni.com

Information contained in articles appearing in “The Highlander” newsletter is the sole responsibility of the editors. The views and opinions expressed in the newsletter are not necessarily those of the association or all of the members of the

Eastern Hills Alumni Association.

www.EHHSAlumni.com

Business card size $ 10 per issue or $ 30 for all 4 issues

1/4 page $ 20 per issue or $60 for all 4 issues 1/2 page $30 per issue or $90 for all 4 issues

1 page $ 60 per issue or $180 for all 4 issues

Paid advertisements may be submitted by email, business card or on paper. Any ad that

has not been paid within 60 days of renewal will be removed until paid. Ads may be e-mailed to [email protected]. Acceptance of the ads by Eastern Hills Alumni Association

does not imply endorsement.

ADVERTISING RATES


The Highlander Quarterly Newsletter (January - March 2013)

Documents

Transcript of The Highlander Quarterly Newsletter (January - March 2013)