Celebrating Austin High's 125 Years (published 2007) 125 Years (pp 1-24) | Page 25

Dedication Day
Most Texas cities have lost the "old downtown high school". And most small Texas towns didn't open their high schools until the
l890s. Thus it is that the "old downtown school" in Austin, Texas, is one of a few still surviving. Although it has moved six times
in 125 years, the school is still in sight ofthe state capitol building. It is still "a downtown school".
Founded in 1881, the school proudly claims more than 44,000 graduates as of 2006.
Graduation classes have formed bonds of
friendship, later strengthened by 5 and lO-year reunions. There was - and is - something special about "Old Austin High".
When the school was moved to its present location, in 1975, students created a movement to "tie the new school to the old and the
past to the present". The movement became known as the Hall of Honor Student Steering Committee. The work of the student com-
mittee resulted in an annual observance - Dedication Day and a REASON for an annual observance - The Austin High School Hall
of Honor.
Dedication Day is observed each year as an anniversary of the dedication of the Lakeside (new) campus at 1715 West Cesar Chavez
Street in 1976. We consider Dedication Day to now be the official birthday of the school. A calendar of events, including the intro-
duction of Distinguished Alumni, Honored Faculty and Maroon Society students of today, begins at 9:00 and concludes with infor-
mal gatherings following several ceremonies.
Most remarkable of all the Dedication Day events is the Grand Assembly. Crowds of alumni returning for this annual "Reunion"
join over 2000 students and 200 staff members. More than 300 former students, teachers and community guests occupy the seats of
honor at the center of this mass of humanity.
Few schools will attempt any kind of an all-school assembly.
Austin High School
still succeeds in the remarkable coming together of Austin High past, present, and future in the Grand Assembly. And if your blood
is the slightest color of Maroon, you will find tears in your eyes as a student leader delivers the keynote address, "What it Means to
Be a Maroon."
Community and alumni guests are particularly welcome on Dedication Day. If you would like to attend, contact the school for the
exact date of the event held on a Friday at the end of April. You are welcome any year. You will thrill the students of today - as you
demonstrate the true meaning of "Loyal Forever". Certainly you'll take back some indelible memories of some remarkable student
leaders. The day is planned and executed by current students and, folks, they do us proud.
Dedication Day, 2003
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