By Allan Jamail
Galena Park, TX. – April 17, 2018 — Hundreds of Galena Park High School (GPHS) Alumni came to celebrate their Alma Mater’s 90th anniversary and to honor the tradition of, “Once a Yellow Jacket Always a Yellow Jacket.”
Allan Jamail, a North Channel Star writer and alumnus, attended the event and said, “The event couldn’t have been better. Those in attendance spoke of their memories, experiences and the happiness felt in returning to their school.”
Everyone was provided a program with the school’s history and enjoyed music from the band, choir, and performances by the Jacketeers and Cheerleaders. Refreshments were prepared and given out by the culinary class.
Previous Yearbooks were on display and photos with Mr. Jack the school’s mascot were taken.
State Representative Ana Hernandez presented Tony Gardea, the school’s principal with a resolution.
Excerpts from the Hernandez resolution:
WHEREAS, Previously known as Clinton High, the school was renamed Galena Park High in 1928, and two years later, the Galena Park Independent School District was established; the campus moved to its current location on Keene Street in 1950, and over the next decade and a half, an auditorium, two music wings, and a larger gymnasium and library were constructed; during the 1990s, a new library and science wing were built, and in 2004, the Arthur C. Lilly Center, the Johnnie Rountree Fine Arts Center, and a field house were added; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its rich history, Galena Park High has built an impressive record of extracurricular accomplishments; in the 1960s, its Band of Gold performed for President Lyndon Johnson and the Yellow Jackets made it to the state football championship twice; in 2004, the football team finished the regular season with a perfect record, and the girls’ volleyball team did the same in 2006; the following year, the robotics team advanced to the national championships, and in 2009, the Band of Gold reached the UIL state marching band competition, finishing as one of the top bands in the state. Today, Galena Park High serves some 2,000 students from 9th through 12th grades. Superintendant Dr. Angi Williams and many current and former school officials were present and spoke as well as Mrs. Kimberly Martin who’ll become the high school’s new principal this fall.
For the school’s complete history visit, https:// tx02217083.schoolwires.net/ Page/4632.