All-student TV crew covers Lovett dedication ceremony

Principal Amy Simson welcomed HISD Board of Education President Michael Lunceford, Chief School Officer Sam Sarabia, and the grandson of E. O. Lovett at the elementary school’s official dedication held March 8, 2012.

Edgar Odell Lovett Elementary School was named for the first president at Rice University. Both the university and elementary school share the same mascot and school colors. Principal Simson thanked the community, parents and volunteers for helping build a solid foundation for the children to excel, using both technology and art.

A student on Lovett's WHO TV crew works with Aaron Casares from HISD's Multimedia Services team.

“We are delighted to welcome you to this lovely new space,” she said. “There is so much we have been able to do, we now have special practice rooms for our band, choir and orchestra programs, and through the window wall in our new band room, we can give outdoor performances.”

Lovett’s all-student WHO TV crew worked with HISD TV to cover the event, including holding the cameras, and shooting footage.

Chief Elementary School Officer Sam Sarabia congratulated Principal Simson for Lovett’s continued achievements, and recognized longtime band director Ginny Croft, whose 30-year tenure has earned numerous performing arts accolades, at both the district and state level.

Attendees included former HISD Board Member Dianne Johnson, former Lovett Principal Susan Monaghan, state Representative Sarah Davis, and Edgar Odell Lovett III (grandson of E. O. Lovett) and his wife, Pam Lovett.

Lovett recalled the importance of education to his grandfather. “He believed scholarly pursuits were enhanced by the environment in which learning takes place,” Lovett said.

Lovett PTO President Leslie Chase presented Mr. and Mrs. Lovett with commemorative Lovett Owl T-shirts.