Tag Archives: Lamar High School

Lamar HS principal named a finalist for Texas Secondary School Principal of the Year

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to her school and the HISD community, Lamar High School principal Rita Graves has been named one of four finalists for Texas Secondary School Principal of the Year.   

Graves began her more than 20-year-long career with HISD as a first-grade teacher and reading specialist at Poe Elementary School. Her dedication to her students led her to become magnet coordinator and dean of magnet students at Pin Oak Middle School, where she championed the implementation of a Chinese language program. Graves served as principal of Pin Oak and Roberts Elementary School before taking up the mantle of principal of Lamar High School in 2018.

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Lamar HS construction nears completion

Construction at Lamar High School is continuing, as allowable under the public health guidelines, with renovations to the original building now 80 percent complete.

The renovation work, designed to preserve the building’s historically significant architecture, included the construction of a new child care wing, welcome center, and updated ROTC and Career and Technical Education classrooms.

The athletic fields — including football, baseball, softball, soccer practice fields — and tennis courts also are underway.

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Lamar HS coach’s influence spans from HISD to the World Series

The Houston Astros are the colossal favorites to win the 2019 World Series, but one HISD coach’s loyalties are torn between the hometown team and his former student, Washington Nationals third baseman and Lamar High School alum Anthony Rendon. 

“There’s not a jersey around that can have both the Nationals and the Astros on the same side,” Lamar head baseball coach David Munoz said. “I’m not going to lie. Having a kid play in the World Series is special. I am rooting for him.” 

Rendon, who has been instrumental to the Cinderella Washington Nationals team that advanced to its first-ever World Series, is just one in a long line of students that Munoz has motivated during his 22-year tenure at the HISD campus.  

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New Lamar HS features innovative academic neighborhoods

Lamar High School 11th-grader Mackenzie Wilson is an active student. She plays volleyball and serves as student body president while also working on her International Baccalaureate diploma. After graduation, she hopes to study pathology or constitutional law. 

Although she is confident in her academic endeavors, Wilson said it was easy to get lost in the crowd at Lamar — a sprawling campus home to about 3,000 students.  

But when the school introduced its academic neighborhoods concept at the start of this school year, everything changed. 

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2012 Bond Program nears completion

Almost seven years after Houston voters approved a $1.89 billion bond to replace and repair 40 schools across the district, including 29 high schools, the 2012 Bond Program is coming to a close.  

Only four schools remain under active construction as part of their original scope of work – Northside, Lamar, Austin, and Bellaire high schools. 

“We’re excited about the work we’ve done over the summer,” Construction Services Officer Derrick Sanders said. “We’re proud of the 21st–century learning spaces we’ve created.” 

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Lamar HS construction reaches 80 percent completion

In 2017, Lamar High School celebrated its 80th anniversary with a groundbreaking ceremony. Now the school’s construction has reached nearly 80 percent completion, with doors of the school’s new academic building opening to students for the 2019-2020 school year.

Both painting and flooring in the gymnasium is underway along with the installation of first- and second-floor ceilings, culinary and dining equipment, and joining the new building addition’s HVAC to the existing facility.   

Phased renovations to the existing facility are also in progress and an enclosed second-story skybridge connecting the two buildings is set for completion in August. 

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Bond Oversight Committee tours Wharton Dual Language Academy, receives program update

HISD Bond Oversight Committee members toured the new Wharton Dual Language Academy during their quarterly meeting Tuesday, getting an inside look at the building that opened its doors to students just four months ago.

Wharton Principal Jennifer Day and HISD Construction Services Senior Manager Meredith Smith led the group around the colorful building, making stops in classrooms, science and computer labs, and art and music rooms, as well as the cafeteria, gym, and library.

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Lamar HS football coach retiring after 33 years of service at HISD

Tom Nolen

Lamar High School Football Head Coach Tom Nolen has announced his retirement after 33 years of coaching football at HISD.

Nolen led the Lamar Texans to 308 University Interscholastic League (UIL) wins and 19 district championships. In his 33 years, the Texans made the playoffs 31 times.

“Lamar has become part of my identity,” Nolen said. “My students and coaches are my best friends. In some cases, I’ve coached them, their parents, and their grandparents. I am deeply honored to have had the privilege of working with some great athletes at a school as special and diverse as Lamar.” Continue reading →

Community, staff invited to cheer on bands at 10th annual Marching Band Festival 

The impact of Hurricane Harvey will be felt at this year’s Marching Band Festival, which is from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9 at Delmar Stadium (2020 Mangum). Admission is free.

The 10th annual showcase will feature fewer bands after Harvey shortened practice time and left some schools with damaged instruments.

Community and staff are invited to cheer on the nine participating bands as they perform in front of UIL-level adjudicators who will provide feedback on music, visual effects and performance. The lineup is:

  • Washington HS: 5 p.m.
  • North Forest HS: 5:30 p.m.
  • Sharpstown HS: 6 p.m.
  • Scarborough HS: 6:30 p.m.
  • Heights HS: 7 p.m.
  • Austin HS: 7:30 p.m.
  • Sterling HS: 8 p.m.
  • Lamar HS: 8:30 p.m.
  • Waltrip HS: 9 p.m.

Texan Proud: Lamar HS ushers in groundbreaking for 80-year anniversary

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Eighty Lamar High School graduates armed with shovels lined the school’s front lawn on Thursday, eager to break ground on a new campus as they celebrated the 80th anniversary of their beloved alma mater.

Graduates spanning eight decades each had the opportunity to dig into the dirt, formally marking the start of construction on the $108 million project.

“This is an exciting day for us,” said Lamar Principal James McSwain. “It’s a day that the school community has been looking forward to for many years.”

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