The
Robert E. Lee high school is a symbol of Baytown not only because of the old antique
features it keeps in the front of the school but also the history of what
happened in it. In 1928 Robert E. Lee high school was founded. The name of the
school came from the popularity of the general of the confederate army in the
south. Robert E Lee’s school colors are maroon and white. The mascot of the
school is the Robert E. Lee Gander. This campus looks like an old historical
building in the middle but as you go further out you see the new structures
that were acquired by this magnificent school. Imagine walking onto this campus
and realizing you are standing on a piece of Texas history.
Robert
E. Lee. High School had many awesome traditions, one which is the great
traditions of the Robert E. Lee Brigadiers. This was a group of female drummers
that would drum military style during football games and the parades. A group
of fifty female students started this pep squad at the high school in 1930 to
1931, (Lee Brigadiers). This group started without any instruments and had to
raise money to buy them. In 1931 this group had expanded to 60 students and
they began to be active in their community. To find the name of this group they
had a contest and a person by the name of Louise Pridgeon won when she submitted
the name “Maroon Brigadiers” in 1935, (Lee Brigadiers). In 1933-1936 the Maroon
Brigadiers group expanded to 75 members and also purchased new instruments and
uniforms. From 1938 to 1942 the confederate uniform was chosen and a military
system of officers was put in place by the Brigadiers, (Lee Brigadiers). In
1962 the Brigadiers changed their style of marching to the “measured step” and
in 1963 to 1964. This group had expanded to a two platoons marching system of
each group having 64 students each. This group was a very popular group for
Robert E. Lee but this group lasted from 1930-2000 when they were replaced by
modern pep squads and dance teams because of lack of student participation.
This group is now known as the Robert E. Lee Celebrities. Robert E. Lee was a
school to bring the community together to have a fun time and a place for
students to learn.
This
school was not always on the bright side of history. On April 29, 1987 a disaster happened on the
campus. A fire emerged in the school, burning the high school down to the
ground at 3 A.M. in the morning. The fire was then spotted by a Baytown police
officer by 3:15 am. The fire looked to have started on the second floor of the
main building. This fire was first thought to be accidental but later was
considered to be arson. The fire burned down the main building and it was
destroyed. This included buildings such as the counseling offices, the
administrative offices, and math class rooms that were on the first floor. The
English and business department on the second floor was damaged heavily. Big
portions of the class room’s were destroyed. 35 out of 85 of the classrooms
were totaled. This included desks, computers, textbooks, typewriters, and other
school supplies were lost in the fire. The estimated cost of the building
replacement was approximately 10 million dollars to as far as 30 million
dollars. The community and the school alumni thought that the main building should
be rebuilt and in 1988 the school was rebuilt and rededicated. In February 2011,
the Baytown Historical Preservation Association believed that the school should
become an historical landmark and a dedication ceremony took place at the school
on April 27, 2013. This school still continues to succeed and prosper and will
stay a symbol of Baytown forever.
When
I first pulled up to this school you can see this nice antique building that is
filled with bright white and maroon paint. As I looked around outside I spotted
my eyes on a cemetery across the street. The floor of the school ground is a
salmon like color and it has plaques in it. There was also a nice grey marble
sign with the words “Robert E Lee Ganders.” As I walked into this exquisite
school the first item to catch my eye was the two wooden doors that enter into
the main office. As I walked into this main office on my right there was a
painting of General Robert E. Lee that was from the class of 1959. Behind the
main office desk there was a huge painting of General Robert E. Lee between by
two staircases that goes to the main office upstairs. As I walked around this
campus, smiles of students and staff filled the halls. All the lockers in the
school were a maroon color. This school was filled with college flags and
gander posters. By walking through the Robert E. Lee High School grounds I was
able to see the large hallways and the wide commons that many students use to
go from class to class. The cafeteria is very nice and big and has many cuisine
choices for the students. It also has a snack bar just in case the students
want something sweet. I then walked up to the building above the cafeteria. This
building looked new and very nice and the view from the back of the hall was
amazing. As I continued my journey
through the school, I directed my eyes to the art and science building. As I
walked on the other side of the school I saw the huge auditorium that is very
large and amazing, the math building which looks very nice and new, and the basketball gym where the ganders practice
for their basketball and volleyball games. Across from the auditorium is the
railroad track. As I continued my walk through the hall outside the school I saw
the band room, and the Robert E. Lee Celebrities dance room. Outside the hall
my eyes catch the REL field house, the practice field for the football athletes
of the school. As I went farther out on the school grounds I saw the awesome
Robert E. Lee football and track field. Right next to that was the Soccer field
where the REL soccer athletes practice and play. In an Interview I had with Mr.
Matt Bollinger, who graduated in the class of “92,” he said that “from 1992 to
now Lee High School has changed the cafeteria is new, the 400 building above
the cafeteria, and the science building is also new from since then,” (Bollinger).
This
school from since it was first built to now is a wonderful sight and from my
experience of walking through this nice school I now know how it is to walk in
a nice piece of Texas history.
Matihew Cook. http://www.baytown-lee-1954.com/memories2.html. Asa Ray Walker.
The Baytown Sun Nov. 18, 2013
“Lee Brigadiers History
One of Service, Old Traditions.” The
Baytown Sun 9 Nov. 1967: 9. Print.
Bollinger, Matt. Interview.
Interview by Christian Scroggins. 14 Nov. 2013
The State Of Texas, Texas
Historical Commission, Robert E. Lee High
School. Baytown: State of Texas 2011.Print
Kelly Hawks, Michelle Richards,
Barbara Castellanos, Michelle Warner, Lisa Smith, Angela Taylor, and Laura
Contreras, ed. “Lee Traveler.” Robert E. Lee High School Year Book. 1987.
Print.
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