Latest news with #LegacyHighSchool
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Texas School Restoring Name Honoring Confederate General
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Texas school district is moving to restore the name of a Confederate general to one of its campuses, reversing a 2020 decision made amid nationwide calls to remove symbols of the Confederacy. The Midland Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 4-3 late on August 12, 2025, to revert Legacy High School to its original name, Midland Lee High School, restoring the association with Confederate General Robert E. Lee and applying the change to the freshman campus and a planned future site. Robert E. Lee's name has been widely commemorated across the United States, particularly in the South, through monuments, statues, schools, streets, and parks. Some of the most prominent statues include the equestrian memorial in Charlottesville, Virginia, removed in 2021 after violent protests, and the Robert E. Lee Monument in Richmond, Virginia, which was toppled the same year amid racial justice demonstrations. Other cities, including New Orleans, Dallas, Houston, and Austin, have also had statues honoring Lee, many of which have been removed or are slated for removal. Why It Matters The vote marked a rare reversal in the national reassessment of Confederate symbols, underscoring tensions between local traditions and efforts to confront historical ties to slavery and segregation. Nationwide data showed more than 300 schools across 20 states still bore the names of Confederate leaders, making the Midland reversal part of a broader debate about public commemorations in schools and other institutions. Legacy High School in Texas. Legacy High School in Texas. Google Maps What To Know Trustees Matt Friez, Josh Guinn, Angel Hernandez and Brandon Hodges voted for the change, while trustees Tommy Bishop, Michael Booker and Sara Burleson opposed it. The board specified that the renaming would apply to the main high school at 3500 Neely Avenue, the freshman campus at 1400 East Oak Street, and a planned campus legally described as 121.915 acres in the northwest quarter of Section 48, Block 40, T1S. The motion followed more than four hours of public testimony from over 50 residents and drew a crowd of hundreds, with attendees both waving restored "Lee" flags and urging unity and inclusion during emotionally charged remarks. The 2020 renaming to "Legacy High School" had occurred amid nationwide protests over racial injustice following the killing of George Floyd. The school had originally opened in 1961 during an era of legally enforced segregation. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) reported that 168 Confederate symbols were removed, renamed, or relocated that year—more than in the preceding four years combined. Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee during the American Civil War at an unknown location. Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee during the American Civil War at an unknown location. AP The movement gained momentum as cities and institutions responded to public outcry. For example, Richmond, Virginia, removed several Confederate statues, including the prominent Robert E. Lee monument, which was later displayed in a Los Angeles museum exhibition titled "Monuments," aiming to promote critical reflection on America's history. Similarly, Mobile, Alabama, dismantled the statue of Confederate naval officer Raphael Semmes, relocating it to the History Museum of Mobile. In Decatur, Georgia, the DeKalb County Confederate Monument was removed from the courthouse square, reflecting a broader trend of reevaluating public symbols. What People Are Saying Josh Guinn, Midland ISD trustee, wrote on social media: "This is not a division — it's about honoring the patriotic legacy that binds us. Let's stand firm, protect our heritage, and ensure Midland Lee High School rises as a beacon of our West Texas spirit." Carie McNeil, alumna, said: "This is not a Confederacy thing or race; it's about family. This is about history, 61 years of tradition, athletes, and academics." Sue Roseberry, longtime resident, told the board: "I want you to know that you have an opportunity to associate the school with something that uplifts all of our students." Barbara Hanley, retired teacher, said: "Let the old name die," and called the reversal a "waste of money" that would "only serve to divide the community further." Ebony Coleman, founder of Jumpstart Midland, said: "This is a distraction from what really matters right now." What Happens Next The board ordered the name change to take effect at the start of the 2026–2027 school year, and the district will begin planning for updates to signage, uniforms, and other items as the community prepares for the transition.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Texas high school to revert back to its original name
Texas high school to revert back to its original name originally appeared on The Sporting News In recent years, several high schools across America have changed its name, or even its mascot, in order to eliminate connotations to the Confederacy. But on Tuesday night, one high school in Texas is going back to its original name, which is associated with arguably the most important person during that Civil War period. The Midland Independent School District, at a special meeting, elected to change the name of Midland Legacy High School back to Robert E. Lee High School, which goes into effect for the 2026-27 school year. That vote was 4-3. By doing so, Midland ISD became the first school district in Texas to bring back a high school name which is connected to the Confederacy, in this case Robert E. Lee, who was the Confederate general during the Civil War. Midland Lee was the original name of the school when it opened in 1961. However, in 2020, in the wake of nationwide protests against racial injustice largely spurred on by the George Floyd incident in Minnesota, the Midland ISD voted to change the name of the school from Lee to Legacy. But recently, there has been a movement in the West Texas city to bring back the high school's original name. In fact, the Midland Reporter-Telegram conducted a survey in which 75 percent of those who voted wanted the school to go back to being called Midland Lee. Also, in a statement last month per Midland TV station KMID from Josh Guinn, the Midland ISD vice president, he noted the name of Lee honors the 'patriotic legacy that binds us.' When the school was called Midland Lee, it boasted one of the top football programs in the region. Lee won three straight state titles from 1998-2000 with one of its key players running back Cedric Benson, who later starred at the University of Texas and the NFL's Chicago Bears. Midland Lee was also perhaps best known as a major rival of Odessa Permian, which gained nationwide fame from the book 'Friday Night Lights,' which was later turned into a movie and TV series. In fact, in the 'Friday Night Lights' movie, a Lee-Permian game played a prominent role. Legacy and Permian remain rivals, and both compete in District 2-6A. Although the school changed from Lee to Legacy, its mascot remained the Rebels, which several other schools also switched from due to the Confederacy ties. Last season, Legacy finished with a 6-6 record, reaching the area round of the UIL 6A Division I playoffs. The Rebels open their 2025 season on Aug. 29 with a game at Dallas-Fort Worth "Metroplex" power Allen. MORE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NEWS Here are the top 20 quarterbacks to watch in South Texas for '25 season Here are the top 20 quarterbacks to watch in East Texas for '25 season These are the top 20 North Texas returning quarterbacks for 2025 season Top 20 Dallas/Fort Worth (Texas) quarterbacks returning for 2025 football season Top Texas 2026 high school football standout chooses Oregon Top Texas '26 tight end prospect decides to stay close to home, commits to TCU Texas Tech football lands commitment from East Texas 4-star 2026 cornerback Standout tailback from East Texas decides to stay in-state after making college commitment ESPN's "SportsCenter" program to be on location at Texas high school football scrimmage Who made the covers of popular Texas football preseason magazine? Texas UIL football championship games to be broadcast for free via a new broadcast agreement
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legacy High unveils advanced new band trailer features
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — A brand new band and orchestra trailer has made it home. On Monday, June 9, the grand reveal of Legacy High School's state-of-the-art trailer took place. The money was used from the Wichita Falls Independent School District bond to build the new schools and was custom-built specifically for Legacy's band. The trailer is fully equipped with more lighting, air conditioning and powered ramps and stairs. Several staff members and parents were in attendance to take the first look and the first steps inside the new trailer, including Legacy's band director, Loy Studer, who is excited about all the ways it will improve things for his students. 'The technology they've built in so we can make things safer for kids, with the powered ramps so nobody's lifting anything,' Studer said. 'They did a great job with the graphics, and it represents the new branding for the new school.' Studer added that not only will this trailer allow the band to travel out of town without having to rent trucks, but it will also cut about an hour off the load-in and load-out times. WFISD officials said a similar trailer is in the works right now for Memorial High School's band as well. They'll announce the grand reveal of that trailer at a later date. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
CCSD police seize 35 guns during recent school year
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Clark County School District police seized almost three dozen firearms during this past school year, finding them in classrooms, backpacks, and even students' homes. Officers confiscated a total of 35 guns from Aug. 2024 to May 2025, according to the Clark County School District Police Department. That is a decrease compared to the previous school year, where 53 were found. Clark County School District rolls out new weapons detection system Most of the firearms officers located in the 2024-2025 year were in high schools. However, in a few instances, middle schoolers were caught with firearms. Police went to JD Smith Middle School located in North Las Vegas on Mar. 24 after an alarm was activated. According to an arrest report, administrators found a gun on a student after searching him based on a suspicion. He was already on probation. CCSDPD said officers only found one round in the magazine; four other rounds were reported missing. On Mar. 7, officers were dispatched to Cimarron High School. Administrators had located a pink gun that was hidden in a student's backpack. According to police, the gun had one round in the chamber and three in the magazine. The student told police he was 'door checking vehicles in the nearby apartments last week and he came across an unlocked vehicle in which he found and searched a purse that was inside the vehicle. He located and took the gun and decided to bring it to school today,' according to an arrest report. 8 News Now also obtained a video from CCSD showing a teenager at Spring Valley High School running around campus late last year. The student had a gun with several rounds in his backpack, and the gun did not have a serial number, according to an arrest report. School police were tipped off on March 27 to a student at Legacy High School posting photos on Instagram holding a gun and a liquor bottle. Police said when officers searched him, he didn't have the gun. He told officers it was his mother's gun that she kept in a safe. He '…then spontaneously uttered that it was easy to break the lock of the box…stated that he did it with a flathead screwdriver and that all he needed to do was push down on the lock and it popped and broke open,' according to an arrest report. The district's records showed Legacy High School was connected to eight gun confiscations in the 2024-2025 school year. Several of the students arrested at Legacy had gang affiliations. Police seize guns from high school students in North Las Vegas with alleged gang ties Sixteen students were arrested in the 2024-2025 school year for possessing guns, according to CCSD records. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
WFISD to offer summer meals at no cost to students
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Many Wichita Falls families rely on school-provided meals during the year, which means summer can strain their food budgets, but the WFISD is working to ease that burden. WFISD will offer summer meals to all kids and teens ages 18 and younger at no cost. There are five different locations where kids can go during meal times to receive a fresh, balanced, delicious meal, no paperwork necessary. Legacy High School 3003 Henry S. Grace Fwy, WF, TX (Monday-Thursday) June 02-June 12 Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. -8:30 a.m. Lunch: 12:00 p.m. -12:45 p.m. Scotland Park Elementary 1415 N. 5th St, WF, TX (Monday-Friday) June 02-July 25 Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. -8:30 a.m. Lunch: 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Jefferson Elementary 4628 Mistletoe Dr, WF, TX (Monday-Friday) June 02-July 25 Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. -8:30 a.m. Lunch: 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Booker T. Washington 1300 Harding, WF, TX (Monday-Friday) June 02-July 25 Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. -8:30 a.m. Lunch: 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Southern Hills Elementary 3920 Armory Rd, WF, TX (Monday-Friday) June 02-July 25 Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. -8:30 a.m. Lunch: 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Menus can be found online or by downloading the Nutrisclice app from your smartphone app store. For questions, call the WFISD Child Nutrition office at 940-235-1065. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
