October 19, 2006

Grapevine High celebrates a ‘Century of Tradition’

Grapevine High School is celebrating its 100-year anniversary with a variety of activities highlighting the school’s rich history and traditions. Events are planned throughout the coming weeks and all GHS supporters – past, present and future – are invited to the festivities.

 “The GHS centennial marks a unique milestone for this amazing community,” said Dr. Jerry Hollingsworth, principal. “Grapevine High School is blessed with a rich Texas heritage, a winning tradition, wonderfully involved parents and students who continue to excel both in and out of the classroom. In a part of Tarrant County where most things are relatively new, it’s exciting to celebrate 100 years of Mustang success!”

Jordan Shipp, GHS senior and Student Council president, said he is proud to be a part of the GHS community, and to have the opportunity to participate in the centennial celebration.

“A community is built around the citizens who live in it,” he said. “Grapevine High School creates the leaders who guide the community into the promising future. One hundred years old, GHS still stands as a foundation, a symbol and a tradition; a tradition of greatness for the century to come.”

GHS was designated as a state high school in 1906, and graduated its first class – one student – in 1908. The first yearbook was published in 1916 and was named the Mustang after the mustang grapes that grew on the Grapevine prairie. The original school colors were purple and gold, but were changed to red and white in 1938. That same year, the mustang horse became the official mascot. Blue was added to the school colors in 1975. The present campus on Mustang Drive opened in 1969, with renovations made in 1972, 1977, 1986 and 2000. In 2006, GHS graduated 505 students.

Preparations for the centennial celebration began last year with the sale of commemorative wall tiles. Current and future students, alumni, GCISD employees and community members purchased tiles to be placed on a special anniversary wall in the hallway between the library and the Student Activity Center. The tiles are decorated with pictures, photographs and/or artwork submitted by each purchaser, and represent GHS life throughout the years. The wall will be dedicated Oct. 27.

Work begins this Saturday on a Centennial Landscape project at the front of GHS. Under the direction of the PTSA and with the help of a local landscape architect, students, parents and other volunteers will install more than 70 native bushes, trees, ornamental grasses and perennials in a 1,350-square-foot landscape bed. To commemorate the centennial, a large, flat stone engraved with the GHS 100-year logo will be permanently placed in the bed.

Activities are planned for each day next week leading up to the Homecoming game. Centennial events correspond with Homecoming festivities, which center on the theme, “Roll out the red carpet:  A century among the stars.” Each day features a different era, and students are encouraged to dress in attire from that era. Evening activities also reflect the daily themes.

Centennial events culminate with the Homecoming game on Friday, when the Mustangs take on the Richland Rebels at Mustang-Panther Stadium. Pre-game activities include comments from several local and state officials including Sen. Jane Nelson, Rep. Vicki Truitt and Janice Kane, executive director of the Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation. U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant is including the centennial in the U.S. Congressional Record, and other officials also are helping commemorate the occasion with proclamations and certificates.

While the celebration will continue throughout the school year at GHS, the festivities wrap up in November with a reunion banquet for all past and present GHS faculty.

 “We are all excited about the events associated with Grapevine High School’s 100-year anniversary,” said Dr. Kay Waggoner, GCISD superintendent. “The activities planned will provide opportunities for the community to celebrate the school’s rich history, for alumni to reconnect and for the district to showcase the talents of our students.”

The schedule of Centennial/Homecoming events includes:

Saturday, Oct. 21

• GHS PTSA Centennial Landscape work day, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. in front of GHS. Information:  Molly Holt, 817-721-5469.

Monday, Oct. 23

• Homecoming daily theme:  “And all that jazz,” representing the 1920s.
• Kick-off Carnival, 7:30-10 p.m. at the Cotton Belt Depot.

Tuesday, Oct. 24

• Homecoming daily theme:  “Go Greased Lightnin,’” representing the 1950s.
• Movie Night under the Stars, 8-10 p.m. at the GHS baseball field. Admission is a canned food item.

Wednesday, Oct. 25

• Homecoming daily theme:  “Can you dig it?,” representing the 1970s.
• Annual community blood drive, all day in Gym 2.
• Roller Disco Night, 7-9 p.m. at Skate Town in Grapevine. Admission is $5.

Thursday, Oct. 26

• Homecoming daily theme:  “Goblin Day.”
• Homecoming parade, 6 p.m. on Main Street in Grapevine. A community pep rally will follow at Cotton Belt Depot.
• Bruce Chanel Concert, 8:30 p.m. at The Palace Theater in Grapevine. Tickets are $15-$20. Information:  Janice Tillery, 817-481-1962.

Friday, Oct. 27

• Homecoming daily theme:  “Academy Awards Night:  Formal Wear,” representing all eras.
• Tile Wall Dedication, 8 a.m. in the GHS Madeleine Hemley Auditorium.
• Homecoming pep rally, 8:45 a.m. in GHS Gym 1. Featured speaker will be Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate.
• Ex-student’s Hall of Fame Brunch, 10:30 a.m. in the Stacey’s Furniture Community Room.
• Homecoming varsity football game, Grapevine vs. Richland at Mustang-Panther Stadium. Pre-game at 6:45 p.m.; game time is 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 28

• Ex-student’s dinner, 6:30 p.m. in the Stacey’s Furniture Community Room. Cost is $25. Information:  Wanda Blagg, 817-481-4201.
• Homecoming dance, 8 p.m.-midnight in the GHS Student Activities Center. Tickets are $5 each/$8 per couple if purchased in advance.

Saturday, Nov. 11

• Faculty Reunion Banquet, 7 p.m. at the Embassy Suites/Outdoor World Hotel in Grapevine. Cost is $35 per person. Information:  Paula Wilbanks, gigipw@aol.com.