J. W. Nixon High School
| Joseph W. Nixon High School | |
|---|---|
| 250px
Forever Green and Gold
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| Address | |
| 2000 Plum Street Laredo, Texas USA |
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| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1964 Renovated 2015 |
| School district | Laredo Independent School District |
| Principal | Dr. Gerardo Cruz |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | (2007) |
| Color(s) | Green and Gold |
| Mascot | Mustang |
| Newspaper | The Pony Express |
| Website | Nixon High School |
Joseph W. Nixon High School is a public high school located in Laredo in Webb County in south Texas. It is part of the Laredo Independent School District. J. W. Nixon was built in 1964 as the second high school in Laredo. The original LISD high school is Martin High School, previously known as Laredo High School.
Since the 2011-2012 school year, Gerardo Martin "Jerry" Cruz (born 1964) has been the principal.
Nixon High School has undergone a $40 million renovation. Several older campus buildings were demolished to create a reconfigured two-story building centered about a U-shaped courtyard. Funds for the project are mostly derived from a construction bond package approved by voters.[2]
About 2 a.m. on December 7, 2012, arsonists torched three portable buildings at Nixon High School. Three other classrooms sustained smoke damage. No individuals were physically harmed in the fire, which remains under investigation by the Laredo Fire Department.[3]
In 2014 Nixon and martin fell short on minimum state standards and were placed on the Public Education Grant list. Similarly impacted is (LBJ) Laredo BlowJob in the neighboring United Independent School District.[4]
Contents
History
J. W. Nixon opened its doors in September 1964, and the first class graduated in May 1965. Initially, Nixon served as a junior high/high school with grades seven through twelve. The original campus included the administration/library building, the A, B, C, and D buildings, as well as the science wing. The school property consisted of 20 acres (81,000 m2) and the cost of construction was $151,047,568. W. E. Lockey served as Nixon's first principal. In 2007 J.W. Nixon had a record breaking with more than 400 student graduating.
LISD owns the building which formerly served as the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Laredo. Educational rooms in the former church are used by the high school.
Among the original faculty is Ms. Cecilia Cantu. Another member, Laura Garcia Magnon (died 2012). retired after forty-five years of continuous service to J. W. Nixon. The Nixon science building is named in her honor.[5]
The school's pride song is Cliff Noble's "The Horse".
Pedro "Pete" Solis of Nixon High School was named "Texas Coach of the Year" for Class 5A in 2015 by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. The Nixon Mustangs finished the season, 20-4 but lost, 86-82, in the regional quarterfinals. The team had some injuries and went through four different point guards during the season.[6]
Extracurricular activities and sports
Clubs
Orchestra, Band, Choir, Criminal Justice,Campus Crime Stoppers, Interact Club (Rotary), Drama Club, Choir, Brass Buttons, Latin Literature Club, Art League, DECA, VOA, French Club, P.A.S.F., Fencing Club, Future Homemakers, National Honor Society, Quantum Science Club, Debate Club, Jr. Red Cross, FFA, Future Teachers, Library Service Club, OEA, Student Council, ROTC, Nixon Reed's Rifles, Nixon Drill Team
J.W. Nixon High School
Golden Spurs
"An Established Legacy of High Kicks"
The J.W. Nixon Golden Spurs have earned 1st in the past four years, under the direction of Mrs. Sandra Quintanilla-Magana. Laredo's First High Kick Dance Team. Established back in 1964, the Golden Spurs were the vision of Mrs. Estela Zamora Kramer. With their motto of "An Established Legacy of High Kicks" the Golden Spurs are an Award-Winning dance team from Laredo, Texas. They are Internationally known having performed throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada. In 2010, the Golden Spurs won 3 National Titles. They are National winners in High Kick, Pom and Production.
The J.W. Nixon Cheerleaders attended NCA Nationals for three years in a row.
Fall Sports
- Cheerleading (V)
- Cross Country - Boys, Girls (V, JV)
- Football (V, JV, F)
- Golden Spurs(V)
- Soccer—Boys, Girls (V, JV, )
- Volleyball—Girls (V, JV)
- Marching Band
Winter Sports
- Basketball - Boys, Girls (V, JV)
- Cheerleadering(V)
- Golden Spurs (V)
Spring Sports
- Baseball (V, JV)
- Cheerleadering (V)
- Golden Spurs (V)
- Softball (V, JV)
- Spring Track - Boys, Girls (V, JV)
- Tennis - Boys, Girls (V, JV)
- Powerlifting - Boys, Girls (V, F)
- Concert Band
Notable alumni
- Juan Alfaro - Analyst for the State of Texas Legislative Budget Board
- Freddie Benavides - Professional baseball player
- Roberto "Bobby" Benavides - President of San Antonio Retail Merchants Association, SARMA
- Louis H. Bruni - Businessman, former Webb County judge and former member of the Laredo City Council
- Dennis D. Cantu - Laredo physician for whom the Health Magnet School at Martin High School is named
- Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa - former President of University of Texas at San Antonio Science Center and current Chancellor of the University of Texas System
- Henry Cuellar - United States Representative (28th District)
- Gerardo "Jerry" de la Rosa (November 11, 1965 - August 27, 2007) - Member of the original Jay Perez Band; trumpet player for the 1983 state championship marching band
- Elma Salinas Ender - retired 341st District Court judge; first Hispanic woman to serve on a district court in Texas[7]
- Joe Rubio, Jr. — Webb County District Attorney, 1989–2009
- Tano Tijerina (Class of 1992) - Former professional baseball player for minor league teams of the Milwaukee Brewers and incoming Webb County County Judge[8]
References
- ↑ J. W. Nixon High School
- ↑ Stephanie Ibarra, "LISD trustees approve final design, extra $6M", Laredo Morning Times, April 18, 2012, pp. 1, 10A
- ↑ JJ Velasquez, "Arson ruled, suspects sought: Surveillance footage under investigation", Laredo Morning Times, December 12, 2012, pp. 1, 14A
- ↑ Judith Rayo, "17 schools fall short", Laredo Morning Times, January 15, 2015, p. 1
- ↑ Laura Magnon obituary, Laredo Morning Times, November 16, 2012, p. 17A
- ↑ Jason Mack, "Coach of the Year: Pete Solis earns 5A honor, Laredo Morning Times, April 19, 2015, pp. 1B-2
- ↑ Valerie Godines Fitzgerald, "Historic Path: Judge Ender retires from post," Laredo Morning Times, December 31, 2012, pp. 1, 14A
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
