Austin High School Alumni – Austin, Texas

Vernice Tilford Smith, Austin High School’s first African American teacher and a pioneer of integration in Central Texas, died Tuesday of cardiac arrest. She was 88.

Later, in 1967, the Austin school board decided to integrate African American students from old Anderson High School in East Austin to the schools of their choice in the district. Continue reading “Vernice Tilford Smith, Austin High School’s first black teacher, dies at 88” »

Click here to find out more about the Texas Football collection at the Bullock Museum.

Save the Date! The 50th Reunion for the AHS Class of ‘62
is scheduled for April 20-21, 2012, with an informal
gathering Friday night at Serranos at Symphony Square and a dinner with dancing, golden oldies, and memorabilia Saturday night at the UT Alumni Center.
Check the website for more information.

Be sure to keep your addresses (snail mail and
e-mail) up to date. And help us find classmates
whose addresses we don’t have by checking the
missing list frequently as it’s updated when mailings
are returned.

Thanks so much,
Sarah Tapley
Reunion Chair
AHS 1962

Tournament has been moved to Sunday, September 25th @ Lions Municipal Golf
Course. Thanks for your continued support of Austin High
School Football. If you’ve signed up thanks and if not, please let us know.
Austin High School Alumni, we want you back and looking for your support
during the season and school year.
Help support the Austin High Football Program!

Download Registration Form

Stephen F. Austin High School is the “oldest, continuing, tax-supported, locally controlled, public high school in Texas” making it one of the oldest in Texas but not the oldest west of the Mississippi! Sixty-six students, 39 girls and 27 boys attended our first day on September 12, 1881. Continue reading “About Us – How Old Are We?” »

Each year the Steering Committee recognizes one or two Honored Faculty and one or two Distinguished Alumni.

Nominations can be received until the end of December from any alumni who have knowledge of:

–An alumnus who has led a life of Merit that brings credit to the story of Austin High. Such persons are elected on MERIT.

–A teacher or administrator who stood above the rest and deserves – even after the passage of years – our recognition. Continue reading “Hall of Honor Steering Committee Nominations Process” »

Total Graduates listed = 40,900
Estimated missing, 1901-1910 = 200
Graduates 1955-2008, not listed on Registrar’s state report = 50

Working total of graduates through 2008 = 41,150

Summary and notes:
1. John Henry Brown’s list: Travis County Clerk Brown kept a typewritten “Annals of Travis County” during the 19th Century. It was an eclectic local history record, including all sorts of things from the local newspapers and other sources. He published a list of Austin High graduates that exists as the only useful list of graduates before 1900, since the school’s records burned in the huge temporary capitol building fire on September 30, 1899. Typescript original is in the Austin-Travis County History Center, Austin. Graduates, 1883-1900
2. Graduation Record Cards: The earliest Graduation Record Cards, 1918 and before, have two sections and often we find Continue reading “Austin High School Graduation Records” »

The Brian Schenk Archives, located in the Austin High Library is one of the nation’s largest high school archives. With items including class photos, annuals, school newspapers, uniforms, photographs, post cards, jewelry, trinkets, pennants and other items, the archives is in the process of a $25,000 capital campaign to raise funds for the expansion and renovation of their space as well as acquiring fixtures and materials to help preserve their treasures. If you have items that you are willing to donate, they are looking to expand the collection.

Brian Schenk, Jenna McEachern and Angie Reeve work with the Alumni Association to keep the student database current and are happy to help you with inquiries about your classmates. They also work with reunion committees on class reunions and are happy to give chairs a hard copy of data on their class. You can reach them at: bwsarchives38@yahoo.com or 512.441.9811.

They have several items available for sale, including:

CELEBRATING AUSTIN HIGH’S 125 YEARS—a 66-page magazine-style review of major stories about the school’s history.

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF AUSTIN HIGH—Assembled in 1981 as the school celebrated its 100th anniversary; this beautiful book is nearly sold out. A limited number of copies remain from the initial printing of 5,000 copies. Each decade of the school’s history is reviewed in text and photos.

1971 AUSTIN HIGH FILM—recently discovered in the Archives is a 1971 film depicting life at Austin High (on the Rio Grande Campus). Apparently a project of the journalism department, there are brief vignettes showing teachers, principal W.R. Robbins, Coach Talbot, Coaches Seale and Daniels, the Red Jackets, the Choir, Orchestra, a pep rally, and much more. The black & white film has been converted to DVD and last about 15 minutes. There are some great shots of the old school, fields, gym and campus.

For information and pricing on the items contact the Archives 512.441.9811.

If you are interested in knowing about current news at Austin High School, I encourage you to sign up for the PTSA newsletter. It is delivered each week by email and is an excellent way to stay in touch with AHS.

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