As a student in the 1970s at what is now known as Waco High School, Nancy Lacy remembers going to math class in a portable building due to limited space inside.
That same school complex, more weathered but still crowded decades later, finally came down this summer to be replaced by a gleaming new complex next door costing $157 million.
On Wednesday, alumni from past decades celebrated homecoming for the first time at the new Waco High. The school looks modern but features historical reminders of Waco High School’s predecessors, thanks in part to a historical committee that includes Lacy.
“I’ve loved seeing it come to fruition,” Lacy said. “I love the murals, all the glass, the lighting. I think it’s going to lend itself to education.”
Wednesday evening’s event, planned ahead of Friday’s homecoming game against San Angelo Central, was the public’s first opportunity to get an inside look at the new school. It featured a community pep rally, the traditional burning of a giant “W,” and a city of Waco ceremony designating North 42nd Street as Lion’s Way.
The campus now known as Waco High School opened in 1961 as Richfield High School. It merged in 1986 with Waco High School and Jefferson-Moore High School. The school maintained the name of Waco High School, the colors of Richfield and the lion mascot from Jefferson-Moore.
Sally Bledsoe, Richfield class of 1975, visited her old school one last time before it was razed this summer. The same day, she toured the new Waco High. Bledsoe hopes the new campus has an impact on the next generation.
“They’re going to be proud of the facility, and that’s gonna make them proud of their district, proud of their class and then proud of their town,” Bledsoe. “It’s very beautiful and impressive.”
Alison Chapman, Richfield class of 1979, reminisced at Wednesday’s pep rally with other alumni and took in “The Hangar,” where students can hang out and eat. The Hangar is an ode to Richfield High, which was built on the World War I-era Rich Field air training base.
“It’s kind of exhilarating, because we have really good memories of being in high school,” Chapman said. “It’s a great group of kids. I mean, I enjoyed my years here, so so much.”
Debbie Luce, a former Waco ISD trustee and chair of the historical committee, said the group worked a year and a half on ideas to honor the school’s legacy. As a Richfield High alumnus, Luce was sad to see the old campus go but she is excited for current and future students to have a new campus.
“I know it’s really kind of surreal to think that there is a new Waco High,” she said. “You know, I graduated in ‘72, so that’s a very long time ago,” Luce said. “There’s a new campus, and there should be, I mean, the old one needed, needed some help, for sure. So it was great that Waco ISD was able to do that.”
Throughout the school, homages to the previous campuses can be found.
A legacy room holds memorabilia from the previous campuses. During guided tours on Wednesday, community members got an opportunity to peruse old yearbooks, letterman jackets and more.
Richfield High alumni interviewed Wednesday fondly remembered their classmates, as well as excellent academics and an encouraging environment.
“Being from Waco – and I still live here – it’s everything,” Lacy said. “I mean the connection: I run into people that I grew up with in high school, junior high school, all the time. … I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Waco High Assistant Principal Thia Allen is a proud Waco High alumnus. Her connection to Waco ISD extends to her family. Her dad graduated from Jefferson-Moore High. She is excited about the opportunities the new school creates for students. Allen’s class of 1996 is gathering on Saturday for its 30th anniversary.
“We had great memories, great times in the old building, but excited that the new generation gets new technology upgraded,” Allen said. “Everything we want our students to do well.”
Waco High class of 1990 alumni Devon Miles, Aderica Boffman and Shannon Holmes came out to the pep rally to show their class pride. During the burning of the W, they unfurled their 1990 class banner. On Saturday morning, they will tour Waco High with their class for the first time.
“We’re hoping that the population of kids increase, teachers, staff, coaches increase,” Miles said. “So it’s a beautiful thing. It is well-deserved and a long time coming.”
“It’s a beautiful class,” Miles said. “We have a special bond. We talked all the time about how we were here when we all got married, we had kids (and) went to college. … We’re still in it together.”
Miles is hopeful for the future of the new school.
