That distinctive royal blue gray and white. It’s Eastern Hills High School. Right here in Fort Worth.
Eastern Hills High School a four-year public high school opened in 1959. It’s part of the Fort Worth Independent School District. It’s more than just a school. It’s a place steeped in history. A place where memories are made.
Did you know its band played Hail to the Chief for President John F Kennedy? That’s right. During his visit to Dallas-Fort Worth in November 1963. Eastern Hills High School is also unique. It boasts two Pulitzer Prize-winning photographers among its alumni Skeeter Hagler and Michael Ainsworth. Pretty impressive isn’t it?
The school’s athletic program is also legendary. The National Football League recognized Eastern Hills as part of its 50th Anniversary Super Bowl High School Honor Roll. Why? Because two Super Bowl players Uwe von Schamann and Byron Chamberlain graduated from there. Doug Hart another alumnus played for the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowls I and II. He attended EHHS’s predecessor Handley High School.
Eastern Hills High School isn’t just about sports. Its academic programs are also top-notch. It offers three Gold Seal Programs of Choice. These programs include Fire Science Technology Law Enforcement and Legal Services. Students can even graduate with college credits and EMT certification. That’s a great advantage for students planning careers in those fields. Some students can even earn up to a $50000 starting salary.
The school’s band program is equally remarkable. It flourished under the direction of Mr Charles E Watts Sr from the 1970s through 1994. The current band hall is named after him. Many successful musicians and professionals in various fields including education were students under his leadership. Kathy Bernal led the award-winning band until 2013. She was selected as a Who’s Who Among American Teachers for six years. She received the Bayard H Friedman Award for Teacher Excellence in Performing Arts. The Jazz Band and Symphonic Band regularly tour internationally.
However the school’s history is not without its shadows. In September 1991 a 16-year-old student was stabbed in a gang-related incident. School officials faced accusations of concealing evidence in a murder trial in May 1996. These events sadly cast a dark cloud on the school’s otherwise rich and vibrant history.
But Eastern Hills High School continues to thrive. It stands as a testament to the resilience of its community. A testament to the success of its students. It’s a place where dreams are nurtured. Where futures are forged. It’s more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a legacy.