Do you hear that distant hum? It’s the sound of history echoing through the halls of Liceo 23 Hugo Licandro Martínez. This Montevideo secondary school has a story to tell. Liceo 23 stands proudly on Calle 28 de Febrero corner Elias Regules. It faces Plaza 25 de Agosto in Sayago.
Liceo 23 Hugo Licandro Martínez started its journey in March 1969. The location once belonged to the Salesians of Don Bosco. It was a school that closed. AFE wanted the land to expand the train station. The station was a hub for the country’s rail traffic. Neighbors pushed for a local high school. AFE relented. Secondary education authorities took over the property.
Originally, it was simply known as Liceo Sayago. Later, it became Liceo Cerrito. In 2012, it was renamed Liceo Profesor Hugo A. Licandro Martínez. This renaming honored Hugo Licandro. The Parliament approved the change.
In 2019, Liceo 23 Hugo Licandro Martínez celebrated its 50th anniversary. Former students organized a big party. Celebrations included cultural displays. The class of 1979 formed a theater group in 1982. Sonia Otero directed them. They reunited to perform two plays at the anniversary. The school choir sang the school anthem. The anthem had been lost but rediscovered. A music teacher helped recreate it. The song was then posted on Facebook. Social media was used to organize the event. Facebook groups like “Fiesta de los 50 años del 23” and “Yo fui al liceo 23” buzzed with activity. Over 200 photos were collected. Thirty-six were selected for projection during the celebration.
Group photos were once a tradition at Liceo 23 Hugo Licandro Martínez. Students would pose by a timbó tree in the back patio. Sadly, the tree was cut down once. It grew back. However, the tradition of group photos faded.
Medals were awarded to the founding class at the 50th-anniversary celebration. These alumni passed a torch to current students. The torch symbolized the passing of knowledge. A video about the school’s history was shown. An alumnus and current students created it. The video featured interviews with members of the class of 1969. The celebration concluded with a cake made by the local bakery.
Tazas with the school’s logos were sold to fundraise for the party. The original logo showed a locomotive. It had a yellow wagon on a blue background. A contest was held for a new logo. The winning design featured an anthropomorphic figure. The figure had open arms and a peace symbol on its head. The logo was set against a black background.
A mural was painted inside the school’s patio. Also, a flag was commissioned. The flag displayed both logos. It would represent Liceo 23 Hugo Licandro Martínez at competitions.
Many former students return to teach at Liceo 23. Marcelo Deluca is one of them. He said it is because of their affection for the school. It is a sense of belonging.
Liceo 23 Hugo Licandro Martínez mainly serves first to third-year students. At one point, it included fourth-year students. Around 900 students attend in two shifts. Liceo 23 Hugo Licandro Martínez stands as a testament to community and education. Its rich history continues to shape future generations.