On March 1, 1964, the legendary Erik Jonsson, then Dallas Mayor, dedicated the new Lake Highlands High School in Dallas. He challenged the students to maintain an alert and open mind and to follow the progression of modern education. Now, 50 years later, Lake Highlands High School, the School of Champions, a Blue Ribbon School, continues to honor the words of the revered Jonsson with a school that would make the late civic leader proud today.
To celebrate its golden anniversary, Lake Highlands High School is throwing the biggest party in its history and it’s open to the public. On March 23, 1:30 to 5 p.m., hundreds of former faculty/staff, past students, neighborhood families and students, and Richardson ISD officials will gather to mark the milestone.
“Lake Highlands is a gem of a community unique to Dallas, because many who graduate from Lake Highlands High School (LHHS) come back to live and raise their families here. It’s not unusual to find three generations living within blocks of each other,” District 10 Dallas City Councilman Jerry Allen, a 1968 graduate of Lake Highlands said. “They come back for our schools, especially LHHS, which is the community’s cornerstone and the gathering place for Friday night football and July 4th parades.”
Performances by the award-wining Wildcat Band, choirs, Wranglers Country/Western stunt dancers, cheerleaders and Highlandettes drill team will continue throughout the afternoon. The entire campus will transform into a living museum complete with memorabilia featuring five decades of fashion, traditions, photographs and old films. State football championships and band titles will be relived as alumni go from one section of the school to another. Tours of the Press Box (built in 2008) and ‘Boneyard football field will be given. Future little LHHS Wildcats can run the bases on the newly refurbished baseball and softball fields.
A welcomed addition to the festivities will be five of Dallas’ favorite food trucks to serve hungry party guests. The community can come after church or a morning outing and purchase a late lunch with choices ranging from tacos, barbeque, burger sliders, pizza, and of course – gourmet cupcakes.
Over the years, Lake Highlands High School has had a rich history of state championships in multiple sports and graduated those who went on to become U.S. Olympians, business execs and musical and performing artists. Some include NFL San Francisco 49ers’ kicker Phil Dawson, Bill Bickley, producer of "Happy Days" and "The Love Boat," "The Bachelor" star Chris Harrison, "Glee" star Mark Salling, musical artist St. Vincent (Annie Clark), actress Morgan Fairchild, and golf pro Justin Leonard, just to name a few. Ron Howard’s TV movie "Cotton Candy" was filmed at Lake Highlands High School in 1978.
Although Lake Highlands is just minutes from downtown and sits within “the loop,” it wasn’t that long ago when cattle, not cars and buildings, occupied the area. Lake Highlands High School was part of the David Goforth Farms. The Goforth family sold the land to Richardson IDS to build Lake Highlands High School.
“This is a day where we can honor our rich past, celebrate our present and build for our future. It will be a reunion you don’t want to miss if you have any connection to Lake Highlands High School or the community,” Peggy Dillon, Lake Highlands High School principal, said. “A celebration this size is made possible because of the extraordinary people who live and work in this community. We are the school of champions because our families and staff are generous, supportive and give 100 percent.”
For more information about Lake Highlands High School 50th Anniversary check out our LHHS 50th Facebook page or email them at lhhs.50th@yahoo.com.
Information provided by Bodell Communications.