Faculty and students will vote tomorrow through March 31 on renaming the high school gym since it is a memorial for a former Ku Klux Klan member. Voting will be held in the cafeteria, main office, or teachers lounge.
“ I suggested this proposal after reading his thesis.” Principal, Barbara Falcon said. “ I don’t want to rewrite history, but our school atmosphere should be inclusive and welcoming to all students.
The proposal drew fire from members of the community and student body.
“It’s not like he killed anyone or was even in the Klan in Leaguetown. “ freshman, Ray Roma said. “ He sounds like he was a great principal, and I think most adults have skeletons in their closet.
History teacher, Vincent Montoya reported he could find no evidence the Lee Stewart, the ex principal, either drew blood as a klansman or continued his participation with the Klan in Texas.
“ Many of our students do not have a real understanding about the Ku Klux Klan and the crimes it committed. Falcon said. “I hope our students take the time to educate themselves about the issue.”
Montoya posted his thesis on the school website to help inform students and faculty understand what he found.
“ Schools should recognize past leaders who were positive role models for students.” Falcon said. “ Unfortunately, Principal Stewart was not a good role model for our diverse student body. He may have been a good principal back in the 1900’s. But we have to remember that when he was principal, the school was for whites only.”
Because of this discovery, Falcon proposed renaming the gymnasium after a more “appropriate” leader in Leaguetown.
“ I have many wonderful memories in Stewart Gym as a student and as a teacher,” Montoya said. “ I am not thrilled to change the name but it is something that we need to do. We should not honor someone in our community who rode with the Ku Klux Klan. “
Some people had other ideas.
“ Stewart Gymnasium no longer represents Stewart,” girls varsity basketball coach, Lindy Hall said. “ It represents almost 100 years of memories in Leaguetown. We will lose more than just a name if this proposal passes. Our students do not think of Lee Stewart when they talk about the gym. Instead, they think about the history that happened here.”
Junior, Julio Hernandez, thinks that maybe only the athletes should be voting on the issue.
“ It doesn’t seem right to honor someone who did not believe that all children and people were created equal.” Falcon said.