Lanier HS community aiming for tamalada world record

Lanier HS community aiming for tamalada world record

Dec. 5, 2011 – Lanier High School is aiming to bring the local community together on Wednesday (Dec. 7) to make history in the tamal-making realm and needs as many volunteers – and donations – as possible to make it happen.

The school community will participate in a world record-setting attempt for the “largest number of tamales made at a tamalada in a 10-hour period” – a new category to be created. The team has set a goal for 2,204.6 pounds of tamales.

The event will take place Dec. 7 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Lanier High School Band Hall, 1514 W. César E. Chávez Blvd.

"I have lived in the Lanier community for 42 years, and I know it to be a very culturally vibrant community.  If any community has the strength –  la fuerza  –  to set a record for the biggest tamalada, it's this one,” said Trustee Patti Radle, who represents Lanier High School in the District 5 position.

“I am excited about the educational aspects  –  the culinary arts classes taking leadership in teaching people about making the tamales, the Banking and Finance magnet students developing the business plan and calculating and tallying the weight of the final product, the students and the community working together on a fun, cultural activity that is also educational."

Tamaladas, gatherings of people who make the husked favorites as a group, are a Mexican tradition and common around this time of year. But the Lanier High School community is looking to bring people together to work side-by-side for a tamalada of record-setting proportions. The group anticipates that some 1,200 students and community members from Lanier High School feeder schools will participate.

There will be strict guidelines to follow, such as ensuring that each tamal is weighed so the total amount can be reported. Currently, there are no tamalada-related world records.

Volunteers are needed to greet guests and lead tamale stations, by sharing family traditions.

Those interested in volunteering can view the shift schedule online at www.saisdfoundation.com, under the “Events” tab, or call (210) 554-2210 to sign up. Volunteer shifts will be set up for two hours at a time throughout the day. Volunteers will be able to take home up to a dozen tamales.

Information about donations and sponsorships can also be found in the same place on the web site.

Donations are needed to pay for supplies, including disposable gloves, hair nets, butcher paper rolls, aluminum foil squares, brown paper lunch sacks, masa, pork, onions, tomatoes and corn husks.

Product donations will need to be delivered or available for pick-up no later than 4 p.m. Monday.

Current sponsors include H-E-B, the SAISD Foundation and SAISD.

Those interested in making donations or in sponsoring can contact Judy Geelhoed of the SAISD Foundation at (210) 299-4060 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .