July 21, 2022
What:
Original Burbank High School campus set for sweet sendoff on July 23
More than 1,000 expected to attend final tour of original campus
Who:
SAISD Trustee Art Valdez
SAISD Superintendent Jaime Aquino
Burbank High School Head of School Irene Talamantes
City of San Antonio District 5 Council Member Teri Castillo
Burbank alumni and their families
When:
July 23 (Sat) – Media invited from 10 a.m. to noon
Where:
Burbank High School, Main Gym, 1002 Edwards St., 78204
The current campus of Luther Burbank High School in San Antonio ISD has been a fixture on the south side of San Antonio for 85 years, and the memories of its many former graduates will be reawakened this weekend during a Last Look event.
The high school, home of the Bulldogs, opened in 1937. To meet the needs of today’s students, the campus is undergoing significant improvements through SAISD’s 2016 and 2020 Bond programs. The long-awaited, state-of-the-art academic facility will welcome its first students on Aug. 16. As campus improvements continue, alumni and community members are set to visit the original campus and reminisce about their high school days. Kedrick Wright, deputy chief operations officer for SAISD, says these fond memories will set the foundation for new generations of students growing and learning in the new facility.
“I am so excited to see how Burbank is growing,” said SAISD Trustee Art Valdez, a 1966 graduate of the school. “Burbank has a proud history nurturing students and supplying them with the tools they need to succeed. This new expansion will allow Burbank to serve students well into the future.”
More than 1,000 alumni and community members are expected to attend the Burbank High School Last Look event on July 23. Alumni and participants in attendance will hear from current Head of School Irene Talamantes and be entertained by the Burbank drumline, dance team and mariachis.
The fact that so many responded to the event demonstrates Burbank’s strong ties to the community and its history. Many of those submitting reservations are part of alumni groups going back to the late 1950s, which still meet regularly. The event will allow participants to relive their days at Burbank and take pictures.
Participants will start off in the gym with an assembly, where “students” will pick up their “schedules.” Alumni will hear from Trustee Valdez, one of their own, and then follow their schedules to multiple sites throughout the school, allowing them photo opportunities and nostalgic memories.
The event will give alumni access to decorated classrooms reminiscent of former decades, including a home economics classroom complete with stoves and sewing machines, a statue of bulldog mascot Luther, familiar rows of lockers, the principal’s office, and murals that were created by acclaimed San Antonio artist Vincent Valdez when he was the school’s art teacher. Memorabilia also will be featured, including yearbooks, class panoramic photographs, trophies, and club photos and awards.
In a tribute that transcends time and generations, alumni will also have the opportunity to share their Burbank stories on video and pen their support to the incoming and current students of their beloved alma mater on a message wall. These messages will welcome current students to the 2022-2023 school year in their new building.
Burbank’s new academic facility was designed by Garza, Bamberger and Associates. Representatives will be at the July 23 event with a sneak peek video of the new facility.