| Edward Drummond Libbey High School Libbey High School |
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'There's More To Being A Cowboy Than Just Wearing Boots'
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| Address | |
| 1250 Edward Drummond Libbey Way Toledo, Ohio, (Lucas County), 43609 United States |
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| Information | |
| Type | Public, Coeducational high school |
| Established | 1923 |
| Closed | 2010 |
| School district | Toledo City School District |
| Superintendent | Dr. Jerome Pecko[1] |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Color(s) | Blue & Gold [1] |
| Athletics conference | Toledo City League[1] |
| Team name | Cowboys[1] |
| Accreditation(s) | North Central Association of Colleges and Schools [2] |
| Website | http://www.tps.org |
Edward Drummond Libbey High School is a public high school building located on the south side of Toledo, Ohio which held classes from 1923 until 2010. It is part of Toledo Public Schools and contained the Smart Academy and Humanities Academy. Libbey was named after Edward Drummond Libbey, the founder of the Toledo Art Museum and Libbey Glass.
The Libbey Cowboys were founding members of the Toledo City League from 1926 until the school closed. Their colors were royal blue and gold. The Cowboys were most famous for their boys basketball teams and had a strong basketball rivalry with Scott High School in Toledo. Prior to the Shoe Bowl championship for the City League football title, Libbey had an annual Thanksgiving Day football game with Woodward High School from 1923-1932,[3] and with DeVilbiss High School[4] from 1933-1963.
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Libbey High School had been rumored to be on the chopping block since the 1980s, but was always recommended to stay open by the school district each time the issue was brought up. In 1991, TPS decided to close two high schools that were to be chosen from a list of Libbey, DeVilbiss and Macomber-Whitney high schools.[5] Libbey was spared while DeVilbiss and Macomber-Whitney were regretfully shuttered.
In April 2009, Libbey High School’s Student Council President had strong words for administrators and school board members with regard to saving their school. The proposal to eventually send some Libbey neighborhood students to Scott, Bowsher, and Waite high schools is "segregation of different populations and is racist", they claimed. Libbey always had been the "unwanted stepchild" of Toledo Public Schools and 'their positive news is always overshadowed by the negative", students added. Libbey was left open for the 2009-10 school year, but the issue of closing the school was brought up again in March 2010. After a failed levy early in May, Toledo Public Schools ultimately voted 3-2 in favor of closing the beloved building at the end of the 2009-10 school year. The final class of 2010 graduated on June 3 in the fieldhouse.
An effort is being made to preserve the buildings of the Libbey campus. The Preservation Committee [6] of the Libbey Alumni Association meets weekly, and has been attending Board of Education meetings to educate them about the historical value of the buildings. There is a deadline of December 12, 2011 to demolish the buildings and receive state funding for the process. It is not too late to contact them and help save Libbey. Libbey High School Alumni, Inc.
On July 15, 2011 Libbey High School was vetted by the Ohio Historic Site Preservation Board for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, [7].
On August 15, 2011 two large dumpsters were placed (one at the south entrance and one at the east entrance) of the Career Center. These were to be used in the asbestos abatement of Libbey High School. On August 24, 2011 large poles were driven into the ground and concrete surrounding the buildings and parking lots. On August 25, 2011 chain-link fence was strung from these posts to keep the public away from the areas were asbestos would be removed. This link shows the beginning of the process of the demolition of Libbey High School, Toledo, Ohio. The Demolition of Libbey High School; The Shame
Alma Mater
Our Libbey colors blue and gold,
Are emblems that we love.
They fill our hearts with joy and pride,
As they proudly wave above.
The blue ever like the sky so fair;
The gold like the sun shining bright.
Will lead us on to victory,
In paths of truth and right.
And an excellent example of it being sung on YouTube [8]
Fight Song
Hail Libbey High School!
We will fight for you! (Fight! Fight!)
Hail! Alma Mater!
To you we’ll be true! (Fight! Fight!)
March ever onward; lead to victory.
And we will follow thy banner,
Ever faithful Libbey High to thee!
And our boys will victory gain! (Rah! Rah!)
While our team will bring you fame! (Team Rah!)
And then our glorious Libbey Banner will triumphant be,
And we will sing songs of joy and pride,
And pledge our loyalty to thee.
(years marked with an asterisk (*) denote a shared title)