Booker T. Washington High School (Shreveport, Louisiana)

Booker T. Washington High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, was the first high school built for blacks in the city. It is named after the African-American education pioneer Booker T. Washington.

History

In 1945, it was reported that educational facilities for blacks were "deplorable" and that the construction of a new high school would be one step toward improvement. This survey plus the over-crowded conditions at Central High School and Milam Street Trade School led to the construction of a new black high school on a site across from the trade school, completed in 1949, which became known as Booker T. Washington High School, named for the founder of Tuskegee Institute. The school was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

Milam Street Trade School became a junior high school when Booker T. Washington High School opened in 1950.

Classes began at Booker T Washington High School on January 23, 1950. It was a model school for blacks, even for many white communities. In the October 1950 issue of LIFE Magazine, Booker T. Washington High School was featured for its unique and innovative architecture, providing accommodations for traditional academics, career & technical, and industrial education programs. Built at a cost of a million and a half dollars ($1,514, 065) for the physical plant and $500,000 for equipment, Booker T. Washington was one of the most modern schools in Louisiana, offering innovations such as individual lockers for all students, central heating, movable desks, modern laboratories, administrative offices, asphalt tile floors, and fluorescent lighting. A massive renovation took place in 1991, and it was renovated again in 2014 after a fire damaged the main wing. An additional 4,000 capacity gymnasium complete with health classrooms, a laundry area, as well as men and women's dressing rooms for both the home and opposing teams was completed in the fall of 2006.

The school's girls basketball team was the first girls basketball team in Northwest Louisiana to win a State Championship in 1989.^[3] The team would repeatedly win Class 4A championships in 1990 and again in 1991. The men's basketball team won its first LHSAA Class 4A Championship in 1973.^[4]

The school hosted coaches such as Leonard "Jitterbug" Barnes and George T. Brown, and continues to be prominent in both athletics and academics.^[5]

Traditions at Booker T. Washington High School include the annual Soul Bowl, featuring the Booker T. Washington High School Lions and the Green Oaks Giants; and baccalaureate services for graduating seniors.

Academics

The initial curriculum offered basic high school/college prep academic courses in English, literature, music, social science, health, general science, biology, algebra, geometry, chemistry, and physical education, as well as numerous vocational courses to supplement the work at the Milam Street Trade School. New vocational courses included commercial baking, laundry and dry cleaning processes, typing, shorthand and bookkeeping, auto mechanics (including machine body and fender repair), masonry and cement work, graphic arts, carpentry, electrical name mechanics, sheet metal working, pottery and clay, landscape gardening and hot-house horticulture, leather-craft, home laundry, cooking, sewing, needle-craft, shoe-craft, and beauty culture (later cosmetology).

In the fall of 2011, Booker T. Washington added seventh and eighth grades to its original 9–12 configuration. The school incorporates an intensive technology focus into the core subjects of math, science, English/language arts and social studies, through the use of grant funded laboratories and technology. Teachers currently participate in the Teacher Advancement Program Model.^[6]

In the spring of 2013, Booker T. Washington High School made enough academic progress to be removed from the states Academically Unacceptable List in which they were listed for seven years prior.^[7] The school currently offers three magnet programs to eligible students in Caddo Parish: telecommunications, barbering, and cosmetology.^[8]

Booker T. Washington High School is currently accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which is recognized as a regional accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education. Booker T. Washington first gained accreditation in 1961 and will be up for renewal in 2019.^[9]

Athletics

Students at Booker T. Washington participate in the following athletic programs. The men and women's basketball, football, and track and field teams have a constant showing in the LHSAA Class 3A (Class 4A prior to 2003) State Playoffs. ^[10]

• Men's Basketball
• Women's Basketball
• Track and Field
• Tennis
• Junior High Athletics (basketball, football, softball, tennis)
• Cheerleading

Extra-curricular programs

• 4-H
• BTW Society
• National Honor Society
• Mu Alpha Theta
• Pep Squad
• Choir
• BTW Marching Band
• Danceline, Flagline, and Majorettes
• K-BTW News
• Black Heritage
• Spanish Club
• Literary Rally
• TRiO - Upward Bound
• TRiO - Talent Search

Dual-enrollment programs

Booker T. Washington High School partners with Southern University at Shreveport to provide eleventh and twelfth grade students the opportunity to earn college credit in general education courses (English, math, social sciences, and natural sciences) while earning credit towards their high school diplomas.

Defunct programs

• Caddo Parish Computer Science Magnet Program (1979-2010)

Alma Mater (song)

Words by Mr. Blanchard K. Bell (1950)

The Booker T. Washington High School of Shreveport Alma Mater has two verses. The first verse is the most popular – sung at athletic functions and other informal events pertaining to the school. The second verse signifies the lengthier version of the BTWHS Alma Mater. The second verse is rarely heard – only at formal ceremonies such as commencement and baccalaureate services.

First verse:

O, Booker T Washington High School, we'll always honor and cherish thee. O, Booker T. Washington High School we'll sing thy praises eternally. Our colors maroon and white boldly fly, roar lion our brave mascot, keep spirits high. O, Booker T. Washington High School, we pledge our hearts to thee.

Second verse:

O, Booker T. Washington High School, we'll praise thee ever as years go by. O, Booker T. Washington High School, we'll hold thy precepts both far and high. Through downfall or victory our voices raise. O, Booker T. Washington High School, to thee our loyalty.

Fight song

The Booker T. Washington High School fight song is played during athletic events. It is written to the tune of Illinois Loyalty (We're Loyal to You), the fight song of the University of Illinois.

Marching Band

The Booker T. Washington High School Marching Band is a show-style marching band that participates in many parades, competitions, and other activities. The band uses a high-step marching style that is common among bands of its genre.

The BTW Marching Band has performed for the Shreveport-Bossier Mavericks and were featured on ESPN during halftime. The "Golden Elegance" dance line and "Lionettes" Majorettes accompany the marching band as auxiliaries.

Most recent accomplishments of the Booker T. Washington High School Marching Band include the following:

• Various First Place Trophies in Area Parades including Gusher Days in Oil City (2007)
• Grand Champions, Huntington High School Drumline Competition (2012)
• Superior Ratings, LMEA Music Festival (2013)
• Grand Champions, Madison High School Annual Battle of the Bands (2014,2015)
• Grand Champions, General Trass High School Annual Battle of the Bands (2015)
• UAPB Last Band Standing Competition, Champions (2015)
• Annual National Black Rodeo in Bossier City, LA (2015)

Notable alumni

• Mr. Willie Burton, Historian, Author, Professor and Politician
• Rev. Harry Blake, Pastor of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church and Civil Rights Activist
• Margaret A. Brown, Retired Educator and Caddo Parish School Board Member District 3
• Mr. Willie Bradford, Community Activist and Shreveport City Council Member District A
• Roosevelt Collins, American player of gridiron football
• Zazell Dudley, Businesswoman
• Dr. Isaac Greggs, Retired Band Director from Southern University (1969-2005) attended Central Colored High School, which relocated and opened as Booker T. Washington High School in 1950.
• Jasmine R. Green, Caddo Parish School Board Member
• Rev. E. Edward Jones, Pastor of Galilee Baptist Church, Visionary of Galilee City and Civil Rights Activist
• Barbara Norton, Louisiana House of Representatives District 3
• Profyle, 90's Music Group
• Terri Anderson Scott, City Attorney for Shreveport (2006-2015)
• Michael Willams, Politician

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Caddo Parish, Louisiana

References

External links

• btwlions.com