I will mail a petition signed by me tomorrow as I would prefer that the school be repaired/updated and saved especially since it is a historic building.  I realize that many parents today want their children to attend a "new" school and I have seen many schools that cost vast amounts of money.  However, I recently drove through the South Park/Lamar area and it does not appear that the homes and the tax valuation on the properties there would support much money toward a "new" school.  Further, since the SP High School building was originally the old Lamar Jr. College; perhaps, they would be willing to help and/or cooperate with the repairs and renovations needed.
 
I attended South Park Elementary (before it was named Pietzsch) from Mrs. Sealy's first grade class to the middle of the 4th grade as my parents moved to Amelia.  For the 6th & 7th grades, I went to school in High Island.  After that I moved back to Amelia to finish the 9th grade.  My parents divorced that year and I moved around between them and my grandparents; therefore, I did not attend enough school to get enough days for any credits and lost a full year.  I went to Missouri City High School (Houston surburb) for what was supposed to be my Sophomore year and I passed all the classes and was on the honor roll.  The next year I moved back to my grandparents and I wanted to stay with them in Amelia to graduate at SPHS.  I took summer school classes each year and even took a couple of correspondence courses from the University of Texas  to try to graduate with my class. 
 
My last year at SPHS was as a junior; however, I graduated in early September and entered Lamar on Sept. 17th with many of  my SP classmates.  I loved school at South Park and the band and even the long hot bus rides every day.  Since I was in Amelia, I happened to be the first one on the bus and the last one off in the evenings.  Made me one tired student at the time I arrived  home but then I had homework.  I doubt if long bus rides are any better now than they were then as I doubt many school buses are air-conditioned nor do many have seat belts.
 
I have made some phone calls to some of my classmates (300 graduated in 1958) and most do not live there now.  Many from that class are deceased and of those living many are in Houston or have retired to the hill country.  I will do whatever I can to get the word out.  Keep up the good work.  We appreciate your efforts.
 
        Gerry Hodges Hackley, Class of 1958
        http://gerry.hackley.com
        email:  gerry@hackley.com