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CLASS
REUNIONS Pasadena Class of 1962 Class of 1973 Class of 1977 Class of 1992 Sam Rayburn Class of 1982 Class of 1992 South Houston Class of 1964 Class
of 1972 Class of 1992 |
What's in a name? Pasadena High formally dedicates library in honor of former administrator Hancock The Pasadena Independent School District has often named buildings or academic facilities after persons who have made a significant contribution toward the education of students. Add one more name to that list. Tom Hancock. Pasadena High School formally dedicated its library after the former PHS principal and deputy superintendent who served his entire his 39-year career in Pasadena ISD. At a ceremony last week, many of his former colleagues praised his efforts with the school district. In Hancock's career, he developed a lasting friendship with Pasadena ISD board member Frank Braden. Hancock was a counselor at PHS when he met Braden in 1969. A few years later, Braden named Hancock his assistant principal when Thompson Intermediate opened. "The thing that impressed me most about Tom is that he had a strong background in helping students achieve academic excellence and would go the extra mile to help students succeed," Braden said. "He took the success of every child to heart." In Hancock's career, he served as teacher at South Houston High School and as a teacher and counselor at Sam Rayburn High School. He also was principal at Jackson Intermediate before assuming the associate principal's post at PHS in 1981. He became principal there a year later. While at Pasadena High, he made an impact on a young coach and teacher - the school's current principal, Wayne Adams. "You truly made a difference in my life," Adams told Hancock. "You took this young man who wanted to be an assistant principal and gave me an opportunity. You believed in me when I thought no one else would. You have done so much for others, especially our young people. You are truly deserving of this honor." Superintendent Rick Schneider also praised Hancock's efforts. Hancock actually was contemplating retirement nine years ago, until Schneider asked him to become deputy superintendent. "Tom Hancock's life has been about the children of this district and that is why we are honoring him," he said. "We want him to know that his contributions to this school and this district have not gone unnoticed. He has been an invaluable asset to the students, teachers and employees of this district." The Pasadena ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name Pasadena High School's new library after Hancock last May. Hancock's ties with the district have been natural. He attended Kruse Elementary from 1946-1951 and Jackson Junior High (now Jackson Intermediate) 1952-1954. He then graduated from Pasadena High in 1958. After graduating from Southwestern University in Georgetown, he returned to the district in 1962 to begin his teaching career at South Houston High School. "I am very honored by this," Hancock said. "Being a graduate and former principal at Pasadena High, the school has always had a special place in my heart. "To be in this business you must have a real heart for children," he said. "It has been a joy to help make a difference in their lives for 39 years. I would not have traded it for anything in the world."
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