Bill Braun, director of Dobie High School's first band in 1969, returned to help dedicate the new Dobie High School campus. He is shown directing the present band students at the ceremony.

The new 490,000 square foot campus replaced the former school on Beamer and opened to students and staff at the beginning of school in August. Construction of the building was funded by the $199.05 million "Make Room for Children" bond issue, which voters approved by an overwhelming 8-1 margin in February 2000.

"This campus is a prime example of the community's support for education," said Pasadena ISD Superintendent Dr. Rick Schneider. "It has given the Dobie's faculty and staff more instructional space to add to the learning needs of students."

Dudley Dobie spoke at the Dobie High School dedication ceremony about the Dobie family history in the South Belt area. He is a cousin of J. Frank Dobie, for whom the school is named. He is shown with 
Principal Steve Jamail.

"When you see the students and the teachers, you can tell that Longhorn pride is still alive and well," said Pasadena ISD board president Jerry Ross Speer, who served as Dobie's principal from 1988-2000. "It makes me proud to see that tradition and spirit carry on even stronger into this new part of Dobie's history."

A very visible part of that rich tradition is the school color of burnt orange and the school's mascot, the Longhorn.

"When I became principal, I was very excited about the opportunity. But since I was an Aggie, the burnt orange took some getting used to," jokingly remarked Frank Braden, assistant secretary of the Pasadena ISD board and Dobie principal from 1976-88. "However, in time, I learned to live with it."

Braden said he believes the strength of the school lies in the support of parents, students and others.

"The South Belt area is a great community and the people here love these kids and want only the best for them," he said. "I give many thanks to the parents who voted for the bond to make the building of this campus possible."

Dobie French teacher James Hulme has seen the evolution of the school first-hand. He was a teacher when the original campus on Beamer opened in 1969 and is still teaching at the school today.

"Things have come full circle," Hulme said. "I have many fond memories of the old building that will stay with me forever. However, I see many positive chapters that lie ahead on our new campus."

Dudley Dobie, cousin of the school's namesake, J. Frank Dobie, shared some history about his family - saying that they had close ties to the area.

"My great-great grandfather had settled in an area not too far from here in the 1800s," he said. "It is known today as Armand Bayou. The land that this campus is on was full of prairie land and thickets back then. It was paradise for pioneers.

"Our family truly has deep roots in this part of Harris County," Dobie added. "On behalf of myself and our family, we are so honored that you have honored him (J. Frank Dobie) in this way."