After several months of logistic issues, cleaning out, and allowing police training at the Old Brownfield Middle School, it is finally coming down. BISD Superintendent Chris Smith said, “They have to sort items for the dump, steel, and brick/mortar for the parking lot. The demo should go relatively quickly but they may be sorting debris for a while.”
While the soring will be going on, the brick, concrete, and mortar will be sent over to Cub Stadium to be crushed and used in a mix to make a better parking lot. Construction has already begun on the stadium parking lot with the dirt work.
TownTalk Media has decided to run an encore of a story that was posted in February 2022.
The old building says good-bye
Today is the day. Today is the last day of my time serving Brownfield ISD. It makes me sad to see these children leave through those doors today. I know they won’t be back.
For over 70 years, I have proudly served Brownfield ISD as a High School and then later as a Middle School, and finally this year, back to being a High School again. What fun it has been to hear the laughter and see all the fun. It has been heartbreaking at times too. But my goodness what a ride.
I remember that first day, way back in 1951. I was just beaming with pride. My floors shown. My walls were spotless. And in came those kids wearing their blue jeans rolled up, and those patterned button-down shirts. The girls in those days had to wear skirts. There were plenty of bobbie socks and saddle oxfords running up and down the hallways. That was a great day.
The school district held a great Open House and Dedication for me. What a great day that was! I looked my very best as The preacher from First Baptist opened up with prayer. I prayed with him that day too. I prayed that my walls would always protect these kids. I prayed that there would always be laughter. I prayed that kids would always learn and always want to come back here to see me. Oh I prayed so hard. And God did hear my prayer. Kids have always been safe within my walls.
Mr. Douglas, who was the School Superintendent welcomed everyone and just bragged on me and how up-to-date I was with all the latest equipment and capabilities. Boy, did I hold my walls up high listening to that. Then, the High School Choir sang. Oh it just echoed so beautifully down the halls and around the room.
They brought in some highfalutin guys from around the state to speak, but I really just wanted to hear what my Brownfield people had to say. Finally, Alton Webb, who was President of the School Board got up to speak. He talked about how it cost the district $550,000 to build me. Gosh, I hope I was worth that price!
Mr. Webb then presented me to the City of Brownfield. If I had buttons, they would have burst right off. They presented me, like I was a great gift! The Mayor of Brownfield, Mr. C.C. Primm (I think he had a drug store) accepted me most graciously. After a final prayer of blessing over me and all the students, it was official. I was the new Brownfield High School.
The students were prepared with tours of this new place. People had sent flowers and they were all over my rooms. I felt like a little girl all dressed up in her Easter finest!
Then, the real world began. Kids coming in and out. Laughing, talking, playing pranks. Falling in love. Falling out of love. Hearts soaring and hearts breaking. It was all happening within my walls.
I remember hearing the basketballs in the gym for the first time. Oh how proud I was of those Cubs! (There weren’t any Lady Cub athletes in the beginning) My goodness those pep rallies! Those kids yelled until I couldn’t even hear anymore! It was so much fun.
Time went on. We went through a war in Vietnam. Some of those kids that walked my hallway went over there and never came home. It was like cracks in my walls to think about those kids who walked my hallways, fighting and dying for the freedom they had learned so much about in my classrooms.
As time flew faster, the people thought it was time for a new building. A brighter more modern building. I waited as another building was built, wondering what would become of me. But soon, I learned that I would not be sitting empty! The Middle School was going to move in!
That was exciting! How much fun those younger kids were. I laughed to myself as I saw young kids whose own parents had once walked these hallways. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!” I occasionally thought to myself. Oh they made me smile. I just thought I knew pep rallies until those BMS kids brought in their spirit and their excitement!
By this time, they were letting the girls play basketball and volleyball. My gym was so busy, they had to build on another one.
And the band hall! How much fun was that! Listening to those notes day after day as they slowly became songs that you could recognize. So much pride those kids had in being in the BMS Band.
But, just like an old lady, time began to take its toll on me. My pipes, my wiring, my walls were all beginning to show their age. I tried everything I knew to stay useful, but sadly, it was time. I heard the talk of a new high school building. I thought I would be empty, soon.
But what a surprise to me when those kids once again filled my hallways in August of last year. Oh, I knew it was for a limited time. They were waiting for that new building. But what fun to get to wrap my walls around high school kids one more time before my life was complete.
As my time ends, I think back to all those who have walked my hallways. Famous musicians, athletes, and those who have gone on to become world renowned in academic realms. Those who have reached high office in government. Those who have dedicated their lives to serving God. And those who dedicated their lives to being good solid citizens working and raising families.
I smile as I think about the generations of families that have walked my hallways. Great grandparents today of those who will walk out that door for the last time on February 23rd.
It is sad, but I am also so proud to have served BISD all these 70 plus years. I am proud that I was a safe place for a while for kiddos who didn’t feel safe anywhere else. I am glad I was a great starting spot for new teachers just beginning. I am proud that I got to see generation after generation of Brownfield Cubs.
As life begins in the new building, please don’t forget all the lessons you learned walking my hallways. And even when I am gone, think back about the good times here singing that old school song.
