JHS 100 Year Celebration

This year marks a very important anniversary of the Jourdanton Independent School District. The class of 2011 will be the 100th class to graduate from Jourdanton High School.

On March 23, 2011, I got to participate in one of the festivities for the celebration. Every student, teacher, staff member, and administrator gathered together in Indian Stadium to pose for a photograph–a group photo of approximately 1,400 people! The 14-hundred people formed the number “100” on the field.

While the “100” was being finalized on the ground, I was whisked away into the air by a fellow classmate from the 76th graduating class of JHS. (If you’ve done the math correctly, we’re from the heavenly class of 1987.) My personal pilot for the day was none other than Joseph Meyer, owner of Flying J Services. He strapped me in and told me not to worry. (YEAH, RIGHT! This was my first time in a helicopter.)

He gently lifted off the ground and we hovered from different angles waiting for the green light. While we waited, I took some test shots experimenting with apertures and shutter speeds. The shots had to be good; I couldn’t let the “uneasiness” of the flight distract me from what I was there to do. Hovering felt totally normal, but any time the helicopter changed elevation, it felt just like riding a roller coaster–which I love!–but withOUT any rails, or connection to the ground. That feeling forced me to reach for the “Oh Crap” handles more than once, but Joseph’s aircraft doesn’t have those.

Finally, everyone was in place and we took about 100 shots from different heights, angles, and a few from right overhead. It was an awesome experience to be a part of such a great celebration. You see, my grandfather came here from Oklahoma around 1904 in a covered wagon and went to school in Christine. My dad went to school in Christine and then Jourdanton High School. He didn’t actually graduate because he got blamed for moving an outhouse, (yes, an outhouse) to the middle of the circle drive (where Jr. High is now). According to my dad, it was his older brother who really did it, but my dad didn’t want to tell on him so his brother graduated, Dad didn’t. Then, I graduated in 1987. Outhouses were rare in the 80’s, but big hair was alive and well. Sierra graduated in 2010 (there’s no telling what she did) and God willing, Kyanna will graduate in 2014. I hope my grandchildren attend school here. My mom’s family has probably been here longer, but they settled in Charlotte and Leming so they don’t really have any relevance to this story. I really think JISD is a good school and always has been. My education (and complete experience) here has always been a good foundation for everything else I’ve learned in life. That’s why it was a REAL honor to help out yesterday.

By the way, Central Office will be selling the prints in a fundraiser to help with the expenses of the celebration. You can contact that office at (830) 769-3548 for more information. (Click here to see a few of the aerial photos: http://tinyurl.com/3awuk3w.) If you’d like to have an outhouse moved, please call my uncle.

Photos courtesy of Theresa McAllister, JISD

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I am a San Antonio-based wedding and senior photographer who started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. As one of the up-and-coming San Antonio wedding photographers, I am also available to shoot in Austin, Houston and Dallas and the surrounding areas. I am also available for destination weddings worldwide. Ata-Girl Photography Co. offers an amazing wedding photography service that you won’t soon forget.  As professional photographer, my sole purpose is to provide you the absolute best photography experience.

I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball, hiking, cycling, reading, and listening to Elvis!

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