Robert E. Lee High School (Baytown, Texas)
Encyclopedia
Robert E. Lee High School (often referred to as Baytown Lee) is a secondary school
in Baytown, Texas
, that serves grades 9 through 12. Lee is one of three high school
s in the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District
, which serves all of Baytown and Highlands
, Texas. The other two are Ross S. Sterling High School and Goose Creek Memorial High School. As of 2008 the school's ethnic breakdown is 38 percent White, 42 percent Hispanic, 19 percent African-American, and 1 percent other.
as its mascot
, the only school in Texas to do so. In 2007, the Gander was voted as the best mascot in Texas. The school's colors are maroon
and white
. Over the years, REL has garnered several fight song
s. The official fight song is "Southern Special", a swing version of the traditional song "Dixie", played at a very fast tempo after the team scores. The final school song is commonly referred to as the 'medley
', is played by the Lee Band while marching parade
style. It consists of a compilation of three songs: "Are You From Dixie?", "Waitin' on the Robert E. Lee", and "Washington and Lee Swing". The school's unofficial fight song is "Dull Razor Blues", a foxtrot that is played up-tempo at the mid point of each half.
The Robert E. Lee High School Alma Mater
is an original composition not shared by any other school.
that marched military style in football games and parades. While a more common group in the middle of the 20th century, all-female drum and bugle corps were all but extinct by the 1980s, having been replaced by dance teams and pep squads. The Lee Brigadiers continued their traditions of marching in maroon military uniforms with boots and skirts until they were the last group of its kind, finally succumbing to lack of student interest. Now the school is home to a dance team, the Lee Celebrities.
, and twenty nine in 2006.
Lee also participates, annually, in the UIL
competitions.
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
in Baytown, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, that serves grades 9 through 12. Lee is one of three high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
s in the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District
Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District
Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District is a school district headquartered in Baytown, Texas, United States.The district has 14 elementary schools , 5 junior high schools , 3 high schools , a career center, and two alternative centers for education...
, which serves all of Baytown and Highlands
Highlands, Texas
Highlands is a census-designated place located along the Union Pacific Railroad, north of Interstate 10, and west of Farm to Market Road 2100 in an industrialized area of unincorporated Harris County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,089 at the 2000 census. Highlands is the hometown of...
, Texas. The other two are Ross S. Sterling High School and Goose Creek Memorial High School. As of 2008 the school's ethnic breakdown is 38 percent White, 42 percent Hispanic, 19 percent African-American, and 1 percent other.
School founding and traditions
Founded in 1928, Lee High School sits on the banks of Goose Creek in the southern part of Baytown. As such, the school adopted the GanderGoose
The word goose is the English name for a group of waterfowl, belonging to the family Anatidae. This family also includes swans, most of which are larger than true geese, and ducks, which are smaller....
as its mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
, the only school in Texas to do so. In 2007, the Gander was voted as the best mascot in Texas. The school's colors are maroon
Maroon (color)
Maroon is a dark red color.-Etymology:Maroon is derived from French marron .The first recorded use of maroon as a color name in English was in 1789.-Maroon :...
and white
White
White is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in nearly equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings. A white visual stimulation will be void of hue and grayness.White light can be...
. Over the years, REL has garnered several fight song
Fight song
A fight song is primarily an American and Canadian sports term, referring to a song associated with a team. In both professional and amateur sports, fight songs are a popular way for fans to cheer for their team...
s. The official fight song is "Southern Special", a swing version of the traditional song "Dixie", played at a very fast tempo after the team scores. The final school song is commonly referred to as the 'medley
Medley (music)
In music, a medley is a piece composed from parts of existing pieces, usually three, played one after another, sometimes overlapping. They are common in popular music, and most medleys are songs rather than instrumental. A medley which is a remixed series is called a megamix, often done with tracks...
', is played by the Lee Band while marching parade
Parade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
style. It consists of a compilation of three songs: "Are You From Dixie?", "Waitin' on the Robert E. Lee", and "Washington and Lee Swing". The school's unofficial fight song is "Dull Razor Blues", a foxtrot that is played up-tempo at the mid point of each half.
The Robert E. Lee High School Alma Mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
is an original composition not shared by any other school.
History
On April 29, 1987, a three-alarm fire destroyed the main building. Initially thought the be accidental, the fire was eventually ruled arson. The main building was rebuilt and formally rededicated in 1988.The Lee Brigadiers
From the early 1930s to 2001, REL High School was also home to a unique and famous tradition. The Lee Brigadiers were an all-female drum and bugle corpsDrum and bugle corps (modern)
A drum and bugle corps, also known as a drum corps, is a musical marching unit consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, and color guard. Typically operating as independent non-profit organizations, drum corps perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions...
that marched military style in football games and parades. While a more common group in the middle of the 20th century, all-female drum and bugle corps were all but extinct by the 1980s, having been replaced by dance teams and pep squads. The Lee Brigadiers continued their traditions of marching in maroon military uniforms with boots and skirts until they were the last group of its kind, finally succumbing to lack of student interest. Now the school is home to a dance team, the Lee Celebrities.
Academics
Alongside the typical core courses offered at all high school, Lee also offers some advanced courses in various fields. The school offers Advanced Placement courses for Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Physics, Art History, World History, U.S. History, European History, English Language, English Literature, American Government, Computer Science A, and Computer Science AB. In 2007, the school produced twenty five AP ScholarsAdvanced Placement Awards
The College Board offers several awards to select students who take Advanced Placement exams.The term "award" is perhaps misleading, as no benefit is awarded to the recipient except the title itself.-AP Scholar Designations:...
, and twenty nine in 2006.
Lee also participates, annually, in the UIL
University Interscholastic League
The University Interscholastic League is an organization that creates rules for and administers almost all athletic, music, and academic contests for public primary and secondary schools in the American state of Texas....
competitions.
Famous/Notable Alumni
- James ClevelandJames Cleveland (American football)James Lee Cleveland is an American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.-College career:...
(Houston CougarsHouston Cougars footballThe Houston Cougars football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents the University of Houston. The team is commonly referred to as "Houston" or "UH" . The UH football program is currently a member of the Conference USA intercollegiate athletic conference, and is coached by...
wide receiver) - Ell Roberson III Former Kansas State Quarterback
- Quentin CoryattQuentin CoryattQuentin John Coryatt is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League who played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Dallas Cowboys between 1992 and 1999.-Early years:...
(Former Texas A&MTexas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
and Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
linebacker) - Charles GodfreyCharles Godfrey (American football)Charles Godfrey is an American football safety/nickelback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Panthers in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
(Carolina PanthersCarolina PanthersThe Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
) - Brian Johnson (former Utah UtesUtah UtesThe Utah Utes are the athletics teams of the University of Utah. They are named after the Ute tribe of Native Americans. The men's basketball team is known as the "Runnin' Utes"; the women's basketball team, formerly known as the "Lady Utes," now prefers to be referred to as the "Utes"; and the...
quarterback); - Clint StoernerClint StoernerClinton Jacob Stoerner is an American football quarterback. He is currently a free agent.-High school years:...
Former University of Arkansas, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins. - Drew TateDrew TateDrew Tate is a professional American and Canadian football quarterback for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Iowa....
(Calgary StampedersCalgary StampedersThe Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
quarterback) - Kirk BotkinKirk BotkinKirk Randal Botkin is a former American football tight end and long snapper who played four seasons in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has since coached football at the collegiate level....
(former NFL player and collegiate football coach - Gary BuseyGary BuseyWilliam Gary Busey , best known as Gary Busey, is an American film and stage actor and artist. He has appeared in a large variety of films, as well as making regular appearances on Gunsmoke, Walker, Texas Ranger, Law & Order, and Entourage...
(Born in Goose Creek, now Baytown, went to Robert E. Lee.)