© by Ray Sanchez 04.24.16
El Paso High School’s celebration, like the 1966 Texas Western College celebration, goes on.
Someone at El Paso High came up with a bright idea. Folks were wondering who the school was going to name its Outstanding Ex this very important 100th anniversary of the present building’s existence. Someone popped up and said, “Why not make it ‘The Lady on the Hill?’”
That’s how the building was known since shortly after its opening in 1916. The suggestion was a stroke of genius and yes, the building itself was overwhelmingly chosen as this year’s Outstanding Ex.
BY THE WAY, the El Paso Chihuahuas will be honoring El Paso High School with a “Centennial Night” Monday, May 2. I’ll let El Paso High School Alumni president Michael Montes tell you about it.
“The whole evening will be themed to EPHS and her 100 year history. The Tiger Pride Band will be playing pregame at 5: 30 p.m. at the Santa Fe Street entrance.
“The original Central School Bell that hung when El Paso High opened will be on display, also at the Santa Fe Street entrance. The El Paso High JROTC, the first cadet corps in the great state of Texas, will present the colors and a select EPHS Choir will sing the national anthem. We will have the president of the student body throw out a first pitch, along with a faculty member and a special alumni guest.
“THROUGHOUT the game, EPHS history will be featured on the jumbotron. This is definitely an event Tigers do not want to miss. It really is a special honor that the local Triple A team, the hottest ticket in town, will honor our Lady on the Hill in such a grand way.
“We are asking that all Tigers who attend wear Orange and Black and show their Tiger Pride! No other school in our area comes close to matching our history and it will be on full display in El Paso’s newest gem, Southwest University Park.”
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who hit the first grand slam homer in a World Series game? Answer at end of column.
THE EL PASO Baseball Hall of Fame also has some big doings scheduled this year. Following are some of the events announced by Hall President Tom Carrillo:
• Tuesday, July 26, will be Proclamation Day. The city will proclaim July 30 to August 6 El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame Week. The class of 2016 will be presented to the city then.
• Saturday, July 30, will be the second annual Meet and Greet Dinner at the Wyndham Hotel. It’s a dinner sponsored by Larry and Gabby Hernandez to host inductees and honorees.
• Thursday, Aug. 4, will be Chihuahuas Night. The inductees will be introduced before the game and throw out the first pitch at Southwest University Park. The El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame has reserved the Santa Fe Pavilion. Tickets are $30 and includes all you can eat food.
• Friday, Aug. 5, will be the 3rd annual golf tourney at Painted dunes Golf Course at 1 pm. Cost is $100.
• The induction banquet will be held Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Radisson Hotel at 5 p.m. Cost is $30. For tickets contact Leo Caraveo at 915-328-7821.
JESSE FONSECA, one of El Paso’s greatest boxers following World War II, quietly passed away March 26 at the age of 88.
Jesse was born in Lorraine, Ohio, but his family moved to El Paso when he was just a tyke. He never grew much and weighed under 120 pounds when he took up boxing, but he had a powerful punch. In his first 22 fights, he knocked out 21 opponents in the first round.
He eventually earned a world flyweight title fight with Harold Dade. The two went toe to toe and many to this day believe that Fonseca really won. However, it was declared a draw.
Jesse Fonseca left us with many special memories.
ANSWER to trivia question: Elmer Smith of Cleveland in 1920.