Kenny Marchant Speech
100 Year Anniversary
R. L. Turner High School
Carrollton, Dallas County, Texas
Carrollton & Farmers Branch
TXGenWeb

100-Year Anniversary Of R. L. Turner High School
Rep. Kenny Marchant

Speech of Hon. Kenny Marchant of Texas In The House of Representatives, Friday, September 23, 2011

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of R.L. Turner High School. As a graduate of R. L. Turner, I am honored to recognize this school as a significant part of the City of Carrollton's history.

In the fall of 1911, Carrollton High School had its first class of three students. In 1915, a two-story, red brick building was constructed for the high school. When the high school changed locations, the building became DeWitt Perry Junior High. The junior high school was named after DeWitt Clinton Perry, who donated the land to the city for the original high school.

The first Homecoming Day celebration was held on Friday, November 17, 1933. Former students from as far back as the original class reunited at the football game where the Carrollton Yellow Jackets defeated the Hutchins Tigers by a score of 13-6.

In 1937, Carrollton High School changed their mascot from the Yellow Jackets to the Lions. In 1962, to accommodate the growth in the area, Carrollton High School moved from the two-story, red brick building on Beltline Road to its current location on Josey Lane. In the same year, Carrollton High School changed its name to R.L. Turner in honor of Superintendent Robert Leon Turner.

R.L. Turner High School has received a number of distinguished awards over its rich history. In the 1990-1991 school year, the high school was honored with the Blue Ribbon National School of Excellence. In the 2000-2001 and 2009-2010 school years, the high school achieved a Recognized Rating for its academics from the Texas Education Agency. And in 2010, R.L. Turner was ranked as the top school in the district on Newsweek's list of America's Best High Schools.

Since the first class graduated in 1912, approximately 50,000 students have passed through this exceptional institution. I am very proud of R.L. Turner and its century-long commitment to educational excellence. On behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating R.L. Turner on its 100-year anniversary.