== History ==
From the Andress High School home page [2094]:


When Andress High School opened its doors in September 1961, students from grades 5-9 were attending. The complex was named after attorney Ted Andress, who served as President from 1958 to 1959 of the El Paso Board of Education and the Texas Association of School Boards. The school was built in an unusual architectural landscaping design, a college-style campus around double quadrangles.

At first Andress consisted of only four buildings: A and B buildings, an Administration building, and a cafeteria. This small complex, housing 120 students and 50 teachers began under the direction of H. R. Moye, who was to serve as our first Principal until May 1967. Today the campus has grown to more than forty acres and fifteen structures.

Two new structures were added to Andress in 1963-65, the gym and the science buildings, not to mention the 1964 nesting of the Eagle mascot in the quadrangle upon the suggestion of some students and a donation from the Hawk Missile Battalion at Fort Bliss [2095].

Andress was further extended in 1964 with the addition of a track, and in 1965 a ROTC building. The major addition, though, was the gymnasium, which was constructed in 1964-65 and had a sitting capacity of 2200 for student assemblies, games, classes and pep rallies.

Andress and Irvin High Schools were combined on April 2, 1971. All the English, speech, journalism and language classes were held at Andress, and all the others took place at Irvin. (This statement was taken from a 25th Anniversary brochure outlining the history of Andress High School. Thanks to Nancy Ashmore, the editor of the school newspaper at the time, I discovered that this information was part of an April Fool's edition of the Aquila.

Here is an excerpt from her email:

I was so curious about the thought that your source had been misled by an old April Fool's story that I climbed into my attic and dug up my old school newspapers. (Yes, because I was editor that year, I saved them.) There was not actually a whole issue of bogus stories; the first page was legitimate but the second page was the "TAQUILA" (instead of the "Aquila") and contained our April Fool's stories. One of the stories ran as follows:

School Board to Combine Andress and Irvin

Starting April 2, Irvin and Andress high schools will be combined, the school board announced recently. This move is due to the lack of money needed to run both schools properly at the same time. Both campuses will still be used. All English, Journalism, Speech, and Language courses will be held at Andress. All other courses will be at Irvin. All classes at Andress will be held in the Administration Building and classes at Irvin will be held in the stadium, regardless of the weather. Students will keep the same schedules they have now and will be allowed a full three minutes to get from one class to another. All lunch and nurse passes have been canceled indefinitely to cut down on the confusion. All absences except those concerning migraine headaches will be unexcused. The cafeterias will operate on alternate days. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays the Andress cafeteria will be closed, and on Tuesdays, and Thursdays the Irvin cafeteria will be closed.

I shudder to think this was printed as fact in a 25th anniversary booklet!)

From 1973 to 1975 a $1.7 million project was begun; it included construction of C building, a 20-classroom complex which housed art, drafting, and journalism, which also included an attached photography room. This major endeavor also included a stadium by the track completed in 1975 that houses athletic and laundry facilities.

The library, situated on the north east corner of the campus, was opened on August 29, 1977. During its dedication a time capsule was sealed and is scheduled for opening in the year 2000.

Before the reforms in education of the 1980's, Andress High School had regular "pep rallies". The Andress High School Alma Mater and fight song were an important part of the assemblies.

Fight Song

We honor thee, dear Andress High School

Proud beneath the sun,

The Golden Eagles soaring high

When the victor's won

And when the years have

Come and gone

And life's events unfold,

We'll faithful be to Andress High,

And our colors

Maroon and Gold!

FIGHT, ANDRESS HIGH!


Fight on!

We're all behind you, Eagles!

Rally and show your might!

We will never fail you, Andress

High School,

Golden Eagles, Fight! Fight! Fight!

To Maroon and Gold we're ever loyal;

To the Golden Eagles add more fame.

We will fight till the end;

We will strive on to win;

Golden Eagles, win this game!

Unique facts during Andress High School's history:

Here is a sample of items and how much they would cost a student of the 1960's:

Movie Ticket $.25,

Popcorn $.10,

Coca-cola $.10,

Braces $800.00,

Gas $.29/gal,

Class ring $19.00,

Yearbook $5.50,

Haircut $1.00,

New Car $2000.00,

Homecoming Mum $1.00.

Other factoids:

- The first school newspaper, The Eagle's Nest, was sold initially in 1962 for just a penny.

- In 1963 Andress saw the introduction of it's band.

- The first graduating class was in 1965.

- At one point in Andress High School's history, the administration chose the courses that the students would take. A quarter system was started in 1973, giving students the privilege of choosing their own classes.

- In the early 1970s, students wanted administration to allow skimpy bathing suits to be worn on campus. A school rule prevented this as well as boy's blocked hair, beards, and mustaches.

- The first Homecoming game held at Andress was in 1976. Before this year, all home football games were played at Irvin's stadium.

- In 1978, Andress became the first High School in the city with it's own airplane for use in the Aerospace class.

- 1999-2000 school year--Mr. Robert Ortega is named Principal of the year.

Andress students have never forgotten their major goal: becoming well-rounded, well-educated young men and women. The record clearly shows that commitment to excellence, and it is still important to Andress students. The students who have gone before us conceived and initiated that tradition and we as your followers are proud to cling to those same high ideals today.

Thirty-eight years and approximately sixty thousand students later, Andress continues to strive for excellence. The "Eagle Spirit" that permeated our student life will continue to produce good citizens for tomorrow. But we will never forget the Golden Eagle, that, for just over a third of a century, has watched over and guided Andress' young men and women.

Principals of Andress High School

H.R. Moye (1961-67)

C.R. Nichols (1967-69)

Harry S."Hut" Brown (1969-81)

Teresa D. Pena (1981-86)

Roy Pena (1986-92)

Mr. Pete Ramos (1992-97)

Mr. Robert Ortega (1997-2001)

Mr. Curtis Williams (2001-Present)