[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 11, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S6374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING WARREN EASTON HIGH SCHOOL

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, today I wish to ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing Warren Easton High School in New Orleans, LA. 
The students, faculty, staff, school leaders, alumni and community 
members are celebrating 100 years of excellence in education and 
service to the New Orleans community.
  Warren Easton High School is the oldest public high school in 
Louisiana. Named after a local superintendent of schools in New 
Orleans, Warren Easton represents what excellence in education should 
look like. The school has transitioned from when it opened as an all-
boys high school in Uptown New Orleans, then a new location on Canal 
Street in 1913, to a co-educational setting in 1952 and racial 
integration in 1967. However, perhaps Warren Easton High School's most 
profound transformation came in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
  After the storm that devastated so many lives, infrastructures, and a 
way of life in New Orleans, Warren Easton was forced to close its doors 
for 1 year. Fortunately, thanks to the strong and spirited history of 
this school, Warren Easton was opened as a charter school by a group of 
alumni. Even in the face of challenge, the leaders and alumni created 
an institution that would not only honor the history of Warren Easton 
and its previous success, but will continue to create new opportunities 
for the students of New Orleans.
  Since its opening in 2007, Warren Easton High School has seen 
tremendous growth. During the last school year, 925 students attended 
school there. For the past 2 years, the school has celebrated a 
graduation rate of 100 percent. Student performance has also 
dramatically increased since the reopening of Warren Easton High School 
with a school performance score of 64.7 in 2007 and 133.9 in 2012. 
Further, the 2012 graduating class received over $6.2 million in 
scholarships from more than 20 colleges and universities.
  Warren Easton is a leading example of excellence in education. Its 
leaders, alumni, and students continue to be an inspiration to their 
community. It is with my heartfelt and greatest sincerity that I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing Warren Easton High School in New 
Orleans, LA, and its long-time alumni community as they celebrate 100 
years of success.

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