[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 7, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE COMO HIGH SCHOOL, 1914-1971, 10TH ALL SCHOOL REUNION 
                              CELEBRATION

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                          HON. MARC A. VEASEY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 7, 2015

  Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Como High School's 
10th All School Reunion Celebration on July 2-5, 2015. This celebration 
is a milestone for the Como community as it recognizes its history and 
the impact Como High School had on its students.
  From its inception, the Como community's location left its primarily 
black residents walled in with a physical barrier separating Como from 
the surrounding neighborhoods. This physical separation prompted its 
residents to meet the needs of the community through their own 
initiatives. In the fall of 1914, Como residents felt an urgent need 
for a formal school to educate the black youth of the community. During 
its first year, Como Elementary School housed 11 students and employed 
one teacher by the name of Ms. Lucinda Baker.
  Unfortunately, after two years the school was closed due to low 
enrollment and did not reopen for its second term until 1917. The 
school was ultimately reestablished the following year in 1918, where 
Mrs. Pearl Walker Connor served as the head teacher.
  After World War I, the Como community began to grow rapidly. As more 
people moved into the community there was a greater need for a bigger 
and better school building. Under the leadership of Mr. R. N Riddles, 
the county superintendent, a building with two rooms was built on the 
southeast corners of Faron and Bonnell Streets.
  During the time of expansion, Mrs. Gertrude Wilkerson-Starners was 
appointed head teacher with Mrs. Geneva Carrington serving as her 
assistant. Later Mrs. Jessie Raliegh and Mrs. A. Greenwood joined the 
staff and Mrs. M. L. Patterson came to the school as a teacher in 1931.
  The men of the community initially supplied coal for heating and kept 
the grounds clean; but as the school began to grow, the need for 
custodial personnel became necessary. In 1933, Mr. John Atkins was 
hired as the first full time custodian.
  Although no formal record exists, it is clear that the need for a 
high school naturally grew as the community had more students to 
educate. Additional teachers were added in 1935, and the school moved 
to occupy Libbey, Goodman, Horne and Hollaran Streets. In 1935, Mr. J 
Martin Jacquet was hired as principal and served the institution for 
ten years with Mr. Oscar M. Williams succeeding him in 1946. The 
current building was erected in 1950 during Williams' tenure as 
principal. Mr. Wilbur H. Byrd served as Como High School's last 
principal from 1967 until the school's closure in 1971.
  Como Elementary School and Como High School grew from humble 
beginnings to a 33 room ultra-modern structure that housed an 
industrial arts room, a gymnasium, a 500 person auditorium; a chemistry 
lab, homemaking laboratories, a library, men's and women's lounges, and 
a group of offices for the administrative staff.
  Between 1914 and 1965, Como Elementary and Como High School's 
prestige increased as their academic excellence was recognized by the 
Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
  In 1971, the sudden shift to integrate schools forced Como High 
School to close despite its growth. Although school integration caused 
the original Como High School to close, Como Elementary School and Como 
Montessori Magnet School carry on its legacy of community, unity and 
pride.
  After Como High School's closure the first annual school reunion was 
held in July 1983. Its subsequent reunions proved that the fond 
memories of the Como spirit remain in the hearts of former students and 
staff members forever.

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