By: Susan Passmore

Robert E. Lee High School recently hosted the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Fine Arts Building in front of the school next to the new building. The building, thanks to voter approval of the 2019 bond, houses the band, choir, drill/dance teams and orchestra and replaces the previous building, which had outlasted its useful life cycle.

Dr. Randal O’Brien, GCCISD superintendent, welcomed guests to the ribbon cutting for the long-awaited Fine Arts Building. Photo by Carrie Pryor-Newman.

“Giving them a larger, stand-alone building where every student interested in fine arts can call home was a dream that, with the support of the Board, Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, community, business sponsors and Lee High School alumni, we were able to fulfill,” O’Brien said.

LaDarius Ingram from the Lee Orchestra gave the invocation, while Drew Collins and Wyhiem Barnes from the Lee Theatre led the pledges. Ray LaVan, director of fine arts for Goose Creek CISD, recognized guests, including Sarah Graham, Baytown City Council; Richard Clem and Jim Campisi, GCCISD board members; City of Baytown Partners-Planning/Engineering; Citizens Bond Oversight Committee; Lee High School staff and Fine Arts Department; Lee High School alumni; GCCISD Facilities Planning and Construction Department; L.A.N program managers; Marshall Construction Company; Pfluger Architects and the GCCISD Community Engagement Department.

Tiffany Guy, president of the Goose Creek CISD Board of Trustees, delivered remarks from the board.

“The students and staff associated with these fine arts programs put long hours into learning, rehearsing and polishing, often in inclement weather,” Guy said. “They are learning skills they will use throughout their lives, such as time management and teamwork as they reap the rewards of taking pride in a job well done! On behalf of the board of trustees, I want to thank the voters for approving the 2019 bond, which made this beautiful building possible. Thank you, students and staff, for your dedication to fine arts, and I hope you enjoy your new building.”

Earnest Brooks, REL principal and alumnus, thanked the community and Goose Creek CISD for making the Fine Arts Building possible.

Antony McLaughlin from the Lee Theatre, Andrea Barragan from the Lee Band, Jon Villegas-Ortiz from the Lee Choir and Abigail Martinez from the Lee Celebrities each shared their heartfelt feelings about being among the first group of students to have the opportunity to enjoy the Fine Arts Building.

Following a photo of the ribbon cutting, guests took a tour of the building, guided by the students. The building opened its doors to students and staff at the beginning of the school year and will be a source of pride for Robert E. Lee High School fine arts students for years to come.