By: Shelley McKinley, Ed.D.
Booker T. Washington (BTW) High School – Houston ISD, named after the most influential spokesman for Black Americans between 1881 and 1915, is working to achieve what other schools aspire to do, which is graduate global citizens. Building on their partnership between the Rydings College in Zimbabwe, Africa, along with support of elected officials and the BTW 125 Committee, Principal Dr. Carlos R. Phillips II allows his students to solve global issues through engineering. Recently the school unveiled a commissioned life-sized statue of Booker T. Washington in the BTW HS Plaza to celebrate the school’s illustrious history as well as share ‘ e Vision’ with the community. e oldest living male and female graduates of BTW HS, Rev. Dr. F.N. Williams (c/o ‘1945) and Pastor of Antioch M.B.C, and Mrs. Charlotte K. Bryant (c/o 1948), Executive Director of the Blue Triangle MCA, Inc., were on hand to pull the cords at the unveiling. Rev. Dr. F.N. Williams exclaimed, “BTW! There ought to be some shouts in this house, the greatest high school in the United States of America!”
Mrs. Charlotte K. Bryant followed by saying, “I’m just so thrilled to see that Eagles still soar!” They served as a living bridge between the past and the future of BTW HS. The Vison includes allowing students to solve today’s problems with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). To date students have produced alternative energy sources such wind turbines, and created rockets that are launched to record breaking heights, while including travel to Zimbabwe to see rst-hand how STEM improves life for Zimbabweans by providing electricity and clean water. Dr. Phillips is tiptoeing into STEAM with the addition of Art, changing STEM to STEAM. e statue sculptor, Bridgette Mongeon, has actively been involved with BTW HS and the BTW 125 Committee over 10 years to bring this sculpture to fruition. “You will see one man’s vision, and how the use of other people’s talents and gi s can create an amazing work. You are also going to witness what our students are doing here in Houston and also doing in Zimbabwe with the students of Ryders College,” shared Dr. Phillips.
The unveiling was a ceremonious event led by Co-Masters of Ceremonies, Mr. and Miss BTW HS in the auditorium of the school located on Yale Street. Rev. Terry K. Anderson of Lilly Grove MBC provided the Invocation followed by Lorraine Gibbs, Chairperson of the BTW125 and Engineering instructor, Dr. Nghia Le, who shared that this is the 50th year for the Engineering Program at BTW HS. He has been on stage for 20 years. Dr. Le remarked, “A second attempt of the rocket launch achieved lift-off in 2015.
