Veterans Memorial opens with heroes' fanfare

Dozens of student officers marched in front of Veterans Memorial High School Saturday to dedicate the campus named in honor of those who fought for the nation’s freedoms.

More than 200 people attended the ceremony at the new school, which sits on the western edge of Brownsville and opened for classes in August.

Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or JROTC, units from all six high schools in the Brownsville Independent School District paraded in event. A group of students in the corps gave a 21-gun salute and fired a Howitzer cannon.

Superintendent Brett Springston said the ceremony was “in reflection and in honor or our veterans, those brave men and women who fought for our country.”

He compared the school to the nation’s flag and “all the great things she represents.”

The $62.6 million campus covers 355,800 square feet and is the largest high school in the Rio Grande Valley. It is home to two new magnet programs — in architecture and construction, and in government and public administration.

The school will accommodate 2,200 students but opened with about 1,000 freshmen and sophomores. After this year, a new freshman class will be added each year until it reaches capacity.

After the dedication ceremony, a reception followed in the gym, where school officials and U.S. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, gave remarks.

As people filled into the gym, Veterans Memorial Principal Amacia Ameel said she was overwhelmed by the community’s support.

“I can’t find the words. ... It is exhilarating, and it is exciting,” she said. “I am so proud of the kids and adults who made this possible."

Ruben Cortez Jr., vice president of the school board, said he believed Veterans Memorial would instill in its students an appreciation of the nation’s soldiers.

“There is a constant reminder here of what our veterans gave for us,” he said.