Cigarroa High School
| Dr. Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
|
2600 Zacatecas Street Laredo, Texas 78046 United States | |
| Coordinates | 27°28′24″N 99°28′12″W / 27.473394°N 99.470092°WCoordinates: 27°28′24″N 99°28′12″W / 27.473394°N 99.470092°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Motto | The Pride of South Laredo! |
| Established | 1983 |
| School district | Laredo Independent School District |
| Grades | 9=12 |
| Enrollment | 1,300 |
| Color(s) | |
| Mascot | Toro |
| Website | Cigarroa High School |
Dr. Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa High School is a public high school located in Laredo Independent School District in Laredo in Webb County in south Texas. Grades nine through twelve are taught there. It serves students living in south Laredo. It has a student population of about 1,300. The school's namesake is a late medical doctor.
In 2014, Cigarroa High School, along with Martin High School, and J. W. Nixon High School fell short on minimum state standards and were placed on the Public Education Grant list. Similarly impacted is Lyndon B. Johnson High School in the United Independent School District.[1]
Magnet school
Cigarroa High School also houses the L.I.S.D. Sabas Perez Engineering and Technology Magnet School, a magnet school focused on engineering and technology education. The students may choose three different paths (engineering, technology or oil and gas) while enrolled in the magnet. The instructors are Amanda Gonzalez for the engineering, Christine Garza for the oil and gas and Alexander Castro for the technology pathways.
In 2007-2008 the robotics team competed and won the regional district competition at Edinburgh, Texas. After the regionals, the team went to the state competition. In 2009, Cigarroa students had the highest TAKS standardized test scores in Laredo.
School history
Named after a renowned local physician, Dr. Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa High School is located at 2600 Zacatecas Street in South Laredo, Texas. It opened its doors to a large group of freshmen and sophomores on August 1983. It graduated its first seniors in 1985 and its first true class (four years at Cigarroa High School) in 1987 under the direction of its first principal, Mr. Alfredo “El Toro Grande” Montemayor.
Since then other leaders have taken the helm of Cigarroa High School as did Mr. Pedro Lara, Mrs. Cynthia Conchas, Mr. Mario Guzman, "El Toro Chico", Dr. Sonia Sanchez, Mr. Oscar Perez, Mr. John Eric Salinas, and currently Mrs. Laura M. Flores. With a Toro (bull) as a Mascot, a bullring style courtyard and a yearbook titled “La Fiesta Brava”, the school pays homage to the Mexican and Spanish roots of its community members. The theme was also a passion Dr. Leo G. Cigarroa as he frequently traveled to Mexico and Spain. The school colors are royal blue and silver as are the beautiful Texas skies and its clouds as Mr. Alfredo Montemayor once stated. During his eleven-year tenure, Mr. Mario Guzman gave the school the slogan: “The Pride of South Laredo” and since then Cigarroa High School has lived up to its motto.
A tradition, set by the first Toro family back in 1983, is a time capsule which was embedded in the front of the school and opened during the 25th anniversary festivities in 2008. It was quite an experience for the alumni and staff to travel back in time through the mementos that were uncovered. During the festivities, a bronze bull was uncovered and a commemorative monument and marble bench were also presented to the public. The Toro sculpture was dedicated to Mr. Alfredo Montemayor who was the guest of honor. A second capsule was assembled and embedded to be opened in 2033 during the 50th anniversary festivities. The campus currently houses approximately 1,311 students, 130 teachers and 75 staff members.
School fight song
- We will stand tall with pride
- To be known as the TOROS
- We're brave TOROS that fight
- And we FIGHT to WIN once again
- For the SILVER and BLUE
- We wave the flag of pride today
- For the SILVER and BLUE we fight
- With all our might, TOROS FIGHT!
- GO TOROS! FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!
- GO TOROS! FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!
- GO TOROS! FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!
School alma mater
The sky is clear and blue there,
With the silver shining through.
The name is Cigarroa.
the school we love so true.
Down along the Rio Grande
South Laredo standing proud –
For pride is in Toros,
Shining bright in silver blue.
O’er the land we sing your praises
And we proudly all salute -
The name of Cigarroa,
the school we love so true.
References
- ↑ Judith Rayo, "17 schools fall short", Laredo Morning Times, January 15, 2015, p. 1