GRAND DAY FOR CAMERON

(CAMERON)  More than 1000 people packed into the Yoe High School Gym Sunday for the official dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for Cameron’s new $15 million Yoe High School Complex.  The state-of-the-art facility is the result of 3 ½ years of planning and construction, and officially opens Monday when students return for the 2004-2005 school year. 

Keynote speakers during Sunday’s ceremony included Drayton McLane, owner of McLane Group and the Houston Astros.  And Texas Governor Rick Perry.  Perry began his speech addressing the high school students in attendance,  saying “today I have good news and bad news.  The bad news is tomorrow is the first day of school.  But the good news is you will be going back to school in one of the finest new high schools in the nation.”  Perry reiterated that when he talked to KMIL News after the ceremony. (Audio)  That’s Texas Governor Rick Perry. 

McLane, who is a 1954 graduate of Yoe High School, commended the community for their vision.  (Audio). 

McLane praised the governor as an advocate of education in the state and thru his support it is projects like this new Yoe High facility that says education in the state of Texas is our top priority.  Thru New Facilities and Debt Allotment Grants, the state currently pays around 60% of the bond payments for Cameron’s School District. 

Yoe High School Student Council President Barrett Evan delivered a dynamic speech that drew a standing ovation from the crowd.  Following the ceremony, McLane cited Evan as an example of Cameron’s vision.  (Audio)

Others on the program Sunday included State Representative Dan Gattis; School Board Superintendent Maxie Morgan; Board President Gene Vaculin; Architect Jim Booher; John Egger of EBCO General Contractors; Cameron Mayor Bill Meachum; local attorney Mark Humble; Ernest Moore of the Williams Foundation; Yoe High Principal Clint McMahon; and representatives from State Senator Steve Ogden’s Office and U.S. Senator John Cornyn’s Office. 

Pianist Dr. Danny Kelley, Class of 1965 and Head of the Music and Drama Department at Prairie View A&M, moved the crowd with his performance of God Bless America; and Lisa Heitman Payne, class of 1988, sang then National Anthem.

The Yoe High School Band under the direction of Dan Holman presented the prelude for the program.  Rev. Robert T. Johnson Sr. led the Invocation and Monica Montez led the Pledge to the flags.