Austin One-Act Makes it to State

After nearly half a century, Austin High School's One-Act Play will perform in the state competition.

Austin, which last qualified for the state competition in 1963, is also the only team from El Paso to advance to the event beginning May 9 in the Texas capital.

The students' production of Peter Shaffer's "Amadeus" includes 15 cast members, five crew members and one alternate. The students competed at the regional University Interscholastic League in Abilene, and will compete at the state competition May 9-11 in Austin.

Adam Zarowski, theater director at Austin High School, said "Amadeus" is a play that is normally more than two hours long, but it had to be rewritten to no longer than 40 minutes. He said getting the timing down was one of the more challenging aspects of revising the play, but he was pleased with the outcome at the regional competition.

"It was a huge relief becasue I felt like we deserved it and we got it," Zarowski said.

The Austin High director said he had a feeling the cast would do well in this year's competition, but still felt the nerves at each round of judging.

"I just felt like this was something special," he said.

By Caylor Ballinger, El Paso Times

Caylor may be reached at cballinger@elpasotimes.com, 546-6138

February Storm Damages Austin's Library

The storm and hard freeze that crossed El Paso this February halted El Paso school districts for four days. Burst waterlines caused water and moisture damage to the Austin library. District officials said water damaged about 50 percent to 60 percent of the 30,000-book collection in the library.

The library was temporarily set up in the "A" room while repairs were made. Anna Ratcliffe, head librarian, and Alice Juarez, assistant librarian, are currently moving back to the repaired library.

U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas has helped Austin recover some of their materials by getting books donated from the Library of Congress' Surplus Book Program. By the end of February approximately 300 books were donated to the school. "This is just a down payment. The Library of Congress throughout the year will be making books available," Reyes said.

Students have also been donating their own personal books. Anna Ratcliffe has been contacted by area residents and Austin High alumni who want to help. "They've been so supportive and so wonderful throughout this ordeal," she said. "We're just looking forward to starting over and making this a great research facility for our students."

Dr. Tanner, principal of Austin High School, said, "I'm just glad someone cares about Austin High School."

Panthers, here is an opportunity to help with either a monetary donation or books in good condition.

More information is available in the March 2011 The Pioneer links at the top of this page.

"A" Room - Temporary Library

Join the Austin HS Alumni Association. Print registrationform (PDF Format, MS Word, Text Format) and send along with dues to: Austin HS Alumni Association, P. O. Box 31495, El Paso, Texas 79931.

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Last Updated on April 26, 2011

Class Reunions

Planning your class reunion?

Have a class website?

Contact us to post reunion plans and class websites on the Alumni Website.

Mighty Panther Class of 1976

35th Year Reunion

August 5, 6, & 7, 2011

For more information contact:

Gabe Armendariz gabearm@elp.rr.com

Rosie Lozano Saldana rosies76@hotmail.com

Raul Rodriguez raul76@sbcglobal.net<br>
(915) 630-2117

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Austin High El Paso Class of '76