ASC 35: The History of McDonogh 35
With Wanda Herbert-Romain
Presented by Wanda Herbert-Romain, McDonogh 35 Alumni Association
Join us at the Norman Mayer Branch at 3001 Gentilly Blvd. on July 20th at 1pm, or register now to watch on Zoom
About the Program
Wanda Herbert-Romain presents “ASC 35”, a visual, puzzle-styled narrative that showcases McDonogh 35 High School’s 106 Years of Presence, Prestige, and Power in New Orleans.
Wanda Herbert-Romain, educator, alumnus, and McDonogh 35 Alumni Association Board Member, shares a unique history presentation on McDonogh 35 High School. Rather than simply present another historical slide show, Wanda will bring her love of game shows and wry wit to engage attendees with some little-known history about her beloved alma mater. Since Wanda loves using game-show elements in her work, there will be a fun quiz at the end. Not just a regular history lesson, “ASC 35” aims to promote McDonogh 35 as an iconic and legendary slice of New Orleans history, and to remind others that it is still the school of “A Choice, not an Echo”.
This is a hybrid event with both virtual and in-person access. Attend in person at Norman Mayer Library or register through the link above to sign up for the Zoom meeting.
About The McDonogh 35 Alumni Association
From their website: “Our mission is to advance the legacy of McDonogh 35 Senior High School as an institution of academic excellence and cultural pride by fostering alumni involvement through advocacy and volunteerism, offering financial support and lifelong commitment to the student body and to the school, and promoting lasting relationships among its graduates.”
About McDonogh 35 High School
From their website: “Prior to 1917, during the era of segregated school systems in the Southern US, no public high school existed in New Orleans for African-American pupils. Those interested in pursuing an education beyond the eighth grade had to attend one of the city’s three private secondary schools for blacks: Leland College, New Orleans University, or Straight College.
In 1917, a group of citizens met to petition the Orleans Parish School System to convert McDonogh 13 Boys’ School from a white elementary school to a secondary educational facility for black pupils. The petition was granted and in the fall of 1917, McDonogh 35 became recognized as a four-year high school. McDonogh 35 remained the only public four-year high school for African Americans until L. B. Landry transitioned from an elementary into a high school in 1942. Booker T. Washington also opened its doors in 1942 for African Americans.
Over the years, McDonogh 35 has changed its location four times. The original building at 655 South Rampart Street was destroyed when Hurricane Betsy struck New Orleans in 1965, and for the next four years, the school was temporarily located in the former United States Federal Court House Building at 600 Camp Street. In 1969, students and faculty were moved into the school facility at 133 St.Ann Street that formerly housed McDonogh 41 Elementary School. In September 1972, the facility relocated to 1331 Kerlerec Street in the Tremé neighborhood.
During the 1992-1993 school year, McDonogh 35 was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education. By April 13, 2006, McDonogh 35 was one of six public high schools that had re-opened since Katrina. Of them, it was the only one in a Downtown neighborhood. According to Philip White, the principal, initially, the administration had plans to accommodate 800 students but found fewer due to the effects of the hurricane. One month later, the enrollment went over 1,000 students and the administration was forced to stop accepting students.
The current facility which opened on August 20, 2015, is located on 16 acres in the Bayou District at 4000 Cadillac Street, the former Phillips/Waters school site. The Louisiana Recovery School District allocated $55 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency recovery funds tied to this site to construct the new state of the art, college preparatory high school.”
Links
- McDonogh 35 Alumni Association
- McDonogh 35 High School
- Board of Commissioners of the McDonogh School Fund Image Collection at the City Archives
- “Mapping the McDonogh Schools: From 1 to None” Digital Interactive Map at the City Archives