”Opened in 1976. Several homes and the beloved Salvation Army Youth Center Gym were demolished to make way for the new school, named for the noted UT academic and civil rights activist, George I. Sanchez. Among his many accomplishments, Sanchez served as an expert witness in the 1948 landmark suit Delgado v. Bastrop Independent School District - which challenged the segregation of Hispanic students in Texas schools. The motif on the school’s front awning represents the school’s mascot: the Aztec.
Sanchez and Metz Schools were the first to form a Bilingual Teachers Association and pushed for bilingual programs before the School Board and the state legislature. Sanchez was uniquely built with the open classroom concept and has some fabulous murals by artist, Raul Valdes, as well as a wonderful library. Every year, the school celebrates the graduating class with a festive banquet. The graduating class develops an art project that is displayed at the ceremony.
In 1999, La Peña Art Gallery partnered (and continues today) with the graduating students to produce giant paper sculpture masks, depicting the Aztec gods (and other exhibitions). When La Peña printed posters of the exhibit, it brought citywide attention to Sanchez’s art department. The students also produce an Annual Dia de los Muertos Altar that helps 19 us preserve our cultural traditions. The Sanchez Aztec Singers often perform and compete at venues citywide. The large garden next to the track is part of the service-learning programs on campus and is supported by the Sustainable Food Center. Capital Area 4-H, Extend-a-Care, and Keep Austin Beautiful, groups that have also been partners in service at the campus for many years.”
Source: https://www.preservationaustin.org/blog/category/tejano-trail
