A Big Thank You to Everyone who made the
Lasso Alumni Association Week
at Good Time Charlie’s a success!
And a special thanks to Good Time Charlie's!
The TJHS Lasso Alumni Association was officially started in Dec 2006. We are dedicated to helping preserve the Lasso Traditions and help the current Lassos and Thomas Jefferson High School. Since forming, we have obtained our DBA, opened and maintained a bank account, raised funds to help provide performance and school uniforms for the current Lassos, we have incorporated, elected our 2nd year officers and become a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
We have a membership application, dues structure, hold monthly board meetings and regular membership meetings and have participated in several fundraisers. We have been able to interact with the current Lassos and have a close relationship with the Lasso sponsors and work closely with them. Early on, we provided Happy Feet performance boots and leather belts for end of year performances and have since provided traditional Lasso Uniforms, western hats, leather gauntlets and REAL boots and spurs for the Lasso officers.
We have relied heavily on donations we have received from members, ex lassos and other Jefferson graduates. We had a very generous matching funds donor in 2007 and another generous donor who purchased ropes last year. As the Lasso numbers increase, so will the cost to help them maintain the traditional look and provide uniforms for new members.
Some other things we have been doing:
We participated in the Jefferson 75th anniversary Open House showing off Lasso memorabilia and even some roping skills. The current Lassos performed and were VERY interested in talking with the previous Lassos about past uniforms and traditions.
We have an email address and have an email list to use when sending out meeting notices and other information.
We have several committee chairmen and a chairperson to help create and maintain an ongoing History of the Lassos.
Our President made a trip to Houston early in 2008 to present an Honorary Lasso Alumni Membership to Bettye Smolin Weiss on her 85th birthday. She was a 1942 graduate of Thomas Jefferson and a Lasso from 1939-1942 and marched in the filming of the “High School” movie. She was presented with memorabilia including a copy of the 1938 Life Magazine that featured the Lassos and Jefferson.
Our future plans include providing additional items to the Lassos as needed, work with roping team to pass on our knowledge and traditions, produce a newsletter, increase association membership and involvement, help to increase the current Lasso population, encourage school Pride, Lasso traditions and scholastic achievement, create a scholarship program, work closely with Lasso sponsors, Principal and faculty.
Jefferson High School, located at 723 Donaldson Avenue, was built during 1931-32. In October 1932 Constance Douglas founded the Lassos as a pep club.
Mailing Address:
Lasso Alumni Association
PO BOX 690184
San Antonio, TX 78269