Originally published on 8/26/21
The saying, “Jacket Pride Never Dies,” has never held more meaning than it does this year at Alvin High School.
Alvin ISD’s oldest high school has 63 alumni working at the campus for the 2021-22 school year.
Marguerite Bagwell, Alvin High School’s Instructor for Health Science Theory and Medical Terminology and Lead HOSA Advisor, graduated from the school in 1975. This makes her the oldest alumni on campus, a fact Mrs. Bagwell is proud of!
“I came to teach at Alvin High School in 1998, after a 20 year career in dental hygiene. I was getting bored of my current job and heard they were starting a health science program at my alma mater. My husband and I both grew up and currently live in Alvin, so it was a perfect fit,” Bagwell shared.
In addition to Mrs. Bagwell, there are 62 other alumni ranging from graduating years 1975 - 2017.
“I have worked at Alvin HS in the English Department for 27 years. This year, two of my former students, Tommy Lewis, class of 2006, and Laura Hoffman, class of 2012, are members of the AHS English Department team,” said Donna Pauley, English teacher and AHS class of 1978 graduate. “I think people come back because AHS is like a family, a community. It still has a small-town vibe to it that draws people in.”
The youngest alumni to come back to teach at the school is Brenna Jernigan. Ms. Jernigan graduated from Alvin High School in 2017 and came back to teach because it “feels like home.”
“I love working at Alvin High School because the veteran teachers are prime examples of how to care and go above and beyond for students. I came back, and I know many other alumni come back to AHS, because of the relationships formed with students and faculty while attending school,” Jernigan shared.
“Having all of these alumni come back to work at their alma mater is a true testament to Alvin ISD and the experiences the school and district provided while they were students,” shared Alvin ISD Superintendent, Carol Nelson. “Alvin High School is a special place with a rich history and we will always welcome our alumni back.”
Whether the alumni come back as a teacher, paraprofessional, police officer, cafeteria worker, custodian, or parking attendant, they all say they come back because it feels like home!