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Waco ISD historical committee presents legacy naming, murals and wayfinding for new Waco High
Summary
A community-appointed historical committee detailed plans to commemorate legacy schools in the new Waco High building through named neighborhoods, murals and archives; designers and local artists will be engaged to create the graphics.
A Waco ISD historical advisory committee presented its legacy plan for the new Waco High School at the board's Dec. 10, 2024, meeting, describing neighborhood names, murals, archival displays and wayfinding designed to reflect the histories of Richfield, the earlier Waco High campuses and the Moore schools.
Former trustee Miss Luce, who chairs the advisory committee, introduced committee members and described the group's goal to "bring aspects of those schools back together, so we can commemorate when we were actually on those campuses." Jana, the district presenter, reviewed building wayfinding and branding such as "Tiger Square" and "Ram Place," and explained how room codes (for example, TS for Tiger Square) and a terrazzo "Lions Way" path are intended to help students navigate the large campus.
The committee said the district has hired muralist Will Suarez to create a culminating mural at the main cafeteria/hangar wall; the committee will remain engaged while the mural is completed late in the project. Graphic artist Vincent Thomas was selected to create entrance graphics for the building's neighborhood entries. The plan preserves a dedicated archive room near the library to house historic yearbooks and paraphernalia and retains the performing-arts name, the Richfield Performing Arts Center / Lyle Skinner Auditorium.
Committee members present included Sally Bledsoe, Joanne and David Norwood, Nancy Lacy, Kelly Bledsoe, Betty Beard and Clint Deflison; Miss Luce thanked the group for its work. Trustees praised the look and said architectural features such as a glazed counseling corner and hangar-inspired elements draw on the site's history as an airbase.
A presenter said the building's interior graphics and branding will be inspired by original school colors and historical imagery and that certain artifacts (for example, a stuffed tiger named Regit) and mascot displays will be housed in prominent locations. During the presentation a district presenter cited a building-size figure that was not clearly enunciated; the presenter described it as approximately 355,300 square feet.
No formal board vote was required for the advisory committee's presentation; trustees expressed appreciation and said they look forward to final artwork and continued committee involvement.
