Four generations have been a part of the legacy of
Highland Park football
Many generations have walked through the doors of Highland Park High School. Our community is close knit and in reality, is one big family. The saying is true, it takes a village to raise kids and the village comes from coaches, educators, parents, and the one that is not a person, but you understand and respect it, tradition.
As we open up the history vault and look back at tradition, one family is rich with tradition and hard work. The Rutledge Family came from Midland Texas, to join the HP family in 1955. Fermon D. Rutledge joined the football coaching staff with Tugboat Jones. His son, Fermon D. "Red" Rutledge, II worked hard to earn a spot on Varsity as a sophomore. These two men, coach and player, would set the tone for discipline for the next generation of Rutledge men coming in 1981 and 2019 to the HP varsity football team.
Tradition has always been a part of Highland Park football and it is safe to say, that there is no other family that had a football coach, who later became Vice Principal at HPHS, lead and set the tone for three generations to become captains of their football teams in 1960, 1983, and 2021.
The Rutledge Family is truly one of a kind. They are a humble and passionate family who cares deeply about our community. It is very telling that the 2021 football season slogan was "Leave a Legacy".
The Rutledge family are leaders of that Legacy!
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Fermon D. Rutledge
HPHS Football Coach from 1955- 1963
HPHS Vice Principal from 1963- 1965
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Two Generations of Centers led to a Wide Receiver
All three were Captains their Senior Year
Left to Right: Captain Red Rutledge '61, Captain John Carl Rutledge '84, and Captain John Rutledge '22 (HPHS wide receiver)
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Representation of the Legacy of HPHS Football
Rutledge Letter Jackets
Coach Rutledge- Red Rutledge '61- John Carl Rutledge '84- John Rutledge '22
The tradition and styles never change.
All Rutledge men were three year varsity football players (the stripes on the H)
The Star in the left corner of the H- Football Captain
The Star in the right corner of the H- Track Captain (John '22)
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Fermon D. Rutledge
HPHS Varsity Football Coach to HPHS Vice Principal
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Coach Fermon D. Rutledge with 1961 Captains
L to R: Red Rutledge, Andy Small, and Danny Thomas
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1957 HPHS Football Coaching Staff
F.D. Rutledge, third from left, stands next to coach Tugboat Jones to his right.
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The 1957 "B" Basketball team coached by F.D. Rutledge.
This was the first year he joined the coaching staff at HPHS.
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Coach Rutledge (in glasses) at Love Field heading to Corpus Christi for a football game. |
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1960 HPHS Football Coaches
HPHS Head Coach, F.D. Rutledge, center with glasses, ended the season with a 8-1-1 record.
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Coach Rutledge and Danny Thomas '61 evaluate the game against Sherman from the sidelines. |
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HPHS Vice Principal Fermon D. Rutledge |
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1963- 1965- Fermon D. Rutledge becomes Vice Principal of HPHS
- Duties included: program scheduling for the school calendar, disciplining students, maintaining the building and the facilities while coordinating the student activities such as dances and school pep rallies
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Fermon D. "Red" Rutledge, II '61 |
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Red Rutledge
- Was a 3 year Varsity Player
- Played Center and Middle Linebacker
- Was coached by his dad, Fermon D. Rutledge, all three years while on varsity: 1959-1961
- Graduated HPHS and went on to play football at SMU
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Red Rutledge (back row far right) was a member of the Hi-Y Club. The Hi- Y organization was open to all boys and the slogan was to create and maintain through the school and community higher standards of Christian character. Backed by the YMCA, the Hi-Y also organized fall dances and various speakers to attend their meetings. Rutledge was chaplain his senior year. |
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David Hildebrand and Red Rutledge look over plans for
the Hi-Y dance in 1961.
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1984 Captains at Coin Toss |
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John Carl Rutledge
- Attended Hyer, Bradfield, MIS/MMS and HPHS
- Started playing football in 4th grade through the YMCA and was on the Bradfield Blue Bullet football team
- Fondest memories were YMCA football- the generations of boys who played and the dads who coached- priceless
- Coaches played a big role in his life: Coach Jim Castellaw, Coach Simms, Coach Richard Bohac
- John was a member of the HPHS Track team and threw the shot put
Meaningful moments for John
- The women in his life played a big role in his success
- How do you have four generations of the same family be a part of HP?
- John says that the women in his life made the impact to make living in HP and playing for the Scots a dream.
- Grandmother was a coaches wife and there are long days and nights- but she was always supportive and did what she needed to support the Scots!
- John's mom made it a priority to live in HP and knew the importance of raising her children in the HPISD community.
- Rutledge married Susan and together, they have raised both of their kids in the district and are their kids biggest fans.
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John was a member of the Records and Tapes Club. Club sponsors, Steve Wilkes (beard) and Doug Miller (tie) join Rutledge (sling) and David Nichols as they pose for a yearbook photo.
This club enjoyed their annual football tournaments, attended Maverick and Ranger games, in addition to viewing the latest movies and videotapes.
Rock on Rutledge!
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2021 Captains at Coin Toss |
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John Rutledge
- Attended Armstrong Elementary, MIS/HPMS and now is a senior at HPHS
- Started playing YMCA and tackle football during his elementary years
- Has speed and great hands to become a receiver
- Played wide receiver all 3 years on varsity
- Special teams kick returner and place holder for kicker
- Friday night lights are like no other
- The history behind the fans, the noise and all the traditions
- What his family has taught him:
- Never give up, you have a whole team behind you to support you
- Lead others
- Young kids are looking up to you- you have an influence on their lives
- His dad John said to him everyday:
- Try your best and have fun, Be happy.
- John said he could hear his mom always cheering from the sidelines while he was on the field
- Traditions and fun facts
- Before every football game, John will walk for 50 yards and says a prayer in the back of the end zone
- John can do a standing front and back flip (he is over 6ft tall!)
- Eats Campisi pasta at least twice a week
- Favorite HPHS memory- running a kick return vs. Rockwall for 89 yards and scoring a touchdown. It was his first time to ever do this in his football career.
- Former HPHS players he has looked up too: John and Charlie Dickinson '05, Preston Miller '12, and Chandler Morris '20
- Track Star
- Super star sprinter
- 4th in State for the 200 meter sprint (Spring 2021)
- Track Captain 2021-2022
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The Rutledge Family
Susan and John Rutledge
Madeline - HPHS '17, Tulane Graduate '21 and currently in her first year at
NYU Law School
Captain of the HPHS Girls Field Hockey Team
John- HPHS Senior and will graduate in May 2022
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Senior Night at Highlander Stadium
2021
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Susan, Madeline, John, and John Rutledge in New Orleans in 2021. |
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The HPHS Alumni Association Board met at Hyer Elementary for their November Board meeting.
It was a treat to hear from our guest speaker, HPISD STEAM teacher, Jean Streepey, as she gave a fabulous presentation about all of the innovative learning she is bringing to the HP classrooms.
Superintendent Dr. Tom Trigg welcomed the group and gave a wonderful tour of the gorgeous school.
Stay tuned this April for open houses of Hyer and Boone Elementary!
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Principals of Hyer Elementary |
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Hyer Elementary History Wall |
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Alumni Membership - Join Today! |
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Join or renew your
Highland Park High School
Alumni Association Membership!
The Alumni Association thrives in allowing alumni to connect with classmates, support cherished traditions, and celebrate all things HP!
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Join or renew today to receive a NEW membership sticker! |
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The Super Scot Society recognizes donors who have made a planned gift to the Highland Park Education Foundation and HPHS Alumni Association.
Our newest member, Bill Janowski '52, has made quite the inspirational gift:
Bill’s gift to the Education Foundation generously established a Student Needs Fund within the Tartan Endowment that exists to support the critical needs of current HPISD students to ensure they can successfully graduate in pursuit of bigger dreams, just like Bill. Anyone can contribute to the Memorial Fund by visiting hpef.org/tartan-fund.
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As so many other alumni do, Bill attributes his success in life to the wonderful education that he received during those formative years. “I’ve been both blessed and lucky, and I know it,” says Bill as he reflects on those pivotal four years of his life.
"If I hadn't of gone to Highland Park, I would have
never been prepared for College."
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Mad for Plaid is the Highland Park Education Foundation's annual campaign supporting HPISD's current, greatest need - teacher and staff salary support.
Your gifts enable the Education Foundation to grant over $1 million to the District each year specifically for district-wide staff salaries.
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Your generosity enables teachers like Jessica Seagroves Butler '14 to keep the HP tradition of exemplary education alive and well for current and future students.
Teachers like Jessica foster creative spaces where our students can grow, learn, and make a positive impact in their lives and in the lives of others.
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"I graduated high school in 2014 and I am married to my high school sweetheart Blake Butler. I took every art and ceramics class possible throughout school, and I was constantly drawing and sculpting. When I attended there were not any clubs, but I did have a bunch of art friends that basically was an art club. Our art friend group would go meet places and draw such as the aquarium or each other's houses, or even Canes. Now whenever I see a Canes or any of the other places that we used to draw it always makes me smile. Sometimes we still gather up when we are all in town and meet to draw. I also remember the support I had from my teachers at the high school, whether it was a Latin or English teacher they really helped inspired me to push forward and aim for my passions.
I am thankful to have gone to such a supportive school."
Jessica Seagroves Butler '14
HPMS 7th and 8th Grade Art
8th Grade Advanced Art
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Serving aces in HPISD since 1966 is Betty Sue Hagerman Welch, retired HPHS Tennis Coach and champion of Special Olympics.
Betty Sue Hagerman Welch '66 played tennis and won State singles her senior year. She later transitioned from coaching and teaching to working with the students and athletes in the district competing in Special Olympics.
Did you know Betty Sue went to SMU and played badminton, basketball, volleyball and tennis from 1966-1970? In addition, she was named 1993 USPTA National High School Tennis Coach of the Year!
Former tennis players honored her retirement Friday, November 5 at Highlander Stadium during halftime of the Scots football game.
Way to go Betty Sue! Thank you from all HPHS Alums and students!
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HPHS Alumni Tennis Players honor Betty Sue Hagerman Welch '66 at half time on Friday, November 5. |
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Betty Sue Hagerman Welch' 66,in black jacket joins, HPHS Alums at Highlander Field. |
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HPHS Tennis Players from the 90's left to right, Meredith Willingham Mabus '91 and Liza Graham Ellis '90 pose HPHS Head Coach Betty Sue Hagerman Welch '66 at a tennis match. |
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November has been filled with HPHS Alums gathering to celebrate milestone years with their classmates!
The HPHS Class of 1975 celebrated their 45th high school reunion the weekend of November 6. Highland Park High School tours kicked of their Saturday, followed by dinner and drinks at the Dallas Country Club on Saturday night!
Special thanks to Class Officer Cynthia Williams Beecherl for her hard work in planning the reunion!
The HPHS Class of 1990 had a busy weekend of FUN planned for their 30th high school reunion. The weekend kicked off Friday, November 5 at the Scots Game, followed by drinks at Banditos. Saturday was filled with tours of the high school, lunch at Goff's Hamburgers and then dinner and drinks at Ben E. Keith.
Thank you to class officers Spencer Cochran, Kristen Herring Lampe, Tracy Goodwin Flint and Jenni Marks Scoggins for their organization in planning a stellar reunion! A very big thank you to Catherine Hallam Sweet and her husband Mike for hosting the class at Ben E. Keith.
A big appreciation and thanks goes to all HPHS alums who attended and contributed to making your reunion a memorable one!
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HPHS Class of 1975 Reunion |
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HPHS Class of 1990 Reunion |
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On Saturday, November 5, a group of retired HPISD teachers gathered for breakfast and fellowship at Celebration Restaurant. This group often gets together and how wonderful it is to see great educators who taught during many different decades, find the time to spend time with one another!
HPISD teachers are truly legendary.
See if you can name these teachers without looking at the answers!
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Starting at the top of the table and dressed in yellow is Liza Leggett and moving clockwise are: Vicky Hamilton, Lisa Wait , Jeanne Clayton, Kay Keeland, Cindy Hodgkinson, Beth Ballard, and Elizabeth Schacht |
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Starting a the lower left and wearing the red vest is Wanda Spoonmore and moving clockwise behind her is: Suzanne Babcock, Patsy Newman, Patricia Palmer, Shirley Kochman, and Mary Anne Hardison. |
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Ahoy Matees! Did you know HPHS had a Sailing Club?
Members would gather and "learn the ropes" from speakers and sailing films at their bi-monthly meetings. They enjoyed their annual weekends at Lake Texoma and an exciting trip to the Florida Keys at Spring Break. In 1984, the Sailing Club was the 2nd largest interest club at the high school.
Photos from 1984.
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