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{{Infobox_School
{{Infobox_School
|name = L.D. Bell High School
|name = L. D. Bell High School
|image = Bell1.gif
|image = Bell1.gif
|imagesize = 175px
|imagesize = 175px
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{{For|other schools with similar names|Bell High School}}
{{For|other schools with similar names|Bell High School}}
'''Lawrence Dale Bell High School''', more commonly known as L.D. Bell High School, is a [[high school]] based in [[Hurst, Texas]], as part of the [[Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD]]. The school is named for [[Lawrence Dale Bell]], the founder of nearby [[Bell Helicopter Textron]].
'''Lawrence Dale Bell High School''', more commonly known as L. D. Bell High School, is a [[public high school]] in [[Hurst, Texas]] and part of the [[Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District]]. The school is named for [[Lawrence Dale Bell]], the founder of nearby [[Bell Helicopter Textron]]. L. D. Bell High School opened in 1957, moved to its present location in 1965, and was recognized as a [[Blue Ribbon Schools Program|National Blue Ribbon School]] for 1994-96.


L. D. Bell's marching band placed in the top five of every competition entered since 1999, including each year's [[Bands of America]] Grand Nationals. The men's and women's [[gymnastics]] teams have won a combined total of 35 state championships.
⚫
L.D. Bell receives students from three [[feeder school]]s: all students from Bedford Junior High school and Hurst Junior High school attend Bell along with a share of the students from Central Junior High school.<ref name="HEBISD_FeederChart">{{cite web|url=http://www.hebisd.edu/pages/schools/school_listings.html|title=HEB ISD School Feeder Chart & Sites|publisher=Hurst Euless Bedford Independent School District|accessdate=2007-05-22}}</ref>


== Background ==
== Background ==
Line 35: Line 35:
Preceding Jim Bannister as principal was Jim Short. Both of these men were preceded by the commended<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=77R&Bill=HR839|title=TLO - 77(R) History for HR 839|date=2001-05-04|accessdate=2007-05-29|publisher=Texas Legislature Online|author=Smith}}</ref> E. Don Brown, a former president of both the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP).<ref>http://www.principals.org/</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tassp.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=50|title=E.Don Brown joins TASSP staff as Interim Director of High School Services|publisher=TASSP|accessdate=2007-05-22}}</ref>
Preceding Jim Bannister as principal was Jim Short. Both of these men were preceded by the commended<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=77R&Bill=HR839|title=TLO - 77(R) History for HR 839|date=2001-05-04|accessdate=2007-05-29|publisher=Texas Legislature Online|author=Smith}}</ref> E. Don Brown, a former president of both the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP).<ref>http://www.principals.org/</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tassp.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=50|title=E.Don Brown joins TASSP staff as Interim Director of High School Services|publisher=TASSP|accessdate=2007-05-22}}</ref>


==Student body==
== Feeder Schools ==
L.D. Bell receives students from the following feeder schools:<ref name="HEBISD_FeederChart" />
* Junior Highs (grades 7-9)
** Bedford
** Central (splits between L.D. Bell and Trinity)
** Hurst


* Elementary schools (Grades K-6)
** Bedford Heights
** Bellaire
** Bell Manor
** Donna Park
** Harrison Lane
** Hurst Hills
** River Trails
** Shady Brook
** Shady Oaks
** Stonegate
** West Hurst

==Students==
During the 2005-2006 school year, L. D. Bell High School enrolled 1,947 students in grade 10 (35.0%), grade 11 (34.5%), and grade 12 (30.6%). Ethnicities represented include [[White people|white]] (66.1%), [[Hispanic]] (15.3%), [[Asian-Pacific American|Asian and Pacific Islander]] (6.0%), [[African American]] (11.9%), and [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] (0.7%). Twenty-five percent were economically [[disadvantaged]].<ref name="tea0506" />
During the 2005-2006 school year, L. D. Bell High School enrolled 1,947 students in grade 10 (35.0%), grade 11 (34.5%), and grade 12 (30.6%). Ethnicities represented include [[White people|white]] (66.1%), [[Hispanic]] (15.3%), [[Asian-Pacific American|Asian and Pacific Islander]] (6.0%), [[African American]] (11.9%), and [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] (0.7%). Twenty-five percent were economically [[disadvantaged]].<ref name="tea0506" />


There were 590 class of 2005 graduates. The annual dropout rate is 0.5% (in 2004-2005).<ref name="tea0506" />
There were 590 class of 2005 graduates. The annual dropout rate is 0.5% (in 2004-2005).<ref name="tea0506" />

⚫
L.D. Bell receives students from three [[feeder school]]s: all students from Bedford Junior High school and Hurst Junior High school attend Bell along with a share of the students from Central Junior High school. Students in the attendance zones for Bedford Heights, Bellaire, Bell Manor, Donna Park, Harrison Lane, Hurst Hills, River Trails, Shady Brook, Shady Oaks, Stonegate, and West Hurst elementary schools attend L. D. Bell High School.<ref name="HEBISD_FeederChart">{{cite web|url=http://www.hebisd.edu/pages/schools/school_listings.html|title=HEB ISD School Feeder Chart & Sites|publisher=Hurst Euless Bedford Independent School District|accessdate=2007-05-22}}</ref>


== Academics ==
== Academics ==

Revision as of 14:01, 1 August 2007

L. D. Bell High School
File:Bell1.gif
Location
Map
1601 Brown Trail Dr.
Hurst, Texas 76054

United States
Information
TypePublic
MottoWe do not imitate, but are a model for others.
Established1957
School districtHurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District
PrincipalJim Bannister
Staff148.8 (2005-06)[1]
Faculty120.3 (2005-06)[1]
Enrollment2,709 (2006-07)[2]
Grades
Colors
Mascot		10-12
Blue and white (silver)
Blue Raider
WebsiteL.D. Bell Homepage
For other schools with similar names, see Bell High School.

Lawrence Dale Bell High School, more commonly known as L. D. Bell High School, is a public high school in Hurst, Texas and part of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District. The school is named for Lawrence Dale Bell, the founder of nearby Bell Helicopter Textron. L. D. Bell High School opened in 1957, moved to its present location in 1965, and was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for 1994-96.

L. D. Bell's marching band placed in the top five of every competition entered since 1999, including each year's Bands of America Grand Nationals. The men's and women's gymnastics teams have won a combined total of 35 state championships.

Background

L.D. Bell High School Front Entrance
Aerial image of the entire Bell High School campus

Lawrence Dale Bell High School was relocated to the current campus on Brown Trail Dr. in 1965, at a site donated to the school district by Lawrence D. "Larry" Bell, Founder and President of Bell Helicopter Textron in Hurst. Before 1965, L.D. Bell high school was located on Pipeline Rd. between Central Dr. and Forest Ridge Dr., at the site of present day Central Junior High, the H-E-B Athletic Complex, KEYS (Keeping Eligible Youth in School) High School, and the Forest E. Watson (F.E.W.) Center. The school was relocated to accommodate a burgeoning student population resulting from the rapid suburban growth of the Hurst, Euless, Bedford, and Colleyville (known as the Mid-Cities within the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex). Many of the area's new residents were employed at Bell Helicopter. Trinity High school, L.D. Bell's sister school within the H-E-B district and crosstown rival was also built to accommodate the exploding population of the mid-cities.

L.D. Bell shares the use of district facilities such as Pennington Field for soccer, football, and marching band events; the H-E-B Natatorium located on the Trinity High school campus; and the HEB athletic field located at Central Junior High. L.D. Bell students may take broadcast journalism classes at the F.E.W. Center (near Central Junior High) or automotive based classes at the Technical Education Center (near the district administrative buildings and Pennington Field on Central Dr.).

On campus, L.D. Bell has a wide range of venues ranging from Nathan F. Danford field (baseball); a softball field; the Raider Bowl - a football field with permanent bleachers, a track, a field house, and an observation deck; a practice football field for the marching band with an observation deck; several other large football fields, and four parking lots (faculty, student, band hall and Bell Freeway Entrance (B.F.E.) / Raider Bowl).

Despite not having freshmen on campus, the 9th graders at each feeder campus are technically eligible for varsity sports programs, and on rare occasion make the teams and participate with the high school attendees.

Preceding Jim Bannister as principal was Jim Short. Both of these men were preceded by the commended[3] E. Don Brown, a former president of both the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP).[4][5]

Student body

During the 2005-2006 school year, L. D. Bell High School enrolled 1,947 students in grade 10 (35.0%), grade 11 (34.5%), and grade 12 (30.6%). Ethnicities represented include white (66.1%), Hispanic (15.3%), Asian and Pacific Islander (6.0%), African American (11.9%), and Native American (0.7%). Twenty-five percent were economically disadvantaged.[1]

There were 590 class of 2005 graduates. The annual dropout rate is 0.5% (in 2004-2005).[1]

L.D. Bell receives students from three feeder schools: all students from Bedford Junior High school and Hurst Junior High school attend Bell along with a share of the students from Central Junior High school. Students in the attendance zones for Bedford Heights, Bellaire, Bell Manor, Donna Park, Harrison Lane, Hurst Hills, River Trails, Shady Brook, Shady Oaks, Stonegate, and West Hurst elementary schools attend L. D. Bell High School.[6]

Academics

International Baccalaureate

L. D. Bell offers the International Baccalaureate and Pre-IB diploma programs to incoming sophomores, as part of a campaign for higher education success.

P.E.A.K. (Pupils Excelling in Ability and Knowledge)

The P.E.A.K. program was created for the entire H-E-B district by Betty Stapleton, a former L.D. Bell High School English teacher.[11] Students are identified as candidates for participation by teachers and given evaluations by both teachers and counselors before permission to attend the program is requested from and acknowledgment of selection is sent to parents. The program for gifted and talented students fosters creativity, problem solving, reasoning, verbal development, and other critical skills for advanced pupils[12] in grades 4-12. In grades 4-6, P.E.A.K. is a cluster environment that pulls students out of their regular classrooms to meet together with all ages in the program, with no official grade being awarded for the students' work. In junior high and high school, the P.E.A.K. program is handled through the English classes by requiring the students to use a higher-level of analysis, synthesis, and evaluative thinking. Until 1993, junior high P.E.A.K. students could also take P.E.A.K. history.

The high school P.E.A.K. program was phased out when district wide participation in IB was implemented in favor of a nationally recognized standard.

S.T.E.P.S. (Strategies and Techniques for Enriching Primary Students)

S.T.E.P.S. is the precursor to the P.E.A.K. program for students in grades K-3. Students are identified as candidates for participation by teachers and given evaluations by both teachers and counselors before permission to attend the program and acknowledgment of selection is requested from parents.

Athletics

The football team's home games are played at Pennington Field. L.D. Bell has three football teams: varsity, junior varsity, and sophomore. For the game with rival Trinity High school, the teams alternate between home and visitor every two years.

The 1982 varsity football team was defeated in the state championship game by West Brook Senior High (Beaumont, TX). Bell made the state semifinals in 1986 and the area finals in 1989.[13]

Men's Gymnastics State Champsionships:[13] 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1993, 2007

The men's gymnastics team has won 16 state titles since it was founded by Coach Emil Millan in 1966. The Bell men's team, currently coached by Sean Sims, has been the district and regional champions for the past two years, and placed 3rd as a team in the 2006 state championship. In the 2007 state championship meet, the team won their 16th state title, bringing back the championship for the first time in 14 years.[14]

Women's Gymnastics State Champsionships:[13] 1967, 1968, 1970, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1993, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005.

The women's gymnastics team has won 19 state championships since 1967. The team has claimed the first place spot at both district and regionals for at least the past six years, claimed state titles from 2002 to 2005, and placed second in the 2006 and 2007 state championship competition. The 2006-07 school year was Coach Debbie Williams' 32nd season at L.D. Bell.[15]

Men's baseball is played on campus at Nathan F. Danford field, located along Pleasantview Dr. on the northwest corner of campus. The team made regional semifinals in 1983 and regional quarterfinals in 2002. They won district championships in 1995, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2004, and 2005.[13]

The hockey team plays at area ice rinks, including the Dr. Pepper Star's Centers in Euless, Grapevine, and Coppell.

The volleyball team won the district 7-5A championship in 2006.[13] The women's soccer team won the district championship in 2007.[13] The men's and women's soccer teams' home games are typically played at Pennington Field. Softball home games are played at the softball field on the south end of campus near the Raider Bowl. Teams are also fielded in men's basketball, women's basketball, and golf.

Fine Arts / UIL Competitive Organizations

Band

File:Bell55.jpg
L.D. Bell High School Marching Band Spelling "Bell"

The band program at L.D. Bell splits students into four concert season bands: Sub Non-Varstity 2,Sub Non-Varsity, Non-Varsity, and varsity. The marching band consists of members from all four concert season bands and totals nearly 300 students. Mr. Jeremy L. Earnhart is the head director of bands at L.D. Bell[16]. Other band directors at L.D. Bell include: Jolette Wine, Nick Thomas, Brandon Holt, and Wes Cartwright (color guard instructor).

The marching band advanced to the UIL 5A State competition in 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998, and 1996; advanced to the finals in 2006, 2004, 2002 (finals canceled due to inclement weather), and 2000, and won the championship in 2004 and 2000.

In addition to the UIL competitions, the band regularly competes in independent contests (usually run by schools) and Bands of America contests at both the regional and grand national levels. In 2006, the marching band earned "Outstanding musical performance" and placed 2nd overall at the BOA Grand Nationals. In 2004, the band won the BOA St. Louis Super-Regional and captured all captions (specific categories of judgment - music, marching, and general effect). In BOA Grand National competitions, the band also placed 4th in 2001, 5th in 2003, 3rd in 2005, and 2nd in 2006. Since 2000, the band has medaled at 14 BOA events and 4 of 4 times at the UIL State Marching. The L.D. Bell Marching Band has placed in the top 5 of each contest attended since 1999 (currently 4/3/2007).[17]

Each year, the band undergoes several fund raising activities. Most notable among these is the 10 mile march-a-thon through the neighborhoods within the school's boundaries. Another activity that is a favorite of the local community is the annual BBQ Dinner. A BBQ dinner provided by a local business sets the scene for an evening of musical enjoyment. The marching band play some of its 'pep' tunes and usually a small excerpt from its marching band show.

In recent years, the L.D. Bell High school and Trinity High school bands have cooperated to run the "H-E-B Marching Contest"[18] as an additional fund-raising opportunity. Located at Pennington Field, the contest features an exhibition performance of both host bands along with other high schools from the state and surrounding areas in full preliminary and finals competitions. Throughout the years, the bitterness of the rivalry between L.D. Bell and Trinity has been largely absent among the band members, where there tends to be more collaboration, encouragement, and support for the cross-town school.

Bell System

Bell System is an exclusive choir that combines singing with dance steps and complicated choreography.

Cheerleading

need info

Choir

need info

Raiderettes

The Raiderettes are the "sweethearts of L.D. Bell", the dance team that performs at football games, basketball games, and in competitions. Consisting only of sophomore, junior and senior girls, the Raiderettes are known for their entrance onto the field to the song, "Grand Entry Swing March", and for their traditional kick/dance to the song, "Hey, Look Me Over!"

Speech / Debate

need info

Theater

The theater department participates in several activities each year. The UIL One Act plays are competitive and advance through district, area, and state rounds. There are also senior directed one-act plays that allow students the opportunity to direct and produce their own play.

L.D. Bell Theater won the 1995 state championship with the UIL One Act play "Black Angel".

Clubs / Organizations (non-UIL)

Famous Alumni

Famous alumni are listed in chronological order by graduation (or expected graduation) year.

Name Distinction Graduated
John T. Montford Former Texas state senator (1983-96) and Texas Tech chancellor (1996-2007)[19] 1961
David Kunkle Police Chief for the city of Dallas, Texas. Former police chief of Grand Prairie and Arlington, Texas.[19] 1969
Karen Tandy Appointed Administrator of U.S.Drug Enforcement Administration 2003 [20] 1971
Cary Blanchard Former NFL placekicker (1992-2000) with Jets, Colts, Redskins, Giants and Cardinals[19] 1987
Tommy Maddox Former NFL Quarterback[19] and NFL Comeback Player of the Year 1988
Eric Vance Former NFL safety (1998-2002) for Buccaneers and Colts; went to Vanderbilt[19] 1993
Ryan Roberts MLB player in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, made major league debut late in the 2006 season.[19][21] 1999
Jamie Story Miss Texas 2004[19] 1999
Katie McNeill Member of former country music group 3 of Hearts 2001
Blair Stroud Member of former country music group 3 of Hearts 2001
Deserea Wasdin Member of former country music group 3 of Hearts 2001
Jordan Thomas All-State musician and former member and Drum Major of The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps[22] 2003

Awards and Recognitions

Year Organization Award
1982 Varsity Football UIL 5A State Finalist (2nd place)
1986 Varsity Football UIL 5A State Semifinalist
1989 Varsity Football UIL 5A Area Finalist
1994-1996 School National Blue Ribbon School[23]
1995 Theater UIL One Act Play State Champion
2000 Marching Band UIL 5A State Champions
2001 Marching Band BOA Grand National Finalist (4th Place)
2002 Gymnastics UIL 5A State Champions
2002 Marching Band UIL 5A State Finalist (2nd place)
2003 Gymnastics UIL 5A State Champions
2003 Marching Band BOA Grand National Finalist (5th Place)
2004 Gymnastics UIL 5A State Champions
2004 Marching Band UIL 5A State Champions
2005 Gymnastics UIL 5A State Champions
2005 Marching Band BOA Grand National Finalist (3rd Place)
2005-2006 School Golden Apple Award
2006 Marching Band UIL 5A State Finalist (2nd place)
2006 Marching Band BOA Grand National Finalist (2nd place)
2006 Varsity Football UIL 5A Bi-District Finalist
2006 Mesmerizing Lady Steppers [citation needed] Texas Step Shows State Champions
2007 Gymnastics (Men - Team) UIL 5A State Champions (Team)[14]
2007 Gymnastics (Men - Individual) UIL 5A Individual High Bar State Champion (Abram Holt)
2007 Gymnastics (Men - Individual) UIL 5A Individual Vault State Champion (Tyler Martin)

Trivia

  • Most of the school is actually located within Bedford city limits.[24]
  • L.D. Bell seniors are currently allowed to enjoy off-campus lunches.
  • In 2002, the school was at the center of a national zero tolerance debate when a student was expelled for having a non-serrated bread knife in his truck-bed. The knife was left in the truck by accident after the student had helped move his grandmother's possessions. His expulsion was rescinded when media attention mounted against principal Jim Short and the school district.[25]
  • The boy's and girl's gymnastic teams have won more state titles than any school in the state of Texas. As of 2007, the girls have won 17 state titles and the boy's have won 16. The boy's team is the 2007 Texas State Champions.[14]
  • On June 2, 2006, a senior Bell theater student, Katherine Smith, was arrested for "tampering with a consumer product" after she put bleach in a 20 oz. Mountain Dew bottle and gave it to the 15 year old actor who had won a leading role in the play, "Ha", for which Smith was the understudy.[26]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Academic Excellence Indicator System; 2005-06 District Performance; Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD; Bell H S". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 2007-05-29. Cite error: The named reference "tea0506" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ "My High School, Hurst L.D. Bell Raiders, School Information". WFAA.com. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  3. ^ Smith (2001-05-04). "TLO - 77(R) History for HR 839". Texas Legislature Online. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  4. ^ http://www.principals.org/
  5. ^ "E.Don Brown joins TASSP staff as Interim Director of High School Services". TASSP. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  6. ^ "HEB ISD School Feeder Chart & Sites". Hurst Euless Bedford Independent School District. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  7. ^ "Tarrant schools make the grade", Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Northeast edition), 2007-05-22
  8. ^ "America's Top Public High Schools". Newsweek. 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  9. ^ Brock, Katherine Cromer; Claassen, Jeff (2007-05-16), "School ratings can hide disparities: Another way to gauge high school quality", Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Northeast edition), pp. 1B, 9B (direct link to chart)
  10. ^ "Nine Named National Merit Finalists". Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District. 2007-02-14. Retrieved 2007-05-15.
  11. ^ "Friends We'll Miss". UNT North Texas online. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  12. ^ "General School Info". Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  13. ^ a b c d e f "My High School - Hurst L.D. Bell Raiders - Sports History". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  14. ^ a b c Nathan Wright (2007-05-06). "Hurst L.D. Bell continues collecting state gymnastics titles". WFAA.com. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  15. ^ C. Anthony Mosser (2007-06-16). "2007 All-Area Gymnastics". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  16. ^ "The L.D. Bell Band Directors". L.D. Bell Band. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  17. ^ "About.htm". L.D. Bell Band. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  18. ^ "HEB Marching Content". Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g "WFAA.com - My High School; Hurst L.D. Bell Raiders; Famous Alumni". WFAA.com. Retrieved 2005-05-15.
  20. ^ "Inside the DEA, DEA Leadership, Karen P. Tandy, DEA Administrator". U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  21. ^ Jordan Bastian (2007/05/15). "Notes: Jays hope Roberts can fill role". Retrieved 2007-05-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "The Caveliers Appoint New "Machine Operators"". The Cavaliers. 2006-01-20. Retrieved 2007-05-15.
  23. ^ "Blue Ribbon Schools Program, Schools Recognized 1982-1983 Through 1999-2002" (PDF). Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Retrieved 2007-07-31.
  24. ^ "070118_ZoningMap.pdf" (PDF). City of Bedford, TX. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  25. ^ http://www.citizenreviewonline.org/august_2002/student_snagged.htm
  26. ^ http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0602061dew1.html
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