About HISD
INDEX
Information for HISD Alumni
The Houston Independent School District takes pride in the many successful graduates it has produced since 1923. To assist alumni, HISD has compiled a list of resources and answers to some of the questions most commonly asked by former students.
Alumni Associations
Below is a list of HISD alumni associations. To have your school's alumni organization/information linked to this site or to update a link, e-mail info@houstonisd.org.
- Bellaire High School Alumni and Friends
- Davis High School Reunion Information
- DeBakey High School for Health Professions
- Furr High School Alumni
- Houston High School (Class of 1966)
- HSPVA Alumni; HSPVA Friends
- Jones High School Alumni
- Kashmere Alumni Association
- Lamar Alumni Central
- Lee High School Alumni Information
- Milby High School Alumni
- Reagan High School Alumni
- Sterling High School Alumni Association
- Waltrip High School Alumni
- Washington High School Alumni
- Friends of Westbury High School Foundation
- Wheatley High School Alumni
- Yates High School Alumni
Diplomas
How do I obtain a replacement diploma?
A graduate who wishes to obtain a replacement copy of his or her high-school diploma must first obtain a copy of his or her transcript from Inactive Records (see "Transcripts" link at right for details) and present it to the registrar at his or her individual high school. Click here for a list of high-school registrars.
Each high school has its own policies and procedures for obtaining copies of diplomas, but most charge a fee between $14 and $17 and require 6-8 weeks to process the request.
Do I really need a duplicate diploma?
In many cases, the answer is no.
If the only reason you want one is to provide proof of graduation to a potential employer, then you should know that a duplicate diploma is not considered an official document. Diplomas are considered “commemorative” items, whose function is primarily ceremonial.
For proof of graduation, you will need to obtain a certified copy of your high-school transcript, which can be obtained free of charge from your high school’s registrar (as opposed to a duplicate diploma, which costs around $15).
Please note: Replacement diplomas are not reproductions of the original documents issued. Replacement diplomas will be signed by the current principal and superintendent of schools at the time the request is processed, which may be different from those who were in office when the degree was actually obtained.
Distinguished HISD Alumni
Austin High School
- Diana Davila Martinez (1984) Texas State Representative (1993–1999) for District 145, which covers East Houston, the City of South Houston and part of Pasadena.
- Manuel Rodríguez, Jr. (1970) HISD Board Member; founder and president of the MARVAA Corporation, which provides community assistance in education, housing, and financial planning.
- John Kenneth "Ken" Spain (1965) professional basketball player in American Basketball Association; won gold medal in 1968 Olympics; drafted by Oakland Oaks in 1969; also played for Pittsburg Condors; inducted into University of Houston's Hall of Fame in 1998
- Victoriano "Victor" Treviño (1970) Harris County Constable of Precinct 6 since 1989
- Richard Vara (1968) Harris County Judge, Justice of the Peace Court (Precinct 6, Place 1) since 1984
Bellaire High School
- Laurie Bricker (1969) former HISD Board Member; founder of the Jewish Women's International Annual Prejudice Awareness Summit
- Jeff Cohen (1972) executive Vice President and editor of The Houston Chronicle newspaper since 2002
- José L. Cruz (1992) professional baseball player; drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 1995; also played for Toronto Blue Jays
- Annalee Jefferies (1972) actress; resident company member of Houston's Alley Theatre for more than 15 seasons; has performed both on and off Broadway, in films, and on television
- Edward Charles "Chuck" Knoblauch (1986) professional baseball player (second baseman); played for Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, and New York Yankees
- Richard Linklater (1979) independent film-maker, actor, and director who came to fame in the early 1990’s; known for his edgy depictions of youth culture and modern life; inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in 2007
- Chukwuemeka Noubuisi "Emeka" Okafor (2001) professional basketball player for the Charlotte (NC) Bobcats; member of bronze-medal-winning 2004 U.S. Men's Olympic basketball team; named NBA Rookie of the Year for 2004–2005
- Robert Randall Onstead, Jr. (1974) son of founder of Randall's supermarket chain; president and chief executive officer of Randall's from 1996–2003
- Cindy Pickett (1965) actress whose career on both the large and small screens spans more than 30 years; perhaps best known for her role as the lead character’s mother in the movie, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Pickett has also appeared on TV shows such as Murder, She Wrote, L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, Medium, and CSI: Miami
- Dennis Quaid (1972) actor, best known for his roles in feature films like Inner Space, The Right Stuff, and The Big Easy
- Randall Rudy "Randy" Quaid (1969) actor, best known for his quirky roles in oddball comedy films like Kingpins, Independence Day, and National Lampoon's Vacation
- Steven "Steve" Radack (1969) elected Harris County Commissioner of Precinct 3 in 1988
- Brent Spiner (1967) classmate of Randy Quaid, best known for his character "Data" on the TV series, Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Donald Yearnsley “Trey” Wilson III (1966) stage and film actor whose career spanned more than 25 years at the time of his death in 1989; appeared in feature films such as Bull Durham, Twins, and Raising Arizona and TV shows such as Dallas and Spenser: for Hire
Chávez High School—opened 2000
Contemporary Learning Center
- Juan Diaz (2001) World Boxing Association's Lightweight Champion in 2004; also the Mexican National Tournament Lightweight Champion in 2000
DeBakey High School for Health Professions
- Judith R. Campbell (1977) Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine
Davis High School
- Jack Abercia (1951) Harris County Constable for Precinct One, which covers Upper Kirby, Garden Oaks, and other sections of north central Harris County
- Esther Campos (1948) former HISD Board Member
- Carl Crawford (1999) professional baseball player (outfielder) for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
- James DeAnda (1943) retired federal judge; appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas by President Jimmy Carter
- Felix Fraga (1948) former Houston City Councilmember and HISD Board Member; Vice President of External Relations for Neighborhood Centers Inc. since 1990
- Gene Green (1966) U.S. Representative (D-Houston)
- Ricardo "Rocky" Juarez (1999) the 1999 World Champion Boxer (featherweight) and 2000 Olympic silver medalist
- Slater N. Martin (1943), NBA Hall-of-Famer, played for Minneapolis (now Los Angeles) Lakers, New York Knickerbockers (now "Knicks") and the St. Louis (now Atlanta) Hawks
- David Mendoza, Jr. (1968) Harris County Judge in the 262nd Judicial District Court
- Kenny Rogers (1956), country music singer, gained fame in the 1980's for songs like "The Gambler," "We've Got Tonight," and "Lady"
- Tommy Thomas (1961) Harris County Sheriff
- Gracie Saenz (1971) Former Mayor Pro-Tem, City Councilmember at Large
- Jesse Valdez (1967) bronze medalist in Welterweight boxing at the 1972 Olympic Games
- Gerald E. Wilson (1972) president and founder of Wilson Financial Group, Inc., which owns and operates funeral homes, cemeteries, flower shops, and other related businesses in 11 states; CPA and financial planner
Furr High School
- Paula Arnold (1967) former HISD Board Member; cofounder of Arnold & Langrand Communications, a marketing services firm
- Carolyn Campbell (1974) TV Reporter for Channel 11 (KHOU-TV)
- Anthony Young (1984) professional baseball player (pitcher); played for New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, and Cleveland Indians. Also attended Pleasantville Elementary and Holland Middle Schools.
High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
- Analia Wilkerson (1982) judge in Harris County Criminal Court No. 9; youngest judge ever elected in Harris County (at age 29) in 1994
High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
- Lisa Hartman Black (1974), actress, best known for her work on TV-series soap opera Knots Landing; married to country music singer Clint Black; also attended Long Middle and Sharpstown High Schools
- Shelley Carrol (1982), professional jazz musician (saxophone) and band leader; has recorded albums both solo (A Distant Star, 2001) and with the Duke Ellington Orchestra (1997), with whom he has toured; his music has also been featured on the televesion series, Melrose Place and Evening Shade
- Justin Stewart Furtsenfeld (1994) lead singer, guitar-player, and lyricist of the rock band “Blue October,” which has appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien
- Jorge Garza (1987) opera singer, has performed with the Los Angeles Music Center Opera, Baltimore Opera, the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Santa Fe Opera, and the Orchestra de Lyon in France
- Robert Glasper (1997), professional musician (piano); founding member of the Robert Glasper Trio, which released its debut album, Mood, in 2003; has also played in the bands of Christian McBride, Terence Blanchard, Mark Whitfield, Russell Malone, Nicholas Payton, Tim Warfield, Kenny Garrett, Charles Tolliver, Louis Hayes and Bilal
- Everette Harp (1979) jazz musician (saxophonist), best known for his self-titled debut album and second release, Common Ground
- Andreacute “André” Hayward (1989), professional jazz musician (trombone); member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra; has performed with Roy Hargrove on the album Of Kindred Souls and with Dave Holland on the album What Goes Around; also backed up stars like Rosemary Clooney, Eartha Kitt, Diane Schuur, and Joe Williams
- Sara Hickman (1981) singer/songwriter, known for albums Equal Scary People, Shortstop, and Necessary Angels, the second of which yielded the adult-contemporary hit "I Couldn't Help Myself"
- Beyoncé Knowles, (2000*) lead singer of pop group Destiny's Child, known for her debut multi-platinum solo album, Dangerously In Love, and group releases, Destiny's Child and Survivor
- Jason Moran (1993) acclaimed jazz pianist with six solo albums to his credit and guest appearances on more than a dozen other artists' albums; signed to Blue Note Records in 1997 while still a senior at the Manhattan School of Music
- (Evelyn) Renée O'Connor (1989*), actress, best known for her role as "Gabrielle" on the TV show Xena: Warrior Princess
- Eutimio "Tim" Ruiz, Jr. (1993) bass player for the Houston-based Tejano band La Mafia, which performed at the inaugural gala of President Bill Clinton in 1997, won 12 Tejano Music Awards, eight Premio Lo Nuestro awards, and two Grammy awards (1996 and 1998) for best Tejano album
- Kendrick Scott (1998), professional musician (drums); has played with jazz masters such as Terence Blanchard, Kenny Garrett, Stefon Harris, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, and Dianne Reeves; music was also featured in the soundtrack to the 2004 movie, She Hate Me
- Mark Seliger (1977) chief photographer for Rolling Stone and Us magazines since 1993; has also worked for GQ and Conde Nast
- Mark Simmons (1993), professional musician (drums); has performed on albums by Walter Beasley (Tonight We Love, 1997), Joey McIntyre (Stay the Same, 1999), Bobby Lyle (Straight and Smooth, 2004) , and Al Jarreau (Accentuate the Positive, 2004)
- Ed Smart (1980), professional musician (composer/arranger); his music has been featured on the prime time TV shows American Idol, Picket Fences, The Practice, and Touched by an Angel; composed music for award-winning documentary Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream; has worked with Beyoncé Knowles, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Amy Grant, and Michael W. Smith.
- Helen Sung (1989), professional musician (piano); has performed or recorded with such jazz stars as Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, Steve Turre, Buster Williams, and legendary composer and saxophonist Wayne Shorter; featured on Blue Note recording artist Lonnie Plaxico’s album, Mélange
Houston High School
- Jeff Hunt (1980) chief executive officer of global public-relations firm, GCI Group—one of the largest PR firms in the world; also president and CEO of both GCI Read-Poland in Texas and GCI Latin America
- Olga Gallegos (1944) former HISD Board Member; served as an administrative aide to State Representatives Ben Reyes, Al Luna, and Roman Martinez
- Jack Valenti (1937) author, politician, and entertainment icon; aide to former president Lyndon Baines Johnson; became head of the Motion Picture Association of America in 1966 and spearheaded the creation of the movie-rating system that still exists today
Jones High School
- Ronald Glenn "Ron" Franklin (1969) former HISD Board Member (1990–98); attorney; founding member and partner at Franklin, Cardwell & Jones, P.C.
- Daniel Gibson (2004) professional basketball player (guard) drafted in the second round by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2006
- Darrell Green (1978) professional football player (defensive back) from the 1980’s to the 2000’s; played for the Washington Redskins
- Rosiland A. Jordan (1984) White House Correspondent for NBC News in Washington, D.C.; reporting for NBC Nightly News and The Today Show
- Alfred Williams (1987) retired professional football player (linebacker and defensive end) with the National Football League; drafted by Cincinnati Bengals in 1991; played for the Bengals as well as the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers
- Jo Beth Williams (1966) actress/producer/director, nominated for Emmy awards (1984 "Adam"), (1988 "Baby M"), and (1995 "Frasier" episode); Academy Award (1995 "On Hope"); and Golden Globe award (1989 "Baby M")
Kashmere High School
- Kirbyjon Caldwell (1971) senior pastor at Windsor Village United Methodist Church; founder of nine community-based organizations, including the Power Center on Houston's southwest side; delivered the benediction during President George W. Bush's inauguration
- Cynthia Clay-Briggs (1972) Executive Director, Communities In Schools-Houston
- Craig Curry (1980) professional football player for Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts
- James M. Douglas (1962) attorney/professor at Texas Southern University; district chairman for the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America; appointed acting president of TSU in 1995; later appointed its ninth president (until 1999)
- Jacob Green (1976) former professional football player; defensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers; also attended Key Middle School
- Rodney Hampton (1987) professional football player; drafted by New York Giants in 1990
- Robert Mallett (1975) Senior Vice-President of Corporate Affairs, Pfizer, Inc. (one of the world's largest drug development and manufacturing companies)
- Zerick Rollins (1993): assistant coach of Seattle Seahawks, a professional football team; also attended Terrell Middle and Garden Villas Elementary Schools
Kay On-Going Education Center
Lamar High School
- Lauren Anderson (1982) prima ballerina from 1990 to 2006 with The Houston Ballet (the first African-American promoted to that position); has been a guest performer in shows in Chicago, Chile, Moscow, and New York
- Hubert B. Bailey (1955) part-time NASCAR driver who participated in the Grand National/Winston Cup for more than 30 years; first driver to take a qualifying lap at the inaugural Brickyard 400 in 1994
- Jack S. Blanton (1944) oilman, public servant, and civic leader, former CEO and chairman of Scurlock Oil, the Greater Houston Chamber of Commerce, and the board of trustees of the Houston Endowment
- Clarence L. “Buddy” Brock Jr. (1941) much-loved local bandleader who kept Houstonians entertained for more than 40 years (starting in the 1950s); founder of the Brock Agency, an entertainment-booking service; also served as a physics professor at the University of Houston and worked briefly as an engineer
- John A. Culberson (1975) United States Representative for the Seventh Congressional District of Texas since 2000; State Representative from 1986–2000. Also attended West University Elementary and Sidney Lanier Middle Schools
- Jonathan Day (1958) partner at law firm Andrews Kurth, LLP, general counsel to METRO; former Houston City Attorney; chair of Neighborhood Centers, Inc., The Houston Zoo, Inc., and Scenic Houston; board member of Houston A+ Challenge, The Alley Theatre, the Contemporary Arts Museum, the Wortham Theater Foundation, and the Cultural Arts Council
- David Dewhurst (1963) founded Falcon Seaboard (an energy company) in 1981; elected lieutenant governor of Texas in 2002; also served as Texas Land Commissioner, chair of the Governor's Task Force on Homeland Security, and a member of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
- Linda Ellerbee (1962) author, journalist, award-winning television producer; wrote and anchored NBC News Overnight; also attended River Oaks Elementary and Lanier Middle Schools
- Robert Foxworth (1960) actor, best known for his roles on TV series Falcon Crest and Six Feet Under
- Johnny B. Holmes, Jr. (1959) former Harris County District Attorney
- Kelendria Trené “Kelly” Rowland (1999*) member of the R&B musical group Destiny’s Child, whose albums have gone multi-platinum with hits like “Survivor” and “Independent Woman”; her debut solo album in 2002 went gold, and featured the hit song “Dilemma,” recorded with rap artist Nelly
- Jaclyn Smith (1964), actress, best known for her role in 1970's TV series Charlie's Angels
- James Marcus Smith (1956) also known by his stage-name, “P. J. Proby,” Smith is a singer, songwriter, and actor who has worked with such luminaries as country-music legend Johnny Cash and rock-n-roll phenomenon Elvis Presley
- Tommy Tune (1957) Tony award-winning Broadway performer, actor, dancer, singer, performer, choreographer, and director
- Mark White (1958) former Texas governor
- Sherri Williams (1990) Channel 39 News anchor
- Robert Woodrow Wilson (1953) Nobel Prize-winning (1978) physicist who discovered cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) in 1964 with Arno Allan Penzias
- Marvin Zindler (1939*) reporter at Channel 13 KTRK-TV station in Houston for more than 50 years; his infamous investigation in La Grange was the inspiration for a Broadway musical; also attended Pershing Middle School
Lee High School
- Billy Gibbons (1968) guitarist in rock band ZZ Top
- Melanie Hauser (1971) freelance sports writer, award-winning columnist, and feature writer who has worked for the Austin-American Statesman and The Houston Post and contributed to Sports Illustrated and other publications; one of the most respected golf journalists in the country
- Randal "Randy" Lemmon (1980) radio personality on KPRC Talk Radio (950); hosts "Randy Lemmon's GardenLine"
- Ron Stone, Jr. (1981) author and contributing reporter to KPRC-TV, Channel 2; collaborated on award-winning TV series The Eyes of Texas with his father, Ron Sr.; writer and producer at Stonefilms of Texas
Madison High School
- Kirk Baptiste (1982) silver medalist in the 1984 Olympics (200-meter track event)
- Lance Blanks (1983*) professional basketball player in the early 1980’s; played for the Detroit Pistons
- Peter Brett Cullen (1974) stage, screen, and television actor for more than 25 years; nominated by Soap Opera Digest for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1980s TV show Falcon Crest; has also played in movies (Apollo 13), TV mini-series (The Thorn Birds), and made appearances on prime-time shows (Desperate Housewives, The West Wing, Ally McBeal)
- Mark Goldberg (1976) City of Houston Council member for District C
- Greg Kite (1979) professional basketball player (center) in the 1980’s and 90’s; played for the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Sacramento Kings, the Orlando Magic, the New York Kicks and the Indianapolis Pacers
- Broderick Thomas (1985) professional football player (linebacker) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Detroit Lions, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Dallas Cowboys
- Vince Young (2002) arguably one of the greatest college athletes of all time, in 2006 Young led the University of Texas to its first national football title since 1970. He is the highest-ranked of all UT quarterbacks (by percentage of games won as starter), and finished the 2005 regular season as the top-rated passer in the nation. A finalist for the 2006 Heisman Trophy, Young entered the National Football League draft in 2006.
Milby High School
- Carol Alvarado (1987) City of Houston Councilwoman
- Miguel "Mike" Barajas (‘73) KRIV-TV FOX News anchor
- Michael Berryhill (1963) freelance writer; previously worked for The Houston Chronicle and The Houston Press
- Fentress Bracewell (1937) founder of Houston-based Bracewell & Tunks law firm in 1945 (now Bracewell & Giuliani); served as port commissioner for two years in the late 1960s and as chairman of the Port of Houston for 15 more; also served as director of Houston Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in bringing first Major League Baseball team to Houston
- Hannah L. Chow (1966) retired Harris County Criminal Court judge
- Diana Dávila (1991) HISD Board Member; also attended Park Place and Lewis Elementary Schools and Deady Middle School
- Mario V. Gallegos, Jr. (1969) retired captain in Houston Fire Department; Texas State Senator; first Hispanic senator ever elected to represent Harris County, (son of Olga Gallegos; see Houston High School)
- Robert "Bob" Alton Gammage (1956) U.S. Representative/ State Supreme Court Justice
- K.T. Oslin (1960) country-western singer; won two Grammy awards (best country-western song and best country-western female vocal performance) in 1988 for her song, "Hold Me"
- Gordon Quan (1966) former Houston Mayor Pro-Tem and Councilmember-at-Large
- T. G. Waggoner (1938), an early television wrestler, better known in the 1950's as "Gorgeous George"
Reagan High School
- Paul Neal "Red" Adair (1933*) firefighter known for his skill in capping oil well fires and his extinguishment of "The Devil's Cigarette Lighter" in the Sahara Desert in 1962—a fire so big astronaut John Glenn could see it from space; also attended Harvard Elementary and Hogg Middle Schools
- Mary Kay (née Mary Kathlyn Wagner) Ash (1934) founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc., one of the most successful direct-sales companies in the world. The late businesswoman’s creation now boasts more than a quarter of a million independent sales associates and reported more than a billion dollars in revenue in 1992
- Wayne Graham (1954) retired professional baseball player; played for New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies; also served as baseball coach at HISD's George C. Scarborough High School before earning legendary status for leading San Jacinto College to five national titles in six years and Rice University to seven College World Series appearances, including its first national championship win in 2003
- Richard "Racehorse" Haynes, (1944) criminal defense attorney, known for his work in trials immortalized by best-selling books Blood and Money, Deadly Blessing, Texas vs. Davis, and Blood Will Tell
- Larry Hovis (1954) actor, remembered for his role as Sergeant Carter on the 1960's TV sitcom Hogan's Heroes, as well as stints on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., and Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
- Raymond Knight (1940) First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps; awarded Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic service and self-sacrifice during World War II
- Everett Augustus "Squatty" Lyons (1929) retired Harris County Commissioner for Precinct 4, which encompasses Crosby, Huffman, Humble, Spring, Tomball, the Champions area, Jersey Village, and parts of Spring Branch and River Oaks; dedicated 48 years of his life to public service
- Dan Rather (1950) broadcast journalist, former CBS Evening News anchorman; also attended Love Elementary and Hamilton Middle Schools
- Gordon “Craig” Reynolds (1971) professional baseball player; drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1971; also played for the Seattle Mariners and the Houston Astros
- Martha (née Jee) Wong (1957) former Houston City Councilwoman; State Senator
San Jacinto High School-closed in 1971
- Denton Cooley (1937) world-renowned heart surgeon, famous for his innovative cardiovascular surgical techniques and performing the first successful heart transplant on a human
- Anthony Joseph "A.J." Foyt Jr. (1953*) racecar driver, four-time winner of the Indy 500, three-time winner of the 24-Hour Le Mans, and winner of the Daytona 500 (the auto-racing "triple crown"); also attended Alexander Hamilton and John Pershing Middle Schools and Mirabeau Lamar High School; father attended John Reagan High School
- Richard J.V. Johnson (1948) chairman and publisher of The Houston Chronicle daily newspaper
- Walter Cronkite (1933) former CBS Evening News anchorman
- Glenn McCarthy (1929) legendary oilman/entrepreneur; also known as "Diamond Glenn" and "King of the Wildcatters"; built the Shamrock Hotel in the Texas Medical Center in 1945; was the inspiration for character Jett Rink in Edna Ferber's novel Giant (1952)
- Kathy J. Whitmire (1964) first female mayor of the City of Houston (1982–1992)
Scarborough High School
- Dwayne Bohac (1985) elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2002
- Phil Boriskie (1974) named City of Houston Fire Department Chief in 2004 by Mayor Bill White. Led the department’s successful effort to obtain certification by the International Commission on Fire Accreditation
- Karen Dufilho-Rosen (1987) Academy Award-winning producer of Pixar animated short films Geri's Game (1997) and For the Birds (2000). Head of Pixar's "shorts" department; produced outtakes for A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, and Monsters, Inc. Also responsible for 2003 Academy Award-nominated short film Mike's New Car.
Sharpstown High School
- Clarence Bagby (1982) journalist and community activist; founder of the Houston Lesbian and Gay Community Center
- Robert Earl Keen (1974) Texas singer/songwriter
- David McCarty (1988) professional baseball player; played for Minnesota Twins
- Luke Prestridge (1975) retired professional football player; punter for Denver Broncos and New England Patriots (1979–84)
- Michael J. Reardon (1971) cardiothoracic surgeon at Baylor College of Medicine; known primarily for the groundbreaking “autotransplant” technique he and his brother developed with Dr. Denton Cooley, in which the heart is removed the body, tumors are excised, and the organ is returned to the body and reattached. He first performed this procedure successfully in 1998; brother of Patrick R. Reardon
- Patrick R. Reardon (1975) cardiothoracic surgeon; surgical director of the Reflux Center and assistant professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine; brother of Michael J. Reardon
- Steve Rosen (1976) high-profile trial lawyer often known as "The Rocket"
- Margaret (née Dudar) Spellings (1975) nominated to post of U.S. Secretary of Education in 2004 by President George W. Bush
- Forest "Greg" Swindell (1983) retired professional baseball player; pitcher for Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and Arizona Diamondbacks
Sterling High School
- Yolanda Adams (1979) award-winning gospel singer; received Grammy awards in 1999 and 2001 for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, 13 Stellar Awards
- Clyde Drexler (1980) also known as "Clyde the Glide," retired professional basketball player (guard) for Portland Trailblazers and Houston Rockets, named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996; perennial All-Star and a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Dream Team (gold-medalist)
- Zina Garrison (1982) retired professional tennis player and Olympic gold medalist (1988); captured 14 singles titles and 20 doubles crowns; earned $4.6 million in prize money during her 15-year career
Waltrip High School
- James Wallace Edwin Dixon II (1981) pastor of Northwest Community Baptist Church; founder of the Dominion Academy, an HISD Charter School
- Shelley Duvall (1967) actress/producer, known for her role as Olive Oyl in the film Popeye, and her Tall Tales and Bedtime Stories children's TV series
- Debra Sue Maffett (1975) crowned winner of the Miss America pageant in 1983; appeared in popular 1980's television shows such as Matlock, Family Feud, and Super Password; created and produced the Hip, Hot and Country music TV show in the mid-1990s and hosted TNN Country News on the Tennessee Nashville Network
- Van Malone (1989) professional football player (defensive back) in the 1990’s; played for the Detroit Lions
- Keenan McCardel (1987) professional football player (wide receiver) from the 1990’s to the 2000’s; played for the Cleveland Browns, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Patrick Swayze (1971) actor/dancer, known for his roles in the movies Dirty Dancing and Ghost. Also attended Oak Forest Elementary and Black Middle Schools
- John H. Whitmire (1968) Texas State Senator for District 15
Washington High School
- Jennifer Holliday (1978) Tony Award-winning singer/actress, perhaps best known for her breakout performance in the Broadway show Dream Girls in 1981
- Lawrence Marshall (1951) HISD Board Member; president of M Associates of Houston, a consulting firm; served as Interim Superintendent of Kendleton ISD and deputy superintendent of HISD before retiring
Westbury High School
- Robert "Bob" Allen (1964) Houston's Channel 13 (KTRK) Sports Director; also attended Lamar High School
- Bennie Brazell (2001) represented the USA at the 2004 Summer Olympics in the mens' 400-m hurdles.
- David "Dave" Elmendorf (1967) professional football player (defensive back) in the 1970’s; played for Los Angeles Rams
- Bayano Kamani (1997) represented the country of Panama at the 2004 Summer Olympics in the mens' 400-m hurdles
- Allan Moser (1968) research physicist; has worked for Bristol-Myers Squibb, DuPont Pharmaceuticals, DuPont, ARCO, Gulf Research, and Georgia Tech; cofounder and Vice President of Technology of Cira Discovery Sciences (PA); member of Cira's board of directors
- Joan Severance (1977) famous print and runway model during the 1980s; later an actress who appeared in more than a dozen films and TV shows, such as L.A. Law, The Love Boat: the Next Wave, and CSI: Miami
- Michael Strahan (1990*) professional football player (defensive end) for the New York Giants
- Ayana Walker (1998) professional basketball player (center) for the WNBA's Detroit Shock
Westside High School-opened 2000 - Shannon Walker (1983) astronaut with the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA); first astronaut born in the Space City (Houston); served as flight controller for the Space Shuttle Program
Westside High School—opened in 2000
Wheatley High School
- Harold V. Dutton (1961) State Representative (District 142)
- Albert "Al" Edwards (1955) State Representative (District 146)
- Arthur M. Gaines, Jr. (1942) HISD Board Member; served on the Board of Regents of Texas Southern University (1983–89); served HISD students as teacher, principal, district superintendent, assistant superintendent and deputy superintendent before retiring in 1990
- Lester Hayes (1973) professional football player (defensive back); played for the Oakland Raiders during the 1970’s and 80’s
- Dwight Elmo Jones (1970) drafted by Atlanta Hawks; professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets from 1977–1980; also attended E. O. Smith Education Center
- Barbara Jordan (1952), first African-American U.S. Congresswoman from the South; also attended Roberson Elementary.
- El Franco Lee (1968) architect and Harris County Commissioner
- Mickey Leland (1963), former Texas legislator who was serving as a U.S. Congressman at the time of his death in 1989
- Lonnie Bernard Rochon ('45) became the first black disc jockey in Houston, working as "The Rambler" at KNUZ and later KCOH. After stints in New York and St. Louis, ended his radio career as an on-air personality and community affairs director at KDAY in Los Angeles.
- Joseph Leslie "Joe" Sample (1957) jazz musician for more than 40 years; successful both as a solo artist (with albums like The Pecan Tree) and as a piano player for The Crusaders for more than 30 years
- (Martha) Algenita Scott-Davis (1967) attorney; former president of National Bar Association(only the third woman ever to serve in that capacity)
- Ruth Simmons (1963), first African-American president of an Ivy League institution; President of Brown University since November 2000
Worthing High School
- Gregory Anderson (1983) professional basketball player (forward) sometimes known as "Cadillac"; has played for San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and Atlanta Hawks
- Clifford Branch (1967) former professional football player; played wide receiver for Oakland (and later, the Los Angeles) Raiders for more than a decade; three-time Super Bowl winner; also attended Fairchild Elementary and Attucks Middle Schools
- Milton Carroll (1968) founder of oil equipment manufacturing company Instrument Products, Inc.; chairman of CenterPoint Energy's Board of Directors
- Ralph Cooper (1966) KCOH Radio (1430 AM) "Sports Rap" host, veteran sports broadcaster and sports writer; also attended Grimes ES and Attucks MS
- Terri Ellis (1982) founding member of the girl group EnVogue; recorded a string of hits in the early 1990's, including "My Lovin' (Never Gonna Get It)," "Free Your Mind," and the theme song on the movie soundtrack to Set It Off starring Queen Latifah
- Christopher Hudson (1990) former professional football player who played for the Atlanta Falcons; drafted 1995; spent seven years in the NFL
- Michael "Mike" Singletary (1977) Hall-of-Fame professional football player (linebacker) for the Chicago Bears
- Lemuel Stinson (1984) professional football player (defensive back) in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s; played for the Chicago Bears
- Wesley Weston (1999) rap singer known as "L'il Flip"; has tracks featured on the Sony PlayStation 2 game, "NBA Live 2004," and the Electronic Arts-Sports game "NFL Street"
Yates High School
- Debbie Allen (1967) actress/dancer /director/producer, often remembered for her role as "Lydia Grant" in the 1980's TV drama series Fame
- Phylicia Allen Rashad, (1966) actress/producer, perhaps best known for her role opposite famed comedian Bill Cosby as "Claire Huxtable" on the 1980's sitcom The Cosby Show
- Johnny Bailey (1986) professional football player in the 1990’s; played for the Chicago Bears, the Arizona Cardinals, and the St. Louis Rams
- Garnet F. Coleman (1979) State Representative for District 147, which includes the Third Ward, Fourth Ward, South Park, downtown, midtown, Sagemont, and Hobby Airport areas
- Santana Dotson (1987) professional football player for Green Bay Packers
- Conrad O. Johnson (1933) known as "Prof;" world-renowned jazz saxophonist and leader of the Conrad Johnson Orchestra; patented his own model of a saxophone ligature (the CJ Ligature); established the Conrad Johnson Music & Fine Arts Foundation and the Conrad Johnson School of Music, a Magnet program for aspiring jazz musicians (housed at Kashmere High School)
- Monica V. Lamb (1983): former professional basketball player for the Houston Comets; drafted in 1998 and helped lead the team to its second and third consecutive championships in 1998 and 1999
- Dexter Manley (1977) professional football player (defensive end) in the 1980’s and 90’s; played for the Washington Redskins, the Phoenix Cardinals, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- John Roper (1984) professional football player in the 1980’s and 90’s; played for the Chicago Bears, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Philadelphia Eagles
* = the person attended but did not graduate from that school
Reunions/Locate Classmates
How do I find out about high-school reunions or locate old classmates?
Although each HISD high school organizes its own, most class reunions are carried out with the help of a professional reunion-managing company. Many of these companies belong to the National Organization of Reunion Managers (NARM).
Some reunion companies can help former students get in touch with old classmates, too, but there are also Web sites exclusively dedicated to this purpose, like www.classmates.com and www.classmates-forum.com. Some of these sites require users to register or sign up to take advantage of their services.
For information on your high school's upcoming reunions, search NARM's reunion directory by state or contact your school's alumni organization. Some HISD schools have this information available online.
A list of alumni associations we know of is in this channel. To find out whether your school has an alumni organization, go to the "Schools" channel above and use the search tool. Then go to your school's Web site (if available) and look for an "alumni" channel.
Supporting Schools
How can I give back to my school or HISD?
HISD graduates who wish to give back to their schools or communities have several avenues open to them.
Volunteers in Public Schools offers individuals, businesses, and other organizations a variety of ways to support public education. Volunteers may choose to tutor students, act as mentors or advisors, organize or host field trips, or serve students in other ways. Companies and organizations, meanwhile, may choose to finance award banquets, purchase school supplies, or encourage their employees to volunteer. For more information call 713-556-7200.
The HISD Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization created to fund programs that the district either doesn't have the resources or the authority to provide for students and teachers. It has worked for years with the Fund for Teachers to provide educators with restorative summer sabbaticals, and in November 2003 it helped fund PSAT for All, a districtwide initiative to administer the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQAT) to all HISD tenth-graders. For more information, send an e-mail to Eileen Egan in Strategic Partnerships or call 713-556-7200.
Alumni associations at each HISD high school would welcome the chance to work with former students. Volunteers can help organize class reunions, plan upcoming events, join the PTA, or find other ways to serve their alma mater. Click the link above or contact your high school for more information.
How Do I Obtain a Copy of My Transcript?
HISD graduates may obtain a copy of their transcript free of charge from the Inactive Records department at the Hattie Mae White Administration Building.
Make a request by mail
Send a copy of the student's valid state driver's license or identification card (ID); a self-addressed, stamped, business size (#10) envelope; a completed "High School Transcript Request" form (you must have the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view or print document),
Inactive Records
Houston Independent School District
4400 West 18th Street, Level 1 SE
Houston, TX 77092-8501
Make a request by e-mail
E-mail requests MUST INCLUDE:
- a completed "High School Transcript Request" form (you must have the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view or print document),
- a copy/scan of a driver's license or other state-issued ID
Send your completed form and copy of your ID:
- e-mail your scanned documents to this address: TRANSCRIPTS@houstonisd.org.
The transcript itself will be mailed to you. No transcripts will be faxed.
Make a request in person
Come to Inactive Records at 4400 West 18th Street, Level 1 SE.
You must bring a current and valid state driver's license or identification card (ID). Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the process usually takes about 15 minutes. Partial transcripts are also available for students who attended an HISD school at any time and either a) left the district before graduating or b) have not yet graduated.
No requests for transcripts will be accepted over the telephone.
Contact Inactive Records at 713-556-6744 during office hours if you have any questions. Also, feel free to call the Automated Request Line at 713-556-6780.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can't I just go to my old high school to obtain a copy of my transcript?
In some cases, you can. Many HISD high schools keep the most recent five-to-seven years' graduation records and student transcripts on file at their campuses before transferring them to the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (Inactive Records Department).
Check the list below to see where your file is located. If you graduated (or withdrew from school) BEFORE the year listed in the column next to your high school, then your records are no longer located at that campus. Please use the procedures outlined above to obtain a copy of your transcript.
- What if I never made it to high school?
Students who did not attend HISD high schools (but did attend HISD middle schools) should contact the last HISD middle school they attended to obtain a copy of their transcript. A list of middle-school clerks is below.
