Buff Betz and Paul Rubens honored at the 2019 Sarasota High School Hall of Fame The mission of the Sarasota High School Hall of Fame is to preserve and promote the history of what it means to be a "Sailor." Nominations are dedicated to honor former students, faculty, and community leaders. Sarasota High held its third-annual Hall of Fame ceremony at Michael's on East on Sept. 25, 2019, once again honoring six of its alumni for their contributions to the school and community. Our class is so proud that among the honorees are TWO of our classmates.
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Paul Reubens, perhaps better known to most as a character he created, Pee-wee Herman, could not attend the event because of work obligations, but sent in a video message thanking the school for the honor. Paul was the president of the Sailors Drama Club and starred in productions like "My Fair Lady" and many others. He received our Senior award of "Most Talented." |
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Breathing new life into an architectural landmark... Built in 1926 in the Collegiate-Gothic style, the Sarasota High School was designed by esteemed Florida architect, M. Leo Elliott. The 57,000 square foot building opened its doors to students from the 7th-12th grade in the fall of 1927 and flourished for almost 70 years. In 1984 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Although the school closed its doors in 1996, members of the community felt attached to the building and inspired to find its new purpose. Fast-forward to 2002, the start of a two-year process of community involvement and consensus-building known as the Sarasota High School New Life Initiative. Funders of the New Life Initiative included the School Board, the City of Sarasota, Sarasota County, the Selby Foundation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and private donors. More than 200 potential uses of the historic building were considered. In October 2004, the School Board voted to lease the historic Sarasota High School to Ringling College of Art and Design to transform the building into the Sarasota Art Museum. Fast forward to December 2019...the doors are OPEN! |
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ARTICLES ABOUT THE RENOVATION OF THE SHS OLD BUILDING: Sarasota Art Museum Opens Its Doors to the Public Old High School Enters Life as New Art Museum SHS Old Building Renovation Featured in Architectural Digest Long Awaited Addition to Sarasota Art Scene Expected in December 2019 Sarasota Museum of Art set to Open in 2019 The Evolving Plans for the Sarasota Museum of Art Sarasota High's Old Building Getting New Life What's Happening with the Sarasota Museum of Art? Sarasota Museum of Art Raises Millions Towards It's Goal New Lease, New Life for SHS |
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