As of today, October 18, 2025, none of our GPISD high schools have active alumni associations.

So what is an alumni association?
An alumni association is a group of former students who regularly and purposefully engage in activities that support their alma mater — through volunteerism, financial contributions, mentoring current students, fostering school traditions, and advancing the institution’s mission and growth.

In the past, GPHS had an alumni association, and SGPHS has tried multiple times to start one. But for some reason, none of these efforts have been able to sustain themselves. We have active Facebook pages, and small groups of graduates who meet for breakfast or dinner throughout the year. Yet, despite all of that, Grand Prairie ISD alumni seem to struggle when it comes to organizing lasting, active associations with paid memberships and regular meetings.

Why is that?

As an SGP alumna myself — Class of ’98 — and the daughter of two Gophers, Classes of ’71 and ’72, I think I can offer a hypothesis: “Grand Prairie is the armpit of the Metroplex.”

Growing up here, I heard that phrase all the time — and still do, mostly from people who haven’t been back in years. There was a strong sense of pride among graduates from the ’70s and earlier that seems to have faded in the decades since. For many of us, the goal after graduation was simple: get out of Grand Prairie as fast as possible, and maybe don’t admit too loudly where you were from.

Did we like each other as a class? Absolutely. My graduating class still loves getting together and has well-attended reunions. But like every other class, we don’t have a lasting presence in the community. That doesn’t mean GPISD alumni aren’t still here — in fact, there are more of us than most people realize. Many of our city’s businesses are owned or operated by GPISD graduates. Our mayor and the president of our school board are both proud Gophers.

But for some reason, we aren’t fully stepping into that pride — the pride of being from Grand Prairie — by forming associations that support our schools. We have opinions about everything: the uniform colors, the mascots, the scores, the educational policies. Yet too often, we share those opinions from the comfort of our couches, typing comments on social media instead of putting our money, time, and effort where our mouths are.

The truth is, our schools need — and want — our support.
Our current administrators are working hard to build campus cultures that teach values, character, and pride. But they need alumni associations who care about their schools and show up to support them.

Facebook groups, while fun and social, aren’t a substitute. They lack a purpose, a mission, or direction for fundraising and volunteerism. They offer connection — but it stops there.

Our city, now more than ever, needs active alumni associations for all high schools — ones that show up, invest in our schools, and help strengthen the legacy of Grand Prairie.

Please enjoy the Warrior Mascots throughout the years. The yearbooks have changed a lot over time, and each staff chose their own way to capture the spirit of the mascot. Some years, the Warrior got a full-page feature, while in others it was just a quick photo with the varsity cheerleaders. No matter how big or small the spotlight, it’s really special to see them all gathered together here in one place.

In this January 2020 episode of Faces of Grand Prairie, guest co-host Cole Humphreys joins me for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Vern Alexander — veteran, educator, and community leader.

A graduate of Dalworth High School in the segregated Dalworth neighborhood, Dr. Alexander shares how Principal David Daniels shaped a generation, inspiring many to become educators, athletes, soldiers, and community leaders. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Jarvis Christian College before being drafted into the Vietnam War, later completing two more degrees, including a Doctorate in Education. He reflects on the profound influence of mentors like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Over his long tenure with GPISD, Vern was most remembered as a principal at both GPHS and SGPHS, and moved to the administration building in 1994, where he remained until his retirement from GPISD in May 2023 — leaving behind a legacy of leadership, perseverance, and the power of great role models.

In this November 2020 episode, I sat down with Terry Brooks, GPISD Trustee for Place 1, and Charles Luckert, founder of Grand Prairie at a Glance and one of our city’s most devoted citizens. Both graduated from South Grand Prairie High School in 1974 and spent their lives rooted in the community they loved.

We talked about their high school years, the friendships that shaped them, and their shared passion for giving back to Grand Prairie. Charles, who passed away on May 7, 2024, left behind an extraordinary legacy — from his decades with the Dallas Morning News to his tireless volunteer work, earning him Volunteer of the Year in 2021 and Citizen of the Year in 2023. His photographs and leadership in “Grand Prairie at a Glance” captured the spirit of the city for countless residents.

Special thanks to Cole Humphreys of the HotnCole podcast for hosting us in his recording studio (and chiming in during the episode).
Episode photo: Terry and Charles at the State Fair of Texas during high school — a joyful snapshot of friendship and community pride.

I respected Charles very much; so much so, I named our code of ethics after him. THE CHARLES LUCKERT CODE OF JOURNALISM ETHICS

This episode is sponsored by SGP Alum Jenna Pecor, your Seniors Real Estate Expert in Grand Prairie — making life’s transitions easier for seniors and the families who love them. Would you like to sponsor an episode? Email us at facesofgrandprairie@gmail.com.

When Stephanie Sugg stepped into the Warrior mascot role in 2002, it wasn’t just about wearing feathers and bells on Friday nights — it was about carrying the heartbeat of South Grand Prairie High School. For one unforgettable year, she embodied the energy of pep rallies, the roar of the crowd at the Gopher Bowl, and the deep sense of unity that Warrior spirit brought to every game and every hallway.

In this episode of the Faces of Grand Prairie Alumni Channel, Stephanie opens up about what it meant to represent her school, from learning the traditional Warrior dance to understanding the history and respect behind the mascot’s regalia. She shares never-before-seen VHS footage, personal stories of pride and perseverance, and reflects on why that spirit still matters today.

As alumni, parents, and community members, we’re reminded that school spirit isn’t just about football games — it’s about belonging to something bigger. And with fewer students stepping forward to carry the mascot tradition, Stephanie’s story challenges us to ask: How can we help reignite Warrior pride for the next generation?.

Were you a Grand Prairie mascot — Warrior, Gopher, or otherwise? We want to hear from you!

• Send us your photos, videos, and memories.

• Help us compile a visual history of Grand Prairie mascots.

• Support this alumni-led effort to restore school spirit and encourage student participation.

JB is the current President of the South Grand Prairie High School Alumni Association.

Episode Time Stamp:

Chapters

00:00Introduction and First Impressions

02:41Growing Up in Grand Prairie

05:38High School Sports Involvement

08:52Memorable Football Moments

11:41Post-Graduation Involvement in Football

14:33Reflections on Rivalries and Team Spirit

21:19Reflections on Aging and Mentorship

23:44The Journey of Young Athletes

27:30Alumni Impact in Coaching

30:20Memories of Rivalry and School Spirit

34:36The Importance of School Pride and Legacy

Find Explore the Prairie on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Episode Time Stamps:

00:00Introduction to Explore the Prairie

03:05The Birth of a Local Influencer

05:49Growing with Grand Prairie

08:50The Power of Community Connection

11:47Navigating Social Media Trends

14:46Engaging with Local Events

17:56Building a Local Following

20:44The Importance of Local Identity

25:24Nostalgic Food Memories

28:08Local Dining Favorites

31:52Community Changes and Developments

36:21Upcoming Local Events and New Places

39:51Supporting Local Businesses

43:04Engaging the Community through Social Media

The conversation highlights the significance of honoring veterans and the contributions they make to their communities.

Click below to find out more about the Vietnam Veterans of America, GP Chapter #1013

Vietnam Veterans of America, GP Chap

To watch the entire Grand Prairie Memorial Day Ceremony for 2025, click below:

Live Stream Memorial Day Ceremony 2025

Episode Time Stamp:

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Ray Jean Bush

03:05Growing Up in Grand Prairie

06:00Little League Memories and Community Sports

09:03Military Service and the Draft

11:56Life After High School and Career Choices

14:50Reunions and Community Connections

18:13Vietnam War Experiences

21:03The Impact of the Vietnam War

23:55The Role of Vietnam Veterans in Society

26:51Scholarship Programs and Community Engagement

30:09Run for the Wall and Veteran Support

33:03Conclusion and Reflections on Service

53:34Reflections on Vietnam and Media Representation

56:45Navigating Veteran Documentation and Support

01:00:03Career Paths After Service

01:02:59Personal Life and Relationships Post-War

01:06:55Community Involvement and Chaplaincy

01:12:45Musical Outreach and Fellowship

01:17:58Honoring Veterans: Memorial Day and Community Events

01:24:30Purpose and Service in Life

The image received the commentary: Notice anything interesting at the pep rally? Meet our fearless new mascot: Warrior the official South Grand Prairie High School Mascot! Charging forward with strength and price and school spirit - get ready to ride into victor! Warrior will serve as our legacy gift that we leaver for the future generations at SGP. We hope you’ll grow to love him as much as we do! Sincerely, The Class of ‘25. The Faces of Grand Prairie commented on the post with a request to speak with them about the post, but with graduation week upon them, I’m sure doing an interview was low on their priority list.

The post made it to the South Grand Prairie Alumni Association, a Facebook group with over 3,200 members from across South’s 56 year history. The overwhelming sentiment was confusion over whether this was an official mascot change and if so, sadness over losing the Warrior as a mascot. In a live stream on Faces of Grand Prairie’s Facebook account, Jenna Pecor (SGP Class of ‘98) expressed the need to reconnect the current student body and the alumni, ensuring alumni keep the history and traditions alive with the school.

This week, Angela Angelo (Hillyer), class of ‘83, reached out to Amy Day, the GPISD Campus Life Coordinator with the following email she shared to the Alumni Association’s Facebook group:

Ms. Day conveyed the email to SGP Principal Larry Jones, who quickly and graciously responded with the following email:

Angela responded:

The Alumni group began responding with offerings of support and help. We will report any future updates on this inspiring opportunity for collaboration between the SGP Alumni and current Warrior student body.

The first Warrior Mascot was presented for the first time in 1969. This image from the Grand Prairie Daily News features the first costume created by Native Americans in Pawnee, Oklahoma.

The Faces of Grand Prairie is interested in producing an episode with any alumni who were the Warrior mascot and are interested in being featured in an upcoming episode for the Faces of Grand Prairie Alumni page. If you were a Warrior mascot, please email Jenna at facesofgrandprairie@gmail with the following information by June 6th: a picture of you as the Warrior and a short video 5 minutes or less about what you loved about being the Warrior. If you’re unable to send a video, please sent your comments in writing in the email

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Jenna Pecor with Bancroft Realty

Jennarocity Estate Sales

In this conversation, GPHS Alumni Robin Brown discusses his role in conducting JFK tours in Dallas, exploring the historical significance of JFK's assassination and its impact on American society. He shares insights into the origins of JFK Custom Tours, the growing interest in Kennedy's murder, and the complex relationship between government, industry, and the events surrounding the assassination. The discussion also touches on the recent executive order by President Trump regarding the release of JFK-related documents and the ongoing public fascination with the case.

Listen to Robin's first Interview

To book a tour with Robin

Episode Timestamp

00:00Introduction to JFK Tours and Personal Background

10:09The Genesis of JFK Custom Tours

20:03The Impact of JFK's Assassination on History

30:13The Role of Government and Bureaucracy in JFK's Death

39:58The Intersection of War, Industry, and Politics

47:07The Dynamics of Local Governance

52:41The Kennedy Family Legacy and Political Ambitions

01:01:23The 1960 Presidential Election: A Battle of Charisma

01:06:27Kennedy's Campaign Strategies in Texas

01:15:50The Context of Kennedy's Assassination

01:32:37The Political Landscape of the 1960s

01:42:14Lyndon Johnson's Shift in Policy

01:49:28The Dulles Brothers and Their Influence

01:55:28Public Perception and the Conspiracy Narrative

02:02:45Lee Harvey Oswald: The Patsy

02:10:39The Aftermath of the Assassination

02:19:28The Impact of the Zapruder Film

02:25:08The Role of Private Citizens in Documenting History

02:32:14The Public's Reaction to the Film

02:40:15Congressional Investigations and Findings

02:49:33The Legacy of the Assassination

Jenna Pecor with Bancroft Realty

My Jennarocity Estate Sales

Coffee News GP

In this episode of the Faces of Grand Prairie podcast, host Jenna Pecor interviews Chad Hasty, a radio host with deep roots in Grand Prairie and Lubbock. They discuss the evolution of both cities, the importance of local politics, and the role of media in community engagement. Chad shares his journey in radio, the dynamics of political conversations, and the impact of school choice on education policy. Chad and Jenna emphasize the need for community-focused media and the significance of knowing local elected officials.

Episode Time Stamp

00:00Introduction to Chad Hasty and His Background

03:00The Evolution of Grand Prairie and Lubbock

06:07The Journey into Radio and Broadcasting

08:55The Importance of Local Politics and Community Engagement

11:47The Shift in Media Landscape and Podcasting

14:48Navigating Interviews and Setting the Tone

18:04The Future of Radio and Expanding Reach

28:00The Art of Interviewing Politicians

31:13Navigating Political Conversations

33:48Broadcasting from the Capitol

36:53School Choice and Education Reform

41:50Understanding Property Taxes and Local Governance

01:03:56The Impact of Political Interviews

01:06:49Authenticity in Politics

01:10:07Navigating Public Opinion

01:14:11Evolving Perspectives on Issues

01:18:04High School Memories and Social Dynamics