The Lasso Legacy - Then and Now | More than Roping

Thomas Jefferson High School

Lasso Alumni Association

San Antonio, Texas

eeves, a ntil the End, Dies

She was one of the first women to study law at the University of Texas, and she started one of the state's first girls' drill teams, a movement that grew into a she and her husband managed was owned by

C onstance Doug las Re e ves

In 1998, Mrs. Reeves won the Chester contributions to the Western way of life from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma Cit women to do so.

eeves, who was very likely America's oldest cowgirl, died in San , 12 days after she was thrown from her horse, Dr Pepper

Lasso Founder

Constance Douglas was born on Sept. 26, 1901, in Eagle Pass, on the Mexican border. She swam in the Rio Grande and rode horses with cowboys. Her grandfather gave her her first horse when she was 5. The family moved to San

C onstance D ou g l as Re e ves

Constance (Connie) Douglas was born on September 26, 1907 in Eagle Pass, Texas. Her parents were William Douglas and Ada ( Wallace) Douglas. William Douglas was a state distric t judge. Constance was an only child.

Connie had a love of horses from an early age. At age 5, she was given a horse from her maternal grandfather, Alfred Wallace, who had grown up on a ranch near M arathon, Texas. Connie praised him as the reason for her connec tion to horses. During her youth, she became an experienced rider in both Western and English saddle.

Connie’s family moved to San Antonio when she was 16. Af ter high school, she graduated women admitted to The Universit y of Texas Law School. The Depression prevented her

Af ter moving back to San Antonio, Connie taught English at M ain Avenue H igh S chool. The Cit y of San Antonio was in the process of building a new high school.

opened in 1932, Connie began teaching physical education.

other high schools in San Antonio did not

pep squad k nown as the Lassos. The Lassos were founded by Connie and she designed the distinc tive western style uniform. Roping tricks would be a distinguishing feature of the Lassos. Connie would enlist the help of Johnny Regan, a trick rope ar tist from England, to teach the Lassos roping sk ills. I n 1940, Jack Long, trick roper

three decades instruc ting many Lassos on rope sk ills and techniques. At that time, the group per formed at various state and local conventions as well as athletic events. Connie would remain the sponsor of the Lassos for 12 years until 1944.

I n 1935 Connie was asked to join Camp Waldemar in the Texas H ill Countr y.

Waldemar is an all- girls summer camp where Connie taught young girls to ride horses. She continued to teach the girls at the camp for more than 60 years.

she earned ex tra income with her expeinstruc tions and showed horses at local horse shows. Connie gained quite a reputation for her experience and sk ill in horsemanship.

Connie met Jack Reeves at the camp and the t wo were married in 1942. Jack was a cowboy and former rodeo par ticipant. They were married for 43 years. During their time together, they managed over 10,000 acres of ranch land owned by Lyndon Baines Johnson. Jack passed away in 1985. They never had children. Connie chronicled their life together in the 1995 book , “I M arried A Cowboy.”

Connie continued to work at Camp Waldemar in the equestrian center. I n 1994, she had an injur y af ter her horse threw her and she landed bones, a broken wrist, par tially collapsed lung and several hornet stings. Since she was employed by Waldemar at the time, the camp submitted a claim to Texas Worker Compensation I nsurance. They were cer tain the camp had made a mistake by listing her bir th year of 1901. At 92, she was the oldest person ever to make a claim with that agenc y.

thought she would sur vive her injuries. Sadly, t welve days later, she passed away of cardiac arrest.

Throughout her life Connie received many awards including induc tion to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1997.

Ask any Lasso alumnae and they would commend Connie for her vision of the Lassos and the rich histor y and tradition that has lasted over 80 years.

Jack Long Established the Roping Tradition that Sets Lassos Apart

One hundred and twenty girls, all twirling lassos in unison was a thrilling sight to behold, and it wasn’t long before they were performing as a service organization at practically all state and national conventions held in San Antonio, as well as major athletic events.

Connie Reeves, I Married a Cowboy

swivel and a slight wrist action would put the rope in motion and was simple to use.

In 1940, Connie enlisted the help of Jack Long, assist the Lassos with roping skills. Jack dedicated himself for over three decades to help the Lassos learn the skill of trick roping. Jack’s commitment to the Lassos was instrumental in keeping the roping tradition alive through the years and up to today.

Since the founding of Lassos, roping has always been a tradition among the team. Constance Douglas, founder of the Lassos, brought the dream for roping to the girls.

Johnny Regan, a trick rope artist from England who taught campers to trick rope at Camp Waldemar, a well-known all-girls camp in the Texas Hill Country, introduced the squad to twirling a short rope. The lasso operated on a

At an early age, Jack became interested in horses and Western life. He would watch the horses in maneuvers going down Fredericksburg Road mak ing their way to Camp Bullis. Jack was an experienced trick roper, a sk ill he learned as a boy. I n addition to roping, Jack was sk illed as a saddle maker, ar tist, and leather worker. A funny man with a quick wit and sense of humor, Jack was induc ted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1996 in trick roping, trick riding, bulldogging, and clowning. Jack ’s daughter, Patsy, was a Lasso and ser ved as a lieutenant on the Roping Team.

Jack ’s original strategy was to teach all the Lassos all the rope tricks. Later, Jack changed his strategy. Jack found that if he taught each girl a unique trick , their job was to teach the trick to the rest of the team. This allowed for great team work within the group.

Regan came small ropes with a wooden ball handle that were used just for the Lasso to used today by the Lassos. This rope allowed the Lassos to per form all t ypes of roping tricks. I n the beginning, Jack made these ropes for the girls.

An instrumental par t of the Lasso histor y for over 30 years, Jack passed away on April 2, 2000. At his funeral six Lassos roped on the sidewalk as the procession lef t the funeral home. Those Lassos did not k now Jack Long but were par t of the rope tradition and legac y lef t by Jack .

funeral home was ver y welcoming and friendly. We lined up on the sidewalk of the funeral home where the vehicle procession takes place. As the vehicles lef t the funeral

Long was to the Lasso organization, and it was an honor to be able to represent the Lori Talamantez, Captain, Company J, 1999-2000, and Major, 2000-2001

L assos 1932 - 2017

- Bui lding the L ass

o Tr adition

1930s - Bui lding the L ass o Tr adition

I n New York , girls per formed at the World’s Fair and at Ebbet ’s Field before a Cardinal-Dodgers baseball game

Lassos hold their organizational meeting on S eptember 30, 1932 with 159 girls and with M iss Constance Douglas as sponsor.

Lassos adopt their motto: Each for all and all for each.

Lassos determine their responsibilities:

• Ac t as ushers, hostesses, cheering squads, drill team and in other capacities to represent the school.

event and with a special drill for the Thanksgiving game versus Brackenridge H igh School.

• Host banquets honoring the football and basketball teams at the end of the season.

• M arch in pilgrimage to the Alamo and Fiesta San Jacinto parade.

I n 1936 Lassos t wirl their ropes on the football

The Lasso Drum and Bugle Corps is added in 1938.

1930s - Bui lding the L ass o Tr adition LASSOS BECOME AMERICA’S

SWEE THEARTS

The Lassos are k nown as one of the best drilled organizations any where. They have achieved fame throughout Texas and have been hailed as one of the most outstanding and attrac tive organizations of their k ind. The Monticello, 1938

On M arch 7, 1938 Lassos appeared on the cover of Life M agazine, a treasured photographic magazine that chronicled the 20th centur y. At one point it sold more than 13.5 million copies a week .

Lassos continue leading school spirit as a 12- coach train takes the pep squad and the football team to Austin for the annual game against the Austin M aroons.

Business rms of San Antonio sponsor a goodwill tour for the Lassos in 1939 which took them to the New York World’s Fair.

Traveling with a delegation from the school, 175 Lassos took a char tered train to New York City with stops en route in St. Louis, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

20th Centur y Fox movie “High School,” starring Jane Withers, one of the most popular child lm stars of the 1930s and 1940s, is made in 1938, featuring the Lassos. I ts sequel, “ Texas Girl” was made in 1939, also starring Jane Withers.

100 members of the Lasso drill team and 75 members of the Drum and Bugle Corps were guests of United States Vice President John N. Garner in his o ce in the Senate and had tea with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Lassos parade down Congress Avenue.

First Chuck Wagon, the Lassos’ signature event, is held in 1939.

1930s - Bui lding the L ass o Tr adition

I n New York , girls per formed at the World’s Fair and at Ebbet ’s Field before a Cardinal-Dodgers baseball game.

1940s - L ass os Impress Fans w ith Dril ls

A mounted unit of 17 girls was created in 1940 and shor tly thereaf ter disbanded.

I n 1946, Mustangs play before 24,206 fans, a new record in Texas for high school football attendance. They were Cit y Champs, Distric t 15AA, losing to Odessa in the state championship game in Austin.

Jane Withers, who about the Lassos, arrives on campus in 1940, showered with honors, including being named an honorar y Lassomajor.

At the 1946 state championship game in rain and mud, Lassos gif t box with a big bow on top, a teddy bear, a toy soldier, and a locomotive with t wirling ropes as wheels and batons.

Lassos become k nown for their drill formations Texas Star, cross, Christmas bell and others.

M iss Bess R ichards becomes Lasso sponsor in 1944.

Lassos number between 150 and 176.

1940s - L ass os Impress Fans w ith Dril ls

On Oc tober 16, 1949, the Drum and Bugle Corps played at The Universit y of Texas-Universit y of Ok lahoma game as honored guests of UT.

The Lassos were in demand for parades from the annual Armistice Day parade in November to the Fiesta San Jacinto (sic) Parade.

the sale of U.S. Defense stamps and bonds, enter taining patients at Kelly Field Hospital and at Brooke General Hospital and by tak ing roping and drill programs to other militar y hospitals and USOs.

Lasso Drum and Bugle Corps, 1947

1950s - L ass os Cre ate Roping Te am and C ontinue Winning Ways

The Roping Team is established in 1951. All Lassos must be able to per form the four basic roping maneuvers, but Roping Team members want to do more.

I n the summer of 1952, 75 Lassos traveled to M exico as goodwill ambassadors, stopping in M exico Cit y, Taxco and Puebla.

The 1953 Monticello is dedicated to the Lassos recognizing their national fame and contributions to the school as a pep squad and ser vice organization.

The Newspaper Syndicate hosted a reception, and U.S. Ambassador William O ’D w yer and his wife hosted a Coca- Cola par t y.

The Lassos were guests of the Government Tourist Bureau at the elite Jockey Club where the group per formed marching and roping talents.

I n M exico Cit y, the girls put on a marching exhibition at a Jai Alai game.

1950s - L ass os Create Roping Te am and

1950s - L ass os Cre ate Roping Te am and C ontinu

C ontinue Winning Ways

e Winning Ways

he 1953 Monticello is dedicated to the Lassos recognizing their national fame and contributions to the school as

Lassos visit with Texas Governor Alan Shivers at the State Capitol in 1952.

ception, is The Lassos were guests of the G ernment Tourist

In fall 1957, the Mustangs are bi- distric t champions and, according to the 1958 Monticello, they are recognized as one of the football powerhouses of Texas.

ebla.

1960s - L ass os on the Grow

I n 1961, approximately 2,500 students attend

histor y of SAISD at that time —710 students.

The Lassos per form for John Wayne. He

Brackettville, Texas. The Lassos per formed a 30-minute show for him at Wilford Hall Hospital. At the end, he called Roping Team Captain Marion Tolk back on stage to thank the group and tell her how impressed he was with the group’s rope sk ills.

Lassos continue to spark school spirit and represent the school at football and basketball games. The Lassos also make spirit boxes, write letters, design banners and decorate dressing rooms.

The annual Lasso drive to sell magazine subscriptions funds needed equipment, benches and choir risers as well as funding athletic banquets at the end of the season.

The Boy that I Marr y

1960s - L ass os on the Grow

The boy that I marr y will have to be As ree. The W And

Twice a year the Lasso companies compete in marching drills to become the honor company, and the company wins a trophy and pennant.

H s boots will be polished and on his ches H An ys love me.

Lassos and band prac tice an average of 12 times per week .

Roping Team members star t wearing red moccasins on the basketball cour t instead of boots as well as blue shoulder braids when per forming.

Jingling spurs become the trademark of high-rank ing

n becomes

I n spring 1969 M arion Tolk Asher becomes

She graduated in 1960 and was Roping Team Captain.

M ajor changes came for the Lassos in fall 1969 as new Lasso sponsor M arion Asher and the new band direc tor worked together.

The Boy that I Marr y

1960s - L ass os on the Grow

The boy that I marr y will have to be ree A And A T

1960s - L ass os on the Grow

students attend students. d a 30oops eam o thank the was

The band picked the dance music and the Lassos choreographed a dance to go with it.

Las pra of 12 t

The Lassos developed a dance team.

I t was decided that the same number

members of the band. Not ever y Lasso could be in ever y half-time since there were more Lassos than band members

n banners and decorate ing rooms

Uniforms were needed that would accommodate high k icks and dance turns. Since the time was so shor t to have the uniforms for S eptember, the uniform company helped design the new look .

No one roped on the football time to concentrate on all Lassos being good enough to per form with the rope and learn the dance numbers. S ometimes all the girls did the dance routines; sometimes a special group was selec ted. O f ten the group did a pom pom routine instead of dancing.

n spring 1969 M arion Tolk Asher be he graduated in 1960 and was Rop eam Captain.

he annual Lasso drive to sell magazine subscriptions funds needed equipment, benches and choir risers as well as funding athletic banquets at the end of the season.

g sp trademark

The Roping Team per formed at basketball games. Lasso play continues as par t of Chuck Wagon.

ajor changes came for the Lassos in fall 1969 as new Lasso sponsor M arion Asher and the new band direc tor worked together.

1970s - Lassos Develop New Dance Routines

enrollment of 3,100 students in grades

graduation in the cit y with 840 graduates. I n eshmen

f r om H orace M ann, Longfellow and Whittier.

During

Lassos continue to per form during football half times. While in the stands, the Lassos cheer and per form hand routines to music with white gloves.

I n fall 1971 the Lassos per form at the Astrodome during a Houston Oilers G ame.

During the 1970s, new dance routines were created week ly. Lassos received a one -hour learning session for the dances. Tr y- outs followed the learning session. By 1978, only a small group of Lassos is selec ted to dance during half time. Lassos not selec ted for the dance team play an impor tant role as well, remaining in formations with the band during the featured dance routines.

the ‘70s, Lassos range in number from 147 to 71.

1970s - Lassos Develop New Dance Routines

Lassos continue to show school spirit by creating spirit boxes and writing letters for individual athletes, decorating athlet es’ lockers and painting spirit banners.

Lassos continue per forming in local parades, events at what was then Wonderland Mall as well as for the USO, and at nursing homes, Spurs games and the Jerr y Lewis 24-hour Muscular D ystrophy Telethon.

1970s - Lassos Develop New Dance Routines

New dance uniforms are added to the traditional attire in the late ‘70s.

The Roping Team features the Big Rope and Texas Sk ip Rope. The Roping Team routines include various roping tricks such as “Shooting the M oon,” “Running,” “Around the World” and many others.

The Roping Team uniform consists of the traditional red blouse, blue scar f, and wide white belt with white moccasins and blue shoulder braids.

1980s - L assos Seek Performance Excellence

The ‘80s was a decade of transition. The Lasso and Lariat organizations began to decrease in size. The Lariats were dissolved in spring 1986 and in fall of the same year, freshmen joined the Lasso pep squad. Freshmen could compete for a position on roping, dance,

Lassos number from 50 to 90 during the decade.

1980s - L assos Seek Performance Excellence

per forming ever y other game. Both roping team and pep squad wore the traditional Lasso uniform, while dance team wore a reversible satin sk ir t and vest. roping teams, well as as color guard, cheerleaders, and pep squad.

Ever y Lasso tries out for the competition team. High k icks are impor tant. Best dancers are in the front row.

1980s - L assos Seek Performance Excellence

I t ’s all about per formance and competition. During M a rch, camp is held ever y day af ter school to teach struts, splits and kicks. Tr y- outs are held in April.

Lassos continue their award-winning ways with honors at the HemisFair Competition, Miss Texas Drill Competition in Dallas, and UIL competition.

The Lassos often won the prop category for using their ropes.

1980s - L assos Seek Performance Excellence

H ighlight of 1989 was the reunion with three individuals critical to the development of the Lassos

Constance Douglas Reeves, Jack Long and Bess R ichards.

The oppor tunit y to have these three icons visit the Lassos that year was a lifetime event. The girls were able to ask questions and share their appreciation for what these three brought to

Connie, Jack and Bess touched so many young girls’ lives. It was an honor to bring them back in to meet the current Lassos.

Velinda Baker, Lasso sponsor 1987-1991

1990s -

Lassos number from 29 to 81. School enrollment ranges from 1,800 to 2,500.

During Spring Break 1990, Lassos travel to Florida for a show at Epcot with a stop in New Orleans. Dance team, cheerleaders, pep squad and roping team par ticipate.

Lassos continue their winning ways at UTSA Competition, Spurs Competition, Showmakers of America Competition, Georgetown Competition, Halftime USA , Fiesta Texas Competition and American Dance & Drill Competition in Santa Fe.

1996 brings more changes with new administrators, new pep rally schedule, and block class scheduling distric twide.

I n 1996, Linda Vargas-Lew, a 1976 TJHS as school principal.

From the late 1990s into 2001, Lassos years. Major and captains keep organization intac t. Lassos include the pep squad, dance team, rope team, cheerleaders and tumblers.

School mascot is added in 1990 and is a member of the Lassos.

M ajor changes in the school begin in 1994 test scores and academic achievement.

a 2000 oper who was instrumental in

Ass o ciati on Work To gether to Pres er ve the L ass o L e gac y

The number of Lassos ranges from 25 to 33. S chool enrollment ranges from 1,731 to 1,998.

I n 2000, Jack Fuller Long, the trick roper who was instrumental in establishing the Lasso roping tradition, passes away. From the 1930s to the 1960s he came to the school to teach Lassos to rope. At his funeral, six Lassos roped as the procession lef t the funeral home.

Lassos continue to win at various competitions with a mix of dance st yles, hip hop, jazz, ballet and k ick .

2

000s - L ass os and L ass o Alumni

2000s - L ass os and L ass o Alumni

Ass o ciati on Work To gether to Pres er ve the L

Ass o ciati on Work To gether to Pres er ve the L as

ass o L e gac y

Lasso alumni realize that changes at the school are impac ting the future of the Lassos. The rich tradition, iconic Western uniforms and roping were at serious risk of slipping away. Alumni band together and work to keep the Lasso legac y alive by establishing the TJHS Lasso Alumni Association in 2007.

s o L e gac y

33 1,998

trick he he t ped as the .

Work ing with the school and Lasso sponsors, the LAA helps the girls understand what it means to be a Lasso. Sharing the histor y of the group and suppor ting the current

Lassos continue to win at various competitions with a mix of dance st yles hip hop, jazz, ballet and k ick .

Awareness of the Lassos increases as the LAA reaches out to alumni ask ing for their suppor t.

Lassos by providing funds for traditional st yle

2010s - Once a L ass o, Always a L ass o

The Lasso Alumni Association establishes its scholarship program for graduating Lasso seniors in spring, 2010, and almost $50,000 has been awarded to date. The scholarships become an impor tant link bet ween the LAA and current Lassos.

I n 2011, the Bob Bullock Texas State H istor y Museum in Austin presents “ Texas H igh School Football: M ore Than the G ame.” The exhibit features Lasso memorabilia and the Lassos per form at the museum. LAA members attend the opening.

A book , titled “ Texas H igh School Football: More Than the Game,” accompanied the exhibit and explained the impac t of the Lassos. “ The Lassos were por trayed as America’s sweethear ts.

were the ideal girls,” wrote author/historian and curator of the exhibit Joe N ick Patosk i.

2010s - Once a L ass o, Always a L ass o

I n 2011, the Lassos and the Lasso Alumni Association were represented in Football: The Exhibit, at the I nstitute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio. LAA Board member Shirley Wills Carroll and 2011 roping team captain Selena G ar za were featured with a photo and inter view in the sec tion on “ Texas Football: I n Their Words,” which highlights Texas’ unique football culture.

Lassos per form at the State Capitol on M ay 4, 2013 at the invitation of former Lasso and former Texas State S enator Leticia Van de Putte when she is Governor for The Day. LAA members attend.

2012 marks the 80th anniversar y of the founding of the Lassos.

2010s - Once a L ass o, Always a L ass o

In 2014 Melanie Davis, TJHS Class of 1994, becomes the second Lasso to be Lasso sponsor.

In 2016 Lassos per form at the Alamo for Texas Independence Day at the invitation of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Alamo Mission Chapter.

magnet school, and dance was popular among all students. When boys showed an interest in dance, the school formed the Wranglers who per formed with Lassos.

Once a Lasso, Always a Lasso