Paso Del Sur

Built in 1899 Aoy elementary school is named after Olivas Villanueva Aoy who first recognized the need to educate children in the Mexican part of the City of El Paso. A world traveler and multidisciplinarian, he began his teaching in the Segundo Barrio in 1887. On June 6, 1892, the El Paso Independent School board appointed him principal of the "Mexican Preparatory School." As population continued to grow in the Segundo Barrio, Superintendent G. P. Putman saw the need for a new building. Sadly Aoy would not live to see the new building. On April 27, 1895 he passed away and many students attended funeral to pay respect to their teacher.

Superintendent G. P. Putman suggested, upon the death of Aoy in 1895, that

"Every child in El Paso whom he [Aoy] has taught contribute a flower to the coffin or the grave of the teacher who has labored so earnestly for the Mexican children of the city."

In 1899, a new building located on 7th street and Kansas was raised and named after the man who pioneered education in south El Paso. Aoy day is celebrated on April 27 in his honor. It is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, because his actual birthday is unknown.

Mrs. Lily Howard remembers Mr. Aoy, her Spanish Teacher, June 1949

Mr. Aoy was a tireless man. He would work all day with the Mexican children and then give Spanish classes to the Americans at night. My family lived in the area near the school and I was one of his pupils. He was always kind and patient with us.

Mr. W.P Casarez speaking at Aoy School about his year as a student, April 1949

“I remember Arbor day. We planted cottonwood trees around the school yard. Today, I noticed that one tree I planted is still living. It is the tree next to the drinking fountain in the back of the building.

I used to be drummer boy and was always proud to stand at attention and beat my drum. My greatest moment of pride was when I headed the student body in the parade march to meet president McKinley when he passed through El Paso in 1901.

We worked hard in the early days to receive an education. Materials and books were not as easy to have as they are now that the schools provide them. All the students should take the opportunity offered them by Aoy school and its teachers to learn and work to the best of their ability. Aoy has a fine history behind it and all the boys and girls should do their best to honor and up hold it. I am proud that I went to Aoy School and honored to be asked to come say a few words to you on Aoy’s Day.”

Aoy played an important role in the life of many children in the Segundo Barrio, and his legacy continues today.

Richard Molinar recalls his time at Alamo elementary(1959)

“I lived a block an a half away from Alamo across from San Ignacio. I still remember my address— it was 414 South Tays Apartment number 279. I can remember every one being friendly and playing with friends at recess”.

Richard Molinar grew up in south El Paso where he attended Alamo elementary and Bowie High School.

A new more modern Aoy elementary school was built in 2005. Children will continue to receive an education and his memory will live on in the spirit his students.

Alamo elementary school was constructed in 1899 and opened in September of that year. The original building consisted of eight class rooms, and through the years additions continued to be built. Alamo housed middle school grades sixth through seventh. The eight grade was taken out in 1941 when Bowie High School was expanded. The seventh grade was taken out in 1948 and the sixth in 1949.

Presently the school located at 500 South Hill Street is closed, but its history continues to live on in the memory of its former students.

Bowie first opened in September 1922 as an elementary school to ease over crowded conditions in Aoy and Alamo. The children who attended the then called Bowie School, resided in the areas of South Florence and Sixth Street.

Students that went to elementary school in the south side had to go to attend El Paso High School after completing their primary education. In 1927 overcrowding had pushed the capacity of El Paso High School,

Maria Sanchez attended Bowie High School from 1964-1968. She remembers:

“I came from Juárez and registered at Bowie High School. I can not remember if it was two or three years that I spent in ESL before passing to the eight grade. It was very difficult because the classes (ESL) moved so fast and sometimes I was not able to catch on to the English that well. I understand English and I can read and write in English, but I find it very hard to express myself. I can not speak English as easily as I should be able to. I left Bowie High School shortly after beginning eleventh grade.

I remember a lot of positive things about Bowie High, it seems there were more students then and they paid more attention to their studies. What I found most beautiful about the school, I remember there being a large amount of student participation in choir, band and ROTC.

I also remember not being aloud to speak Spanish. If you were caught at any time speaking Spanish on campus they would put in detention after school two days, for an hour or half an hour. I can not remember when they did away with this rule.”

and as population continued to rise, there was a need for a secondary school in the south side. So Bowie school became established as a high school and went up to the ninth grade. Then the El Paso School Board agreed that this school was ideal for a high school because of its location and land availability. The original Bowie building was constructed in 1922 and additions were made though the years as they were needed. The original building is now home to Guillén Middle School.

The Academy for International Business & Public Affairs is a magnet program available at Bowie high School.

Today Bowie high school continues to be the pride of the south side, Once a bear always a bear!

To this day former Bowie students remember their high school days at “La Bowie.”

“I attended Bowie high school in the original building they called the intermediate building. I had Algebra one, two and three in that building. There was also study hall and the library.

I loved Band. I was in band all four years. My senior year I was the drum major. To this day I still meet with fellow band members and other friend from Bowie and Jefferson at Taco Cabana.

I remember Mr. Frank C. Pollitt (principal of Bowie) was very interested in kids learning and making goals come true.”

Richard Molinar Bowie Graduate 1961

Schools in el Segundo Barrio