Heartfelt Farewell: Longfellow Community Comes Together for a Memorable Send-Off Celebration

On May 23, the Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy community gathered for a heartfelt farewell to a beloved institution that has served as a foundation for countless students and families in Dallas ISD. Principal M. Scott Tatum poignantly remarked, “The shift from the old building to the new is vital; maintaining our historical connections is essential.” He highlighted the enduring impact the school has had on both the local community and Dallas ISD as a whole. As the academic year reached its conclusion, current students participated in a clap-out ceremony, signaling the closure of both the semester and a significant chapter in the district's history. The afternoon's celebrations brought together students, alumni, faculty, and residents, who wandered through the well-known hallways, reliving memories and sharing experiences. The walls, adorned with messages, captured their collective journey. Alumnus Buford Cates, who graduated in 1950, shared, “I received an exceptional education and built lifelong relationships.” Longfellow has proudly achieved the National Blue Ribbon School honor thrice—2007, 2014, and 2020—highlighting its remarkable legacy, with a new campus set to debut this August.