Marble Falls Ex-Student Homecoming on tap for Saturday

Sen. Walter Richert, class of 1934, approached several other Mustang graduates from years past and broached the idea of holding an annual gathering.

“He wanted to have a get-together with other Mustangs,” said local Highland Lakes historian Madolyn Frasier. “And, so often after the years go by we don’t really have too many opportunities to get together.”

In 1984, Richert and many other former Mustangs — both graduates and non-graduates — gathered in the Marble Falls Independent School District’s Granite Building for their initial homecoming. In the early days of the district, it was the only school building.

“For Walter and many of the others, that’s where they went to class,” Frasier said.

Since that first Marble Falls Ex-Student Homecoming, former Mustangs have been holding the event annually to coincide with the regular homecoming week. This year’s event is Saturday from 10 a.m-3 p.m. in the high school cafeteria, 2101 Mustang Drive. 

This year one of the high school’s most famous graduates is returning for the ex-student homecoming.

“Leonel Manzano is going to be there,” Frasier said.

Manzano was a state champion cross-country and track-and-field competitor while in high school. But his star has continued to rise since he graduated in 2004. Manzano earned collegiate titles while attending the University of Texas. 

Then in August he represented the United States as a member of the Olympic track and field squad where he competed in the men’s 1,500-meter run in Beijing.

“We’re pretty excited about having him come back,” Frasier said. “He’s just about the most famous Marble Falls graduate.”

The ex-students’ event is open to all former Mustangs even if they didn’t graduate, Frasier said.

“You had students who left school before they graduated because they had to go to work to help out their family,” she said. “They were, and still are, Mustangs too. This is just a time for all the former students to come home and get together.”

The event itself is free, but at noon Peete Mesquite Barbecue of Marble Falls is catering lunch. Frasier said there is a $12 cost for the meal per person.

From the early gatherings, the event has grown to bring together more than 200 people.

“Last year we had about 225 people attend,” Frasier said.

One of the nice things about the homecoming is that people from different classes and even generations can meet, talk and share stories and memories.

“You get people who might not have seen or spoken to each other in several years. And then maybe you grew up hearing about so-and-so from your older brother or sister but never met them or knew who they were, but at the homecoming you finally get to meet them,” Frasier said. “It’s really a special event. We also have several teachers who come. And that’s really special.”

For more information on the Marble Falls Ex-Student Homecoming, call (830) 693-4006.

daniel@thepicayune.com