Nancy Ann Graham York ’65 has been married to Victor Allen York ’65 for 43 years. They attended Thomas Jefferson High School and met during their senior year. The couple began dating after graduation. Nancy’s brother, Jim Graham ’68, is also a Jefferson Graduate as well as Victor’s siblings, Connie York ’69, Leo York ’72 and Donnie York ’76.

As a sophomore, Nancy was a member of the Girls Glee Club. She remembers singing for Easter sunrise services at the Municipal Auditorium in 1963 with Mr. Moses serving as director. Nancy also belonged to Future Teachers of America, Shakespeares and Lassos. She served as a Shakespeare Officer and Senior Class Officer; however, her favorite activity was Lassos. Nancy was the 1st Lt. of Company H while Bess Richards served as their beloved sponsor. Nancy also loved working in the Attendance Office for Ms. Atkins.

Some of her favorite fun memories of Jeff, aside from being a Lasso and performing at pep rallies and football games, was working on the banners that hung across the main hall for various events such as the Shakes' Valentine Dance or Style Show. She fondly recalls the dances held in the gym and how they decorated the gym ceiling with parachutes! Nancy said, “We also had many dances in the Main Hall.”

Nancy earned her bachelors degree from the University of Texas at Austin and earned her Master of Education degree from Southwest Texas State University (presently Texas State University – San Marcos). She also earned a mid-management certification from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).

Nancy returned to the SAISD and embarked on a career in education. She started out teaching English, Texas History and Speech at Twain Junior High School. Then, she was a counselor at Emerson (now Wheatley) Middle School and Sam Houston High School; a vice principal at Lowell Middle School and Edison High School; and was principal of Whittier Middle School, Fox Tech High School and Navarro High School. Regarding her 42 year career, Nancy said that she is “blessed to have worked with so many wonderful students, many of whom I enjoy seeing today all across the city as police officers, teachers, doctors, and lawyers.”

Nancy mentioned that she had wonderful teachers at Jeff. She shared, “I truly believe that was one of my influences to become an educator. My major works English teachers, Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Goerner, and Ms. Sain, were inspirational. I will always remember my US History teacher, Sandra Gray, because I was in her class when the department chair, Mrs. Taliaferro, walked in and whispered something in her ear. She then announced to the class that President Kennedy had been shot in Dallas. My sociology teacher, Ms. Pedlar, was also great! And I adored my advisory teacher, Mrs. Fleming!”

Currently, Nancy and Victor are empty nesters. Their son is an actor who lives in Los Angeles, and their daughter lives in San Antonio and works at the University of Texas Health Science Center and is finishing her masters at UTSA. Nancy also has Dulce, a cat Victor rescued from a San Antonio Water System Treatment Plant.

Nancy works part-time for the district as a financial aid counselor for seniors at Burbank High School. She also provides educational consulting, most recently for the Dallas ISD. Nancy is also an animal activist working to make San Antonio a true no-kill city. Nancy is very active with the Lasso Alumni Association and is serving as this year’s President-Elect. Nancy said, “It is exciting to work with a new generation of Lassos and pass on the love and pride of being a Lasso to these young ladies.”

Nancy’s advice to the next generation of Mustangs is simple: “Make good decisions about your life both in and out of school. Know that education is the key to success and the more education you have, the more success you will have. Always believe in yourself and your ability to get the job done. And finally always be proud of where you came from, Thomas Jefferson High School!”

Thank you Nancy for this interview for serving as a great role model for all TJHS Mustangs.

Contributing Writer: Michelle Resendez Mata
Photos Provided By: Nancy York

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