LAUREL, Md — Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a week-long series of stories highlighting Laurel, Md., the town that came to the aid of Laurel, Miss. after Hurricane Katrina.



Three letters – “LHS” – stand several feet high in front of the high school in town. The building, much like the one in Laurel, Miss., is a plain brick structure that expands across a city block. The Spartan colors are blue and gold, but the spirit of Laurel High School is very similar to that Golden Tornado pride of Laurel, Miss.

Part of the building is old and outdated. Spartan Hall, as people here call a wing of the high school, was once an old elementary school. The building houses the drama, arts, social studies, foreign languages and extracurricular activities for Laurel High School. Part of the building was lost during a destructive tornado a couple of years ago, and was rebuilt.

Much like the Laurel School District, the Prince George’s County School District is facing facility needs, which when constructed will give students increased opportunities for growth. The Spartans at LHS will soon see much needed changes on the school’s campus. School District Leaders have decided to destroy part of Spartan Hall to make way for a massive new construction project.

There are about 1,800 students at Laurel High School. So, with portable buildings dotting the campus, construction crews are about to build a 900 seat auditorium and several new classrooms. The project totals about $10 million. Part of the Prince George’s County school system, leaders are preparing for some major growth in the area. New homes – expensive, stately homes – are showing up across the city.

“They’re building some condos that way; they’re building some condos this way. They’re building new houses all over the place,” said Christine Wenchel, administrative assistant to Principal Dwayne Jones.

This is the second version of Laurel High School to serve Laurel, Md. The first LHS was built by a businessman back in the 1800s with private money. That building now houses a Boys and Girls Club.

The high school is going through some changes. The academic program for many students is quite rigorous, and students hoping for a challenge can enroll in the International Baccalaureate program. Successful completion will give the student an internationally recognized high school diploma, complete with such courses as Japanese, Latin, and other key subject groups.

Principal “Coach” Dwayne Jones, learning of the Golden Tornadoes’ 4A State Championship in football this past season, said a state level championship in any sport can do great things for the moral of a school and community.

“That’s pretty neat,” Jones said while looking at a copy of the commemorative book published by the Laurel Leader-Call. “I don’t know what to say. Hopefully this will be the motivation for us to get a state title. You get these kids together and start winning and you know you can do the right thing.”

Doing the right thing comes naturally for many of Laurel’s people. Even though this town has seen some growth on exponential levels – the 2000 Census listed Laurel, Md. with a population of 19,500 and current estimates put it with 25,000 people – people here have had some tough times, too. The town was made famous during the terrorist attacks of 2001 by some of the hijackers. These terrorists made two of Laurel’s hotels home, renting cars here, eating here, and shopping here.

Tough times within a community help the people form a bond. It was this type of bond that created a partnership with Laurel, Miss. Ruth Walls, a nurse in Laurel, Md., packed up her medical supplies and traveled to New Orleans. She showed up at the Louisiana Superdome with her nursing license and offered her help. Dave Cogott, a New York native who now owns the Main Street Sports Bar and Grill, raised $1,800 and planned to get the money to Waveland. Since he couldn’t get in touch with anybody in that devastated Mississippi Coast city, he sent the money to Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack. This donation was part of more than $21,000 donated by the City of Laurel, Md., to Laurel, Miss.