Chapin High School marks anniversary of namesake's passing

Students, staff and community members gathered on Jan. 22, 2018 to commemorate the life and sacrifices of Capt. John L. Chapin, the school's namesake, on the 75th anniversary of his passing. Chapin JROTC Cadets joined in the ceremony as members of the Mighty Chapin Husky Band performed Taps followed by a moment of silence. Chapin faculty member, Barry Boetto, read a brief history of Capt. Chapin over the intercom as students stood at attention in their classrooms. Special guests included Col. Charles L. Matallana, the operations officer for 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command at Fort Bliss; Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools Dr. Carla Gonzales, the campus’ first principal; EPISD JROTC Programs Facilitator Leonard Wells; and Chapin Principal Robert Marsh. Soldiers from the 32nd AAMDC, Chapin's Partners in Education, also attended the ceremony and provided an appropriate military tone to the ceremony. (Leonel Monroy, Jr./El Paso ISD)