Lamar Middle School sits quietly on a vast piece of land in the Heights section of the city of Laredo. It began its academic mission in 1953 as the second junior high school in the Laredo Independent School District. The staff consisted of thirty-six people including teachers, a matron, and a secretary to the principal.

On the night of October 10, 1972, Lamar suffered a setback. The southern section of Lamar Junior High caught fire. The students made it known that it would take more than a fire to destroy their school spirit, and school classes were carried on.

By 1974 the staff had grown to sixty-three teachers and other paraprofessional personnel. 

In 1983, the system changed and junior highs became middle schools. Lamar Junior High then became Lamar Middle School, housing close to fifteen hundred students and over one hundred teachers and personnel.

In August 2003, our administrators, faculty, staff, and students began a new academic year in our beautiful new school.

Laredo ISD Board of Trustees dedicated the M.B. Lamar Middle School Library to honor the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Frank Maurice Staggs, a beloved husband, father, educator, and community leader.

Frank was born in 1927 in Laredo, Texas, to proud parents Frank Wilson Staggs, an oil field foreman, and Gertrude Frizzell Staggs, a dedicated music teacher. His journey was marked by a profound commitment to education and service, shaping the lives of countless individuals along the way.

In May of 1952, Frank married the love of his life, Julieta (Julie) Farias, and together they raised two sons, Frank Jr., who became a corporate lawyer in Houston, TX, and Raul, a talented theatre casting director and actor in Los Angeles, CA.

Frank embarked on his teaching career in 1950 in San Benito, TX, where he pioneered a pilot English as a Second Language program, laying the foundation for inclusive education. His passion for teaching led him to Lamar Junior High in Laredo in 1953, where he served as a Speech and History teacher before rising to the role of Assistant Principal under the mentorship of Principal Mr. Ed Lockey. In 1960, Frank's dedication and leadership were recognized as he became the inaugural principal of Milton Elementary School. Subsequently, he took the helm as Principal of Lamar Junior High until 1973, leaving an indelible mark on both institutions.

A true visionary, Frank spearheaded the Special Opportunity Classes in 1966, a pioneering program aimed at supporting overage elementary students in transitioning to high school within a year. Renamed Coordinated Vocational Academic Education, this initiative garnered statewide recognition for its role in preventing dropouts and empowering students to graduate high school. Beyond his role in administration, Frank served as the Director of Secondary Education until his early retirement in 1980, leaving an imprint on the district's educational landscape. His commitment to education extended to his tenure on the L.I.S.D. Board of Education from 1998 to 2002, where he continued to advocate for students and educators alike.

As we reflect on Frank's life, let us cherish the memories of his unwavering dedication, his transformative impact on education, and his boundless love for his family and community. May his legacy continue to inspire us all to strive for excellence and service in everything we do.

On May 24, 2017, Laredo ISD Board of Trustees dedicated the M.B. Lamar Middle School Cafeteria in memory of Norma Lucila Zuniga Benavides.

Norma Zuniga Benavides was born February 1, 1926, and entered into enteral rest Wednesday, April 6, 2016. As a young girl she attended Ursuline Academy. She graduated in 1942 as Valedictorian of her class. After graduating from Incarnate Word College with Majors in Chemistry and Mathematics, she taught at Ursuline and St Joseph's Academies. Her interests in the education of all children brought her to the political arena. In 1959, she ran successfully for a seat on the Laredo Independent School District Board/Laredo Junior College Board where she served as Secretary. During her tenure, many reforms occurred, not the least in which was the beginning of the school lunch program. Indeed, she broke ground as the first woman in Laredo's history to be elected to a city-wide position. Her interest in her community broadened into participation in numerous organizations such as Texas Cattlewomen's Association, Pan American Round Table, Webb County Heritage Foundation, Princess Pocahontas Council (served as Princess Pocahontas in 1948), Ursuline Associates, Las Mujeres, election to Laredo Public Library Board, and many others.

She received many honors in her lifetime including the Laredo Morning Times Lady of the Year, Induction into the first Laredo Women's Hall of Fame by the Laredo Commission for Women, and President of the Republic of the Rio Grande. In her later years, she provided emotional support and guidance to breast cancer survivors. Norma and her husband. Guillermo Benavides, had four children, Normita, Guillermo Jr., Ana Claudia, and Manuel Alfonso, 10 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

On December 17, 2018, Laredo ISD Board of Trustees dedicated the M.B. Lamar Middle School Fine Arts Center in memory of Rosario "Chacha" Benavides.

Rosario "Chacha" Santos Benavides was born July 13, 1939, to Zenaida Esparza Santos and Andres Santos. She was the "middle child," having an elder brother, Andy, and a younger one, Roberto (Bobby).

She attended St. Peter's Memorial School, Lamar Junior High School where she was in the first ninth-grade class, and Martin High School, where she was a member of the Courtesy Service Club. She graduated from MHS in 1957. She attended Laredo Junior College and later received her diploma in education from Texas Woman's University. She married Alfredo Benavides, Jr., and had three children, Erica, Alfredo III "Freddie," and Roberto "Bobby."

She began her teaching career at Bruni Elementary School in 1962, where she taught first grade, and three years later transferred to Lamar Junior High School, where she taught eighth-grade social studies until 1987. During her tenure at Lamar, she was actively involved in sponsoring various activities, including El Nopal/Lion's Roar (yearbook), the Basic Academic Instruction Program (BAI) where seventh-grade students were taught seventh and eighth-grade curriculum and given the opportunity to be promoted to the ninth grade at the end of the school year, the Washington, D.C./New York trips for students, and the National Junior Honor Society. Many of her students remember her fondly for the mock trials she held in her classroom. There was never a dull moment with Chacha, as everyone called her. She was outgoing, fun-loving, and extremely loyal to her family, friends, and her school. Her college roommate, Sylvia Salinas Cruz, says, "She never met a stranger."

She was a member of the Aletha Society and a Charter member of the Daughters of the Republic of the Rio Grande. Chacha and her family attended Blessed Sacrament Church.

On February 8, 2019, Laredo ISD Board of Trustees dedicated the M.B. Lamar Middle School Band Hall Ensemble Room in honor of Yolanda E. Moreno.

Yolanda E. Moreno born in Falfurrias, Texas in 1956 where she grew up and graduated from Falfurrias High School in 1975. She began her musical studies in 1968 under her beloved junior high and high school Band Director, Mr. Solomon Banda. As a high school band member, Ms. Moreno was Band President and was named Band Sweetheart. She also received the "Most Popular Girl Award" and was selected to be in "Who's Who" of America. She received a Bachelor of Music degree from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas, where she was under the direction of Dr. Joseph L. Bellamah. She had the opportunity to do her student teaching in Premont High School under the direction of Mr. Joe Menchaca and Premont Elementary under Mrs. Irene Menchaca. After graduating from Texas A &I University in 1979, she began working at Hebbronville High School for Jim Hogg ISD. Ms. Moreno worked as an Associate Director under Dr. Humberto Gonzalez and Arturo Valdez, where the band became one of the best in the State of Texas and participated in the UIL State Marching Contest in 1981.

In 1982 she moved to Laredo, Texas where she began working for Laredo ID at J. W. Nixon High School as an Associate Director under Arturo Valdez and working hand and hand with Carlos Luna. The Nixon Band became 2nd in the State that year and in 1983 became 1st in State being named UlL State Marching Band Champions,

That same year the band became 7th in the nation in White Water, Wisconsin. She started the Memorial Middle School Band Program which was a feeder school to Nixon in 1983, In 1984, she became the Head Band Director at M.. Lamar Middle School where she re-built the program winning numerous UIL Sweepstakes Awards over 12 years. In 1987 her band placed 6th in the State of Texas at the TMEA, Honor Band Competition in Class CC which is an achievement that no other band or band director in Laredo has exceeded. In 1996, she received the most beautiful gift anyone could ask for. Her son, Jonathan Moreno, was born and is now following her footsteps by majoring in Music Education. Ms. Moreno then moved to United IS.D, where she started the Trautmann Middle School Band Program. In 1999, she moved to United South Middle School and rebuilt the Band Program there as well. She headed the program for 13 years where she received many UlL Sweepstakes Awards over the period of 16 years, In 2012, Ms. Moreno had the opportunity to go back to Lamar Middle School at Laredo ID where she spent her final three years before retiring. Ms. Moreno rebuilt the band in seven months as the band became a UIL- Sweepstakes Award Winner. To this day, the Lamar Band continues to be one of the best programs winning consecutive sweepstakes due to the legacy she has left. Alt of her bands became very successful and were well known throughout our region, area, and state levels.

Ms. Moreno and her bands have won a total of 24 "UIL Sweepstakes Awards" along with individual students who have become very successful in regional, area, and state levels. In December of 2016, Ms. Moreno was inducted into Region XIV Band Director's Hall of Fame. During her 36 years as a Band Director; Moreno inspired and motivated many generations of students who followed in her footsteps majoring in music education and becoming band directors. Ms. Moreno is now enjoying retirement and spending time with her son and loved ones.

In August 2020, M. B. Lamar Middle School was thrust into the technology age by providing all students a Google Chromebook; thus making 2020 the first year Lamar was a 1:1 campus.

Dr. Eduardo E. Lopez served as the Principal of M.B. Lamar Middle School from 2018 to 2024. His tenure was marked by numerous prestigious awards recognizing his exceptional leadership and contributions to education:

• 2019 Digital Learning Administrator of the Year - awarded by Laredo ISD

• 2019 Secondary Principal of the Year - awarded by Laredo ISD

• 2021 District/Campus Administrator of the Year - awarded by the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA)

• 2021 Tech Edvocate Award for Best K-12 School Leader - awarded by Tech Edvocate

• 2022 EdTech Leadership Award School Leadership Finalist - awarded by EdTech Digest

• 2022 H-E-B Excellence in Education Award (Principal Finalist) - awarded by H-E-B

• 2024 TMEA Distinguished Administrator - awarded by the Texas Music Educators Association

Dr. Lopez's educational journey began in the same community he later served. He attended M.S. Ryan Elementary, M.B. Lamar Middle School, and J.W. Nixon High School. His professional career included roles at J.W. Nixon High School as a teacher, master teacher, Assistant Principal, and eventually Principal of M.B. Lamar Middle School. Dr. Lopez’s commitment to the community he grew up in is evident through his dedication to fostering educational excellence and supporting student success.

 LMS remains one of the finest middle schools in our community because of the dedication of the administration, faculty, staff and students.

From 1953 to present M.B. Lamar Middle School has had 11 principals and currently serving as principal Ms. Melissa Valdez.

Principal: Mr. W. E. Lockey

Principal: Dr. Eduardo E. Lopez