Many famous women have held the title of America's Sweetheart over the years. On May 7, 1938, the Lassos of Jefferson High School appeared on the cover of Life magazine and became America's team of sweethearts.

The 81-year-old dance team, one of the oldest in Texas, had nearly 200 members in its heyday. It performed at the 1939 World's Fair in New York, met Eleanor Roosevelt at the White House and appeared in a feature film, High School, starring Jane Withers.

I sent a postcard to my parents that I shook hands with the first lady and hadn't washed my hands since, said Dorothy Hughes, an alumna from 1941. That was pretty high cotton for a little gal from San Antonio.

When I think about it, it's still special, even at my age now.

For decades, the Lassos held on to their celebrity status, appearing in local ad campaigns and even performing for John Wayne when he was in the San Antonio area filming The Alamo.

He gave me a kiss on the cheek. Talk about not washing, said Marion Tolk Asher Hirsch, class of 1960, who also served as Lasso director from 1969 to 1972.

But times, values and the financial burden of being a Lasso changed, and by 2006 the team had dwindled to 10 members.

In response to that, a group of former Lassos created the Lasso Alumni Association, or LAA, in 2007.

The Lassos are built on tradition and are part of Jefferson's identity, said Nancy York, LAA president-elect. We were about to lose them and we were just heartbroken.

Sharing history

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Jefferson's Lassos dance team is tied to a proud school history