A San Antonio family is calling on Texas Governor Greg Abbott to veto House Bill 791, legislation that would authorize a specialty license plate honoring Central Catholic High School. The plea comes in the wake of disturbing allegations that the family’s 15-year-old son suffered months of hazing, bullying, and sexual assault while playing on the school’s varsity soccer team.
The student’s parents argue that approving a license plate celebrating the school sends the wrong message, especially as police investigations and internal reviews into the reported abuse remain ongoing. They contend that it is inappropriate to endorse any public tribute to Central Catholic High School while serious questions about student safety, accountability, and institutional responsibility remain unanswered.
House Bill 791, introduced during the most recent legislative session, proposes the creation of a Texas specialty license plate featuring Central Catholic’s school crest and its motto, “With Loyal Hearts.” The bill passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature and was sent to Governor Abbott’s desk in early June. If signed, the new plate would become available to drivers starting September 1, 2025.
The controversy surrounding the bill stems from incidents that allegedly occurred over several months in late 2023 and early 2024. According to the family, their son was subjected to repeated harassment and sexual misconduct by teammates during team events and on school property. The behavior reportedly escalated to physical assaults that left the student with emotional trauma and prompted him to leave the school.
The family has retained legal representation and is demanding not only that the bill be vetoed, but also that the school face greater scrutiny. Their demands include the immediate suspension of the boys’ soccer program, the dismissal of any staff found to have mishandled or ignored reports of misconduct, and the appointment of an independent third-party firm to conduct a full investigation into the school’s culture and policies.
In the weeks following the revelations, Central Catholic High School has taken several public steps in response. The administration expelled multiple students involved in the incidents and brought in an external firm to review school practices. Additionally, the school announced a new partnership with a nonprofit specializing in child abuse prevention and trauma care. This initiative aims to educate students on respectful conduct, positive peer relationships, and the importance of creating a safe school environment.
Despite these steps, the family says the school’s actions are too little, too late. They believe the school failed to fulfill its legal obligation to report the abuse promptly to law enforcement and child welfare agencies. Instead, they allege, school administrators attempted to address the matter internally without alerting authorities until the family brought the issue to public attention.
With the deadline approaching, Governor Abbott has until June 22, 2024, to sign or veto the bill. If no action is taken by that date, House Bill 791 will automatically become law. The family hopes that by drawing public attention to the issue, they can influence the governor to halt what they see as a premature and inappropriate honor.
Community response has been divided. Some supporters of the school argue that the license plate is a symbolic tribute to Central Catholic’s long history and academic tradition, and that current events should not overshadow decades of positive contributions. Others, however, echo the family’s concerns, stating that public recognition should be postponed until full accountability has been demonstrated.
The debate has prompted broader conversations in San Antonio and beyond about institutional transparency, student safety, and the role of public recognition in shaping narratives around educational institutions. It has also raised questions about how lawmakers and school leaders respond to allegations of abuse, and what steps are necessary to rebuild trust when harm occurs within a community.
As the June 22 deadline nears, all eyes are on the governor’s office to see whether the call for accountability will outweigh tradition and symbolic recognition. The family at the center of the controversy remains resolute, stating they will continue to speak out until meaningful change is achieved.
Header Image Suggestion: A photograph of Central Catholic High School’s front entrance, clearly showing its crest and motto, to contextualize the institution at the center of the legislative and community controversy.
