Distinguished Alumni for 2011

Delano Womack, '52
Founding Member of the
Austin High School Continuing Education Foundation

"Veni, Vidi, Vici" was the motto given to Delano in the 1952 Comet. He was Class President his sophomore through his senior years and served on Student Council '50-'52. Del was a star running back on the Maroon Football Team, scoring 23 touchdowns and a total of 138 points, making him lead scorer in the state. His record stood for decades. He earned first-team All-District, All-State, and All-America honors. He also starred on the Maroon Track Team and played Maroon Baseball. Delano was named the Friendliest boy in 1951 and was a Sophomore and Junior Favorite and "King" in 1952.

From his many scholarship offers, Delano chose to stay home. He was a three-year starter for the Longhorns, but one of his proudest moments came when he was awarded the Southwest Conference Sportsmanship Trophy. After his graduation in 1956 with a BBA degree in Marketing and Real Estate, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. By this time, Del had married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Anne Olle '52, and their first baby had been born, so he decided to go to work. He spent 21 years working for Southland Corp. (7-Eleven stores.) He helped institute a program, endorsed by Governor Dolph Biscoe, called "Operation Peace of Mind", a runaway hotline that allowed young people to call home at no charge. Delano introduced the idea to the 7-Eleven stores because of the numerous stores in Texas. The program was such a success in Texas that 7-Eleven took it nationwide to all 5000 7-Eleven stores. When he returned to Austin, he continued his career in real estate. Delano is a generous community activist and many of his efforts have benefited Austin High.

As a founding board member of the Austin High Continuing Education Foundation he has helped provide educational opportunities to promising AHS graduates who lake the financial resources to attend college. Del is a cheerful, positive man who believes in giving back to his alma mater and community. He epitomizes the term "Loyal Forever".