Braulio Alonso

Braulio Alonso was born in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida on December 16 1916. His mother was the daughter of Spanish immigrants. His first language was Spanish; however, he fluently speaks and writes multiple other languages including English, Italian, Portuguese, French, and about 10 others.

Braulio Alonso graduated from Hillsborough High School as valedictorian in 1935. He graduated from the University of Tampa, also as valedictorian in 1939. Braulio Alonso worked to help support his family since he was 10 years old. His parents were cigar makers who left home before dawn and returned at dusk. Braulio was responsible for taking care of his two sisters, cooking and laundry for the family.

Dr. Alonso became a chemistry and physics teacher at Henry B. Plant High School. He married Adelfa (Bebe) Diaz in August 1941 and entered the US Army in October 1941. He entered as a private and was immediately sent to Officer Candidate School. Dr. Alonso served with the 85th infantry Division in North Africa and the Italian Campaign as Battery Commander in the 328th Artillery Battalion. He was in the first group of allied officers to enter Rome. Major Alonso was discharged in November 1945. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart with Cluster.

Dr. Alonso returned to public education as director of Adult Education and On the Job Training for Veterans. He pioneers the present-day Adult High School. He served as Director of this office from 1946 to 1953. During the summers he attended the University of Florida where he earned a Master's and Ph. D. At the time, he was providing also for the college education of his two sisters, as well as supporting his family.

His next assignment was principal of West Tampa Junior High School (1952-1958), Jefferson High School (1958-1962) and C. Leon King High School (1962-1968). All three schools grew in excellence under his tenure.

One of Dr. Alonso lifelong passions has been to improve the schools and champion the teachers. In pursuit of that mission, he served as president of the Hillsborough Education Association (1951-1956) and then as President of Florida Education Association in 1957. He is especially proud of his role as one of the educators who contributed toward desegregating the FEA. Following that presidency, he served on the Board of Directors of the National Education Association (1958-1964). he was elected president of the National Education Association in 1966.

In 2001, Braulio Alonso High School was opened in honor of Dr. Alonso.