Rosemont Primary School – Chris V. Semos Campus is a 91,000-square-foot facility located in the Twelve Hills area of West Dallas. Opened to students in August 2005 and officially dedicated on Oct. 16, 2005, the new school has capacity for 800 students and includes 37 core classrooms, an art classroom, a science classroom, a performing hall (including four practice rooms and instrument storage), an instructional technology classroom, and a media center.
Biography of Chris V. Semos
Chris Victor Semos was a dedicated public servant, successful businessman, and constant advocate for the Dallas schools. A Dallas native, Semos chose his hometown as the place to raise a family and build a family business. His family owned and operated The Torch Restaurant in Oak Cliff for three decades.
In 1966, Semos was elected to the Texas Legislature, and voters re-elected him to serve a total of 16 years. At the Legislature, he became known as the Dean of the Dallas Delegation. Following his eight terms in the Legislature, in 1982 voters elected him Dallas County Commissioner. He served in that position until 1994.
Civic service was second nature to Semos. He led and shared his vision with such notable organizations as United Way, Dallas Community of Churches, Baylor College of Dentistry, National Conference of Christians and Jews, Dallas Family Hospital, Dallas Historical Society, Northwood University, and many others.
In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with top civic awards for service from organizations such as Dallas Baptist University, LULAC, North Central Texas Council of Governments, Texas Restaurant Association, Scottish Rite Hospital, the Dallas Assembly, and The Greek Orthodox Church. Before his death in June 2004, Semos was named Humanitarian of the Year by the Oak Cliff Lions Club.
It is fitting that Chris Semos' name be associated with the Dallas ISD and Rosemont Elementary. His widow, Anastasia ("Tasie") Semos, was a district teacher, and their three daughters attended Rosemont and graduated from Dallas public schools.
Biography of Chris V. Semos