Teacher Calls on McConaughey to Save Texas 'Dazed' School

I think we can all agree that Dazed and Confused is an amazing movie, right? Especially for us here in Texas, it gave us endless quotes and, what I like to call Texas royalty, Matthew McConaughey! Now, one school in Austin is asking for his help to keep the Dazed and Confused legacy alive.

Bedichek Middle School is best known as the filming site for Dazed and Confused. It’s where we first saw that one guy from Yellowstone. Well, the school is on a list of 13 Austin ISD campuses facing possible closure. Now, one passionate teacher hopes a familiar Texan and star of the film, Matthew McConaughey, can help keep its doors open.

A Teacher’s Plea

Orchestra director Samantha Stewart has taught at Bedichek for 13 years, helping students find their rhythm both in and out of the classroom. But when she learned her campus was at risk of shutting down, she took to Instagram with an emotional plea and tagged McConaughey and his wife Camila Alves, and asking the community to speak up.

Steward wrote:

We can't let this history, and the future of our students, be erased.

The post quickly gained traction, with dozens of alumni, parents, and former staff sharing memories and tagging McConaughey in hopes he’d notice. So far, the actor hasn’t publicly responded, but his involvement could shine a spotlight on the district’s controversial closure plan.

What’s Next for Bedichek

If the Austin ISD Board of Trustees approves the proposed changes, Bedichek will officially close in 2026, and its students will be rezoned to nearby campuses. It’s one of two middle schools on the chopping block, both serving primarily low-income students. Until then, Stewart and the Bedichek community are holding out hope that their story, and maybe a little star power, can change the ending.

If there were ever a time for McConaughey to show up and say “alright, alright, alright,” this might be it! After all, Bedichek isn’t just another school, it’s a piece of Texas movie history. And if anyone can rally the spirit of Austin to keep it alive, it’s the man who taught us all to keep “livin’, L-I-V-I-N.”