by S. Rotan Hale
It was a night for fellowship and camaraderie, the kind of night that made you glad to see people you hadn’t seen for years. The night was filled with hugs, laughter, and inquisitive stares across the room from those with hopes of seeing that special someone who happened to attend the Lucy Addison High School Reunion.
Although this particular gathering held Thursday, July 15, at Holiday Inn on Ordway, involved primarily the classes of ‘66 and ‘67, it was nonetheless open to other classes as it was so billed.
“The ‘66-’67 committee decided to open the affair to all classes to honor and celebrate the legacy of Ms. Lucy Addison as she broke barriers opening high schools for Blacks in the early 1900s,” said Brenda Davis, reunion committee chair.
“One of the great things about this reunion was there were people from classes before ‘66 and those from classes way after ‘67,” Davis said, noting the wide range of attendees from various classes.
“The event turned out terrific,” she said. “Everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves and many expressed interest in having the reunion more frequently instead of every five years as it has been traditionally.”
Gatherings of this sort are all about reconnecting and rekindling the energy that for all intents and purposes keeps the old-school spirit alive, as in the “Addison Bulldog” spirit.
The school, named after local legendary educator Ms. Lucy Addison, was founded in 1928 as an all-Black high school and most notably, has a strong history of producing generations of students who have gone on to lead highly prosperous and successful lives.
Due to the desegregation laws of the ‘60s, Addison integrated in 1970 transforming the “old” classic Lucy Addison into the future, therefore producing students of a new era as well as a different consciousness.
There has and always will be a certain pride felt among those graduates of the “old” Lucy Addison. The classic nature alone naturally sets “old school” grads apart from “new school.” It’s simply a difference in era and the quality of education re: the personal touch of “old school educators,” versus the new-age, computerized/virtual approach. It is that difference and the generational transition that makes certain reunions all the more special.
In her opening remarks, Donna Lee (class of ‘67) gave special recognition to recently deceased Johnny Taylor, a well-known Addisonian beloved by all who also served as reunion committee chairperson. Organizers said Taylor was very instrumental in the early stages of planning the event prior to his passing on May 25th of this year.
Lee gave a brief history of the high school and also told the story of Lucy Addison noting her many achievements as the incredible groundbreaking educator she was, which led to the high school being named in her honor in 1928. Ms. Addison died in 1937 in Washington, DC, leaving a lasting legacy for all to follow.
One very spirited attendant, George Jones, class of ‘66, was seen joyfully hugging and chatting with classmates as he made his rounds about the room. Jones, now 75 and semi-retired, has been a financial services executive for 38 years. He drove in from Charlotte, NC to attend the affair.
“This is the Grand Reunion for any and all of us to get together. Some of us can look back through the years through the friendly eyes that we once knew as kids. In spite of all the pitfalls and successes we’ve experienced we now reminisce and recreate.”
Jones went on to explain in detail a project involving land and finances in Ghana, Africa where he met with tribal chiefs and engaged in township development negotiations. He is a prime example of the level of excellence and the successful enterprising spirit embodied in many of the countless products of Lucy Addison High School.
Donald Harris, another Addisonian is known to be a regular at these reunions, traveled from his home in Maryland to attend.
“This is a magnificent function and I’m glad organizers are trying to revamp the entire thing as we used to do years ago. It’s lovely, with the music and the entertainment it’s simply fantastic,” said Harris exhibiting a level of enthusiasm that captured the mood of the evening.
The element of music is by all means critically essential to the Black experience. Music alone can make or break a function and everyone at the affair can attest to the band Envision, from Winston Salem, NC as being perfectly suited for this grand affair and played all the right tunes as many danced the night away. All hail the “Mighty Bulldog” and this night of reunion excellence!”
