|
 |
100 years and still Tiger strong
|
| By: Mark J. Crawford, Editor |
September 11, 2009 |
|
 |
Ashley Boswell and Anjulique Steele were presented RJE scholarships by Shirley Hudson and Valara Petteway.
|
|
Alumni of the former Robinson Jenkins Ellerson High School crowned a new queen and kicked off several days of events in celebration of the school's centennial with her coronation last week.
The evening was hosted by Bob Williams, community service manager for WCJB in Gainesville, and Valara (Jenkins) Petteway, president of the RJE Alumni Association.
During the evening, staff, alumni and community members were honored, and there were also special presentations, like a recitation of the poem "The Bridge Builder" by Donnie Jackson, Jason Major and Montrez Ellerson.
Recognitions included Alex Cummings, the first black officer in the Florida Highway Patrol from Bradford County, and the Concerned Citizens of Bradford County for its role helping to preserve the RJE facilities after the school was closed. Edward Hamilton currently serves as president of the organization, which has been active in the community for more than 30 years.
"When our school closed and was in shambles, and when the ceilings were falling, and when the grass was growing tall, there was this group of people who got together and said, 'This is ours. We love it. We're going to preserve it.' And from that day until this, Concerned Citizens has been keeping its word," Petteway said.
The school may have closed, but RJE still stands for a legacy of education in the black community. It's remarkable just how many former RJE students and graduates went into the field of education, spending their lives teaching younger generations or serving as school support staffers. Today, scholarships funded by the RJE alumni are also helping students pursue their higher education goals.
Shirley Hudson presented scholarships to two recipients on behalf of the RJE Alumni Scholarship Committee. First was Ashley Boswell who graduated Fleming Island High School with a 3.0 GPA and now attends Santa Fe College. She has earned her certification in early child development and will continue her studies at Florida A&M University. Ashley wants to be a kindergarten teacher and operate her own daycare center.
Anjulique Steele was awarded the second scholarship. The Bradford High graduate earned a 3.5 overall GPA in high school and now studies at Santa Fe College. She is certified as a nursing assistant, and she has set her sights on becoming a physical therapist.
Olivia Scott said they were both lovely young women, inspiring and very deserving of the scholarships. Though the spotlight was on RJE's centennial, Scott took a moment to recognize other black schools in Bradford County's past and the students who attended them, including Water Oak Elementary in Pleasant Grove, Thurston Elementary School, Anderson Junior High School in Lawtey, and Hampton Training School.
Former RJE staff honorees included Maurice White, daughter of RJE founder A.O. Jenkins. White served as an educator for 42 years and continues to volunteer to help children. She is a 1949 RJE graduate, who received her bachelor's and master's degrees in 1954 and 1954 from FAMU.
The evening's program called her a living example of the advice "Do all the good you can, while you can."
White said the event was a historic one that would live on in the hearts and minds of those present. She thanked the alumni association and presidents for working to keep the spirit of RJE alive.
Looking around, she said she saw so many faces of children she had taught, and they were all required to learn the Gettysburg Address, one of the things that earned her a reputation as a tough but dedicated teacher. She said it was up to the community to throw its arms around its children and help them be all they can be.
Other honorees included Olivia (Thompkins) Scott who earned a degree in library science from FAMU and was not much older than her students when she began her five years at RJE. She went on to, and retired from, a long career in the Bradford school system.
Inez (Butler) Diggs' salary was less than $200 when she began teaching at RJE in 1953, but that didn't keep her from using a portion of her income from buying supplies for her students. The science and P.E. teacher counts coaching basketball among her fondest memories. Though officially retired, she still serves as a substitute when called upon by the county.
Finally, there was Lonnie Johnson, who taught English from 1966 until the school closed. He went to Bradford High when the schools were integrated before moving on to teach out of county. He retired after 42 years, but still remembers sponsoring a senior class trip to the Bahamas.
Joan (Jenkins) Hoffman and Vivian (Wheeler) Dawson spoke for the classes of 1959 and 1969. The latter was the final glass to graduate before desegregation. Dawson recited a poem that acknowledged that they remain "rip roaring Tigers way down in our souls."
One-by-one, the former queens and sweethearts of RJE had been brought in earlier by procession, escorted by a family member or friend. They were now called to the front of the room.
All former royals had been given a chance to participate in the fundraiser, and 10 chose to do so, said Linda Hampton. Of those 10, the top three fundraisers earned titles based on their efforts and the efforts of their supporters. Third highest fundraiser was named Miss Tiger. Second highest fundrasier was named Miss Purple and Gold. The top fundraiser was named Miss RJE Centennial and received the queen's crown and cape.
In total almost $7,000 was raised for scholarships.
Royals present (some coming from out of state) included Bessie (Clark) Lee, 1947 representative; Clara (Moore) Walker, Miss RJE 1953; Melenese (Barber) Hamilton, 1955 representative; Rose Bud (Kittles) Stokes, 1957 representative; Emma (Kelly) Strong, Miss RJE 1958; Rochelle Williams, Miss RJE 1959; Rosalee Simmons, 1959 Sweetheart; Ruby (Tisdale) Ghent, Miss RJE 1960; Mary (Tyson) Walker, Miss RJE 1961; Mary (Jenkins) Brown, 1962 Senior Sweetheart; Glory (Cummings) Jackson, Miss RJE 1963; Ruby (Revel) Jenkins, Miss RJE 1964; Gwendolyn Robinson, 1964 Senior Sweetheart; Winifred (Sherman) Major, 1965 representative; Marian (Jenkins) Jackson, Miss RJE 1966; Frankie (Jackson) Jerido, Miss RJE 1967; Brenda (King) Butler, 1967 Senior Sweetheart; Regina Jenkins, Class of 1968; Esther (Bright) Kelly, Miss RJE 1969; Shirley (Cohens) Brathwaite, Miss Tiger 1968; Shirley (McDougald) Ford, Miss RJE 1968; and Betty (Davis) Aaron, Class of 1970.
Ruby Ghent was crowned Miss Tiger. She fondly remembers traveling to Fernandina Beach with her class and has made traveling a part of her adulthood, visiting countries overseas and spending time in island settings. She went on to marry her husband, Johnny, and they had two daughters, Lillian and Kimberly. She is also a proud grandmother to her grandson, Christopher.
Marian Jackson was crowned Miss Purple and Gold. She said at RJE, students learned to conquer the world and give back for what they received. She graduated valedictorian and went on to be crowned Miss Florida Memorial College. Today, she lives in Illinois with her husband, Coy. Together they are the proud parents of two boys, Joseph and Coy.
Finally, Glory Jackson was crowned Miss RJE Centennial. Though back in the day she dreamed of having 20 kids, she settled for two, Johnny and Hope. She calls her time at RJE a "blessed experience" where she was introduced to relationships that are still a major part of her life. She is retired from a support position in the Bradford school system, has an active community and church life.
Jackson said winning brought back memories of winning the title in 1963, particularly since Olivia Scott was there for both coronations. She thanked those who helped sell tickets for her fundraiser, in which three luck people won a total of $600.
Jackson circled the room at the fairgrounds where the event was held, then took her place on the throne, flanked by the other two queens. They were serenaded by vocalist Jimmy Jenkins.
WCJB's Bob Williams personally congratulated the queens and other alumni on achieving the centennial milestone. He encouraged them to continue remembering and celebrating their history because doing so would build a foundation for the future.
"You may not think events like these are necessarily all that important, but when you look at the lives you have touched through the scholarships, through bringing the children and other relatives to see what it means to be one cohesive unit, one cohesive family that celebrates their time together, you have made a difference in the future of our community."
Petteway thanked those individuals and businesses who supported the event and members of the event committee.
The centennial celebration continued after Thursday night with additional events, including a parade, banquet and even a Mexican cruise.
|
|
©Bradford County Telegraph 2009
|
|
|
