GA-JCTS Newsletter

The newsletter of the Gilmore Academy-Jackson County Training School Alumni Association, Inc.

 

Vol. 2 No. 1

September 1998

 

African-American Life in Jackson County

 

 

 

 

               

Our past teaches us and guides us toward our future. However, with the passage of time, our historical photographs, documents, and other resources are growing increasingly fragile. One of the goals of the GA-JCTS Alumni Association, Inc., is to capture, for the first time, these artifacts and create a photographic history of African-Americans in Jackson County. The Association has contracted with Arcadia Publishing to create a 128-page book provisionally entitled, Images of America: African-American Life in Jackson County.  The book will contain between 180 and 240 black-and-white images with informative captions which describe the people, places, and events that shaped Jackson County from slavery to the 70's. The role of the GA-JCTS in Jackson County’s history will be prominently featured.

 

Arcadia, the leading publisher of local and regional history books, has published over 600 titles on a wide variety of towns and regions. Their Images of America Series includes such titles as African American Life in Jacksonville and Black Atlanta in the Roaring Twenties. The Association plans to deliver images to Arcadia by July 1999, and text and layout by September, 1999. Publication is slated for early  2000, in conjunction with the GA-JCTS Alumni Association’s 3rd bi-annual reunion. Arcadia will  edit, publish, market and distribute the book. The Association will earn royalties at 10% (net) with minimum financial investment.  The Association may also purchase copies of the book at discounts ranging from 40% to 46% for resale.

 

Anyone interested in assisting in creating the visual history publication of the African American presence in Jackson County may do so by providing historical and vintage images of people,  businesses, churches, schools, social and professional clubs, lodges, and musical groups, etc. To assist in achieving the highest quality image resolution, originals images are preferred. However, black-and-white copy prints of originals produced by a professional photographer using a copy stand. Alternatively, color laser reproductions of originals produced on a Canon 500-800 series copier (or an equivalent machine) may be used. However, it is absolutely necessary to use a color laser copier on the color settings, even when copying black-and-white originals. Always compare the original to the copy to insure satisfaction with the level of detail and resolution. Each copy should cost less than $2. Photocopies made on office copiers or black-and-white laser copiers are not suitable. Send photographs and a description to: Sarah Pender, 2838 Pennsylvania Ave, Marianna FL 32448-4012, phone (850)482-2707. Original photographs will be returned. Will you help document and preserve our history?  ”

 

Framing the Past and Visualizing the Future

by Katrina L. Williams, age 14

1st Place Winner, GA-JCTS Essay Contest

Have you ever heard the saying, “Those who fail to study history are doomed to repeat its mistakes? That is basically the same thing as saying if you forget about the past, then you will not be able to move ahead to the future. I am not sure if it is the same thing for white Americans, but as for African-Americans, we should never allow ourselves to forget the struggles of our past.

 

Here is a perfect example: Today we get on the bus and where is the first place that we go to sit? We are breaking our necks to get to the back. Rosa Parks fought so we could choose where we want to sit. We should want to sit in the front, don’t you think? However, we do not talk much about her in school today. That just figures, doesn’t it.

 

Most African-Americans were stereotyped in the past as incompetent, illiterate, and incapable of doing anything correctly. Now think to yourself. Without all the inventions of African-Americans where would the powers of America be today? History proves that African Americans actually built this land by the sweat of their brows and the work of their hands.

 

If we learn only one thing from our ancestors, it should be that through hard work we can achieve anything that our hearts desire. We should always instill thoughts of unity within our race. In early history, African-American families were close no matter how far apart they were. When slaves were sold from one plantation to another they maintained a sense of closeness and togetherness by forming extended families. Even if you were not blood you were still embraced like one of the family.

 

In America, the visualized future of African Americans is black on black crime (death). We must not let this vision go on any longer. We need to stand up and let America know that black families are going to be strong and stay together. That includes a mother, father, and their children. We should strive to end violence among our youth. Making it to 21 years old is hard these days. We must also prove that we are as smart as, or smarter than the next man or woman. We must spread our wings and soar to unseen heights. Our future is as bright as the light of determination that shines in our hearts and souls. We must break the chains that bind us and reclaim our crowns as kings and queens. That’s a vision worth striving for.              ”

 

                                ”

 

 

Minutes

1998 Annual Meeting 

The meeting was held at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Marianna, FL on July 5, 1998. Attending were: Lola K. Tillman, Dorothy L. Hall, Priscilla M. Keith, Valaria W. Davies, Dan Hester, Dorothy Adams Harley, Patrice Geathers, Sheryl L. McGriff, Martha Boyd, Lewis Pittman, Gwendolyn Godwin, Sam Pittman, Mary F. Mack, Lucy N. Moultrie, Eldean S. Nichols, Gwen I. Summers, Ann B. Gibson, Shirley Brownstone, Beatrice Cobb, Marilyn Long, Patricia Speights, Mattie Fagan Berrian,  Shirley Travis Goeggley, Lucy Hawthorne, Sarah S. Pender, Mary Wadsworth-White, Jake Sim White, Elmore Bryant, Eulice Bryant, Hercules Pyles, Lutissue Pyles, Barbara Dixon, Queen Bowers Brown, Linda Darby Jones, Roy L. Roulhac.

 

1. 1997 Minutes: The minutes of the July 21, 1997, annual meeting were approved.

 

2. Treasurer’s Report: See financial statements.

 

3. Mission Statement and By-laws: The mission of the Association was discussed. The Association voted to adopt the by-laws as drafted, with modifications to reflect a statement of objectives which conform to requirements for obtaining tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and to include the offices of first and second vice-presidents and financial secretary.

 

4. GA-JCTS History: The Association voted to adopt as its first major project, the publication of a visual history book of GA-JCTS.  A publications and history committee was established as follows: Sarah Pender, Eulice Bryant, Elmore Bryant, Queen Brown, Barbara Dixon, Gwen Pittman Godwin, and Roy Roulhac. [Subsequently, the Committee decided to expand the project to include all of Jackson County.]

 

5.  Webpage Creation: Queen Brown and Lucy Hawthorne agreed to explore resources to create an Association webpage.

 

6.  Bulk Mail - Sarah Pender agreed to explore bulk mail options.

 

7. Elections: The interim officers and board of directors were re-elected. The following additional officers and directors were elected:

Officers

1st vice president - Beatrice White Cobb, ‘62; 2nd vice president - Shephard Bell, ‘58; Financial Secretary - Carolyn Johnson

Board of Directors

Sam Pittman, ‘46; Gwen Pittman Godwin, ‘49; Willie Sylvester Mack, ‘63; Marilyn Long, ‘63; Shirley Speights Brownstone, ‘54; Eldean Spires Nichols, ‘48; Dorothy Pope Hall, ‘62; Eddie M. Everett, ‘51; Waymon Speight, ‘59; Shirley Jean Travis Goeggley, ‘50; Lucy Speights Hawthorne, ‘56; Valaria Wallace Davies, ‘70; Priscilla Myrick Keith, ‘64; Annie B. Gibson, ‘41; Mattie Berrian, ‘64; Patricia Speights, ‘66.

 

6. Scholarships: The Alumni Association awarded $1,350 in scholarships to Jackson County students as follows:

 

Essay Contest

1st Katrina Williams, Malone H.S. ($150)

2nd Derian McKay, Marianna H.S ($100)

 

Oratorical Contest

1st Elliot Curry, 11th grade ($200)

2nd Carrie Ediae, 11th grade ($150)

 

Spelling Bee: Grades  3-5

1st  David Brown, 3rd grade($150)

1st Maurisha Thomas, 3rd grade ($150)

2nd Kristen Cotton, 4th grade ($100)

3rd Kelsey Dunston, 5th grade ($50)

 

Spelling Bee- 6-8 grades

1st  Cornell Dixon, 6th grade, ($150)

2nd Natalie Spires, 8th grade, ($100)

3rd Abraham Johnson, Jr., 8th grade ($50)

 

6. Newsletter Publication: The newsletter will continue to be published twice per year, in September and April.

 

7.  Next Reunion: The next reunion will be held during the first week of July 2000, in Marianna.          ”

 

          Letters

Please accept my sincere appreciation for being included in your recent reunion activities. Even though at the present time I do not have the direct responsibility of a music ministry, I felt that I could not refuse your invitation. I sincerely hope that my contribution impacted your program positively.

 

My ultimate gratification was received when I had the opportunity to see individuals that I had not seen in more than thirty years. That was truly the highlight of the week-end. I am thankful that our paths crossed again. My heart overflows with joy because you made it possible. I’m indebted to you... If I can assist you in any way please let me know.... I pray God’s blessings on all of you.

Dorothy L. Bradley

Former Music Teacher - JCTS

 

Dear Fellow GA-JCTS Alumni:

The class clown was there, so was the smart girl, the fast girl, the handsome jock, the trouble-maker, and the quiet one. They all asked about you, would love to have seen you, and probably talked about you. If you were wondering what your old friends were up to, you missed your chance to find out. Don’t let this happen again. Don’t miss seeing all of your friends in the year 2000. Don’t miss out on all the fun, games, and gossip.

 

The millennium is just around the corner and so is the next bi-annual reunion of GA-JCTS. Both of the previous meetings were well-attended, may old friends were reunited, and many fond memories were recalled. We have 216 paid members.

 

The first reunion of GA-JCTS commenced the 4th of July weekend in 1996. During this reunion a business meeting was held, an association formed, and it was decided that subsequent reunions would take place every two years in July. The reunion has been enhanced with reunion activities that range from spelling bees and oratorical contests for children, to picnics and banquets for everyone. For the next reunion we plan to publish a membership directory. Complete the enclosed questionnaire and return it with your dues for 1998-99. We hope to see you in the new millennium!

The History & Publications Committee