On Saturday, April 26, 2008,
180 former students, faculty, and friends of
Ackerman School gathered at the Ty Cobb Complex
for a time of renewing friendships and
reconnecting with the current needs and goals of
the School.
Alumni returned to the AHS
campus from 9 states; Mississippi, Georgia,
Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Florida,
Virginia and Arkansas.
The class with the highest
attendance this year was the class of 1958 with
29 members present. The class of 1953 came in
second place with 19 members present.
The eldest man present was
Cecil Commander from the class of 1936. Everyone
missed Banks Weaver who had just returned home
from the hospital and was not able to attend.
The eldest lady in attendance was Mrs. Louise
Staples of the class of 1931 with a close second
going to Mrs. Ella Bright Staples of the class
of 1932. Mrs. Nora Dell McCulloch was present
representing the class of 1928.
Former students, faculty and
friends were welcomed by AHS 1962 graduate and
Ackerman Reunion president Bruce Erwin. The
invocation was offered by Rev. Buddy Smith from
the class of 1969.
The Ackerman School Reunion
group enjoyed a beautiful vocal rendition of the
Star Spangled Banner by students from the AHS
Choral Department accompanied by their director,
Mrs. Ricki Prewitt. The posting of the colors
was presented by representatives from the local
National Guard.
Ackerman High School Principal
(Interim) Terry Bellew welcomed former students
and faculty to campus and thanked them for their
continued interest and involvement in the
school. Mr. Bellew expressed his special
appreciation to the reunion group for
establishing the Ackerman Reunion Scholarship
Fund.
Choctaw County Superintendent
of Education Donna Nail welcomed the crowd and
gave an abbreviated education update. She
expressed her appreciation for the ongoing
interest and support from former students and
faculty of AHS.
AHS Choral Director Ricki
Prewitt addressed the alumni with a glowing
report of continuing success of the choral music
department followed by musical selections that
were wonderfully performed by two student
groups.
Ackerman Mayor Dick Cain
welcomed the group to town and gave an
abbreviated update on his progress since taking
office. He also stressed the importance of a
good education.
One highlight of the day was a
return visit from Rev. Charles and Louise Stokes
who taught band and music at AHS from 1957-1960
(Read More).
Rev. Stokes told the story of how he was asked
to write the AHS Alma Mater. Joan Smith made
copies of the AHS Alma Mater lyrics for the
reunion group members for singing. Charles
Stokes then led the group in singing the Alma
Mater and was accompanied by Mrs. Prewitt. View
a video clip of the story and song below.
Following the
vote to establish the scholarship, a total of $300.00 was donated in
the form of
honorariums and
memorials to start
the fund.
Buddy Smith reported on the
successful establishment of the Ackerman Reunion
Scholarship Fund. Four 2008 graduating AHS
seniors will each be awarded a $500 educational
scholarship to the academic or vocational school
of their choosing. The scholarship recipients
for this year are as follows; James Bishop,
Michael Bishop, Matt Harris and Craig Shell.
These students were selected by AHS faculty
based upon criteria established by the Ackerman
School Reunion Group.
The reunion group acknowledged the
outstanding work of Ackerman Reunion co-founder
Marion Smith for collecting over $1700 for the
2008 scholarships from donations in exchange for
his hand-made wood products from his shop,
Poppas Country.
One meaningful way to honor or
remember your
Ackerman School classmate, teacher,
administrator or coach is through a donation to
the Ackerman School Reunion Fund in
memory or honor of that
person.We will gladly
send an acknowledgement of your gift (if desired)
when we are provided with contact information. In
addition, we will post this information on the
Ackerman Reunion Website if desired. Our
treasurer,
Mrs. Drexel
McClure (48), will gladly assist
you with memorials/honorariums and can be
contacted at 2540 Bywy Rd., Ackerman, MS, 39735.
Officers of the coming year
were confirmed by the Reunion Group: Hazel
Garrett – President; Dick Burney – Vice
President; and Drexell McClure –
Secretary/Treasurer.
The Reunion Group elected
three members to serve on the Executive Steering
Committee: Jack Bowie – 2009; Barbara Nelson –
2010 and Mancel Fulce - 2011.
Reunion President Hazel
Garrett encouraged those interested in helping
with a fundraising project for the scholarship
fund to contact her. Hazel also wishes to invite
all students and faculty to mark their calendars
for Saturday, April 25, 2009 which will be the
date for the next Ackerman School Reunion.
The Ackerman School Reunion
group would like to acknowledge outstanding
backing of The Choctaw Plaindealer and The
Choctaw Chronicle in support of our annual
reunion event.
The Ackerman School Reunion
group would like to acknowledge
the outstanding backing of
The Choctaw Plaindealer and The Choctaw
Chronicle in support of our annual reunion
event.
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