2009 Reunion

Ackerman School Reunion
** 2009 **

On Saturday, April 25, 2009, 166 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 8 states; Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, California and Kentucky.  

The class with the highest attendance this year was the class of 1959 with 17 members present. The class of 1953 came in second place with 14 members present.

The eldest man present was class of 1945 graduate and former Agriculture Professor, Everett Adams. 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. Traveling the longest distance to this year's reunion event was Jo Crowder Patrick from Orinda, California, of the class of 1959.

Former students, faculty and friends were welcomed by AHS 1958 graduate and Ackerman Reunion president Dick Burney. The invocation was offered by Buddy Smith from the class of 1969.

The Ackerman School Reunion group enjoyed a beautiful instrumental  rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by Cody Fondren and Tyler Hunt who are members of the AHS Band. The reunion group was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag by President Dick Burney. 

Ackerman High School Principal 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 Shea 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.

Ackerman Mayor, the Honorable Dick Cain, welcomed the attendees to Ackerman and gave a brief report on his progress since taking office. Mayor Cain expressed the importance of a good education and his support for the Ackerman Reunion Scholarship Fund.

Buddy and Carol Smith reported on the successful establishment of the Ackerman Reunion Scholarship Fund in 2008 when four graduates were awarded a $500 educational scholarship to the academic or vocational school of their choosing. The scholarship recipients for 2008 were; 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 2009 Ackerman Reunion Scholarship recipients are; Shelia Carney, Morrison Cistrunk, Jonathan Dobbs and Jermaine Miller. Ackerman Reunion President Dick Cain and Reunion Founder Marion Smith presented these graduates with their scholarship letters at the annual school awards program on May 11, 2009. Click here for photos.

The reunion group acknowledged the outstanding work of Ackerman Reunion co-founder Marion Smith for collecting over $1700 for the 2009 scholarships from donations in exchange for his hand-made wood products from his shop, Poppas Country.

It was decided last year that a silent auction would be held at this years reunion to raise funds for the scholarship fund. Funds in excess of $1800.00 were raised this year at the silent auction as a result of the generous donations from those who contributed items and those who made winning bids.

The silent auction featured wood crafts, paintings, books, pottery, CD’s and more, with all proceeds going to support the annual Reunion Scholarship Fund. Among those donating for the silent auction were Nan Sullivan, Hazel Crenshaw Garrett, Ruth Nowlin, Smoky Oswalt, Hank Taylor, Sara Pickett, Vivian Coleman, Marion Smith, Jimmy Crowder, Glendal Reid, Margie Fiebig, Danny Brunt, Susan Moore Clark, Kenneth Smith, Bobby Cooper, Jan Ganann, Kathryn Herrington Davis, and Charles Fulton (brother of the late Tommy Fulton).

Among the silent auction items was a musical CD of Tommy Fulton (1967) who is remembered for his amazing musical talent. He went on to be a well respected conductor with the Metropolitan Opera and conducted operas and orchestras around the world before his death in 1994. His brother, Charles, has donated a CD of Tommy’s college freshman and sophomore piano recitals for the silent auction. Charles recently discovered two reel to reel tapes from Tommy’s estate and had them digitally transferred to CD. Hazel Garrett has donated three books: The Cemeteries of Choctaw County; The Families of Choctaw County; and the Chronicles of Choctaw County by Judge Coleman.

Reunion President Dick Burney . Dick also wishes to invite all students and faculty to mark their calendars for Saturday, April 24, 2010 which will be the date for the next Ackerman School Reunion.

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.

Reunion president Dick Burney asked the attendees to call the names of those who had died during the past year.

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, Buddy Smith (69), will gladly assist you with memorials/honorariums and can be contacted at 126 Drive 1063, Plantersville, MS 38862.

Officers of the coming year were confirmed by the Reunion Group: Dick Burney – President; Hartford "Sonny" Ellis – Vice President; and Buddy Smith – Secretary/Treasurer. 

The Reunion Group elected three members to serve on the Executive Steering Committee: Barbara Nelson – 2010 and Mancel Fulce - 2011 and Jack Bowie – 2009.

Teachers and Coaches in attendance: