2010 Reunion

Ackerman School Reunion
** 2010 **

On Saturday, April 24, 2010, 70 former students, faculty, and friends of Ackerman School braved the extremely threatening weather situation by gathering at the Ty Cobb Complex for a time of renewing friendships and reconnecting with the current needs and goals of the School.

At this posting more than a month later, dozens of families in Choctaw County are still trying to pick up the pieces that were left behind in the April 24 tornado. Of the 10 people killed by the tornado in Mississippi, five were from Choctaw County and included a 3-month-old and a 9-year-old child. Fifteen other people were injured and at least 114 homes and two businesses damaged or destroyed in the county, according to state officials.  

Alumni returned to the AHS campus from 7 states; Mississippi, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Kentucky.

The class with the highest attendance this year was the class of 1960 with 11 members present. The class of 1953 came in second place with 6 members present.

The eldest man present was class of 1936 graduate Mr. Cecil Commander. The eldest lady in attendance was Mrs. Louise Staples of the class of 1931.

Former students, faculty and friends were welcomed by AHS 1958 graduate and Ackerman Reunion president Dick Burney. The invocation was offered by Leon Bruce. 

The Ackerman School Reunion group enjoyed a vocal rendition of the Star Spangled Banner from Jacqui Duran who is a current AHS student. 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.

The Ackerman Reunion Scholarship Fund was established in 2008 when four graduates were awarded a $500 educational scholarship to the academic or vocational school of their choosing. The 2010 Ackerman Reunion Scholarship recipients are: Brittnie Bell, Levias Simmons, Jessica Wilson and Dane McCulloch. Ackerman Reunion President Dick Cain presented these graduates with their scholarship letters at the annual school awards program on May 3, 2010. Click here for photos.

The scholarship recipients are nominated each year by their based upon their outstanding moral character and coupled with the following traits: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

The reunion group acknowledged the outstanding work of Ackerman Reunion co-founder Marion Smith for collecting over $1300 for the 2010 scholarships from donations in exchange for hand-crafted wood products from his shop, Poppa's Country.

A silent auction was held at this year’s reunion to raise funds for the Ackerman Reunion Scholarship Fund. Funds in excess of $1000.00 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, furniture, paintings, books, pottery, jewelry and more, with all proceeds going to support the annual Reunion Scholarship Fund. Among those donating for the silent auction were - Hazel Crenshaw Garrett, Hank Taylor, Sonny Ellis, Malvina Moore, Marion Smith, Jimmy Crowder, Ruth Nowlin, Glendal Reid, and Susan Moore Clark.

The Ackerman School Reunion group would like to acknowledge the outstanding support of The Choctaw Plaindealer in support of our annual reunion event. They are always more than willing to assist in promotion of our annual event.

Reunion president Dick Burney asked the attendees to call the names of those who had died during the past year. Among the names called were - Jeanette Bright Mc Gill, Jo Ann Richardson, Norman Tracksler, Sara Ray, George Reggie McClure, Sawyer Hagen, Billie "Pooky" Fulgham, Buddy Fulgham, Windom C. Tyler, Brenda Collier Walley, Peggy Crim Henderson, Theopa Herrington, Erin Moss, Faye Worrell, Terry Gatlin, Johnny Taylor, Garner Maddox, Clarence "Bo Jack" Jackson, Kent Henson, Jimmy McClure, and Jim Rester.

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: Sonny Ellis (58) – President; Barbara Black Nelson (69) – Vice President; and Buddy Smith (69) – Secretary/Treasurer.

The Ackerman School Reunion Group elected three members to serve on the Executive Steering Committee: Mancel Fulce – 2011, Jack Bowie – 2012 and Hazel Garrett - 2013.

Save The Date – Please mark your calendars for the 2011 Ackerman School Reunion – Saturday, April 23.

Teachers and Coaches in attendance:

Roll call of class and number present: