By Karl Cameron
Special To The Carolinian
The 44th J.W. Ligon Jr., Sr. High School Alumni Reunion was held Saturday at the John Chavis Memorial Park in Raleigh N.C. Hundreds of alumni came out for the occasion, which had a theme of: “Preserving Our Legacy.” The program for the occasion featured presenters who spoke to the rich legacy of Ligon Alumni.
Pastor Gwendolyn Horton opened the program with the Invocation and Blessing of the Meal. Queen Akins Caviness gave the welcome, which was followed by Pastor Sylvester White’s reflections on the reunions beginnings. Pastor White recalled that the reunion be began with the Class of ’58. The idea was to make plans to bring all of the classes together, the entire school, in a major event. “We put signs on street corners, and the then Butler TV Building. We met four weeks later in what was a former A&P Store (FEW Center), owned by Ligon Alum Freddie Curtis, and the first reunion was born. So many showed up that we were amazed, and said we’ll see you again at the same time.” The reunion was held the first 2-years at the FEW Center, and later moved on the Charlie Browns for 4-years, and continues to this day.
Representative Nasif Majeed brought greetings on the occasion, and was followed by Frances Lonnette Williams, who gave some Harvest History, and much more. She told the group of the renovations and expansion of the newly renamed John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Center and Park. She also alluded to the development of PhasII projects in the John Chavis Memorial Park’s Master Plan, also pointing out, “This space is historic as it is probably the only place in the United States where the sitting President, Joe Biden; and vice president, Kamala Harris; held a gathering in the very room were the reunion was held this year.
Ms. Williams went on to say, “The current Phase II Planning is underway with the completion of the design and plans for the aquatics center with an indoor and outdoor swimming pool.” She also pointed out that, “The SPERNA, also advocated for the designation of the Mt. Hope Cemetery and the John Chavis Memorial Park on the National Register of Historic Places. Additional historically Black Neighborhoods, Biltmore Hills and Madonna Acres have also been designated and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A History Harvest Room was also available to reunion attendees where they could have experiences and knowledge to be documented so that our own stories could be told, authentic, and not relying on “others” to tell our stories. Anyone wishing to contribute to the History Harvest can contact Ms. Ainsley Powell with the city’s Historic Resources and Museums area of Parks and Recreation. Her email address is [email protected]. Dr. Paul Baker is the director of the John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Park.
Ms. Patricia Nwosu and Ms. Clennis Noble then made three $1,000 scholarship presentations to: Brooke Adanna Freeman, Sutheast Raleigh High; Houston Hooker, Garner Magnet High School; and Kenneth Lee Perry II of North Raleigh Christian Academy.
The announcement of the Ann Hunt-Jones Foundation was made, followed by Alumni President Toney Bethea’s comments. He expressed his appreciation to everyone who came out to the occasion, as well as the committee of 30 Ligon Alumni responsible for pulling the even together. He also addressed the progress being made to address the future of the J.W. Ligon Building, which has been in the news recently. He pointed out that he and Ligon alumni are in talks with Wake County Public School personnel regarding the future of the building, and that a committee of twelve is being formed to provide input on what the alums and the community would like to see the finished product look like. He also stated that updates on the process would be in The Carolinian Newspaper.
Ms. Mary Hinton Goode conduced an “In Loving Memory” portion of the program remembering our classmates who have passed on.
A Tribute to The Echo Yearbooks was read in unison. “The Echo” displayed Historical Events, achievements, activities, photographs, stories, and profiles of students, faculty, and staff…” Composed by Alicia Adcock. The Echo Tribute was followed by the singing of the Ligon Alma Mater, “Hail, Dear Ligon!” Words and Music by Mrs. E.M.M. Kelly, Music Teacher, Meritus.
The 44th J.W. Ligon Jr., Sr. High School reunion was catered by Fitzgerald’s Seafood & Catering.
