By: Felicia Mims Douglas
Aaahhhoooo….Calling All Wolves!
What was that sound? It was a wolf. More specifically, it was an entire wolfpack! The Webster High Alumni Association hosted its 13th Reunion of Classes during the period of August 8 -11, 2024. Marking the Centennial Plus 2 years Anniversary of ‘the’ historic Webster High School, the Webster High School Wolf Pack was back at the ‘Den’ in Minden, Louisiana. The theme for this year’s reunion was, WHS: Centennial Plus 2 Years Celebration: Keeping the Connection.
The WHS Reunion of Classes usually occurs every three years and is filled with memorable activities and events for those three days designed to ‘keep the connection.’ However, due to COVID, the last scheduled celebration did not take place in 2020. The WHS Class of 1955 organized and held the first, formal WHS Reunion in 1971. (The late Mrs. Gatha J. Heard Smith – Class of 1955 was Chairperson). However, an Honorable Mention must be given to the Classes of 1953 and 1954 because those classes had held and participated in informal, individual gatherings; so, the History of WHS Reunions would not be complete without them. After some years, the WHS Reunion of Classes evolved to include all classes from 1922 –1974. Although Webster High School became a defunct high school due to desegregation in 1974, and is now a junior high school, the Classes of 1975 -1977 are also included.
Mrs. Viginia Bickham Jefferson (WHS Class of 1959) and Mr. Gary D. Jiles, Sr. (WHS Class of 1973) served as Chairpersons for the entire WHS 13th Reunion of Classes/Centennial +2 Years Celebration. If the strength of a wolf is its pack, then WHS Alumni are unbelievably strong! They quickly answered the call to return to the den when the WHS Alumni Association howled to the rest of the pack. Despite a 7-year hiatus, the pack howled back and came… ‘a-running’. Per Mrs. Jefferson, “For those who may not know, Webster High School was—and still is—known all over the parish, state, country and world for its academic and athletic prowess. Check the Record; The Wolf Pack is all over; so, look for the big, paw prints! ‘The’ illustrious WHS is represented in all facets of careers and professions…teachers, professors, attorneys, judges, political figures, doctors and other health care professionals, military service men and women, public servants, professional athletes, CEO’s, scientists, inventors, liaisons, stockbrokers, bankers, interventionists, activists, authors, international businessmen and women, financiers and numerous others are indelibly tied to the rich heritage and everlasting legacy of Webster High School.” In the words of Mrs. Yvette Hayes Edwards (WHS Class of 1972 and daughter of the late principal, Mr. W. Leon Hayes and late Mrs. Marguerite Adams Hayes Williams), “Everything and Everyone associated with Webster High School is what made the institution so great!”
With almost 500 registered alumni and participants, WHS Alumni, past teachers and staff members, family, friends and special guests painted the City of Minden blue and white. Mr. James “Jimmy” Sims (WHS Class of 1958) and his “New Light” friends kicked off the reunion with a “Howling Good Time” pre-reunion, old-fashioned, gospel concert on Thursday evening, August 8th. He wowed the crowd with his frequent costume changes and showmanship.
Reunion activities included: registration packet and T-shirt pick-up (Chairs – Mrs. Linda Davis Watts; Mrs. Sueletha Scott Frazier; Ms. Helen Phillips and Mrs. Audrey Reed Flournoy; Mrs. Cynthia “Tan” Combs; Mrs. Jackie Lewis Rice – WHS Classes of 1966, 1968, 1965, and last three, Class of 1975 respectively); a meet-and-greet fish fry in Miller Quarters Park behind the Minden Police Station (sponsored by the Webster High School Athletic Association), a formal WHS Blue and White Sneaker Ball at the Minden Civic Center, a downtown parade, various class picnics at the Minden Forestry Building and other designated places in the city, a scholarship awards and alumni recognition banquet at the Minden Civic Center and finally, a vesper church service in the Minden Civic Center which culminated the 3-day event. Whew, what a weekend!
On Friday night, August 9, 2024, the WHS Alumni Association’s Sneaker Ball Committee, Mrs. Pamela Penton, (Chair/and WHS Class of 1971) and Company rolled out the “blue” carpet for the Living Legend, Mr. Jessie O. Gooding. The Honorable Levon “Charlie” Thomas, District B Councilman (Alumnus, WHS Class of 1968) welcomed the enthusiastic audience. The audience stood and cheered as Mr. Gooding strolled to his seat. A 97-year-old resident of Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Gooding is a graduate of the WHS Class of 1945 and 1953 graduate of Wilberforce University in Ohio. With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, he is a renown scientist, author, civil rights icon, public servant, orator, leader, mentor and drum major for the voiceless, Mr. Gooding has received countless awards and honors from U.S. presidents, governors, congressional officials, civic and professional groups. He also served in the Army Air Corps.
In addition to his advocacy, Gooding served as president of the Dayton NAACP for 20 years, a trustee for 24 years in Jefferson Township, executive member of Ohio NAACP, CORE, NDA and numerous boards. He was inducted into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame and the Dayton Historical Wright Brothers’ Walk of Fame. Also known as “Mr. Dayton Civil Rights,” he has been honored by many local, regional, and state organizations for his servitude and leadership. Mr. Gooding is an active life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He has even worked on the U.S. Supreme Courts’ Commission on Racial Equality; and he still drives himself around Dayton, Ohio! Mr. Gooding’s life has been one of local and national service. As Mr. Gooding so eloquently stated, “I did not fight to get honors, recognition or awards, I fought because there was a need!” He is truly a Living Legend!
On Saturday morning, August 10, 2024, the WHSAA held its “Keeping the Connection” Parade. Mrs. Janell Thornton Edmonds, (WHS Class of 1974) and her committee, orchestrated the parade with about 40 groups—including bands, alumni floats, antique cars, bikers, civic and public service organizations and private citizens. The Centennial +2 Years’ Celebration Honoree and Living Legend, Mr. Jessie O. Gooding served as Grand Marshal of the parade. The parade started at the Minden Water Tower, headed to downtown Minden on Broadway Street, rounded the corner–left at Pine Street, proceeded left again–back on to Main Street and ended at the Minden Civic Center. Mr. Michael Walker and his wife, Chequella—along with Ms. Lynda Rowland and Ms. Darlene Cole, served as auditors and judges for the parade. However, winners were not announced; results were tallied and sealed—TBA later.
The WHSAA’s Awards and Recognition Banquet took place later on Saturday night, August 10, 2024. WHSAA’s Banquet Committee (Co-Chairs/Classmates in the WHS Class of 1973), Mrs. Essie Webb Dillard and Mrs. Linda Sparks Hudson and committee planned the activities for the evening. However, what is a banquet without mouth-watering, tasty and satisfying food? Mrs. Marie Edwards Qualls and Mrs. Marristene Davis (both in the WHS Class of 1973) and committee were the masterminds behind the delicious, appetizing, food menu. The evening commenced with a mix-and-mingle in the Civic Center foyer. Mrs. Audrey Reed Flournoy (Chair/Class of 1975) and committee members of the WHS Mix-and Mingle Event welcomed alumni and guests to the Minden Civic Center with a live, jazz saxophonist–Mr. De’Lontrell Thomas from Shreveport–and light hors d’oeuvres. The WHS Mix-and-Mingle Event also featured a silent auction with vintage and one-of-a-kind WHS items–up for grabs to the highest bidder. It was a wonderful night… alumni and guests were truly excited and honored to walk down memory lane with historical photos and memorabilia, past principals of WHS banners and Who’s Who Among WHS Graduates? presentations and displays.
The banquet occurred after the mix-and-mingle. When the auditorium doors were opened, the big, bold, beautiful blue, white and silver/gold decorations that lined the tables and brilliantly decorated the Minden Civic Center stage and auditorium awed the alumni and guests. The Honorable Mayor of Minden, Nicholas A. Cox welcomed all the WHS Alumni and guests to the Reunion/Celebration and the City of Minden. He presented a proclamation—declaring August 8 – 11th, 2024, as the official dates of Webster High School’s Centennial +2 Years Celebration and 13th Reunion of Classes. Retired Colonel Grover Lewis III (Class of 1977 and son of the late Assistant Principal and Coach, Grover Lewis, Jr. and the late Mrs. Jessye H. Lewis, educator) served as the master of ceremonies and toastmaster. He skillfully emceed the evening’s dinner program and kept the WHS Wolf Pack delightfully entertained, but on task.
The evening’s activities included recognition of Military/Veteran Service Men and Woman. In addition, seven high school “legacy graduates” were recognized and rewarded with a total of eight academic scholarships–five from the WHSAA – Minden, and three from WHSAA – Southern California. These recipients are all “legacies” of immediate family members/relatives who graduated and/or attended Webster High School. The recipients included: Raegan Qualls-Davis (Minden High School). Raegan plans to attend LSU in Baton Rouge. Qualls-Davis was also the recipient of the Mr. W. Leon Hayes and Mrs. Marguerite Adams Hayes Williams Memorial Scholarship. In addition, she also received a scholarship from the WHSAA’s (Southern California Chapter). Completing the list…Nevaeh A. Sutton (Huntington High School-Shreveport); Nevaeh will be attending Southern University in Baton Rouge. Gary Johnson III (Mount Juliet High School in Tennessee). Gary plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN; Sharity Crawford (Minden High School). Sharity will attend Southern University in Baton Rouge; and Ja’ Lea McKinney (Minden High School). Ja’ Lea will be attending Louisiana Tech University.
The Webster High School Alumni Association’s (Southern California Chapter) also awarded scholarships to Carrington Curry and Braylon Kennedy Johnson. Carrington will be attending Southern University in Baton Rouge; and Braylon graduated from Parkway High School in Bossier City and will be attending Grambling State University. Mrs. Audrey Reed Flournoy, Chair; Ms. Janett Winzer, Class of 1968, Co-Chair (Minden) and Mrs. Ether Johnson West (WHS Class of 1962) from the WHSAA-Southern California Chapter, along with the rest of the WHS Scholarship Committees would like to thank the alumni, friends, family and guests for their participation in the auction and their generous donations to the WHS Scholarships Fund.
The excitement had been building all day; and finally, the moment of truth came when the winners who participated in the parade were presented. Mrs. Janell Thornton Edmonds, along with Mr. Michael Walker and his wife, Chequella had the opportunity to award first-, second- and third-place trophies to winners in the WHS “Keeping the Connection” Parade. Some of the criteria the judges looked for were originality, creativity, most-spirited and overall appearance. In the ‘Floats/Non-Antiques’ Category, the float from the WHS Class of 1974 won 1st place; the float from the Class of 1967 won 2nd, and the decorated “dually” truck from the Class of 1959 won 3rd place. In the ‘Antiques’ Category, the 1936 Ford–red with a black top, carrying Miss Webster 1948, Mrs. Lizzie Mae Dillard Taylor placed first. A 1968, Gold Oldsmobile Cutlass, representing the Class of 1963, won 2nd place, and the Green Trolley Car (built in the 1930’s), representing the Class of 1964, placed third.
August 11, 2024, Sunday’s Vesper Service marked the end of this year’s reunion. Mrs. Janell Thornton Edmonds (Chairperson) and her committee served as the coordinators of this religious service. Each class was represented by an attendee/graduate of the WHS classes—from the years 1945 – 1977. Keeping in stride with Sir Edward Elgar’s Traditional Pomp and Circumstance Graduation Walking March, in they came; one-behind-the-other. Sometimes, more than one from the various classes proudly marched into the Civic Center Auditorium. Looking spry in their graduation caps—white caps for ladies and blue caps for men—with heads held high, beaming bright smiles and happy-waving hands, they eagerly trooped, single file to their assigned seats.
Program Director and Radio Personality, Ms. Nina Montgomery from stations: FM97.3; FM100.7; FM109.2 in Shreveport, facilitated the vesper program and artfully navigated each portion. Montgomery is a “legacy” who has close ties to numerous family members who graduated from WHS.
Ms. Lillie M. Norton (WHS class of 1971), served as the speaker of the hour. A retired educator of mathematics and music, she taught in the Caddo Parish School System for 38 years. Ms. Norton’s soul-stirring message; and, the WHS Memorial Choir’s jubilant songs had the crowd shouting, standing and swaying. Youth Ushers from the New Light Baptist Church in Minden also assisted with vesper service.
Posthumously, long-time educator, Mrs. Gatha J. Heard Smith (Class of 1955) and former Minden City Councilman, Mr. Rodney D. Seamster (Class of 1971) were recognized for their support, love and commitment to the coordination and organization of WHS Reunions. Their efforts have irrevocably made it possible for WHS Reunions to continue, thrive and keep the connection. After a memorial/candle lighting observance for all the classes, individual gift presentations and heartfelt “Thank You’s,” the Centennial +2 Years Celebration/13th Reunion of Classes closed.
Mr. Gary D. Jiles, Sr. made the final remarks. He reminded WHS Alumni and guests, “Until the last alumnus/alumna is standing, we must continue to keep, honor and preserve the legacy and traditions of Webster High School. No Matter What…the ‘Show’ (WHS Reunions) Must Go On!” And then, in keeping with a time-honored tradition, the WHS Alma Mater began to play. Gary turned and sang along with the rest of the Alumni… melodiously ending with: To the white and blue; We’ll always be true…No matter where we roam, you’ll be our high-school home. Webster, We love you! The Wolf Pack returns back in 2027.
NOTE: The WHS Centennial +2 Years Celebration/Reunion Committee would like to thank God, all of the alumni, guests, family, friends, vendors, program participants, contributors, volunteers, the City of Minden and anyone/everyone else who played a part in helping to make this reunion the huge success that it was! “Thank you,” just does not seem adequate; but THANK YOU! See you in 2027! Aaahhhoooo!