It’s the fellowship and memories – that’s what last weekend was all about for Webster High School alumni.
As alumni came home to Minden for their 12th class reunion, some said it has been something they have planned for all year. Larry Moore, class of 1974, said the weekend has been fun and he’s enjoyed getting to see classmates he hasn’t seen since graduation.
“Everyone looks forward to it,” he said. “We all start planning a year in advance, and we all come to Minden early and work on our floats for the parade. It’s all about the fellowship and the camaraderie, because you see some that you haven’t seen since you graduated.”
Moore, of Los Angeles, said his senior year was interesting, and the classes of 1975, 1976 and 1977 are still part of WHS.
“We were the last class of Webster High School,” he said. “It was a very interesting year, because that was the last class before they started the integration with Minden High School. We all started together, but we didn’t graduate together. Half of them went to MHS and the other half graduated from Webster. We still keep that legacy alive.”
Gloria Epps Moody, a retired teacher, and class of 1972 member said she has enjoyed being with her former classmates and visiting with each one, adding the reunions are about keeping the legacy of Webster High School alive.
“This has been absolutely wonderful, to see family, to see friends,” she said. “It takes me back to my high school days. This is a legacy that we’re living of Webster High School. It’s just wonderful to see friends, teachers and loved ones. It’s a blessing to be here and to reunite as we are.”
Her favorite teacher was the late Willie Mae Mayfield, a high school ELA teacher and wife of the famous blues singer Percy Mayfield.
“She inspired me, because she took a personal interest in me,” Moody said. “She took me under her wing and taught me what she knew. She taught me oratory skills, she taught me how to write and she laid the foundation for when I went to college. When I went to college, I was already prepped to do what I had to do. Old school teachers like her who loved us, invested in us so that we could be the people we are today.”
Moore said about 500 alumni came home to Minden from all over the country to enjoy a celebration of their high school. Registration began Thursday, with activities beginning that night and into Sunday.
They honored Hazel Greenwood Douglas as the living legend, who graduated from the Webster Training School and went on to teach thousands of children over the course of her career. Cleveland White, of the class of 1969, was the guest speaker for the Vesper Service Sunday.
Alumni also enjoyed a parade of classes in downtown Minden Saturday morning. Classes from 1924 to 1977 decorated floats fitting the theme of the weekend, “Keeping the Connection and Embracing the Legacy.”
Alumni enjoyed a banquet Saturday night, followed by church services Sunday morning.