Jackson’s Jim Hill High School Class of 1969 celebrated its 40th year class reunion on July 10-12, 2009 at the Marriott Hotel downtown Jackson. Classmates reconnected throughout the week as several residing outside Mississippi arrived early to spend extra time with family and friends.
Judge Clyde Chapman, chairman of the reunion planning committee, hosted a get-together at his home on Wednesday prior to the actual reunion. Chapman said he wanted classmates to have the opportunity to spend as much time together as possible.
Overall, Chapman said, “The 40th year reunion was a blast! It was great to see so many of our classmates. I have often wondered how we had grown physically, spiritually and professionally and this reunion showed that the class of 69’ has done well.”
The actual reunion kicked off on Friday July 9 with a meet and greet reception at the Marriot Hotel where many classmates greeted one another by name and others struggled as they attempted to place names with faces.
Barnessa Bingham Cook said everyone really enjoyed themselves. She said the reception was fantastic. “It was just awesome to fellowship with classmates which some of us had not seen in years.”
The highlight of the reunion was the banquet which was held on Saturday in the Churchill Room of the Marriott. The mistress of ceremonies was committee member Annie V. Course. Greetings were given by committee member Bettye Horton Tyler, president of the 1969 Student Council followed by a prayer from Jessie Fizer Windom. The occasion for the evening was given by The Mississippi Link Publisher Jackie Hayes Hampton followed by a tribute to the class from Cook, a member of the planning committee.
Larry Grant, committee videographer and vice president of the 1969 senior class, blessed the food prior to dinner being served. After dinner a candlelight ceremony for deceased classmates was orchestrated by committee member Katherine Johnson of Jackson.
The guest speakers for the evening were Elayne Hayes Anthony, PhD and Hugh Latham, Mr. & Miss Jim Hill of 1969. Anthony was introduced to the class and their guests by Attorney Tommie Stingley of Jackson. Latham was introduced by committee secretary Glenda Grant Smith.
Anthony is currently the head of the Communications Department at Belhaven College. She was the first African American female anchor, producer, and reporter for WJTV-TV 12 in Jackson. She is also president and CEO of Cybernostic Healthcare Services, Inc. and HealthCare Madison in Madison.
Anthony was very upbeat as she recalled humorous situations that occurred in their senior year. On a more serious note, Anthony said that the members of the class of 1969 were ‘the original survivors,’ because they endured many trials and tribulations over the years.
She recounted how things have changed in 40 years as she reflected on the election of Harvey Johnson being elected the first black mayor 12 years ago in the city of Jackson and the majority black city council as it stands today. She referenced Jerry Butler singing “Only the Strong Survive” as she reflected on the words of an old deacon who said every time he was asked to pray he thought of how the Lord propped us up on the side that was leaning.
Anthony said, “sometimes we get to leaning toward anger, bitterness, hatred, envy, and a lot of things we shouldn’t so we need to pray ‘Lord, prop us up on our leaning side, so we will stand straight and tall again.
Latham of Greensboro, N.C. began his career at Ralph M. Parson Company of Pasadena, Calif. where he developed computer models for the Power Distribution for the Alaskan Pipe Line project. In 1976, he developed computer testing systems that were used to insure safe operation for the space shuttle project at Rockwell. Today he is founder and CEO of Centurion Systems where he developed the Capricorn data acquisition systems, 90 of which have been sold, including a system in Argentina.
Latham, in his address to his classmates recalled a lifelong lesson from his history teacher, the late Fenton Carey, who told him after he was elected Mr. Jim Hill that people were watching him and that life was not about one’s self.
He told his classmates that they must get involved with their public schools. Latham, who is already committed to working with schools in his city, issued a challenge to his classmates to make a commitment that at least once a month they should find a school and do something for that school or a child in that school.
Finally he said “children are facing problems that we never could fathom at their age and we need to make a commitment to aid some of those children. Classmates were heard agreeing to accept the challenge. Latham closed by saying, “President Obama has a slogan “Yes we can.’ Ours need to be “Yes we must.”
Among the guests at the 69’ class reunion were three Jim Hill instructors who were introduced by committee member Shirley Orey Wilson. They were Attorney Melvin Cooper, Blondell Williams, and Coach Wilfred Anderson.
Special gift certificates were given to each of them from committee member Joyce Wallace Stokes after which Judge Clyde Chapman, chairman of the Planning Committee made closing remarks.
Prior to the benediction given by Elder Joyce Forbes Hobson of Selman, Ala., the class sang the school song “Hill High We Love You Tis True.”
The Class of 69 concluded their reunion Sunday after church services at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Jackson followed by dinner at Jackson State University’s Student Union.
Be the first to comment