Redwood Reunion 1988
Reunion Photos
Here we have photos from Redwood School Reunions. I will happily add items to the page. My email is oakes@physics.utexas.edu.
Redwood Reunion-July 2, 1888
Some days turn out to be golden days, days that will always be treasured. July 2, 1988, was such a day. All students, who had attended Redwood School along with former faculty members, board members and superintendents were cordially invited back to relive old memories and old friendships. For some, the passage of time made the name tags absolutely essential. This idea originated with Elza Champion Fought who was ably assisted by co-chairman John Oakes, and a wonderful group of people representing each class. Over 450 people attended the class reunions and program held at the school from 8:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M.
Each graduating class from 1945 until 1965 was provided classrooms for meetings and visiting. The squeals of delight as someone recognized his friend or classmate were a joyful sound heard throughout the building during the day. Donald Oakes did an excellent job serving as Master of Ceremonies for the program starting at 10:00 A.M. - Robbie Whitaker presented a History of the School while J. C. Dorman made a speech “On My Career At Redwood School.”
Delicious hamburgers with all the trimmings were served on the campus under canopies by the former students and husbands of the students. Mr. Karl Keen, 78 years old, is to be recognized as the oldest graduate in attendance at the reunion. He graduated from the former green Redwood School in 1929. His brother, Dudley, also attending the festivities graduated in 1931. Over 300 attended the night party at the Vicksburg Country Club. We would like to say "THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES" to all those people who played such an important role in making July 2, 1988, truly a day to be forever remembered.–Robbie R. Whitaker
THE HIGH SCHOOL REUNION OF '88 AT REDWOOD SCHOOL
THE FLAG WAS HIGH
AS THE JULY SUN BLAZED THE SKY.
FROM EVERY DIRECTION OLD STUDENTS CAME
TO HAVE A REUNION WAS THEIR AIM.
I SAW THEIR SMILES AND I SAW A FEW TEARS
'CAUSE THEY HADN'T MET IN SO MANY YEARS.
OUR PRINCIPALS CAME AND OUR TEACHERS, TOO
YOU KNOW THEY ALL HAD VISITING TO DO.
OUR LIVES TOOK SHAPE THE YEARS THEY TAUGHT
AND WE LEARNED IT ALL, OR SO WE THOUGHT.
COACH DORMAN SPOKE AT OUR INVITATION,
BUT HE KNEW HE WAS LOVED BY THE STANDING OVATION.
"OUR SCHOOL HISTORY", ROBBIE WHITAKER GAVE,
THEN SHE PUT IT IN A BOOK FOR US TO SAVE.
FOOTBALL PLAYERS, MANY WERE THERE,
BUT THEY HAD CHANGED, AND SOME LOST HAIR.
BEAUTY QUEENS HAD AGED AND SOME WERE GRAY,
SOME GAINED WEIGHT——OR IT LOOKED THAT WAY.
FOLKS LAUGHED AND HUGGED THE FRIENDS THEY MET,
HADN'T BEEN SO HOT, GUESS THEY'D BE THERE YET.
YOU SHOULD FIND MORE LOVE ALONG LIFE'S WAY,
'CAUSE 5OO PEOPLE WENT TO SCHOOL THAT DAY.
IN 1990 AGAIN WE'LL MEET
IF YOU AREN'T THERE YOU WILL SURE MISS A TREAT.
Written by Elza Champion Fought
Pat&Mel Oakes, Jane&Johnny Griffin, Earl&Dimple Martin
1988 Redwood Reunion Committee
Vicksburg Post Picture
1988 Reunion Donald Oakes, Wilson Brent, Peggy Allison Blanchett, Elza Champion Fought
Barbara (McDuff) Guttery,Coach J. C. Dorman, Joann (Keen)
Charlotte & Wilson Brent, Mel Oakes
Class of 1955
Class of 1954 at 1988 Redwood High School Reunion.
Front Row: Clement Hearn, Claudius Bourgoyne, Jane (Keen) Griffin, Bonnie (Marshall) Stokes, Georgia (Burton) Downs, Ann (Huskey) Lott, Angelina (Champion) Smith, Hermanell (Hearn) Barnett, Darrell (Fuller) Pierson, Allen Earl Martin
Back Row: John Robert Griffin, Wilson H. Brent, Harold Alexander, Bob Hollowell, Dorothy (Sadler) Barfield, Melvin Oakes
Coach Dorman, Hermanell Hearn and Mel Oakes
Donald Oakes emcees gathering.
Coach Dorman, 1988 Reunion Presenter.
Douglas Jernigan
Floyd Oakes, Mrs, Sanderson ,Donald Oakes
Floyd and Charles Oakes
Jane Keen Griffin organizing.
Johnny-Brewer and Floyd-Oakes
Organizing Committee: Donald Oakes, MC, Sara Hill, Principal, J. C. Dorman, Coach, Robbie Whitaker, History , Elza Champion Fought, Reunion Chair
Robbie Whitaker presents Redwood History at 1988 Redwood Reunion