Lessons learned in community

Sunday, Feb. 24, the Diboll community along with H. G. Temple Alumni Association, Diboll Housing Authority and area churches presented its annual tribute to black History.

The history of H.G. Temple School and the Alumni Association was given by Lewis Mitchell, who informed the audience that the late C.O. Bradley was the driving force that caused a high school to be established here. Prior to that, if a student reached the status of graduating, he or she had to attend Dunbar High School in Lufkin.

The first graduating class of H.G. Temple consisted of one student, Harold Cade, who graduated in 1945. Cade went on to further his education at Prairie View A&M College, receiving both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Another graduate of H.G. Temple, who graduated two years later, went on to become one of the winningest coaches in Texas. Herbert H. Allen taught here until 1961.

Mitchell recounted that Temple High, now Temple Elementary School, was built in 1953 and the building now used as the gym was built in 1961.

This school is steeped in a rich history. One of the original teachers, Austerine Gilbert, who started the home economics classes at H.G. Temple, still resides in the area. H.G. Temple graduate's accomplishments run the spectrum from education to medicine. Present at the Feb. 24 ceremony were three members of the Class of 1948, Queen E. Taylor King, James L. Rhone and Jim Ligon.

H.G. Temple was a school designed to reach the entire spectrum of the black community7 and the success of its graduates is an awesome testimony to the teachers who turned young, impressionable minds into great thinkers. The teachers opened the windows of their students' minds and drew aside the curtains that clouded the visions of learning with the motto, "Don't Look Back, Look Ahead."

"We are proud of H.G. Temple and the ones that paved the way for others to follow," Mitchell said.

The H.G. Temple Alumni Association was started in January 1988 by a group of former students who wanted to keep the name of H.G. Temple alive, and for it to still remain a vital part of the community.

The first-ever All School Reunion was held that August. All persons who attended H.G. Temple were invited to return for that event. More than 450 people attended the three-day affair.

This reunion is now a bi-annual event. This year will mark 20 years this affair has been held. Some of the programs that the ex-students have been involved in are June-19 celebration, Fun Day for children and senior citizen programs.

The Alumni Association has been instrumental in awarding eight scholarships to students who graduate from the schools in Diboll.

The 20th All Schools Reunion will be held in August this year. Association leaders are expecting a large crowd. And await all those who want to attend to be a part. More details on the reunion will be forthcoming.

Participants in the Feb. 24 program included Fred Mitchell, Diboll city councilman, who delivered the welcome, and the Rev. Charles Phipps Jr. of the Church of Christ Jesus, who gave the invocation.

The First Shiloh Baptist Church choir gave an a cappella rendition of "The Old Ship of Zion." Orations on notable black people were given by Gary Hargrove, Xavier Levine, Bre Christopher, Tanika Bray, Briane Bussey and Teryn Oliver.

The Church of the Living God Praise Team performed a dance program and the biography of Oprah Winfrey, a notable black entertainer. Team members were Chasity Walker, Kyla Cunningham and Shakala Hubbard. Brisheya Phipps of Church of Christ Jesus delivered an oral presentation on Dr. Mae Jemison, the first black female astronaut.

The Rev. Timothy Mitchell and the St. Thomas Spiritual and Faith Ministries choir sang two foot-stomping songs. Choir members were Ketaraus Stanton, Timothy and Tiffany Mitchell, Tamara Mitchell, Beneta Berry and Monterious Garrett.

Remarks were given by Robert Sly, contributing editor, Lufkin Daily News; Brent Hawkins, superintendent of schools, Diboll; Kenneth Williams, Diboll city manager; Cederic Vinson, coach, DISD.

Recognition was given to blacks who became the first of their race to occupy certain positions in the community, including Horace Williams, superintendent of schools; James L. Rhone, school board member; Sam Coleman, city councilman; Kenneth Williams, city manager; and David Williams, postmaster.

These people became trailblazers, receiving tribute for, in the words of the late John Johnson, "They succeeded against all odds."

Organizers of the Black History program were Angela Gordon, coordinator; Margie Harrell, Rosa Haywood, James L. Rhone, Jim Ligon, who provided a display of black art and one on Buffalo Soldiers; and Lewis Mitchell. Ashley Freeman served as MC.