WEST POINT — When the Fifth Street High School class of 1969 graduated, graduates went their separate ways as further schooling, military service and life in general got in the way.
As time progressed and they began to gather together, they noticed something was missing: the class portrait.
“We started coming back to the school and looking and all we saw on the wall was the class of ‘68,” said James Cannon, class president.
“We said, ‘Wait a minute. The class of ‘68 was not the last class to graduate from Fifth Street, we were.’ Then we set out to find what we could do to get our portrait up.”
For years, the class only had a small version of its portrait, barely visible when looking at it from the ground.
All of that changed when Cannon found a company that made him an offer that seemed too good to be true.
“So we finally got with a company that said they could reproduce that on the computer and the pictures will come out clear and it will be the size of poster board,” Cannon said. “So we did it.”
Wednesday, in the library of what is now Fifth Street Junior High School, the surviving class members got to see the journey come to an end, as the new, full-sized portrait was unveiled.
“After 54 years, we are finally getting our class portrait hung in the hallway here at Fifth Street, where it should be,” Cannon said.
The class of ‘69 was significant in multiple ways. First, it was the largest class to graduate from Fifth Street, according to Cannon, with 132 graduates.
Perhaps more significant is that it was the final class to graduate from the school, as the following year, it was converted to a junior high school, which it remains today.
“I think it is good for the kids now to see the persistence and dedication this class had,” said Jermain Taylor, superintendent for the West Point Consolidated School District. “It might seem small to some, but to them it’s meaningful. … They paved the way and made it possible for (today’s kids) to have it as easy as they have it right now.”
Around 15 classmates and three former teachers as well as current district personnel came out for the unveiling Wednesday.
“I’m just so happy to be here and see this come to fruition 54 years later,” said Evelyn Bell, a member of the class. “We have been talking about it and saying we need to get a big picture. … We are just so happy to get our picture up.”
However, the occasion brought a sense of somber realization with it. For some, it was too late.
“We have lost about 25 classmates, but now that we have the picture up there, it’s not so bad,” Cannon said. “I wish they could have been here today to see this. It’s so nice to have our picture going back where it should go.”
Memories came flooding back while the classmates were together in the school they so fondly remembered.
The three teachers who came out were praised for their dedication to the students and their educations.
“Our teachers instilled in us, ‘You’ve got to get (an education),” Cannon said. “If you are going to make it in college, you’ve got to make it here first.’ Do your best, work hard, and it’s going to come to you. That’s what we did. We believed in our teachers and we worked hard and things blossomed.”
Now when the class gathers for its next reunion, it will have a full-sized portrait, a feat that once seemed impossible.
“I think we are all happy now,” Cannon said. “We have our portrait. I think things are going to roll well. Our main goal was to get that portrait up in the hallway so that when people come in here, they will see that the class of ‘69 was the last class.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion