Memories Become History

January 3, 2024

When we document our memories, we establish our history from our perspective. The Chiefs and Dragons in Rayville, Louisiana, Richland Parish are avid historians as they write and chisel their history.

Their story began in the Brickyard in 1907 followed by the “College” in Macedonia Baptist Church in 1916. In 1922 the Odd Fellows Hall preceded the present location for the school after acquisition of property in 1924 for primary and intermediate level school. Prior to 1949, Delhi was the center for high school certification in Richland Parish. In this year and with community, philanthropic and public financial support the Rayville Colored School became the Rayville Rosenwald High School.

The Chief, 1950, the first year book, is first documentation of the existence of Rayville Rosenwald High School, later renamed Eula D. Britton High School in 1956 after its industrious and persevering principal.

Bulldogs Refuse to Die

November 2, 2023

The J. S. Clark High School Alumni cherishes the memories of their school and they are grateful for how the school has positively impacted their lives. They undertook a Herculean effort to leave a concrete image of this institution and what it meant to the community. The J. S. Clark High School mascot, the Bulldog, left an impression of accomplishment and pride. The Bulldog is the focal point of the J. S. Clark High School Memorial Walkway. The alumni commemorate the school’s existence in grand style. The effort was noteworthy. Two videos can be streamed by clicking on the J S Clark Memorial Walkway picture and on the J S Clark High School picture on the J S Clark High School page on AfricanAmericanHighSchoolsinLouisianabefore1970.com website. Go Bulldogs!

The Big Blue Machine, On the Move

October 12, 2023

McKinley High School delivered the first publicly funded African American high school graduating class in 1916. The Panthers were restless from their inception and continued the tradition of academic, athletic and literary engagement until today, after one hundred and seven years. Twelve years after this great year of its origination the first McKinley High School year book, The Panther, was published. From the year, 1928, the Panthers published eleven editions of its year books during the time period ending in 1978, a fifty-year span, marking sixty-two years after its charter.

The significance of this accomplishment is paradoxical because the Panther is approaching extinction in nature, it is still thriving at McKinley High School as their mascot. Some may question, why was the year book, The Panther, changed into the Big Blue Machine, however, the Panther is still the mascot, and the Big Blue Machine hails the dawn of technology in our increasingly complex society. The 1978, The Big Blue Machine, has a touch of humanity in its layout demonstrating a competitive edge to the Panthers and demonstrates a loving embrace of its students from cover to cover. The Big Blue Machine is quite human. Will its future be humanoid, or will they return to felines?

Get On the Bus

September 19, 2023

The Indians at Tensas Rosenwald High School knew the value of having a long term plan to accomplish a goal. After years of fund-raising drives the student body along with its community purchased a school bus known fondly by the name, Geronimo. This was accomplished in 1965 and as the story is relayed, the bus was not delivered to the campus, instead the bus was picked up from the factory and driven to St. Joseph, LA. This was the beginning of the story of Geronimo and it is forever present in the hearts of the community.

The Tensasan,1965, documents the arrival of Geronimo to the Tensas Rosenwald High School campus. Geronimo did the talking, just by being present. It was imposing to all competitors. Principal Bilberry was one of the individuals who went to the factory to accept the bus.

In his 1965 message to the student body, Mr. Bilberry felt the need to explain the importance of having a school year book. The Tensasan, he prophetically exclaimed, “will nevertheless be a tonic to lift spirits where they tend to sink”.

The following year, 1967, Mr. Bilberry addressed the role of graduation with his message in the Tensasan. He presented to the students that by graduating “you have been preparing yourselves to keep an inevitable date with destiny”. Geronimo is folklore, but memories linger about how great it was as a motivator for the community. Get on the bus!

Tensas Rosenwald High School, St. Joseph, LA

September 16, 2023

Tensas Rosenwald High School was emblematic of the aspirations of African Americans throughout Louisiana and throughout the country. Their mascot at this time, Indians, may be considered disrespectful, however, their year book ,Tensasan, was very respectful to Native Americans. There was a purpose for this disconnect. A very proud and hopeful group for people desired recognition for their efforts. The Tensasan succeeds.

McKinley Senior High School, Baton Rouge, LA

September 12, 2023

The Panthers at McKinley Senior High School continued a legacy of accomplishment in the aftermath of the demise of the Louisiana Interscholastic Athletic and Literary Organization (LIALO). Upon entering the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) the Panthers were the LHSAA AAAA Basketball Champions. The student body maintained its poise and determination to succeed in an entirely different world with new competitors. The Big Machine kept rolling along.

McKinley Senior High School, Baton Rouge, LA

August 31, 2023

McKinley Senior High School presented it’s first graduating class to the world in 1916. This accomplishment led to the reputation of being the first publicly funded African American secondary high school in Louisiana. Twelve years later McKinley High School published its first year book, The Panther, 1928, and documented its existence. Later, McKinley High School joined the Louisiana Interscholastic Athletic and Literary Organization, (LIALO) and proved to be a worthy opponent for all African American high schools throughout the state. From the time of its inception until 1970, approximately 185 secondary high schools were established in Louisiana. 1970 was a pivotal year for African American secondary high schools in Louisiana because approximately 90 per cent of the African American high schools were eliminated. McKinley High School remained part of the core group of African American high schools to continue to exist as a secondary high school.

Fifty-four years after McKinley High School was established, the Panther , the McKinley High School year book, morphed into the “Big M”, 1970. The M designation stands for Machine. At the demise of the LIALO, the Panthers decided to become bigger and better for future tasks. Today, marks a one hundred- and seven-year history of countless accomplishments. The “Big M” 1970 was prepared at the crossroads of McKinley Senior High School’s existence, fifty-three years ago.

Peabody High School, Alexandria, LA

August 16, 2023

In 1968, the LIALO, Louisiana Interscholastic Athletic and Literary Organization was facing its demise. However, excellence and scholarship endured despite existential threats. Peabody High School is fortunate to have an impact into the present and into the foreseeable future. Peabody was centrally located in Louisiana, and this led them to be the gateway for any competitors in the state. The Warhorses had scholar successes and athletic success in the state. The Warhorse, 1968, is a year book that commemorates their ambitions and activities.