“Not the Only One”, Legacy of Dr. Kirk Clayton

March 1, 2022

Kirk Clayton was a rare sprinter. We were fortunate to witness an individual who was committed to achievement, both, on the track and off the track. Dr. Kirk Clayton persevered and one of his enduring accomplishments was the “spark” to ignite this website. The inquisitive Dr. Clayton asked a question when he was enshrined into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame. Where are the other athletes from the Louisiana Interscholastic Athletic and Literary Association (L.I.A.L.O.)? He answered the question by exclaiming, “I was not the only one. There were other great athletes”.

In his honor this webpage displays some of his high school accomplishments.

The Jacket

January 26, 2022

A symbol of accomplishment and school pride is best exemplified by the varsity school jacket. The school’s name with a letter to denote its origin was enshrined upon the school’s colors. If there were major accomplishments, these were emblazoned on the sleeves. The jackets signified manhood or womanhood in many sports. Usually, the star athletes or their girlfriends were the wearers. Some of the jackets are displayed here.

The Panther, 1951, W. O. Boston High School, Lake Charles, LA

December 10, 2021

The Panther

The earliest edition of “The Panther” 1951 is added to this site. This 1951 edition of “The Panther” documents early achievements of W. O. Boston High School in the mid-twentieth century. A vibrant campus life with a supportive faculty and nurturing faculty is depicted. “The Panther “, the life of W. O. Boston High School springs forward in an energetic pictorial display.

W. O. Boston School, Lake Charles, LA

Rings of Honor: The Schools We Attended

October 26, 2021

The schools we attended are the reflections of our social, political and academic aspirations. One of the greatest symbols of our academic pride and achievements are our class rings. These rings have changed over time from golden circles engraved with the mascots and academic symbols to golden arches topped with stones encrusted with the dominant letter representing our schools, mascots and academic symbols on the sides. When we look at these rings, we reflect upon the time period , the people who were our peers, the people who molded us and the the school community of our youth. These rings represent our big bang.

Rings of Honor

Greenville Park High School Class Ring, J. E.

July 27, 2021

Sometimes, misfortune for others create opportunities. A class ring lost by a 1966 graduate of Greenville Park High School provided the opportunity for this site to post its first high school ring with the potential of reuniting its owner with his property. The contact page can be utilized to facilitate recovery. The ring is well preserved and it is an excellent sample of high school rings of the era.

    Coach Foster T. Thomas, Vernon High School, Leesville, LA

    July 19, 2021

    Coach Foster T. Thomas, Vernon High School, Leesville, LA, served his community and dedicated his life works to improving the life of numerous individuals. While participating in the L. I. A. L.O., his teams accomplished three Louisiana state championships in “A” football. His leadership in1969 lead to an uneventful transition. Vernon High School Alumni and the Leesville community have many fond memories of this soft spoken giant.

    Coach Huey P. Turner, Bethune High School, Shreveport, LA

    June 29, 2021

    Coach Turner began his teaching and coaching careers at Princeton High in Princeton, Louisiana.  He continued his coaching and teaching careers at the following schools:  C. H. Irion High School in Benton, Louisiana, Herndon High School in Belcher, Louisiana, Bethune Jr.- Sr. High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, and concluded his career at Midway Jr. High School in Shreveport, Louisiana.