There is an enormous difference between a knight and a crusader. The Crusaders at George Washington Carver High School in Breaux Bridge consider the synonym a slight of decorum. They are Crusaders. We are ecstatic to present The Crusader, 1955 edition for everyone to see this proud and industrious group of warriors who strived to make their mark upon the world.
A gem was found within the rich history of African American high schools. The mine was located in Lafayette, La. The Tigers were found within the jungle, they were fierce and respected for their prowess. A year book, Paulian, 1962 edition, is displayed. The Tigers were on the prowl.
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.
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.
Recognition of achievement was made by Southern University of New Orleans in 1968 for athletic accomplishments for schools in New Orleans and the surrounding area. Coaches were recognized as well. This program can be found in the History Section of Significant Notes on the Menu Bar.
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.
The Nineteenth Century was marked by a commitment by Baptists in education of the African American. Institutions and people who were some of the forerunners in preparing educators for a gigantic task of educating masses of African Americans is presented. They can be considered as part of the pillars of African American education.
Coach Wilbur Flanagan: The Tiger A tiger does not change its stripes, however, no one said a tiger never changes its colors. Coach Flanagan performed as a blue and white tiger at DeSoto High School, a black and gold tiger at Grambling State University and a blue and white tiger at Charles H. Brown High School. All of these tigers were fierce competitors and champions by their deeds. Regardless of their colors, the stripes remained and the legacy did not change. Finally, Grrrrr! Let’s listen to Coach Flanagan.
Principal Jesse Bilberry was a student at Union Parish Training School who realized a very successful career as an administrator at Tensas Rosenwald High School. He idolized his father and followed in his footsteps as a principal. In a two-part interview series, Principal Bilberry discusses his life, his path toward molding the character and the intellect of young African Americans who became productive citizens of the United States. These former students regularly meet in various cities throughout the United States as alumni of Tensas Rosenwald High School. This proud tradition is exemplary of gratitude to a legendary figure in their lives, Principal Jessie Bilberry.
Forty years of progress after their initial year book, the McKinley Senior High School Panthers headlined, again. In the “Panther” 1968 edition, the Panthers’ prowess was demonstrated by their excellence in basketball as L. I. A. L. O. Champions in 1967. Together, the L.I.A.L.O. Championships in Track and Field and basketball resided in south Baton Rouge in 1967. A broad range of clubs was available for student involvement in school activities. Administrative, faculty and student pictures are available to summon memories of a prior era in McKinley’s existence. The “Big M” as they often refer to themselves was on the prowl.
African American High Schools in Louisiana Before 1970 