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?

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.

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.

1964 was a year of prowess, academic and athletically, for the Panthers at McKinley High School. The Panthers made their presence felt nationally in basketball and track and field emerged as a staple for the Panthers. The Panther, 1964, makes all of the noise to show these felines were in their environment.

1928 marked the first year book by McKinley High School. The 1928 Panther preceded the Great Depression of 1929. The second Panther was published in 1946, the year after World War II. The latest addition of the Panther is from 1953. Coincidentally, this year marked the end of the Korean War. Some of the McKinley graduates served during this conflict. The beauty of the 1953 Panther is there was a flowering of campus organizations which were not present in the earlier Panther editions. The Panthers were flourishing and the Panther, 1953 edition is a testament to this progress.

The 1959 Paulian, Paul Breaux High School year book, is displayed on the Paul Breaux Webpage. This valuable and extensive addition to the site offer a trove of information for visitors to the website. The Tigers were industrious and ambitious.

The Hornets at George Washington Carver were a diligent hive. In 1965 they chronicled their activity by constructing a memorable album. They called it Hornets Haven. This was a year to remember.

Coach Webster Duncan was a motivator of young boys and girls in Oakdale, Louisiana. His roots were in Morehouse Parish at Morehouse High School where he learned the basics and received his education. This veteran returned home to bestow an everlasting impression upon young students in the Oakdale community. With assistance from his colleagues, he overcame barriers to success and his teams achieved fame in the basketball arena and, subsequently, in life. The Hornets were major players in the Louisiana Interscholastic Athletic and Literary Association State Championship competition. They obtained the Louisiana State Championship title upon two occasions and near misses on several occasions. When his team entered the basketball court, they were the team to beat.

Tensas Rosenwald High School was a bright star in the St. Joseph, LA community. It is rumored there was a warrior, Geronimo, who could be seen traveling down the roads in the St. Joseph vicinity. The people held great affection for Geronimo and his legend lives on. Everyone in the surrounding area knew about the bus, Geronimo. It symbolized a commitment to community.

The web page for Tensas Rosenwald has four year books. Click the bus and let Geronimo take you for a ride to Tensas Rosenwald High School as remembered so dearly by its student body and competitors throughout the state of Louisiana.

Francis Marion Boley High School has a new addition of class rings from the senior class of 1964. The rings were gold with sparkling blue stones. The Bulldog is prominently displayed. Citizenship with all of its responsibilities and privileges was highly prized. The Bulldogs’ story with their rings can be viewed on their webpage. Their rings and those of other schools are displayed in the Rings Of Honor, The Schools We Attended webpage.