• 

W. O. Boston High School

(1949-1983)

SECOND WARD HIGH SCHOOL (1929-1948)

Lake Charles, Louisiana

History of W.O. Boston High School

William Oscar Boston founded First Ward Colored School in 1907. The school was the first elementary colored school in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Mr. Boston was principal of the school until 1940. He was later succeeded by Miss Mary Bell Williams. Professor Boston died in 1943. In 1949, W.O. Boston High School was constructed and named in honor of William Oscar Boston. R.C. Reynaud, was the first principal of the school.

The high school’s mascot was the PANTHER, and students were proud to acknowledge W.O. Boston High School as “Home of the Fighting Panthers. John  J. Johnson II was the school’s second principal.

The High School’s Class of 1983 was the last graduating class of this great educational institution. In the fall of 1983, W.O. Boston High School merged with Lake Charles High School. The newly merged school was named Lake Charles-Boston High School (“Home of the Fighting Cougars”) and is currently located on the site which previously belonged to Lake Charles High School. Today, the Calcasieu Parish School Board’s Curriculum & Training Center is located in the old W.O. Boston High School building.

W. O. Boston Year Books

       

                    

SECOND WARD HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, 1929-1948

 

 

 

 

 

 

W. O. Boston High School Graduates, 1949-1970

 

 

 

 

 

 W.O. Boston High School of Lake Charles, La. Class of 1959: Class History

We began our senior year by electing Louis C. Green, President of the class, Earl Martin: Vice President, Mary Parker: Secretary, Ruth Miller: Financial Secretary, Joyce Johnson: Treasurer, and William Whatley Jr.  Chaplain.

Our motto is – “The Ropes of Today Rings the Bell of Tomorrow”. Our class colors are Pea Green and Pink. Our class flower is the Pink Carnation.

Though our enrollment has been nearly cut in half, those of us who remain are still carrying on as warriors. Our work has been rewarding. Again, the winner of the “Miss Boston” contest was Mary Lee Fontenot, a member of our Senior Class.

During the football and basketball season our class was well represented by William Whatley, Captain of the football team and Harold Roberson, Co-Captain.  Herman Weston, Ervin Perkins, and Thomas Laws were stars in basketball. We were state champs in football, basketball, and track.

We were also represented in Speech, Dramatics, Band, Chorus, Cheerleading, Majorettes, Tri-Hi-Y, Zeta Phi Beta Interest Club, Honor society, and Student Council. Leroy Gilliam received a scholarship in Music.

When we began practicing our song for graduation, we realized that graduation was very near. Our senior class sponsors were Mrs. Dorothy Broussard, Mrs. Octavia Taylor, and Mrs. Velma Pryce. Our class Valedictorian was Edna M. Rhodes. Our Co Salutatorians were Joyce Johnson and Ruth Miller.

Looking back on the past year, we were filled with pride to have been a part of W.O. Boston High School. At the end of our high school journey, our most cherished memories are lasting friendships with students and faculty members along with Principal John H. Johnson II, who helped us with our problems. We often reminisce about the wonderful times we enjoyed at our dear Alma Mater. We sincerely thank God, our parents, and our teachers for their untiring efforts in laying the foundation to prepare us for the future.

Class history as remembered by Anna Ben Hamilton; C/O ‘59 �d