Booker T. Washington HIGH SCHOOL alumni association of dallas, inc.
Association Chronicle (Note: This page is under review for completion and update considerations)
The fervor for celebrating with reunions came out of the 1959 GRADUATING CLASS. The persons in on the organization of these projects were: Odelia Terrell Walker, Gloria Edwards Fucuals and Cecelia Anthony Robinson. The Reunions held by the 1959 Class were: 1st Reunion Celebration in 1969 at the Prince Hall Apartment Recreation Center on Sunnyvale; 2nd Reunion in 1979 was at the Audelia Apartment Recreation Club House, where Ernest and LaWanza Craig Winfield lived; 3rd Reunion was in the summer of 1999 at the West Cliff Mall on Hampton & Ledbetter. This facility was owned by Dr. G. O. Lagbara (Henry Carter). The persons responsible for this Affaire were: Gloria Edwards Fucuals, Odelia Terrell Walker, Rose Mary Lewis Henderson and Alvin Pennie. After this Celebration there were several suggestions for an official name. The organization became known as the 1959 Class of the Booker T. Washington Technical High School hosting a “Fantastic 50’s Alumni Reunion.” This Press Release was published inviting all to come.
“WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!!!”
The 1959 Class of The Booker T. Washington Technical High School of Dallas, Texas is hosting a “Fantastic 50’s Alumni Reunion” for Classes 1950 thru 1959, scheduled for Labor Day Weekend, 2002. If you would like to be a part of this great endeavor, we welcome you. Representatives are needed from each class for the Planning committee.
For Details Call:
Rose Mary Lewis:
Gloria Edwards Fucuals:
Odelia Terrell Walker:
The Class of 1959 also had another Press Release on Monday, August 19, 2002. This release invited all classes beginning with 1950 thru 1959 to come to a “Fantastic 50’s Alumni Reunion” to be held Labor Day Week-end, August 28-31, 2003.
At the March 11, 2003 Planning Committee Meeting for the Fantastic 50’s Reunion Pre-Party, the records indicated that $185.00 from the 1959 Class was in the treasury.
The really big event that came from that and other planning meetings of the group was the Booker T. Washington Technical High School Former Classmates Network hosting a “BTW After Work Happy Hour Get Together” on Friday, April 25, 2003. This exciting, fun filled, and enjoyable event was held at the “One West Hills” Bldg on Hampton and Hwy 67, Dallas, TX 75232. The brochure indicated that ticket information could be obtained from RoseMary Lewis, Gloria Fucuals, Odelia Walker and Cassie Robinson. As per usual the only man around to assist the women was Alvin Pennie, name not listed but always around, helping. Annie Jewel Terrell Davis and Dorothy Ausbrooks Swanson were the primer persons responsible for providing the addresses and telephone numbers for most of the potential members and the mailing list for this endeavor.
The Booker T. Washington High School Former Classmates Association began in May, 2003. This name served as the official name of the Association until, July 29, 2003. The Association filed for a tax number with the IRS in early July and when the tax number came back the name was listed as the Booker T. Washington High School Alumni Association. In order not to be confused with other Associations with the same name, when the Constitution and By-Laws were adopted by the Association on November 11, 2003, the official name became the Booker T. Washington High School Alumni Association of Dallas. The Association was incorporated by the State of Texas on May 19, 2004. The Association’s present legal name is the BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF DALLAS, INC. On July 30, 2004, the Association received its 501 (c) status from the IRS. We certainly rejoiced on August 1, 2004, when we were granted from the State of Texas, our Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit.
Operating as the Booker T. Washington High School Former Classmates Network these persons served as officers. President: Rose Mary Lewis; Vice President: Cassie Richey Robinson; Secretary, Josephine McCoy Henderson; Treasurer: Frances Richardson Pendegraft. These persons were so named by the president to head Committees. The Membership chairperson, William Blair, Jr.; Sunshine Committee chairperson, Karen McMillan; Chaplain, the Rev. Mack Flemmings and Charles Smith, Photographer.
In September of 2003, Cassie Robinson resigned her position as vice president. Arthur McCoy, Sr. was elected vice-president. Karen McMillan resigned her position in the fall of 2003 as Birthday Club chairperson. Jessie Lawrence Walker was elected chairperson of the Sunshine Committee and Birthday Club. Barbara Dixon was elected Parliamentarian; Christene Y. Roberson Walker was elected assistant Secretary; Dorothy Swanson was appointed chairperson of the Social Committee and Bobby Benjamin was appointed chairperson of the Love & Care Committee. L’Vergia Suber Johnson was elected co-chairperson of the Membership Committee. Reuben Sweeney, Jr. volunteered to assist the treasurer as the bookkeeper. Kenneth Douglas and Reuben Sweeney, Jr. volunteered to be the computer technologists. Kenneth Douglas provided the Association with its first Alumni Membership Directory. Richard Manson became the Association’s photographer. Kenneth Douglas, Christene Roberson Walker, Arthur McCoy, Harrell Holly, Wilford Salone, and Cassie Richey Robinson were appointed to the By-Laws Committee.
The Constitution and By-Laws were adopted by the membership on November 11, 2003. After the adoption of the Constitution and By-Laws, the Board of Directors were elected by the Association in January, 2004. These directors were: Kenneth Douglas, Barbara Moore Dixon, Dorothy Ausbrooks Swanson, L’Vergia Suber Johnson and Wilford Salone. Kenneth Douglas was selected by the other Directors as Chairman.
The first duly elected officers of the Association were on June 5, 2004. These officers were: President--Christene Y. Roberson Walker, Vice-president--Wilford Salone, Secretary--Jessie Lawrence Walker, Assistant Secretary--Josephine McCoy Henderson, Parliamentarian--Barbara Dixon and Treasurer--Frances Richardson Pendegraft.
On December 31, 2003, the Association’s membership consisted of 107 members. There were three (3) spousal members. The charter members (those that joined between May, 2003 and May 31, 2004) are 134. The membership as of October 10, 2004 is 155. The Association was touched by the Death Angel in 2004. These two members were Donald Woodward, May 14, 2004 and Charles Vienn, May 28, 2004.
The first Business Meeting of the Association was held on May 25, 2004.
Association Activities for 2003-2004
Prayer Brunch Lunch – Membership Drive Luby’s Cafeteria Saturday, July 19, 2003. Other Membership Drive Lunches Luby’s Cafeteria August 16, 2003; October 4, 2003; December 6, 2003; and January 17, 2004.
Membership Fundraiser Dance August 29, 2003
Garage Sale at Dorothy Swanson’s home October 25, 2003
Worshipped with the Freedom Baptist Church, the Rev. Mack Flemmings, Pastor Sunday, October 16, 2003
Care Baskets to the Elderly and Needy November, 2003 (8) baskets
Membership Christmas Party December 19, 2003
One year “Birthday Celebration” Billy “G” Jazz Club
May 14, 2004
Pre-Reunion Activity Athletes Memorial Walk September 4, 2004 from the BTW Campus to Griggs Park
Installation of Officers at the meeting held at the M. L. King Center by Elder Walter E. Travis, Sr., on September 11, 2004
Reunion Celebration Holiday Inn Select 3300 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX September 17 & 18, 2014
Worshipped with the St. Paul Methodist Church, the Rev. S. Patterson, Pastor Sunday, September 19, 2004
Financial Donations
Paul Quinn College
Moorland Branch YMCA
Freedom Baptist Church
2004-2006 Association Activities
Donation of 16 food baskets to Needy Families for Thanksgiving, 2005.
The Association’s Web Site, www.bookertwashingtondallas.com, began operating during the Fall of
2005.
A Membership Drive/Luncheon was held in the Booker T. Washington for the Performing and Visual
Arts School Cafeteria on Saturday, December 4, 2004.
On Friday, December 24, 2004, the first President's Christmas Breakfast was held @ the home of
Christene Y. Walker.
The first monthly Association Luncheon was held @ the Golden Corral, 1540 N. Cockrell Hill Road,
Dallas, TX on February 5, 2005 at 12 Noon. Thereafter members met for lunch at designated
restaurants, the first Saturday of the month.
The New Ambassador Singers was organized on April 2, 2005. Members present for this organizational meeting were: Juanita Jackson Benson, Josephine McCoy Henderson, Harrell E. Holley, L‘Vergia Suber Johnson, Carrie Sims Roquemore, Perry Roquemore, Reuben Sweeney, Jr., Ada Terrell Tutson, Odelia Terrell Walker, and Christene Y. Roberson Walker. The organizational meeting was held in the home of Christene Walker, 315 Greenhaven Drive, Dallas, TX.
The May Association Luncheon consisted of a ride on the Texas T Train to Fort Worth, TX and lunch @ Daddy Jack’s Lobster and Chowder House.
The Scholarship Committee under the leadership of chairperson Macy Mays assembled at the Old Mill Inn, Fair Park in June, 2005 for our first lunch with the scholarship applicants and their parents. The applicants were also carried through an oral interview. The applicants were: Kechaud Brione Johnson and Chantoinae ‘LaShun Pelton. The scholarship recipient was Chantoinae ‘Lashun Pelton, the granddaughter of Association member, Addie Mae Jenkins, and daughter of Curtis & Jeannine Pelton. She attended Texas A & M University fall 2005, majoring in Psychology. The scholarship committee members were: Reuben Sweeney, Jr., L’Vergia Johnson, Thernesia Taylor, Willie Martin, Jessie Walker, Mary Bennett, Gloria Fucuals-Young, and Christene Walker.
New officers were elected in June, 2005. These officers were: President - Christene Y. Walker; Vice-president - John A. Edwards; Secretary - Jessie Lawrence Walker; ASsistant secretary - Willis N. Martin; Treasurer - Reuben Sweeney, Jr.; Chaplain - Mary Thomas Bennett; Historian - Richard Manson; and Parliamentarian - Barbara A. Moore Dixon. Officers were installed by Association member, the Rev. Herbert Thompson in July.
The membership was treated to an evening of fun, food and friendship at the home of Gloria Fucuals- Young as a treat for such a successful year on June 5, 2005.
The President’s Christmas Breakfast was celebrated on December 31, 2005 in the home of Christene Y. Walker.
Providing a scholarship for our youth is a vital part of who we are. Several events were held by the Association in order to raise money for our scholarship fund. These efforts were several trips to the WinStar Casino in Oklahoma and on February 18, 2006, all enjoyed “Fun Night At The Rec”, an evening at the Roseland Home Recreation Center, located on Washington Avenue, Dallas, TX.
The 2006 Scholarship interest was tremendous. There were eight (8) applicants. At the Scholarship Luncheon, there were six applicants and parents. These applicants were: Diana Garcia, Victor Jackson, Kimberely Johnson, Stephanie Navarette, Cimone Phillips, and Robert Taylor. The recipient of the 2006 Scholarship was Victor Jackson, grandson of Association members Raymond and Kathryn Williams, the son of Victor & Ramona Jackson. Victor will be enrolling in Texas Christian University, Ft. Worth, TX, the fall semester of 2006.
We are all exuberant about our Second School Reunion, scheduled for September 9, 14, 15, 16, & 17, 2006. These activities have been planned.
September 9, 2006 Athletes Memorial Walk to Griggs Park
September 14, 2006 Getting to Know You Night
Bid Whist & Domino Tournament
September 15, 2006 City Tour/Lunch
Sock Hop
Bid Whist & Domino Tournament
September 16, 2006 Luncheon
Recognition Dinner/Dance
September 17, 2006 Prayer Breakfast
The death angels came and snipped several members from us. These members are:
Willie Hutchinson, September 19, 2005
James Earl Perry, October 6, 2005
Georgia Robinson Pennie, February 15, 2006
Marion “Jap” Jones, July, 2006
Reuben Sweeney, Jr., August 30, 2006
2005 & 2006 Community Service Endeavors
J. W. Ray Elementary School’s Store Supplies
Tutored Students at J. W. Ray Elementary School
Fair Park Health Care Center
1) Mother’s Day toiletry baskets to the women clients
2) Father’s Day toiletry boxes to the men clients
3) Photo/Soda Day for all the clients
4) Boxes of fruit for Christmas (apples, oranges, and pears) for all clients
Bethlehem Foundation ($500.00)
Hurricane Katrina Evacuees ($500.00)
21 Bushel baskets for needy families for Thanksgiving
1 Food basket & gift for needy family and child for Christmas
$2000.00 Scholarship in 2005
$2000.00 Scholarship in 2006