HISTORY OF THE PARENT CHAPTER OF THE BOYNTON ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INC. AND ITS CHAPTERS FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE BOYNTON ALUMNI CLUB
AS WE'VE BEEN TOLD, when the doors of Dear Ole Wheatley was closed, the building remained vacant for several years. What once was the most beautiful building in Boynton, was now an object of rejection. Windows were broken, plumbing fixtures were removed, electrical wiring was impaired, the heating and air system was destroyed and the roof was leaking.
With the plus of Dear Ole Wheatley fastly fading, in 1966 Ralph Waldo McIntosh (now deceased) led a move to organize the Boynton Alumni Association Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The group did meet and decided to have a reunion. The officers elected were Ralph McIntosh, President; Johnson Lee, Vice President; Estoria Wagoner Dawson, Second Vice President; Alice Carroll, Secretary; Cleo Lockard, Corresponding Secretary and Melvin Jackson, Treasurer.
They never lost sight of the objective to help students, six scholarships were awarded.
In 1970, the second reunion was again held in Tulsa, Percy J. Perry became the next
National President and also served as the Tulsa Chapter President along with Marcella Taylor Williams, Secretary; Tanzy B. Lockridge, Treasurer and Deloris Stephens as Song Leader.
There was now also enough interest to organize a Boynton Chapter. Bertha Mae
McConnell was elected President, Damon Haynes, Vice President; Eleanor Hutchinson, Secretary and Blance Belton, Treasurer.
In 1974 the next reunion had its debut in Boynton. It was reported to be "One Grand
Affair". The following individuals were elected as national officers, Robert Williams elected as National President, Percy Perry was elected Vice President; Eleanor Hutchison was elected Secretary, T. B. Lockridge, Treasurer; Deloris Stephens, Song Leader; and Scott McIntosh, Parliamentarian. It was during this reunion that it was decided and approved that the reunions would be held every four years. The reunion ended with the resounding question "Will we be able to save our building?"
The demise of Dear Ole Wheatley School weighed heavily in the hearts and minds of the Alumni. It soon became widespread that the building with her cherished walls was about to be disposed of and that it would possibly be sold and used for a hay barn. The National President Robert Williams was made aware of the widespread rumor. He immediately notified every known Boynton Alumni. Mrs. A.G. Yerger was asked to negotiate with the powers to be about regaining possession of the building. E.C. Carrol, the Superintendent of Schools reportedly gave his support, by encouraging the board to put the building up for bid. AS WE'VE BEEN TOLD, the local chapters contributed $ 1.000.00, the National Association contributed $ 1.200.00 and Boyntonites across the United States contributed
$ 1.300.00.
In October 1974, the bid of $ 3.500.00 was made and it was a successful bid. The Boynton Alumni Association became the proud owners of the building and land. Volunteer work began immediately to enclose one room with heat, water and plumbing so there would be some comfort. That December it was very cold. E.S Pearson and Levi Brown were the first to come. They began putting in windows, while others worked on other tasks. The unity displayed was a testimony and tribute of preserving our heritage. Pomp Grayson and N.L. Lockridge who gave the land along with all other pioneers smiled at this volunteer participation in the black community.
Money continued to flow in from all over, the funds were used to needed materials. ALL LABOUR WAS DONATED. Brick Masons, cement workers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers all came together. While work was being done, the women prepared delicious meals. The first public act after getting a place to warm and relax, was a prayer meeting to praise God and offer thanks for his mercifulness and guidance. Following closely behind the prayer meeting was the dedication of the facility. Mr. Winfred Gilmore of Oklahoma City delivered the dedication address, he addressed the gathering using as a subject "WHAT MEAN THESE
WALLS".
With the plus of Dear Ole Wheatley fastly fading, in 1966 Ralph Waldo McIntosh (now deceased) led a move to organize the Boynton Alumni Association Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The group did meet and decided to have a reunion. The officers elected were Ralph McIntosh, President; Johnson Lee, Vice President; Estoria Wagoner Dawson, Second Vice President; Alice Carroll, Secretary; Cleo Lockard, Corresponding Secretary and Melvin Jackson, Treasurer.
They never lost sight of the objective to help students, six scholarships were awarded.
In 1970, the second reunion was again held in Tulsa, Percy J. Perry became the next
National President and also served as the Tulsa Chapter President along with Marcella Taylor Williams, Secretary; Tanzy B. Lockridge, Treasurer and Deloris Stephens as Song Leader.
There was now also enough interest to organize a Boynton Chapter. Bertha Mae
McConnell was elected President, Damon Haynes, Vice President; Eleanor Hutchinson, Secretary and Blance Belton, Treasurer.
In 1974 the next reunion had its debut in Boynton. It was reported to be "One Grand
Affair". The following individuals were elected as national officers, Robert Williams elected as National President, Percy Perry was elected Vice President; Eleanor Hutchison was elected Secretary, T. B. Lockridge, Treasurer; Deloris Stephens, Song Leader; and Scott McIntosh, Parliamentarian. It was during this reunion that it was decided and approved that the reunions would be held every four years. The reunion ended with the resounding question "Will we be able to save our building?"
The demise of Dear Ole Wheatley School weighed heavily in the hearts and minds of the Alumni. It soon became widespread that the building with her cherished walls was about to be disposed of and that it would possibly be sold and used for a hay barn. The National President Robert Williams was made aware of the widespread rumor. He immediately notified every known Boynton Alumni. Mrs. A.G. Yerger was asked to negotiate with the powers to be about regaining possession of the building. E.C. Carrol, the Superintendent of Schools reportedly gave his support, by encouraging the board to put the building up for bid. AS WE'VE BEEN TOLD, the local chapters contributed $ 1.000.00, the National Association contributed $ 1.200.00 and Boyntonites across the United States contributed
$ 1.300.00.
In October 1974, the bid of $ 3.500.00 was made and it was a successful bid. The Boynton Alumni Association became the proud owners of the building and land. Volunteer work began immediately to enclose one room with heat, water and plumbing so there would be some comfort. That December it was very cold. E.S Pearson and Levi Brown were the first to come. They began putting in windows, while others worked on other tasks. The unity displayed was a testimony and tribute of preserving our heritage. Pomp Grayson and N.L. Lockridge who gave the land along with all other pioneers smiled at this volunteer participation in the black community.
Money continued to flow in from all over, the funds were used to needed materials. ALL LABOUR WAS DONATED. Brick Masons, cement workers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers all came together. While work was being done, the women prepared delicious meals. The first public act after getting a place to warm and relax, was a prayer meeting to praise God and offer thanks for his mercifulness and guidance. Following closely behind the prayer meeting was the dedication of the facility. Mr. Winfred Gilmore of Oklahoma City delivered the dedication address, he addressed the gathering using as a subject "WHAT MEAN THESE
WALLS".
The building was dedicated to the Glory of God and the Service of Mankind. The question was raised now that we have the building, what will we do with it? Did our emotions overshadow our judgement?
The Board of Directors wrestled with this question along with others. It was decided that more money was needed to make the building more user friendly. It was decided that the building should become a beacon for the community.
The Board of Directors wrestled with this question along with others. It was decided that more money was needed to make the building more user friendly. It was decided that the building should become a beacon for the community.
