Destiny is not a matter of chance; but a matter of choice.
It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.
William Jennings Bryan
When our forefathers were legally freed from chatted bondage, they had a quenchless thirst for knowledge, and with vigor pursued means of educating their children. This quenched thirst was portrayed and demonstrated in and by the parents around the Boynton community.
AS WE'VE BEEN TOLD, in 1902 a Boynton community citizen by the name of Pomp Grayson donated the landsite on which the first all-black high school would be built. The building was built in or around 1907, as we've told, it was a six room early colonial style building with two large pillars at the front opening. The first school board members were prominent Negroes, by the name of Cap Roberson and Attorney Meriweather,
Students migrated from what was known as "Wing Schools" to fill the halls and occupy classrooms of this all black school known as Phyllis Wheatley. The wing schools as we've been told consisted of Lee (which is reported to be a Rosen Wald school). A Rosen Wald school was the name informally applied to over five thousand schools, shops and teachers homes in the United States which were primarily for the education of African Americans in the early 20th century.
Other reported wing schools (unable to verify) were Cloud Creek; Cane Creek and Monday.
AS WE'VE BEEN TOLD, the first accredited graduating class was the class of 1934 which included Melvin Jackson, Grace Cullom, Aquella Downie, Katherine Williams, Joe Williams, Macco Monday, Ponec Rentie and Gerthie Cullom.
The original Wheatley was completely destroyed by fire in 1942. While the present facility was being built, classes were held in the National Guard Armory. Though not in use today, this building still stands, located just southeast of the current Wheatley school site.
The first graduating class of the newly built Wheatley school was the class of 1950. This class consisted of: Flora Etta Adkins, Norma Lee Baugus, Dorothy Nell Cobb, Herbert Delano
Conner, Joyce Vivian Cullom, Edwina Gewndolyn Frazier, Erma Jean Foley, Mary
Katherine Gibbs, Imogene Henderson, Harold Thomas Hutton, Bertha Mae McConnell,
Travis McGilbra, Esselene Henryette Pouncil, Corene Deloyce Reed, Archie Lee
Reynolds, Marcella Mae Taylor, Jesse James Vann Jr., David Rockford Williams.
Wheatley school was integrated in 1956 and continued classes until 1967. The pains of integration set in and the doors were closed.
This Thumbnail History would not be complete without acknowledging the educators who helped shape the minds of the sons and daughters of the early settlers who had a quenchless thirst for knowledge and with vigor pursued means of educating their children. Dating back to 1918, the institution instructors include but were not limited to.
AS WE'VE BEEN TOLD, in 1902 a Boynton community citizen by the name of Pomp Grayson donated the landsite on which the first all-black high school would be built. The building was built in or around 1907, as we've told, it was a six room early colonial style building with two large pillars at the front opening. The first school board members were prominent Negroes, by the name of Cap Roberson and Attorney Meriweather,
Students migrated from what was known as "Wing Schools" to fill the halls and occupy classrooms of this all black school known as Phyllis Wheatley. The wing schools as we've been told consisted of Lee (which is reported to be a Rosen Wald school). A Rosen Wald school was the name informally applied to over five thousand schools, shops and teachers homes in the United States which were primarily for the education of African Americans in the early 20th century.
Other reported wing schools (unable to verify) were Cloud Creek; Cane Creek and Monday.
AS WE'VE BEEN TOLD, the first accredited graduating class was the class of 1934 which included Melvin Jackson, Grace Cullom, Aquella Downie, Katherine Williams, Joe Williams, Macco Monday, Ponec Rentie and Gerthie Cullom.
The original Wheatley was completely destroyed by fire in 1942. While the present facility was being built, classes were held in the National Guard Armory. Though not in use today, this building still stands, located just southeast of the current Wheatley school site.
The first graduating class of the newly built Wheatley school was the class of 1950. This class consisted of: Flora Etta Adkins, Norma Lee Baugus, Dorothy Nell Cobb, Herbert Delano
Conner, Joyce Vivian Cullom, Edwina Gewndolyn Frazier, Erma Jean Foley, Mary
Katherine Gibbs, Imogene Henderson, Harold Thomas Hutton, Bertha Mae McConnell,
Travis McGilbra, Esselene Henryette Pouncil, Corene Deloyce Reed, Archie Lee
Reynolds, Marcella Mae Taylor, Jesse James Vann Jr., David Rockford Williams.
Wheatley school was integrated in 1956 and continued classes until 1967. The pains of integration set in and the doors were closed.
This Thumbnail History would not be complete without acknowledging the educators who helped shape the minds of the sons and daughters of the early settlers who had a quenchless thirst for knowledge and with vigor pursued means of educating their children. Dating back to 1918, the institution instructors include but were not limited to.
|
Professor G.W Brooks
Ferguson Brooks Mrs. L.V. Daniels W.L. Gilmore F. H. Harris Mrs. Addie Jackson Principal F.H. Jackson RE. Johnson Mrs. S. Merriweather Mrs. A.M. Patton |
Principal S.L. Sadler
E. Sharp Mrs. Shelton Principal Gibb Smith Mrs. Hattie Smith Maceo Smith Principal JL. Swanson Mrs. B. Walker J. Walker Principal Wilson |
Those educators who followed in later years include:
|
B,W, Bradley
Mr.s Gladys Harrison Mr. M. Hicks Mrs D. S. Lawson Mr. T.R. Lockridge |
Mr Ollie Penny
Mrs. June Perryman Mrs G.C. Ratliff Mamie Thornton Mrs. A.G. Yeager |
The sons and daughters of Wheatley have gone on and distinguished themselves in many areas of endeavors. We are proud of them and may the spirit of goodness, mercy and self-improvement be the legacy of us all.
