Many Alums, Friends Attend CH Daniels School Reunion


From left: Evelyn Williams Jackson, Sandra Hinson Latham, Charles Hill, Eugene Brown, Christine Patton, Verna Teal Cloudy, and Margaret (Jean) Booth White

July 18, 2019 - The 2019 C H Daniels School Reunion was held on July 5 and 6, 2019. Many alums and friends came together to celebrate the 50th year of the school closing with the last graduation class 1968 and the junior class that happened to graduate from Center High School in 1969.

There were many from out of town to support this event. There was a Meet and Greet at Carlos Soul Food Restaurant on Shelbyville St. Cards, dominoes, and Slam Scrabble were among the games played. More conversation among friends and classmates occurred during the three or four hours there.

The committee supplied plenty of food and soft drinks for everyone to enjoy. Of course very good music could be heard intermixed with the conversations. Thanks to the owner for allowing us to be entertained at his place.

Saturday was scheduled as a free day for the guests to enjoy their family and friends or just sit by the pool at the various hotels in Center. The committee kept busy through the day preparing for the banquet Saturday night. Decorations were done by Sandra Hinson Latham with the help of the committee, Joan, Shirley, Juanita, and Joyce. She wants to thank all of the donations received from neighbors and florists to help make the Windham Convention Center Ballroom glamorous in Black and Gold with greenery in spots. Everyone will receive a personal thank you note shortly.

There was a slide show set up with pictures of past Daniels School Reunions - years 2010, 2011, 2015, 2017. Unfortunately, 2013 CD's could not be found. It was fascinating to see how people changed through the years or had not changed at all. A few door prizes were given to winners of the selected tickets. Hopefully each attendee appreciated the tote bags full of items donated by Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, Light and Champion Newspaper, Shelby Savings Bank, and Walgreens (Pasadena),

Once again the committee selected this year's Alumni King and Queen to serve for two years. Eugene and Jackie Brown, currently residing in Longview, Texas were definitely surprised. The 2017 King and Queen, Jerry and Joyce Lathan of Center Texas, were present to release their crown to the new royalty. This idea began back in 2013 with Willard McClelland (King) of Center and Rose Mary Fields (Queen) of Dallas. King and Queen of 2015 was the couple who were former teachers at Daniels in the 60's, Mr. Michael Mitchell and Mrs. Edwina Collins Mitchell who had lived in Beaumont until a recent move to Dallas area. We missed them this year.

The concept of spotlighting the Golden Class was an idea presented back in 2010 to celebrate the 50 years since graduation for the classes of the 60s. At the time the class of 1960 was presented with certificates and through the years two classes began to be presented with the reunion occurring every two years. In 2017, classes 1966 and 1967 classes received medallions for their memories and 1967 class coordinator had many artifacts on display for that class. The classes of 1968 and 1969 entered the ballroom individually to give their name as they received the certificate. Each reunion had something new for the alums to enjoy.

The Memorial presentation was done by the classmates of 1968 and 1969 for their class and it was followed by a presentation of lighting a large candle for the school and principals encircled by small candles representing deceased teachers and students of all years. A big thank you to Willie Faye Biggers Garrett for singing as she always does for the reunion. Oh yes, the food served in buffet format was also very good. Much more can be said about the 2019 Reunion but you have to browse the slide show of pictures or view the video which captured the full time of the banquet by Center local photographer. Thanks to the photo booth provided by Sandra which allowed the classes to take group and individual pictures. A big thank you to the photographer. Find us on youtube and Facebook. 

Now that this reunion is in the past, it is time to start thinking about future ones. A search is in progress for a new theme since the classes of the 60's and the school closing have reached a significant milestone. If anyone has an idea for a theme please contact one of the committee members. These members are always looking for new ideas and more people to join them or replace them to keep the legacy alive for the school and the community.

A few surveys were received but it is not too late to submit your comments and concerns about any of these past Daniels School Reunions. Have a great remainder of the summer.