Keep the Daniels School Legacy Alive: Minnie Richards Hawkins

May 15, 2018 - Minnie Jewel Richards Hawkins is a 1948 graduate of C. H. Daniels. Just think 70 years ago she was all smiles waiting to march across the stage and receive her diploma with hopes of starting on a higher education degree from Prairie View College in Prairie View, Texas, where she had been accepted. She finished in 1952 and became a teacher in the Houston area. Dr. Charles Tatum who was her classmate also went to Prairie View where he received several degrees and then returned there to teach geography for several years. He went on to receive his doctoral degree and has taught in other institutions and traveled worldwide. He and Minnie have been lifelong friends and talk regularly on the phone. They both have been supportive of the Daniels Alumni for many years. Minnie’s family lived across the street from the Daniels campus and owned much property near the school. She has submitted many memories about the school that occurred during her time there. The first and only School newspaper was printed while she was there, called The Danielette. It was interesting to read some of the articles written.

In August 1984, the Daniels High classes of 47-50 held their reunion at the San Augustine Inn. Minnie and several of her classmates, including my mother, Portia Kindle Garrett, were on the planning committee. Meetings were held in Houston and in Center. The reunion was well attended by ex-students and teachers. It was perhaps the beginning of the school reunions for Daniels alumni. During this time the classes presented a donation of $500 to Mr. James Campbell for the Shelby County College Center Fund (for a local branch of Panola Junior College in Center). Many of the alumni and their descendants have attended the college in the past years. We give accolades to Minnie Jewel for keeping the legacy alive for Daniels School.