“Honoring Military Veterans With Dunbar Roots” was the theme of the Dunbar Alumni Association’s bi-annual Scholarship Reunion Banquet Saturday.
Dunbar Alumni Association President James Z. Thompson kicked off the evening, welcoming the guests, donors, members, families and scholarship recipients.
“It has been 57 years since the close of the Dunbar School for people of color. We the graduates and descendants were taught that lifetime skills begin with education. We feel that it is important to give back. To further this goal, we provide four $1,000 scholastic scholarships and two $500 technical scholarships in the form of educational assistance to extension graduates of the former Dunbar schools (Goodrich, Leggett, Livingston and Onalaska ISDs) in beginning their educational pursuits,” Thompson said.
“Today, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who’ve served our nation with unparalleled courage and dedication. Today is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by those who’ve worn the uniform of our armed forces. To our veterans – Your service has been the foundation of our freedom. You’ve stood guard in times of peace and fought valiantly in times of war. You’ve missed birthdays, holidays and countless precious moments with loved ones. You’ve endured hardship most of us can barely fathom, all to ensure that we can live in a land of liberty and opportunity,” Thompson said.
Bobby C. Jackson led the Pledge of Allegiance, Pastor Scott Harrell offered the prayer, Jessica Dunn Guilbeau served as mistress of ceremonies and Livingston High School Principal Dr. Derrick James presented a greeting.
“I am glad and elated to be here and represent Livingston ISD and other schools. This is a great night for the students and I really appreciate the Dunbar Alumni Association awarding these scholarships,” James said.
Veatrice Gipson Cook spoke about the occasion.
“As we reflect on the legacy of Dunbar, we know that it is a beacon of hope that has shaped us into the individuals we are today. Tonight as we present tokens of belief in the investment of our youth, the legacy of Dunbar continues to thrive for generations to come. The essence of Dunbar lives within each of us,” Cook said.
Cook then gave a shout out to her Class of 1970, which she said has had a reunion every five years since they graduated, except for 2020 with COVID. The Class of 1970 made a $1,000 contribution to the scholarship fund and challenged other classes to do the same.
Virginia Nell Burch led the roll call in which members of each graduating class were recognized. There were attendees representing the classes of 1948, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 and Dunbar’s last class, 1968. However, she referred to the classes of 1969 and 1970 as honorary classes.
Louise Fleets Anderson led the memorial candle lighting as everyone sang God Bless America.
Dunbar Alumni Association Secretary Della Eleby Holcomb introduced Master Chief Clenon Mitchell, USN, (ret), who has ancestral roots in Livingston and Dunbar High School. He is the son of the late Clenon Mitchell Sr. and Betty Eleby Mitchell.
Mitchell enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1983 and completed basic training in October 1984. He completed a 25-year Navy career in 2009. His military career afforded him the opportunity to patrol the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as earning him the Meritorious Medal the Navy Commendation Medal four times and the Navy Achievement Medal three times. He concluded active duty serving as the Master Chief Petty Officer for Logistics at Navy Operational Support Center in Houston.
Livingston Mayor Judy B. Cochran presented a proclamation to Mitchell. Additionally, Dunbar Alumni Association Vice President Brandon J. Prescott presented proclamations to Mitchell on behalf of Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy, State Representative Alma Allen and State Senator Robert Nichols. Wesley Ratcliff presented Mitchell with an award, in addition to a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol.
“Thank everybody. I’m honored tonight to be recognized for military service,” Mitchell said, thanking his cousin, wife, mother and aunts, several of whom traveled from as far as El Paso for the event.
Commenting on the “complex political and social climate,” Mitchell said, “the goal is to bring us together as family, a country.”
He closed his remarks by telling the scholarship recipients to keep their eyes on the long term goal even though there will be obstacles. “Together we are strong,” Mitchell said.
Thompson and Prescott presented the scholarships to Ja’Tarius Randolph, Brandi Pickens and Keylon DeShun McGowan.
Veteran honorees recognized with plaques included James O. Shotwell, Bedar Doyle, Andrew “Gene” Taylor, Melvin Phillips, Wesley Ratcliff, James C. Smith, Gene Osaw, Leon Wright, John H. Ratcliff, Tommie L. Thompson, Aisha Thompson, Elgin Davis and Jack Boykin.
Other veteran honorees not in attendance included Karl Eleby, Clint Green, George Wyatt, Arthur Ray “Big Arch” Henderson, James Edward Hayes, Bettina Taylor, Tabari L. Thompson, Cecil Boykin, Willie D. Lyons, Craig A. Davis and Donnest Criswell.
Also honored for their longtime support were Major Jeanette Young Jackson and Captain Thomas W. Jackson.
In closing, Nate Henderson reported that the new inductees to the Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association are Henry Lee “Pee Wee” Thompson, Mary Knighton Criswell and Bennie Ruth Criswell Jackson.
“I want to thank the committee members and offer condolences to Johnny Walker who worked long and hard with us, but he is no longer with us,” Henderson said.
