By Evelyn Wall
Special to the News-Herald

Over 150 graduates of the former East Suffolk High School attended their sixth semi-annual reunion Aug. 2-5. The theme of the event was “Reconnecting Our Past to the Present.”

Activities included a free open game night on Thursday, a scholarship banquet and dance on Friday and a worship service on Sunday at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel on Constance Road. On Saturday, a picnic was held on the grounds of the East Suffolk Recreation Center on South Sixth Street, and a musical talent program was held in the gymnasium.

During the dinner-dance, tributes were paid to the following former and active teachers: Mae Breckenridge-Haywood, Bertha L. Crocker, Barbara Gatling, Clara Harris, James Harris, Charles E. Jones, George T. Jones, William T. Linyear, Floyd E. Miller, Catherine Randolph, Amanda Rodgers, Erma Wilson, Mamie Martin-Ross, Evelyn Van-Putten, Annette Washington, Gene Barge, Barbara J. Turner, R. Ulysses Whitfield, Louise W. Knight, Vergie Hollimon and Berniece Benn Maloney. A tribute was also paid to Ulysses Whitfield as having the longest and safest career as a school bus driver.

A Heritage/Lifetime Membership Plaque was also unveiled bearing the names of 203 living and deceased students and teachers. The goal of the association is for the plaque to bear 500 names.

The Evening of Music Extravaganza on Saturday displayed the talents of The Harmonic Tones of Suffolk, The Luefras Robinson Gospel Jazz Trio, Noel the Steel-Drummer, The Elliott Family String Quartet, soloist Gail Hinton-Copeland, Rick Elliott & Friends, and The East Suffolk Sophisticated Steppers under the direction of Evelyn Wall.

The Rev. Shirley W. Liverman, associate minister of East End Baptist Church, was the guest speaker for the worship service on Sunday. She chose for her topic, “Living and Leaving a Legacy,” and compared that topic to the theme of the reunion.

A candle-lighting was also conducted by Leon Green and Barbara Doughty in memory of deceased students and teachers.

The East Suffolk High School Alumni Choir under the direction of guest musician Cecelia George, the Minister of Music at East End Baptist Church, gave musical selections at the banquet and worship service. Benford Hunter provided music during the banquet and dance.

Almeta Barnes Smith was the chairman of the reunion committee, Frank Kahan Jr. is the president of the association and W. Ross Boone is president emeritus of the association.