What were your fondest memories?
"Being a student in Mrs. Pilgrim's second grade class." ~Billy Dean Cox (9th Avenue)
"The pep rallies and school dances." ~Frank Wilson (9th Avenue 1951-1962)
"Graduating in 1948, this was my first place of work." ~Mary V. Mims (9th Avenue Teacher)
"Our trip to Virginia, Washington D.C. (Glee club trip), and Charlottesville, Virginia." ~Doris Barnett Byorum (6th and 9th Avenue 1943-1955)
"My fondest memory would be the special relationship between the students, teachers, and principal. They were not just our teachers and principal. We lived in the same neighborhood so they were our friends as well. So often over the past 40+ years I think of the day I went to school with my mind made up that I did not feel like doing anything in school that particular day and I was not going to do anything. Class after class each one of those teachers told me the same thing, "I know you can do better than that." I began to wonder if they could read my mind and knew what I was thinking that day. Then I reasoned with myself that those teachers were God's angels that cared about me and wanted me to do my best. When I was down and did not feel my best, God put them there to encourage me and help me along the way.
"Needless to say, I never tried that again and graduated Valedictorian, Best All Around Student, Most Likely to Succeed, Perfect Attendance and award after award. Those teachers and principal and the community did not want me to stop with graduation from high school. I can remember getting presents from people in the community that I had not sent an invitation. They were equipping my room for college and giving me money. The teachers and principal assisted me with completing the applications and most amazing of all was the way the principal found me a summer job. That is why I love Ninth Avenue School to this day. It was everyone working together to produce the best product…a student excelling to their best potential."
That love from the teachers extended beyond the classroom. Ms. Roberts started out by telling me she had some chores she wanted me to help her with at her apartment so I could earn some extra money. When I arrived she did not have a chore for me to do! What I found was a home cooked dinner she had prepared for me. She had adopted me as her play daughter and invited me over in the afternoons to have dinner, talk about school and to see if there was anything she could buy or give me that would help me along my way." ~Jessie Jenkins-Wilson (9th Avenue class of 1965)
"Starting school (first grade) and all the excitement that went along with it. Making good friends was always fun. Some of them have been for a lifetime." ~Renee Mims Payne (9th Avenue class of 1965)
"(Walking to and from school)-wood and coal heaters in classrooms at 6th Avenue-wanting to do good in each class (subject) Making friends." ~Madeline Cunningham Royes (6th and 9th Avenue)
"Being out for summer vacation. Then going back to school after vacation to see my classmates and everyone telling what they had done for the summer, and meeting new students and teachers." ~Wilhelmina R. Mills (6th and 9th Avenue)
"There were lots of dedicated teachers, and you did "learn" and enjoy it." ~Lila Deloris Hill Wilson (9th Avenue class of 1962)
"Too many to relate. Attending an all black school is something that is lost forever." ~Harry M. Wilson Jr. (9th Avenue class of 1962)
"I enjoyed going to school at 9th Ave." ~Thelma L. Payne (9th Avenue class of 1965)
"Record hops some afternoons before school was out and receiving the good tasting grape Kool-Aid and vanilla filled cookies. Going to different schools to play basketball at night. Three nights at Shaw University in our Jr. year." ~Lottie Featherstone Maxwell (6th and 9th Avenue)
"In the 5th grade we would learn Bible Verses and if you learn them you would get a certificate. Also the Band and Basketball." ~Lillie Ann Recolia Brooks Brown (9th Avenue)
"Learning how to speak French, I have gone to France, how to sew, I have made a lot of my clothes, learning to type. I used that skill to help me get through college. My teachers taught me the importance of education and for 27 years I taught it to my students. They taught me to travel and see the world and I have traveled throughout the USA and abroad. ~Catherine Richmond (9th Avenue class of 1964)
"Relationships with teachers and students showed one of respect." ~Olivia Stokes McMinn (6th and 9th Avenue)
"Working in my science and math classes, also working in the library." ~William E. Payne (9th Avenue)
"Home economics classes, playing basketball and preparing for our junior/senior prom. (We made our decorations and decorate the gym ourselves. Also attending football games)" ~ Bessie "Judy" Owen (9th Avenue 1950-1960)
"May Day, talent show." ~ George Davis (9th Avenue)
"Playing in the 9th Avenue band under Mr. Earl Martin." ~ Lillie Ann Y. Ricketts (6th and 9th Avenue 1949-1961)
"Classes in Home economics, Gym classes, Basketball." ~Cora Johnson A. Young (6th and 9th Avenue)
"(1) A play put on by the Faculty, It was Fun. (2) May Day-each year. (3) Mrs. Eva Pilgrim- who shared her lunch with me when I was in 2nd grade. Mrs. Haley, who challenged me to higher goals." ~ Geraldine H. McMinn (9th Avenue)
"I remember the May Day Program. The performances and plays done by the seniors or drama dept. School itself. Loved school." ~ Ronnie W. Pepper (9th Avenue 1962-1965)
"Playing basketball, cheerleading, and member of different clubs. Short and long recess." ~ Edith Cash Sloan (6th and 9th Avenue)
"Football, nickname "roadrunner." ~Albert H Summey (6th and 9th Avenue)
"May Day-all classes were outside doing different activities, all day long." ~Robert G. Smith III (9th Avenue 1962-1963)
"1. Attending football games and playing football. 2. Attending basketball games. 3. Attending dances after football games. 4. Attending classes everyday even though it was in another town." ~William Wynn, Jr. (9th Avenue)
"Sitting on the class room for Mrs. Pilgrim and Mrs. Mims while they had to go to a meeting. Helping out in home economics." ~Barbara Moss Cash (9th Avenue)
" Seeing the eagerness and growth of students who were more than willing to learn in spite of outdated books and very little equipment." ~Hannah L. Edwards
"Meeting my City Class mates as I lived in the country." ~Edna Mesbitt Allman (9th Avenue)
"Several of my teachers (Rouse, Jones, Miller), and the overall joy of just being a part of the school. I remember the "May Day" activities, the chatter in the hallways as the high school students were selling popcorn, rice crispy treats or ice cream to raise money for different projects, and I remember thinking how I couldn't wait until I was old enough to be able to go to the after school "sock hop" and socials. Sad think I never made it because we integrated, all those things were over." ~ Diane Caldwell (9th Avenue)
"When we were in grades 7and 8 we came to school early to make fires for the smaller children. Then there were the homecoming games. And of course graduation." ~James Thurman Robinson (6th and 9th Avenue 1942-1952)
