By Evelyn Wall

Special to the Suffolk News Herald

The love for a high school not to be forgotten brought 150 students of the former Booker T. Washington High School together one more time to celebrate its 28th Semi-Annual Alumni Association Reunion on the weekend of July 7-10.

The association, which includes classes from 1939-1969, celebrated the weekend with a dinner-dance on July 7 and a breakfast and business meeting on July 8, both of which were held at the Hilton Garden Inn on East Constance Road. Also on Saturday, the celebration continued to Waterside in Norfolk for a boat ride on the Spirit of Norfolk. On Sunday, the celebration concluded with a worship service at 11 a.m. at the Hilton. The guest speaker for the service was the Rev. Larry Davis, and the worship leader was the Rev. Isaac Baker. The Second Chance Ensemble under the leadership of Earlene Davis-Lee rendered music.

After the service, Mr. George Richards, 94, the oldest member in attendance and graduate of the class of 1940, gave remarks. He stated that it was a joy and a blessing being able to attend a part of the reunion and see so many people.

Officers to serve for 2017-2019, who were voted on by the association at the business meeting on Saturday, were also presented to the congregation. They include Vivian Turner, president; Ronald Hart, vice president; Juanita Johnson, secretary; Evelyn Wall, assistant secretary; Florine Cooper, financial secretary; Gail Hinton-Copeland, treasurer; and Julia Bradley, historian.

The next Booker T. Washington Alumni Association reunion is scheduled to be held in July 2019.