By Kiara Cain
Saturday, November 9th, was a big day for some of our alumni. It was the day that the classes of 1969 to 1973 came together for their 50th reunion at Captain Shreve High School.
Everyone gathered and celebrated with those they were once close with and even with those who they had never met. This reunion was a special occasion for The Swamp as it allowed both black and white students to celebrate together after many of them spent their high school years separated.
During the event, the former students were able to walk around the campus to see the changes that have been made around the school. They visited places such as the gym, auditorium, and even the library to take in the sights of Shreve.
They also spent time sharing stories with each other about how it was for them when they were students.
“When I went to Shreve it was nice, but it was different. This is the only time that we’ve all gotten together as class of ‘73 for a reunion,” Shal Hartwell said.
After walking around campus, everyone gathered back into the cafeteria to hear a few speakers and express their gratitude for the classes being able to get together and host the event.
“We have all thought, said, and done many things that we shouldn’t have and when we did, we were wrong,” Randy Booth said. “Although we can not change what was done in the past, we can prevent it from happening in the future.”
The speakers reflected on the past while being thankful of their accomplishments and willingness to overcome past mistakes which has ultimately led them to where they are now.
“The more friends I have, the more I can listen, and the more I can love,” Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneneux said. “Everyone here is a big part of why we are where we are. I thank you for who you are and I am thrilled to be your mayor.
During the time that these alumni were in high school the races were not united or unified. Therefore, the reunion had a welcoming atmosphere that proved people can put aside or grow from whatever feelings and differences that they harbored in the past.
This event was very special to those who attended and to Shreve. It showed that when people want to make change happen, they can.
“When we first got here you all were comfortable with the partition that had been built,” Edwin Scott said. “But as we started sitting down, you all began to get comfortable and started sitting together.”
The effects of being separated from your peers can cause a long lasting impact on what people do in life. It can subconsciously change how people behave and how they interact with others who are different from themselves.
“When I first got to Shreve there was that partition especially in the cafeteria, whites sat on one side and blacks sat on the other.” Scott said.
After the speeches concluded, the attendees began to sing “I Need You To Survive” by Hezekiah Walker to show how they appreciated being able to put aside past feelings.
Before the program came to an end, everyone shared a vulnerable moment and prayed with each other. This further signified that no matter who you are or what skin color you have, we are all humans capable of coming together and appreciating each other.
“We determined we were going to be agents of change and that meant we had to put ourselves out there despite knowing that we would get ridiculed. The question is, after fifty years what are you holding on to? Times have changed,” Alfred Jackson said. “Although segregation exists, there is no basis for it in our society. We want to be the ones who say enough is enough.”
