Jefferson alumni support their alma mater 6/22/2009 12:39 AM
By APRIL BAILEY Staff writer
Jefferson Elementary, in Warrenville, did not start out as a primary school.
Jefferson was founded in 1956 as both a middle and high school for students in Langley, Bath, Clearwater, North Augusta, Beech Island, Graniteville and Belvedere before schools were desegregated in Aiken County.
At the time, the school was one of three public high schools for African-Americans in Aiken County. Jefferson High operated for 14 years, until 1970 when schools were integrated. In 1980, the school became Jefferson Elementary as it is now known.
It was named for Rev. Austin Jefferson Sr., a minister who was known in the community as an advocate for education.
"He was a community supporter, interested in educating black children," said Dr. Marsha Harris, who attended Jefferson High as a student and later served as assistant principal at Jefferson Elementary.
Harris is among many former students of Jefferson High School working to preserve the school's legacy. In 2005, the Jefferson High Alumni Association was founded as former students were preparing for their 50th class reunion, held in 2006. More than 500 former students attended the reunion, which included a tribute to the Rev. Austin Jefferson.
Since the group was organized, members have been working to make a positive impact in the local area through community service and by promoting education, said Harris.
"We feel we received great instruction in education and in values from the school, the community and our parents, and we just want to pass those things on to the next generation," she said.
George Bush, vice president of the alumni association, said students who attended the school were like family.
"It was a close-knit school," recalls Bush, who graduated from Jefferson High in 1962. "Everybody knew each other and got along."
Harris said the organization is also working to uncover more of its alma mater's history. In 2007, the group worked to have a state historical marker placed at the site, which includes background information about the school and the Rev. Jefferson.
"What's most important now is that we give back to future generations," said the Rev. Cornell Harris, who serves are the membership coordinator for JHAA. He said the organization plans to take part in more volunteer services in the community, such as working with young children and helping seniors.
"What we are focused on now is getting people to join with us so we can work together," he said. "It's like our motto says, 'We didn't lose our school; we found our community.'"
JHAA meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Old Storm Branch Baptist Church, 163 Storm Branch Road in Beech Island.
For more information, contact Rev. Harris at 292-8939 or at cornellharris@bellsouth.net.
Notice about comments:
AikenStandard.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. AikenStandard.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not AikenStandard.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
2