It's been nearly 30 years since public school integration, and Edna Shepherd is concerned that one day there might not be anyone left who remembers what it was like before.
She graduated from Dunbar High School in 1947 and worked as a teacher and administrator for 37 years before retiring.
Dunbar was the Texarkana Independent School District's black high school, and Shepherd wants the history of the school to be remembered and passed on.
"What we need to do is pass the torch to the next generation," she said. "They should assume the responsibility of remembering and learning about the history of the black schools."
Shepherd will be the keynote speaker at the fifth annual Tri-Schools Alumni Association banquet Saturday, and she will speak about this topic.
At the banquet will be six high school students--two from each of the school districts that once had black high schools--and the students will share their talents with the attendees.
"This is a tribute to them so they can continue to strive for excellence," Shepherd said. "And we want them to know about the black high schools and learn the history."
The three black high schools were Dunbar, Washington High School in the Texarkana, Ark., School District and Macedonia High School in the Liberty-Eylau school district.
Alumni from all three schools will attend the banquet to catch up with friends and remember the times they shared in high school, Shepherd said.
Dunbar was originally located at the corner of West Seventh and Elm streets. It is now located on West 10th Street and used as an elementary school.
Washington is located at the corner of Pinehurst and Marietta streets and was used for several purposes after integration. Now the Texarkana, Ark., School District houses its alternative programs in the school.
Washington is located at the corner of Pinehurst and Marietta streets and was used for several purposes after integration. Now the Texarkana, Ark., School District houses its alternative programs in the school.
Macedonia was the smallest of the three schools and now houses the Bowie County School of Success.
Former students of the three schools formed the Tri-Schools Alumni Association in 1996 and began holding reunion banquets every year.
This year's banquet will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Arkansas High School student center.
Tickets are $13 and may be purchased from any member of the association.
For more information call Dan Haskins at (903) 832-1354.
