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In 2004, when the Class of '64 ended their 40th Reunion at Barber Park, there was an excitement in the air as Miltrine Jenkins Barden proposed the creation of a ''Class of '64 website'' to keep the classmates ''connected'' and abreast of events and class news. On August 7th - 9th, the Dudley Class of '64 gathered at the Clarion Hotel in Greensboro, to celebrate the fulfillment of this goal and much more. The Reunion Planning Committee, comprised of Miltrine Jenkins Barden, Joyce ''Toni'' Clark Oliver and Candace Bynum Currence executed a three day ''triple delight'' of memorable activities. Their vision was to reflect the faith and grace instilled in the class by their parents, teachers and mentors, who believed in them, sacrificed for them and encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunities that were looming on the horizon following their 1964 graduation. Adopting the theme: ''We've Come This Far By Faith'', opportunities abounded for classmates to reminisce and ''relish'' the fruit of their labors, with special emphasis on the accomplishments of the past five years. Beginning with the Friday evening Registration in the lobby of the Clarion Hotel, classmates were ''wowed'' by the super-sized class graduation picture, a ''Welcome'' sign with a replica of the old Dudley High edifice represented, and a dispenser filled with customized blue and gold ''DHS'' and Panther M&Ms. But the ''piece de resistance'' was the canvas Registration bags, donated by classmate, Gloria Adams Scales of D and G Realty, brimming with edible goodies, note pads, pens, golf towels, sewing kits, flashlights, key lanyards, a Class Directory, Reunion Itinerary and the commemorative DHS 45th Reunion t-shirt. Each bag was pinned with a name badge that sported the classmate's graduation photo and name.
An hors d'oeuvres buffet in the Since 2004, 15 of our classmates have passed away, and their loss has really impacted our desire to ''reach out and reconnect'' with each other. Odessa Barksdale Long has graciously represented our class by attending funerals, and sending floral tributes and cards of condolences on our behalf, so it was only fitting that we establish a ''FlowerFund'' to share this expense. With our presence on the internet, Warren Jones has also been instrumental in establishing our e-mail network, so we can readily reach 50+ classmates via e-mail. And classmate, Crystal Stroud McCombs, has been a ''force to be reckoned with'', collecting classmates' biographical data and assimilating it into an entertaining bi-annual e-newsletter called, ''The Pride of '64'', that brings us up- to- date on what we've been doing with our lives since graduation. Although our official class reunions occur every 5 years, the desire to have more frequent fellowships resulted in smaller, ''mini-reunions'' occurring in various locations. The metro DC area classmates', ''Dudley Lunch Bunch'', hosted by Candace Bynum Currence, meets 2-3 times a year in local restaurants, renewing friendships and inspiring the ladies to become more involved in all the class' activities on a larger scale. A photo album chronicled the past 3 years of those ''mini-reunion'' luncheons in DC and VA. We have made great progress as a class, since 2004! Saturday morning, we had time to ''sleep-in'' before the afternoon class meeting, followed by a very informative ''Retirement Seminar'' presented by classmate, Clarence (C.O.) Williamson. But the ''centerpiece'' of the reunion was the formal banquet, Saturday night in Salon C. There was a steady crescendo of ''oohs and aahs'' as classmates arrived and took their seats at tables adorned with blue and gold floral centerpieces that incorporated their photos on plant pokes. Miniature gold banquet programs resting against the blue, shell-shaped napkins were provided for classmates' spouses or guests, while each classmate was given a deluxe, bound Banquet Booklet. In addition to the outline of the program, the Banquet Booklet included letters of welcome from the Honorable Yvonne Johnson, Mayor of Greensboro; the Honorable Alma Adams, of the NC House of Representatives and Governor Beverly Purdue. We were doubly honored to have Mayor Johnson address the attendees and make a presentation to Odessa Long, the Chairperson of the Reunion Committee and bestow a gift on James Person, the classmate with ''the most children''. Mayor Johnson, who was herself, a Dudley High graduate was also the sister- in- law to the late Jacqueline L. Johnson, a member of the Class of '64. The Banquet Program continued with the Invocation (Crystal Stroud McCombs), Memorial Tribute (Candace B. Currence), and a stirring presentation honoring our Veteran classmates by Hubert Haywood . ''Toni'' Clark Oliver commended the work of the Scholarship Committee, recognizing members in attendance, and expressing their gratitude to Mrs. Felita Newman, Dudley Counselor and our Scholarship selection coordinator. Mrs. Newman was accompanied by her daughter, Jessica , who is a 2009 recipient of a $1000 Class of '64 Scholarship. Robin Alexander, one of the class' ''legal eagles'', gave a flawlessly, refreshing and informative introduction of our guest speaker. She recalled the day in November when President Kennedy was assassinated, and the cool-headed, calmness that she witnessed as she drove her sick classmate, our guest speaker, home from school. This was the perfect preamble to Edwina Holley Lee's address, as she beautifully wove the parallel of our lives after graduation with the story line of Dr. Seuss', ''Oh The Places You'll Go''. This meandering tale of ''life's ups and downs'' surely touched everyone's heart, and stirred memories of their individual struggles, failures and triumphs. It's been said that, ''what won't kill you, makes you stronger'', and we have all had opportunities to test this theory, and found it to be quite true. The prayers of our parents, the encouragement and drilling of our committed teachers and mentors, our hard work, and God's grace, bear witness that we've come a long, long way by faith! Desiring to be the ''class that gives back'', Odessa B. Long presented many gifts to the classmates in different categories, including gifts of commemorative candy bars to the 5 classmates who have attended all 5 Class Reunions and to the 7 classmates for whom this was their first reunion. Following the singing of the Alma Mater, Miltrine Jenkins Barden gave the Benedictory prayer. A class photo session with Photographer, Otis Hairston, and dancing to the accompaniment of DJ, Donald Scales, rounded out a perfect evening! Our final day of activity began with our Sunday Class Worship Service at St. James Presbyterian Church. It was a wonderful time of praise, worship and fellowship with an added blessing of seeing several of our former teachers.
Dubbed ''Dudley T-shirt Day'' , ''dressing down'' was in order after
service, as we made our way
to Oka Hester Park for our final gathering.
Miltrine Jenkins Barden
offered a memorial prayer for our 59 deceased classmates and blue and
gold balloons were released in their honor. A sumptuous picnic followed,
with a Class Bingo Game, and Match Game, and more photos, conversations
and reminisces with Mr. Marvin Watkins, one of our favorite teachers.
Departing photos were snapped, hugs and kisses shared, and teary eyes
wiped as the event ended. It was a GRAND
So now, forty-five years later, we're here to reunite And tell those old stories with memories bright. We're still kids at heart, despite our grey hair, Bifocals and grandkids, and we still want to share Another
Hoping and praying, it won't be our last. See, we've now come full-circle, back to our roots, Where our lives intersected with gleeful hoots. We're renewing our love that budded, ''way back then'', And Lord willing, five years from now, we'll do it again! Dudley Class of '64
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