SHS

From page 1 miles to school each day if need be, because this guy did it, and so can we.”

Taylor discussed carver being born as a slave, and being traded back onto his plantation for a horse. He also discussed Carver walking eight miles to school as a child, and later being the first black student at Iowa State Agricultural College (now Iowa State University). Carver was later recruited by Booker T. Washington for his Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Carver Taught at Tuskegee for almost 50 years.

“He went as far as he could at the University of Iowa, and then got a letter from a guy named Booker T. Washington,” Taylor said. “Part of Booker T. Washington's life was, he was president of Tuskegee University. He told him ‘listen if you want fame, money and fortune, don't come here, but if you want to work at the service of mankind, here is where you need to be,' so he became one of the most successful educators at Tuskegee, and he was able to influence thousands of students in the fields of art, science, medicine.”

The school also honored nine black alumni, and alumni of former Oktibbeha County high schools. Honorees included: model and businesswoman Narissa Bradford, retired State Representative Tyrone Ellis, retired NFL player and Blue 22 Owner Donald Lee, Police Chief Frank Nichols, Vice Mayor and Ward 6 Alderman Roy A' Perkins, retired educator Walter Conley, WCBI anchor Aundrea Self Nichols, retired NBA player Travis Outlaw and Charles “Lala” Evans, Starkville's first black mailman.

“I'm probably the oldest person in this building,” Evans said. “It's been a long and winding road, but also it's been a beautiful road. It's all about love.”