Grads fondly recall their all-black class of 1967

a wonderful education here, grew up in a segregated especially in English. We had school system, and went an English teacher named to a segregated college, but PALMETTO — The text- Pop Brown that made sure my first teaching job was at books might have been secthat we were developing — it an integrated school, and I ond-hand, but the educawas almost like he was teach- was amazed at how much tion was first-rate, say grads ing college in high school. As more I was advanced than of Lincoln Memorial High I went on to college, I really my co-workers, all from my School. learned the value of that. education in Manatee County

Members of the all-black “In high school I was sayat Lincoln Memorial High Lincoln Class of 1967, one ing, ‘Oh he’s so tough.’ But School,” Surrency said. of the last classes to pass those teachers really were One of the most notable through the school, gather concerned about us. They members of the class was this week for the 50th anniwanted to make sure that Ray Bellamy, who went on to versary of their graduation. we were learning something become the first black foot

They’ll remember the 42 that would take us into life,” ball player at the University classmates who have passed said Edwards, who became a of Miami. He also became on, and no-nonsense admin- teacher, and then a principal, Miami’s first black student istrators like Carlos Haile, before retiring as Manatee body president.

James Gant, James Tillman County’s first African-AmerAlex Bullock Jr. was drafted and Joseph Bivens, who ican assistant superinten- into the Army in 1968, and insisted on academic exceldent of schools. spent a hard combat tour in lence and who fought to give Joann Thomas Surrency Vietnam as an infantryman. them a fighting chance in life. also became a career eduAsked to reflect on his alma

“We had 131 graduates, cator. mater, Bullock said: “I just and I hate to say this, but “The teachers taught us, loved my classmates. I am a lot of them have gone to cared about us and made glad they were in my life. I the great beyond,” Betty sure that we were prepared feel truly blessed by that.” Lou Sailes Rhodes said. “We to go out into the world. I

a lovely memorial service planned for them.”

With the arrival of integration, Lincoln Memorial High School closed down after the 1969 school year then became a middle school.

Lynette Edwards came to Manatee County as a ninthgrader and enrolled at Lincoln.

“The embrace that I had from teachers and students made me feel real welcome here,” Edwards said. “I had