Reunion presents the speaker Rev. Joel McCalister with a plaque and card.
By Delanda S. Johnson/Special to the HCN
On Friday and Saturday, July 14-15, the Malakoff Colored/Lincoln High School Reunion students from the 1940’s to 1968 came together for another class reunion. These students were in the times of segregation and all though many are deceased; there are still those students carrying the reunion on. With the help of the younger generation of students who only attend school for a short time and then it was integrated, Malakoff Colored/Lincoln High School Class Reunion was in full swing with events held at the Holiday Inn Express and the Athens Country Club in Athens, Texas.
Homer Ray Trimble, President of the MC/LHSR stated that the reunion had been going on for 33 years and that it was a way for the Classes of 1940-1957 which was then Malakoff Colored High School to come together, but the name was changed in 1957 to Lincoln High School due to a tornado. “Most of the people have passed away who were older then me, however, I graduated in 1959 and this is a great way for all to come together to remember the good old days. The reunion is held every two years, so the attendance goes up and down. One year we had 85 to attend and one other time we had 105 to attend; however, the past two years we have only had about 50 to attend; but today attendance was 65.”
High School Class Reunion.
Trimble stated that even if you only attended Lincoln for only one, two, or three years; you were encouraged to attend the class reunion. “I want to empower students who started off in segregation but end up graduating under integration never be ashamed of the school where you come from. You need to stay in school and get a good education; plus; attend your class reunions when it’s time. Encourage others to attend both reunions. You will see how each of your lives turned out since school,” said Trimble.
Saint Luke Sanders, a native of Malakoff, stated that he and his wife have been attending the reunion since it started in 1984. Mr. Sanders lives in Dallas, but enjoys coming home to see everyone. “The Malakoff Colored/Lincoln High School Reunion means to me a way to remember all of the trials that we had to go through. I’m a graduate of the Class of 1961 and I have a lot of good memories of MC/LHS. This is a way to see old friends and to remember those who have passed away,” said Sanders. Such beautiful memories are crafted from places which have gained success through immense hardships, and this school remains no exception. And propelling such schools are companies which keep a constant check on any shortcomings that the schools might be facing. Read some Heritage RESP reviews to understand their significance.
Ben Allen stated that he has also been apart of the MC/LHS since it started. “I’m a proud graduate of 1963. This reunion means to me that there is history yet to be told; a legacy that need to be kept alive so that the younger generation can grow. The growth and development/contribution that Lincoln play in that history of Malakoff. I learn more each time I attend this reunion from different people that I meet. For the younger generation who was not apart of this reunion, my advice would be for you to go ask questions to an older person who has lived through segregation; get to know your history; learn all that you can, and remember that racism will always be apart of life. You need to re-focuses yourself because racism is a part of our heritage, it is a part of our heritage, it will be a part of our heritage, but they need to develop a vision/future for themselves and education is a big part of that. Do not abuse your body, prepare your mine for the future, set your goals, keep focus. Again, I say, you will always have racism, but let nothing stop you from your vision,” said Allen.
Juanita Woody graduated in 1965; this was the last class to be segregated before integration. “I look forward to this reunion every two years and it bring back so many good memories of my youth. This reunion give me a reason to keep going and sharing with others classmates, friends, and family. As a member of the United States Military, I really did not have any racism toward me. I was sometimes the only female and that made me to work harder to prove myself; that I was just as good as my fellow male officers,” said Woody.
The evening concluded with a grand banquet with special guest speaker Rev. Joel McCalister. Rev. McCalister was born in Dallas to the parents of Joe and Carol McCalister. Joe McCalister grew up in Malakoff and was apart of the Malakoff Colored/Lincoln High School Reunion.
Rev. McCalister attended Health Magnet High School and is a graduate of Texas A&M University and a graduate of TCU where her received his Masters degree.
He is the former Pastor of Benson Memorial C. M. E. Church in Jacksonville, Tx., and is presently a member of Concord Baptist Church in Dallas, where he accompanied his church family the Holy Land. He presently serves as Regional Banking Project Manager for Wells Fargo Bank where his territory extends from Texas to California.
Rev. McCalister stated that even though he was a student of this era, he was honored to be all of those students who lived through segregation and lived to see integration. “There is a rich history that still lives with you and it need to be told. I can only remember the stories being told my father and my aunts of how they had to use books that did not have all the pages in them, struggling to learn from used books that were marked all over them, but knowing that the teachers they had made sure that each student received their education no matter what,” said Rev. McCalister.
with a door prize.
Rev. McCalister stated, “Malakoff Colored/Lincoln High School has produced doctors, lawyers, professional athletes, ministers, educators, etc., despite the hardships they went through. Each one of those students from MC/LHS has a vision of empowering their community; whether it’s Malakoff or the city where they live now. They did not let racism turn them from their goals. This must be a factor for all; to get a good education, have a vision, but most of all focus on GOD.”
Rev. McCalister wanted the younger students who attended the reunion to know that African Americans have lived through all types of struggles; to go from the outhouse to the White House; to know that even in 2017 racism still lives. He stated, “you must know your own rich history and never forget where you come from. Focus on getting a good education and let nothing stop you. Empower, encourage, and believe in yourself; never be ashamed of where you come from. Know that you can never keep a good man down and there is ROYALTY in your DNA. We must also recognized that our forefathers did not come here because they wanted to, but from slavery to freedom; we’re all destined for GREATNESS. God has brought from a time where we as a race of people were only allowed to enter from the back door and now here at the Athens Country Club; a place where I have never been before and I’m sure that at one time we could not ever get a job here; we are here celebrating the Malakoff Colored/Lincoln School Reunion; plus; if we wanted; we could become a member at the Athens Country Club.” “God Is Good.”
“In closing, we must help our young people stay focus on their goals. They must not become caught up in the prison system; thinking that they can make quick money from drugs, or even living off the government. They must excel higher that counter part; there are no free rides. They must have the same hope, commitment, passion, and the same determination that our forefathers had. Children of today must not think they can get everything on a silver platter, but have the foresight and drive to know their partial; to keep their visions and dreams alive and to overcome today prejudices. As someones once say, “KEEP HOPE ALIVE!! & YES WE CAN!!” said Rev. McCalister.