Tuesday, June 29, 2010 —
The West Badin Alumni Association, Inc. commemorated its 14th biennial school reunion June 25-27, with high attendance at the gathering’s events.
Established in the fall of 1983 after former students and alumni that attended West Badin School came up with the idea of having a reunion, the juncture’s intent and purpose remains to bring together the many persons who attended the school built for blacks, which opened in 1925 and closed in 1968 after integration.
“Since its inception, the association has strived to reach common goals,” said Alumni President Ernest Peoples, with those goals including fellowship among graduates, former students, faculty, staff and friends and to put forth effort to enhance the educational opportunities for students of fellow alumni or eligible youth in the community.
The highlight of the reunion was a banquet held Sunday afternoon in the Magnolia Room of Stanly Regional Medical Center’s Family and Education Center, with Jackie L. Burch serving as master of ceremonies.
A new addition to the event’s program included recognizing four honorees that have impacted the West Badin community and beyond.
Louis “Lou” Donaldson, a graduate of the school who went on to become one of the most popular bebop jazz artists of that era, still performs his signature tunes on alto saxophone around the world at the age of 83. Donaldson was not able to attend due to a previous engagement out of the country.
Ida Mae Edwards Stovall, also a graduate of the school, served the town of Badin as a member of its first elected town council that was elected in on Nov. 6, 1990, just two months after the town was incorporated. She was honored for her commitment to the civic, social and religious well being of the community and served for many years as president of the PTA at West Badin. She is a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Murlena Hampton Burch graduated from West Badin in 1941 and is a member of McDonald Chapel AME Zion Church. She served as a leader of the former West Badin 4H club and currently participates in events sponsored by the Senior Citizens club.
Pauline Baucom Bennett reared nine daughters with her late husband, Clyde, all of whom attended West Badin, with the 1955-56 academic year housing all of the siblings. She served the school as a grade mother and as a chaperone on many field trips. She serves the Cedar Grove AME Zion Church as a deaconess.
Reba B. Smith, who retired from Stanly County Schools after 30 years of service, was the recipient of the Anna Patterson Community Service Award, which is given to those that exemplify the life of service shown by Patterson.
The keynote speaker of the event Atlanta-based attorney Daniel R. Meachum, who is held in high esteem as one of the country’s premiere litigators. A native of Badin, Meachum attended West Badin School until integration came about and graduated from North Stanly High School in 1973. He then matriculated through North Carolina Central University, earning a bachelor’s in political science and a juris doctorate from the Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C.
During his speech, Meachum talked about his own personal journey from his life’s humble beginnings on Lincoln Street to his current position as the founder and chairman of Daniel R. Meachum and Associates, LLC that represents municipalities, universities, individuals, athletes, entertainers and others, with many cases catching national attention.
After his well received delivery, Frank Richardson presented the scholarships on behalf of the association.
Je’Waun Richardson and Brittney Bennett, both North Stanly High School graduates, received $1,000 awards to assist in furthering their education. Richardson will attend Western Carolina University in the fall to pursue Motion Picture/Film studies. Bennett will attend Louisburg College in the fall.
A surprise scholarship was also awarded by Meachum in honor of his parents, Wilson and Hattie Meachum. This $2,500 award was given to another North Stanly graduate, Brandin Bennett, who earned a 4.1 GPA at the completion of high school.
She will attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in the fall as a Teaching Fellow.
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