2006 Reunion

On Saturday, April 29, 2006, 171 former students, teachers, coaches and friends of Ackerman School gathered at the Ty Cobb Complex for a time of renewing friendships and reconnecting with the current needs and goals of the School.

Alumni returned to the AHS campus from 8 different states; Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, California, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.The alumni member traveling the greatest distance was Gail Vanlandingham Lovell from California.

The class with the highest attendance this year was the class of 1956 with 18 members present. The classes of 1953 and 1961 tied for second place with each having 14 members present.

The eldest man was, of course, Banks Weaver from the class of 1928 who stood and announced that he was 97 years old. The eldest lady in attendance was Mrs. Louise Staples who is a graduate of the class of 1931.

Former students, teachers, coaches, administrators and friends were welcomed by AHS 1969 graduate and Reunion vice president Buddy Smith who also offered the invocation.

The Ackerman School Reunion group enjoyed a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by AHS junior Kerry Allen followed by a rousing presentation of the colors by the Color Guard from the Jr. Navy ROTC cadets of Neshoba Central High School at Philadelphia, Mississippi. Their instructor is Commander Rowell. We were directed in The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag by Zachary Chesnut, son of Master Chief James Timothy Chesnut, deceased, who led the program in its infancy, along with Commander Rowell. Tim was a 1979 graduate of Ackerman High School. Two young men of the cadet team wowed the audience with their presentation of twirling rifles. The Jr. Navy Cadets of Neshoba Central High School dedicated this program in loving memory of Timothy Chesnut.

Choctaw County Superintendent of Education Dr. Arlene Amos gave a state of education report from across the county and challenged all alumni to stay involved in the process of providing the very best education possible for Ackerman students. AHS Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Adam Dillinger gave an impressive report on the health of the athletic program at AHS. Ackerman Mayor Bruce Burney updated the group on things about town and kept his comments to less than usual because in his words, “it’s not an election year.”

We were all very pleased to have AHS class of 1966 graduate Raymond Mabus in attendance. The former Governor of Mississippi and U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia was recognized by Buddy Smith and invited to address the reunion group who gave him a warm reception.

Ruth Nowlin, our competent Ackerman School Reunion Secretary/ Treasurer, gave her 2006 financial report to the crowd. The 2006 Treasurer’s Report can be seen here. A total of $964.00 was received in donations at this year's reunion event. Two of these donations were given in memory of former graduates; Tim Chestnut and Dave Files.

Officers of the coming year were confirmed by the Reunion Group: Buddy Smith – President; Bruce Erwin – Vice President; and Ruth Nowlin – Secretary/Treasurer.

The Reunion Group elected three members to serve on the Executive Steering Committee: Marion Smith – 2007; Rhodena Lang – 2008; and Jack Bowie – 2009.

Ackerman School Reunion president Buddy Smith and the group acknowledged the outstanding backing of The Choctaw Plaindealer and The Choctaw Chronicle in support of the annual reunion event.

The next Ackerman School Reunion date of April 28, 2007 was announced as the crowd was wished God’s blessings until we meet again.

Teachers and Coaches in attendance:

Betty Sue Adams
Madelyn Wood
Everette Adams
Marjorie O'Bryant
Martha Stark
Mancel Fulce
Ty Cobb
Terry Stacy
Arlene Amos
Cheryl Stacy
Clara Williams

Roll call of class and number present:

1928 - Banks Weaver
1931 - Louise Staples
1932 - Ella Staples
1935 - Theopa Harrington
1938 - Bonnell Thomas
1939 - Herbert Blanton
1939 - J.C. Jones
1940 - Vivian Hannah
1943 - Jimmie Long
1944 - Maxie Bruce
1945 - Everette Adams
1945 - Betty Sue Adams
1946 - Hughbert Collier
1946 - Sarah Long
1946 - James McClure
1946 - Billy McClure
1946 - Mary McGee
1947 - Elaine Patterson
1947 - Joan Smith
1947 - Alvin Coleman
1947 - Louise Draper
1947 - Norma Shaw
1948 - Louise Ellington
1948 - Roy Bruce
1948 - June Jackson
1948 - Loydelle McCarley
1948 - Marjorie O'Bryant
1948 - Marion Smith
1949 - William Barron
1949 - Charlie Hunt
1949 - Billy Power
1949 - Carlton "Bo" Reid
1949 - Della Thompson
1949 - Mary Lou Cooper
1949 - Hazel Hunt
1949 - James R. Keen
1950 - Roy Blanton
1950 - Elsie Todd
1950 - Charles "Smokey" Oswalt
1951 - Sharon McIntire
1951 - Ralph Bowie
1951 - Billy Orr
1951 - Stanley Phillips
1952 - James McCulloch
1953 - Jack Bowie
1953 - Geneva Guess
1953 - Sammie B. Oswalt
1953 - Kenneth Phillips
1953 - Glendal Reid
1953 - Jimmie Rogers
1953 - Fredna Dent
1953 - Billy Fulgham
1953 - Billy Garner
1953 - Annie Sue McAdams
1953 - Billy McDowell
1953 - Bobby Prewitt
1953 - Bobby Staples
1954 - Bobby Black
1954 - Ruth Nowlin
1954 - Kenneth Smith
1954 - Nan Sullivan
1954 - Curtis Guess
1954 - Janet Jacks
1954 - Bob McClure
1954 - Freida McIntire
1954 - Charlotte Moncrief
1954 - Hubert Stricklin
1955 - John Cockrell
1955 - Blanche Gammill
1955 - Reggie McClure
1955 - A.J. Montgomery
1956 - Pat Bowie
1956 - Betty Jo Davis
1956 - Hesley Dean
1956 - Wayne Eubanks
1956 - Eddie Lou Finger
1956 - Tracy Griffin
1956 - Kay Hamilton
1956 - George Hunt
1956 - Earl Pennington
1956 - Bobby Sullins
1956 - Joann Johnston
1956 - Martha Oswalt
1956 - Rudolph Oswalt
1956 - Martha Stark
1957 - Mancel Fulce
1957 - Ina Graff
1957 - Sylvia Moreland
1957 - Ruth Black
1957 - Marjorie Hunt
1957 - Dan Wise
1958 - Donna Sexton
1958 - Jack Bowman
1958 - Martha C. Phillips
1959 - Charlotte Reid
1959 - Brenda Wise
1960 - Jerry Guess
1960 - Walker Wood
1960 - Gene McClure
1961 - Estoyle Bowman
1961 - Faye Holloway
1961 - Ann McCool
1961 - Charlie B. Ray
1961 - Shirley Ray
1961 - Martha Alford
1961 - Leonard Blanton
1961 - Rhodena Lang
1961 - Ben Tharp
1961 - Linda Tharp
1961 - Betty Steiner
1961 - Charlotte Taylor
1961 - Barbara Young
1962 - Ty Cobb
1962 - Bruce Erwin
1964 - Hazel Garrett
1966 - Gail Henderson
1966 - Mary Paula MacDonald
1966 - Kay Taylor
1966 - Jerry Black
1966 - Ralph Henderson
1966 - Perry King
1966 - Pam Miller
1966 - Terry Stacy
1966 - Glennis Wood
1966 - Ray Mabus
1967 - Joyce Vaughn
1969 - Buddy Smith
1970 - Herman Morris
1971 - Carolyn Hood
1971 - Nicky Keeton
1971 - Hugh Weaver
Donald Bruce
Jeanette Files
James Finger
Margie Frebig
Johnny Hall
Wayne Hightower
Willie Hightower
David Holloway
Gail Lovell
Bobby Miller
Cheryl Stacy
Tom Staples
David Weaver