Walker County High School - Black and Gold Yearbook (Jasper, AL)

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Far Left: W.H.S. student Lisa Chapman leaves the Martin Luther King Celebration with a smile. Above: Steadily keeping the beat, marchers sing the old Negro spiritual, We Shall Overcome. Left: Reverend J. B. Vincent speaks words of in- spiration from the Walker County Courthouse. Student Life Martin Luther King Jr. 2.1

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Keeping The Dream Alive This year Walker County took part in showing gratitude for a man of honor, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights activist who fought for equality in the 1960 ' s. He believed through faith and nonviolence his Dream could become a reality. In the 80 ' s the Dream is still evolv- ing into a reality. The younger genera- tion of today has realized the value of friends, working together, and being an American. Dr. King ' s nonviolent movements established him as one of the great leaders in American history. A march was held in honor of him on his birthday January 9, 1987. This march was headed by the Walker Coun- ty Branch of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Col- ored People) and many students and teachers participated in this event which started at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church and ended at Saint James Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Marchers stopped at the Walker County Courthouse for a celebration of preaching, praying, and singing. Reverend Micahel Williams and Reverend J. B. Vincent spoke at this celebration and Mrs. Toni Williams sang Precious Lord, Dr. King ' s favorite song. This celebration had a positive impact throughout Walker County. A new tradi- tion has been started that we can look forward to every year. America ' s Black Movement exemplified for Equality has a great tradition of leadership that we can see in the life of the late Dr. Martin Luther King. Top: Clarence Dickerson and James Vandiver stand attentively while listening to the speakers. Bottom: The Front Row, L to R: Reverend Micaheal Williams, Mary Wright, Frankye Under- wood, Reverend J. B. Vincent, Shirley Ingram, and Dorothy Simon lead the marchers onward while displaying commemorative pictures of Dr. King. 22 Student Life Martin Luther King Jr.

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ii It all started one day in late August, 1986, when the new 1986-87 Walker High School student body gathered for the first time in the new theater. For many, it was just the beginning of another school year. But for 246 of the approximately 1200 students that gathered that day, it was the beginning of the end. On a day like the first day of school, it was easy to take for granted things like time and especially time with friends. For these 246 Seniors, there were nine months left. Nine months seemed like a long time until it was over. Before we knew it, it was Homecom- ing night, which marked the end of the football season. When the buzzer sounded at the end of the fourth quarter that night, words could not express what the football team was feeling. What they had hoped would never end had ended. During Christmas break, we were half way through the year. Exams were com- ing soon, but we still had the second semester so we felt secure. Graduation did not seem a threat to us. Spring break rolled around, and everyone was having too much fun to worry about the time that was left. And when we came back, in the middle of March, everyone was saying they were sick of school and ready to get out. Little did we know. Reality must have struck us when Senior Radical Day got here. That, along with Senior Hookey Day, was the tell-tale sign that the end was nearing. It was hard to believe how fast our years in school had passed. But, there was one thing we had learned during our senior year: It was not the end but a new beginning. Above Right: Little things like friendships are what make the Senior year so great. Senior Kelly West shows a friendly gesture to Senior Thomas Perrine. Right: Pep rallies make the world go around for Seniors. No one could ever forget times like these. Seniors l.-. ' ??A ' l. f:, 24 Student Life Seniors