Published Monday, April 21, 2008 8:22 PM
Updated Monday, April 21, 2008 8:24 PM

 

A Past to Remember…

St. Stephen Colored High School marker unveiled


The dedication and unveiling of the St. Stephen Colored High School historical marker took place April 5, as a special ceremony was held on the former school grounds at 1051 Russellville Road in St. Stephen.  

Former graduates and colleagues of the St. Stephen Colored High School gathered with friends, families, and numerous citizens to witness the historic unveiling.

The school began as Rosenwald School in 1920 with Minnie Price serving as the first principal. She was responsible, as far as information is available, for the beginning of this institution.  

This was the first public African American school in St. Stephen, and was built in 1924-25.  The land for the school was donated by a native of the community, Amos Howard.  

In the beginning, the small wooden framed building consisted of grades one through 10. In 1935, the wooden framed structure was destroyed by fire, but was soon rebuilt and consisted of two brick buildings, an elementary and high school with grades one through ten, replacing the original school.  During the school year 1936-37 the 11th grade was added.  In 1948-49, a grade 12 was added.

The following principals contributed to the growth and success of the school: Price, W. Long, Thomas W. Cooper Sr., B. T. Jones, John Brown, William H. Swinton, and Woodrow Z. Wilson Sr.  Teachers included Cecelia Croker, Addie Cooper, Alma Cooper, the Rev. F.H. Grant and Rosa Parks.

By the year 1950, The St. Stephen Colored High School administration had made the following improvements:  four additional Elementary classrooms, a nine-room brick high school building and the school’s library started, the teaching staff increased from 11 to 24, and the school’s standard was raised from a non-accredited to a state accredited high school.

As of 1950, the school was a member of the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.  

Woodrow Z. Wilson would be the last Principal of the St. Stephen Colored High School, which closed in 1954.  

Wilson wrote a quote in the first issue of The Lion, the high school’s annual, in 1950:  “Remember, you are the leaders of the future, think clearly, choose wisely and make tomorrow a better today.  You and only you can determine your success”.

The first issue of the Lion in 1950 was dedicated by; The Lion Staff, to one of the beloved retired faculty members, Ceceila F. Croker, who served faithfully and willingly for the years 1923-1949.  Her efforts and faithful service rendered to the school and contributed largely to the success and growth of the institution.  

The Lion staff included editor-in-chief Gladys Lefft, business manager Theo Myers, staff secretary Venezuela Burgess, sports editor Willie Gamble, class editor Crayton McElveen, staff reporter Vera Siggars, activity editor Bessie Mack, assistant editor Willie Cooper, art and picture editor Dorothy Myers and staff advisor Mrs. B. T. Wilson.

Some of the first students to graduate from the St. Stephen Colored High School were Carlton Boone, Alonzo McKnight, Joe McKnight, Geneva Davis Sanders, Calvin Gerald, Ruth White, Maggie W. Davis, Mary W. Dingle, Carrie Freeman, Anna Ladson, Walter Morant, John D. Boone, Nathan McGowan and Gussie Ranson.

The class of 1953 would be the last students to graduate from the St. Stephen Colored High School.  In 1954, a new high school was being built to accommodate all African American high school students, grades nine through 12.

The St. Stephen Colored Elementary and High School Marker Committee Members are David Addison, Ethel Butler Brown, Edward Butler, Naomi P. Gadsden, Queen P. Gamble, Willie G. Gamble, Vera Govan, Lillie Mae Johnson, Anna M. Ladson, Alma Middleton, Thomasena Sanders and Loretta Snipe.

The April 5 ceremony began with an introduction given by Anna M. Ladson, Class of 1937.  An invocation was given by the Rev. David Addison, Class of 1952, and a  welcome and purpose was delivered by Naomi P. Gadsden, Class of 1952.  

Special remarks were given by

St. Stephen Mayor Robert “Bobby” Hoffman made special remarks, followed by South Carolina Historical Program Coordinator Dr. Tracy Power.

Also making remarks were retired principal Leon Anderson (Class of 1946), retired teacher Dr. Leila Session; Elizabeth “Bettye” Shealy of Berkeley County Historical Society; Sen. Larry Grooms; and retired senator and former principal Dewitt Williams (Class of 1941).  

The Litany of Dedication was given by retired S.C. State professor Dr. Leo F. Twiggs (Class of 1952). The Unveiling of the Historic Marker by Ethel Butler Brown (Class of 1952) and Andrew Wilson (Class of 1952).  

This special ceremony of dedication and unveiling of the St. Stephen Colored High School historical marker came to a close with a beautiful benediction by the Rev. Edward Butler (Class of 1952).