Reginald Taylor, a 1957 graduate of Center High School, will speak to fellow alumni and guests Saturday, March 14 at the Center High School Historical Committee’s annual Museum Banquet.
The celebration of the school’s centennial anniversary of its opening begins at 6 p.m. at the Waycross Exchange Club, 2401 Knight Avenue. The 16th annual event is themed, “Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence.”
Center High opened in 1925 for the education of black students and operated until its final graduating class in 1969. The Center High School Museum, located in the Ware County Board of Education Building at 1301 Bailey Street, will be open from 10 a.m. to noon on banquet day.
Taylor, president of his class at Center and now a resident of Blackshear, will be introduced by his brother, Henry Waddell Taylor. He’s a member of the Class of 1961, which will be celebrating its 65th reunion at the event.
After graduation from Center, the speaker earned a Bachelor of Science in political science at Florida A&M and a Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling from Fort Valley State. He later gained an Administration and Supervision Certificate from Valdosta State.
A teacher, band and choral director , counselor and administrator, Taylor capped his 30-plus year career in public education as Principal at Ware Street Elementary in 1994. Taylor also served as an instructor at Ware County Prison with Brewton Parker College.
Taylor is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and 100 Black Men of Southeast Georgia. He’s also a member of Gaines Chapel AME Church.
Saturday’s event also will include numerous gifts and awards, presentation of several scholarships to graduating seniors who will attend college, and recognition to the school’s championship athletic teams, as well as band and choral groups.
The boys basketball team, coached by Clarence Fisher, achieved one of the goals, winning the Class A championship in the Georgia Interscholastic League.
The boys and girls track teams didn’t win any state championships, but the teams’ members won individual events and as part of relay teams.
The girls team saw three of stars were awarded scholarships to compete in college, track and field power Texas Southern among them.
The talented musicians and vocalists were created and directed by Clifford Buggs and Mrs. Johnnie Fluker.
The Center High Marching Band earned five superior ratings in 1965 at the band festival. The ratings were in musical performance, marching technique, creative ensemble cohesion and expression technique.
A collection of musically- accomplished students earned scholarships from many colleges and universities, like Fort Valley State, Albany State, Savannah State, Florida A&M, and Morris Brown College among them.
The chorus members’ vocal foundations came in the elementary school on Bailey Street, Hazzard Hill and Reidville elementary schools. Fluker taught the chorus members vocal skills that helped achieve many honors for the school and students.
The chorus earned superior honors in regional and state competitions.
Taylor
