Hey y’all!
Apologies if I’ve been remiss in my storytelling duties in recent days—I have been busy pickin’ out my dress and dancin’ shoes and visiting the beauty parlor for the upcomin’ banquet!! The Hubbard Alumni Association’s annual Hubbard Celebration is fast approachin’ (the third Saturday in April), and it is always a favorite in the community. I’m so lookin’ forward to seeing everyone—Hubbard alums travel from all over the country for this event, you know. It’s kinda like a big class reunion, ’cept it isn’t just one class that gets together, and everyone is welcome! The Hubbard Celebration commemorates the history and lastin’ legacies of the Hubbard family, school, and its former students. As such a significant part of Forsyth’s heritage, that’s a celebration we can all get behind.
The Hubbards truly had a monumental impact on the education of African Americans, and if you aren’t already familiar with their story, please do go read my other blog post, “The Hubbard Legacy”, and then come back here for more!
As some of you may know, last year the Hubbard Alumni Association celebrated its 40th anniversary. Well, I wanted to do somethin’ a little special for the occasion, so I reached out to several of my friends in that esteemed organization and asked them to share stories and memories from their school days! Here’s a little walk down memory lane for y’all:
Hattie Shannon Williams Malone, Class of 1959
I enrolled at Hubbard High School in September 1959 as a 10th grader. I entered the school with apprehension because I was a new student and I was from “the country” versus being from “town.”
Getting to school was a 14+-mile trek on the school bus. That was what differentiated “country” students from “town” students. (I lived in the Cabiness Community.)
My journey at Hubbard High School was a pleasant experience. I was an academically astute student. Classes were challenging and I was adept in proving my joy in meeting the challenges. Mrs. Ruth King Johnson and the Rev. Adolph Parsons were my favorite teachers. Mrs. Johnson was assigned to teach Business courses, i.e., Typing and Shorthand. How we learned to stroke those keys and identify those shorthand symbols! Rev. Parsons taught Social Studies, and he also taught us life skills. While Mrs. Johnson and Rev. Parsons were dedicated to teaching the subjects assigned them, both were also very concerned that we the students be cognizant of becoming responsible citizens. Mrs. Johnson and Rev. Parsons encouraged us to pursue education beyond Hubbard High School.
Our graduation program was scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 1959. My GPA ranked me number three in my class. I was overwhelmed with jubilance as I was designated to deliver an essay entitled “Grasping The Opportunities for Women in Business.” After graduation from Hubbard High School, I enrolled at Spelman College. I also attended Atlanta School of Business in Atlanta, Georgia. Hubbard High School taught me that my game was not limited.
Kenneth Gantt, 1972-1977
I am Kenneth Gantt, the last of nine children in my family and I started school the year integration began in Georgia. I went to elementary school at Hubbard from 1972 until 1977. My home was less than two miles from the school campus, and I was dropped at school and walked home from school. I have many wonderful memories of being at Hubbard Elementary School and the first one is of my wonderful second grade teacher, Mrs. Elanor Parsons who doted on me from the very first day of being in her class by giving me special treats and gifts and allowing me to take notes to Mrs. Nellie Dumas who was a sixth grade teacher, that gave me even more treats and gifts. I was known as the teacher’s pet for getting to walk from the second grade hall to the sixth grade hall at such an early age.
Another wonderful memory is one of going to the library and checking out book and being read to by our wonderful Librarian, Ms. Lovett. The library was always a fun place to read and watch movies on the projector. I remember that my first male teacher was Mr. James Thomas who taught science and math in fifth grade. I was a little afraid of him because the teachers would come to him to paddle the students with behavior problems.
My best year at Hubbard was my 6th grade year, as I had the most beautiful and wonderful teacher, Mrs. Dorothy Worthy. She was the absolute best teacher and extremely loving to me. I recently got to see her as she celebrated her 90th birthday this year. The gifts and wisdom she shared with me and other students are still with me today. My love for Hubbard Elementary will forever remain in my heart and mind.
Annie Ree Hansford Evans, 1956-1967
Throughout my time at Hubbard Elementary and High School, I still today have fond memories. I attended there for my eleven years of school. Moving from elementary halls to walking up the steps to high school hall was a challenge. It was scary at first, but later I grew to love it. Some of my favorite memories were playing basketball, being a cheerleader, and eating lunch with classmates and friends. My most memorable memory was dating my classmate and soulmate of 55 years, Larry C. Evans.
From elementary to high school, I always dreamed of becoming a teacher. The influence I garnered from Hubbard made me who I am today. Now I’m living my best life, traveling the world after teaching for nearly forty years. Today I hope I’ve influenced others how I was influenced at Hubbard Elementary and High School.
To finish things off, let’s tell the story of the football player that married the homecoming queen:
Kenny Walker
I played football for Hubbard High School as a sophomore and then for Mary Persons my senior year. When I was at Hubbard I was a fullback on the team and then a tight end when I played for Mary Persons. The year I played for Hubbard we had a game against Fort Valley High School that was held on Halloween and every time someone from Fort Valley would tackle a Hubbard player, they would shout “Trick or Treat!” which only made us play harder!
When I was a senior at Mary Persons, our very first game was against Westminster out of Atlanta. We managed to end the game in a tie, which was pretty amazing considering they won the state championship that season. Mary Persons did wind up in the playoffs that year but our stadium was too small and we wound up playing over in Upson County against Thomson High School. When halftime came around we were down 27-0 and when we all got into the locker room, Coach Dan Pitts was so upset with us that he told us all “Just get out!” The whole team was on the sideline listening to the band, feeling pretty down but the quarterback, Denzil Davis, was quick to reassure us that he thought we could win. We held onto the ball for the whole third quarter! And while we did lose 33-26, we sure made them work for it!
Last year I was honored as a Living Legend at St. James Baptist Church, having served as a Deacon for over 50 years and still going strong.
I met my wife, Rosemary Alexander Walker, when we were just kids at Kynette Park. She was playing softball. I was playing baseball. We just started talking and have been talking ever since. I escorted her to prom her senior year and this coming August we will celebrate 53 years of being happily married.
Rosemary Alexander Walker
My time at Hubbard Elementary and Hubbard High School holds a special place in my heart. It was more than just a school—it was a community that shaped who I became. I was actively involved in many activities, including serving as a majorette in the 8th grade, cheering in the 9th grade, and playing basketball during my early high school years. Those experiences helped build my confidence, discipline, and love for teamwork.
Everything began to change during my 10th-grade year in 1970, when the schools were integrated. I transitioned to Mary Persons High School, where I continued playing basketball in both my 10th and 12th grade years. While the opportunity to attend an integrated school was significant, it came with its challenges.
One of the most memorable moments during that time was the issue surrounding the prom. The school initially did not want to host an integrated prom. However, we were determined not to let that stop us. We came together, held meetings off campus, and worked as a group to make it happen. In the end, we hosted our own integrated prom at the Hilton in Macon (formerly known as the Crowne Plaza). That night was more than just a dance—it was a statement of unity, courage, and determination.
Despite the obstacles, there were also moments of great pride. I was honored to be named Miss Basketball at Mary Persons, recognizing my dedication and performance on the court. Even more meaningful was being crowned Homecoming Queen in my senior year. To achieve that during a time of integration meant so much—it represented progress, acceptance, and the breaking of barriers.
All these experiences helped shape me into the leader I would later become. My involvement in sports and school activities grew into a passion for working with young people. I went on to coach various sports, including cheerleading, basketball, and flag football, pouring into the next generation just as others had poured into me. I later served as an Assistant Director for the Monroe County Recreation Department, continuing my commitment to youth development and community engagement.
That same foundation of leadership, resilience, and service ultimately led me into public service, where I served as a Forsyth City Councilwoman for 12 years. The lessons I learned as a student at Hubbard and during the integration of schools stayed with me—teaching me how to lead with courage, stand firm in the face of challenges, and always work for the betterment of my community.
Looking back, my journey from Hubbard to Mary Persons was filled with challenges, growth, and unforgettable achievements. It taught me resilience and the importance of standing up for what is right. I am proud of the role I played during such a pivotal time in history, and I will always cherish those experiences.
I hope y’all have enjoyed these stories from Hubbard!
‘Till Next Time,
Your Storyteller