Parade starts day for Dillard-Goldsboro alumni
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 28, 2006 2:06 AM
Some showed up to cheer on their classmates. Others came to seek out high school friends and teachers. And a few, just wanted to be a part of the celebration.
Students, alumni and friends gathered Saturday on Center Street, as the Dillard/Golds-boro High Alumni Weekend kicked into high gear with the group's annual parade.
Wanda Pickett was there to support her classmates -- Goldsboro High School's Class of 1971. She couldn't join them in the parade because her T-shirt didn't arrive in time, but she felt like a part of the fun just the same.
"I thought it was real nice," she said. "Greeting people, people that I hadn't seen for years."
Others said the parade was just another part of a great weekend.
Louise Brown Johnson, Dillard Class of 1966, was enjoying every part of the weekend celebration. This year was special -- her 40th high school reunion.
"This is wonderful," she said. "I enjoy everything -- the parade, the picnics, a banquet tonight, and my class is having a junior-senior prom. We're just having a great time!"
Others didn't even attend Dillard or Goldsboro, but came out in support of friends and family who did.
Ray Broadhurst graduated from Carver High School but now lives in Goldsboro.
He came out, he said, "Just to see a lot of friends I haven't seen in a long time."
Gwyn and Napoleon Greenfield of Dudley attended the parade to see their daughter, Melissa -- Little Miss Continental.
"It's the first one I have been to, and I enjoyed it," Greenfield said.
"It was a nice day for it," his wife said before adding, "I think as much as (Dillard Alumni) does for education and the community, that there should be more community leaders here."
As the crowd broke up and the parade ended, Leisha Phillips herded her two children, Zsa-Vae, 12, and Zsaevon, 8, and their cousins -- Jewell Phillips, 10, Jade Phillips, 11, and Jeremiah Phillips, 8 -- to find cool drinks.
Ms. Phillips said her role had been to advise the children, who were all in the parade.
"I told them to wave and smile," she said.
She said she has been to previous parades but it was the first time she had walked in it.
Zsa'Vae, Jewell and Jade represented Love Branch 16 Gleaners. Jeremiah and Zsaevon were with the Jackie Robinson baseball league.
The youths all said they enjoyed being in the parade, but admitted it was hot and tiring.
By the day's end, many people said they had seized the chance for friends, families and alumni of all ages to come together in celebration of their long history -- even Dillard's last principal.
John Wooten walked Center Street with his wife, Ernestine. Mrs. Wooten said he had been a student and teacher at Dillard before serving as its principal until it closed.
"He enjoys it," she said. "And they enjoy seeing their old principal."