Central/Eastern Wayne alumni gather to see old friends
By Dennis Hill
Published in News on May 24, 2015 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Tonda Hooks, right, and other members of the Eastern Wayne High School Class of 1990 wave to onlookers during the reunion parade Saturday.
Graduates of Central High School and Eastern Wayne High gathered Saturday to see old friends and to celebrate their alma maters as alumni held their annual reunion this weekend.
"It's like a family reunion, basically," said Chandra Williams, who is a member of the Class of 1990. "We're family."
Marshall Jackson, the president of the alumni association, credited the late William Reinhardt, the only principal Central High ever had, with developing the school spirit that has lived on through the years.
"All year long we stay committed. It's the love we have for each other," said Robert Barnes. "It's the camaraderie, just the friends you have."
Annie Stokes is a member of the Class of 1973. She said the gathering was something all class members look forward to.
"It's just the thought of getting everybody together. It's just fun to do. To see the people who have come so far. It's a wonderful feeling. You get to see the changes in classmates. It's a great time."
James Lewis is a member of the Class of 1981. He said the success of the event, year after year, is due to the bonds that were developed when classmates were young.
"We know each year to mark it on our calendars," he said. "It's instilled in us. It's the bond. It's the love."
"You just want to be able to connect with fellow classmates again," said Darlene Batts of the Class of 1980. "It's all about coming out and having a good time with your fellow classmates."
Facebook and other social media enable classmates to stay in touch, several alumni said, but nothing beats seeing a friend face to face.
"We have connections. We're all close," said Nicole Barrett of the Class of 1990. "Social media keeps us in the know."
She said the younger classes are learning from the older ones how important it is to maintain ties.
"We're trying to pick up where our parents left off," she said.
Andre Johnson of the Class of 1979 came from Orlando, Fla., to be here for the festivities.
"We come back to fellowship," he said.
John Brown of Virginia Beach, Va., is a classmate of Johnson's. He said the reunion represents "family, memories, laughter, and good eating."
Another classmate, Gary Powell, came from Macon, Ga., to see his friends and to revel in the atmosphere.
"Eastern Wayne was a tight group of folks," he said.
David Simmons is vice president of the alumni association. He said the reason for the strength of the group is the inheritance from those who came before. This is the 43rd annual reunion, he pointed out.
It included the annual parade and a picnic afterward.
Thomas Parks of Raleigh is a member of the Class of 1990. He said it is important for younger classes to keep the spirit alive. That is done through raising money for scholarships, he said, as well as holding the annual reunions.
"We want to contribute something back," he said.
Saturday started early for Thomas Smith.
"I put the hog on around 2:30 (a.m.) so I can cook him slow so that he can be ready after the parade," said Smith, a 1973 graduate of Eastern Wayne High School. "I couldn't have started this morning when we set up (the tent) around 8:30 because it wouldn't be ready.
"We've got a hog and some beef briskets. We have chicken over there. We have got it going on."
They were serving up hot dogs and hamburgers as well.
Smith's timing was nearly spot on and by the time the parade ended, people were following the aroma of barbecued pork and chicken back to the area set up for the annual picnic.
Smith, who still lives across Central Height Road in the house where he grew up, said he always enjoys cooking.
Helping out was classmate Dagata Durham, who now lives in Smithfield.
"Everybody is like family," Durham said. 'We grew up together. Older members are the backbone who keep it together."
Smith has attended the event for the past 12 years.
"I drive for a living," he said. "I drive all over the country, and I make it my business to be here every year. You see so many people that you have not seen in years. Then you see people that you see every year. It is one place where you can assure yourself to reunite with friends and family."
Just a few tents down, Stanley Grant, Eastern Wayne Class of 1979, was helping cook chicken, pork, sausage, hamburgers and hot dogs
Grant, who, lives in Fayetteville, called 1979 the "best year."
"We beat Goldsboro High School that year," he said. "Make sure you put that in there, too."
Brown, who is retired from the Navy, said the camaraderie and chance to see classmates and friends is why he attends.
"A lot of us joined the military or went to college and left this area," he said. "So this gives us an opportunity to come back and see each other."