BEARCAT PRIDE

Horace Mann High alumni gather to toast good ol' days

The Horace Mann Class of 1971 was the last to graduate from the former all-black high school, which had been the original school of six of the nine black students who integrated Central High School. Horace Mann was converted to a junior high as part of the Little Rock School District's integration efforts. "The city was in turmoil about the closing; we had protests and marches," recalled class member Deborah Springer Suttlar.

On Sept 17, 45 years after graduation, those classmates came together not to protest, but to celebrate ... via a banquet at the Hilton Garden Inn in North Little Rock. Celebrating with them were guests from the school's other classes as well as members of the Horace Mann Provisional Class of 1972 -- those who would have been graduates had it remained a high school for another year.

Dinner was served during a program for which Suttlar served as master of ceremonies. Howard Lloyd Sr., class president, welcomed attendees. The sense of camaraderie was evident in the expressions of Bearcat pride, banter, jokes and presentations that wove the legend of the Bearcats (the school's mascot) into folklore and even Scripture. The Rev. C. Dennis Edwards, pastor of St. John Baptist Church in Little Rock and also a Horace Mann graduate, delivered a keynote address that was every bit the fiery sermon. Also speaking were Jannie Banks Cotton, Miss Horace Mann 1971; reunion president Benjamin Johnson; Phyllis Cooper; Jacquelyn Robinson Bruce; Deborah Motley Bledsoe; and Mary Robinson Guinn.

Awards went to a number of individuals, including former teacher Maud Woods, whose reputation among students was nothing short of legendary; and track coach Roy Wade. The evening ended with the singing of the school's alma mater.

-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams

High Profile on 09/25/2016

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