By Lynn JonesFormer students of Douglas Anderson held their 41st Grand Reunion to celebrate their years of friendship, support and scholastic achievement.
This year’s event celebrated the Class of 1959’s 60th anniversary and the class of 1969 celebrated their 50th anniversary. Hundreds attended the annual holiday event which included dinner, dancing, reflections and the awarding of scholarships to deserving students.
Scholarships are named after alumna Coach Nathanial Washington (Community Service Scholarship), Sadie Jeffers (Arts) and Myrtle Turner (Education). Recipient eligibility requires applicants be connected to a Douglass Anderson graduate prior to 1969 and acceptance in a four year university. Since 2010, the Alumni Association has awarded more than 22K in scholarships.
Serving the African-American population, the school opened in 1922 at the South Jacksonville Grammar School. In 1945, the school changed its name to Douglas Anderson School
Shown l-r is Kasango Butler mother of awardee, Wanda Brown Butler (Awardees Grandmother and D.A. Class of 62 graduate); Khya Nelson (FAMU Freshman and recipient Myrtle W. Turner Educational 1K Scholarship); Samuel Davis, Jr. (D.A. Class of 66 graduate and President of D.A. Alumni #107 Alumni Association Inc.) and Garry A. Merritt D.A. (Class of 68 graduate and Vice Chair of D.A. #107 Scholarship Committee), Alfredia Thompson Lyons (D.A. Class of 64 graduate, Chairman of D.A.#107 Alumni Scholarship Committee), and Hazel Brown Martin (D.A. Class of 60 Graduate).
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