Each year hundreds of graduating seniors receive high school diplomas in Cecil County. However, in June 1964, when nine students at George Washington Carver School in Elkton stepped forward to receive degrees, it was a particularly historic moment for it marked the end of segregated high schools in Cecil County. At the commencement five boys and four girls walked proudly across the stage, receiving well-deserved diplomas from Principal Charles Caldwell. The final graduating class was made up of Edward Townley, Genevieve Jones, Bryant Wilson, Carolyn Clark, Robert Henson, Barbara Banks, William Calm, Dorothy Waters and Robert Owens. After all these years students at that school still glowingly recall experiences and some of the people who helped them meet the challenges.
While the old high school is long gone, 66-year-old Clifford Jones’ memories are as indelible as the ink on his diploma. For the class of 1960 graduate, there was the feeling of accomplishment at getting his diploma, but the friendships developed during those times in a tight-knit school are important too. “We did not have a football team, but we competed in track and basketball. Our team was in the regional playoffs, and we went to Hyattsville to play there. On the track we were good, and we got to compete in Chestertown and other places.” Despite being out of school for almost a half-century, Cliff remembers the teachers who influenced his life and the lessons they instilled in him. “Mrs. Bessicks, my first-grade teacher, I can never forget for she was a pillar in the community and her husband taught music. Mrs. Fitzgerald taught English. Our teachers were dedicated and set high standards. All of them lived right here in Elkton and we saw them in church on Sunday and wherever else we want. Mr. Caldwell, the principal, was fantastic but he was strict. If I got in trouble in school, he would spank me and then call my mommy.” Cliff went on to say that when he got home his mother, Margaret Coursey, would be waiting and he would get another spanking. He also recalled that Mr. Caldwell helped him get his first job at Merrey’s Candy Store at the corner of High Street and North Street.
Graduating in 1953 Fletcher White brought his yearbook to show us. He too echoes Cliff’s observations as we recently walked around the property, while the two men recalled many good times. Fletcher’s father built houses too and we had a chance to see some of his work as Fletcher recalled working on the school building.
It has been over 40 years since students filled the classrooms and wandered the halls of the Board of Education’s administrative offices on Booth Street (the former high school). Nonetheless, many pleasant memories of that quick, fleeting journey through the halls of George Washington Carver are still alive after the passage of decades. Life’s journey there brought many valuable experiences, lessons, and knowledge to young scholars, as well as life-long recollections and friendships. We enjoyed spending a pleasant couple of hours with Cliff and Fletcher as they shared memories from decades ago.
See Also
Undergraduate Thesis Examines the Desegregation of Public Schools in Cecil County, 1954-1965
The George Washington Carver Class of 1961
Notes
The information from this article is from an interview we did in 2007 with Clifford and Fletcher. Clifford passed away on Oct. 7, 2018. We always enjoyed our chats with Clifford over the years as we often talked about the past. He was an engaging storyteller, had many fascinating life experiences, and always had something interesting to share.
Thank you so much for sharing this story. Clifford Jones was my father and he was the most amazing man I ever met in my life filled with a sence of humor everyone loved.
David, it was our pleasure. We were sorry to find that your father had passed. He was a wonderful storyteller and we always enjoyed talking to Cliff about things in Cecil County. And, for sure anyone who met him liked him and yes his sense of humor was engaging. We remember once when he went on a fishing trip to Alaska he ran into a reporter for the daily newspaper up there, and that reporter wrote a piece about Clifford. He proudly displayed that in the shoe shop. Also, we remember your grandmother too, Margaret. A fine lady.