While site visits for the Secondary School Study project have taken place at various locations and varied times throughout the years, this primary (first) research visit to Americus occurred during the 2007 Staley High School Reunion. Many individuals attended the reunion who, of course, were not enrolled in high school during the 1940s, the focus of this study. I wish I could have provided an occasion to interview all Staley alumni and to present all memories and reflections from this remarkable school. This page includes additional memories of the importance of Staley High School.

“Staley High School taught me to love myself. The teachers at Staley inspired me to become a teacher. I will always thank them because my success in life was based on the foundation laid at Staley.”
Tiny Seay Davis

 
“Staley is dear to me because I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to receive a high school education. I take pride in knowing that I had a chance to be one of the early graduates of Staley High School.”
Ernestine V. Moore

Ernestine V. Moore

sung to the tune, "Annie Lisle,"
an 1857 Boston ballad often used as an alma mater
melody by schools and colleges
(including Cornell University)

“While I was just there my senior year, I received the type of high school education that took me through college and on to graduate school. I recall the Staley graduation and how there was emphasis upon ‘the road, the load, the goad.’ This proved so meaningful to me because as I reflect upon my life’s journey with many curves, detours, and visual distractions (the road), I have been laden with multiple challenges to overcome (the load). Family, friends, and teachers have cheered me onward (the goad).”
Minnie D. Haynes

“Staley inspired the Class of 1942 to adopt the motto 'Take the world as you find it, but leave it better.' The motto inspired me throughout my life." N. Carolyn Thompson

“I was a member of the editorial staff of Staley’s first newspaper. My assignment was to design the logo for the paper. It was done free-hand during home room hour using the tiger head on the back of Alfonzo 'Bozo' Hart’s football jacket while sitting behind him. The printing block was prepared at the local Gammage Printing Shop.”
Morris Dozier, Sr.

“I have always thought that Staley High School would remain as it was. When it was burned the second time – the last time – fire bombs were placed under the stage in the auditorium. The sense of the school was lost with that bombing.”
Addie Rose Owens

Addie Rose Owens

“As a member of the class of 1952, I had not planned on staying for an extra year. But I am proud to have been part of the first graduating 12th grade at Staley High School.”
Charles Mathis

Charles Mathis

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