Efforts by a group of Alexander High School graduates andofficials to keep alive the legacy of Brookhaven’s one-time blackhigh school are moving forward.

The primary focus of the Alexander Legacy Committee is to recordthe history of Alexander High School, which existed from 1937 until1970.

“If not it will be lost,” said Jesse Buie, the committee’schairman.

Formed last year, the committee is pursuing both short-term andlong-term projects, Buie said. Those include a book that willinclude information on everyone who attended AHS and a documentarythat will take a closer look at some graduates who have excelled inlife.

The short-term goal is focusing on documentary aspects of theproject in conjunction with plans for a Hall of Honor.

“We plan to have that in July when we have our regular schoolreunion,” said Buie, who graduated from Alexander and later was itsprincipal from 1960 until 1970.

The Legacy Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday atAlexander Junior High School for its regular monthly meeting.Graduates and former students are encouraged to attend and bringpictures, articles and other memorabilia from Alexander’shistory.

Led by Patricia Dow, a search committee has been attempting tolocate AHS graduates and send them a survey about their time atAlexander and after. So far, Buie said, 65 responses have beenreceived.

“It’s been really interesting to hear from them and see whatsome of them have been doing,” Buie said.

The survey asks for information about graduates’ education,careers and accomplishments. Buie said an editing committee willreview survey information for inclusion in the AHS Book ofLegacy.

“The committee will pick out the important things from it,” Buiesaid.

Buie pointed out several AHS graduates who went on to playimportant roles in their chosen fields.

A 1953 graduate of AHS, Robert Pickett had a 42-year career ineducation, including serving as principal at Vicksburg High Schooland later as superintendent of the Vicksburg-Warren SchoolDistrict. With six years at the helm until his retirement in 2000,he was the longest-serving leader of the district, which was formedin 1988 after consolidation with the Warren County SchoolDistrict.

Buie also mentioned Gay Robinson Havard. Following her Alexanderdays, she has enjoyed a 34-year career in education and is nowassistant superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified SchoolDistrict.

In his survey response, John C. Berry, a 1944 AHS graduate andretired professor at the University of Southern Mississippi,expressed support for the Legacy project.

“I strongly agree with you that history not recorded is soonforgotten,” Berry said.

A number of Alexander graduates went on to pursue careers ineducation. Buie indicated that was, in part, a result of thetimes.

“Alexander existed entirely in a segregated system,” said Buie,mentioning the majority of job pursuits were teaching, preaching,brick yard work, sawmill activities and maintenance. “It waslimited as to what was available. …

“I’m glad now that’s not the case,” Buie continued, mentioninggraduates in real estate, insurance, politics and wide variety ofother fields.

Plans are also in the works for a Hall of Honor. A nominatingcommittee has been reviewing information.

Buie envisioned a formal induction ceremony that can be used togenerate funds for significant scholarships for students. Onescholarship would like to see would honor Beatrice Gills, whoinitiated the first AHS reunion in 1984.

Following initial search efforts, Buie said graduates will begiven additional opportunities to submit information. Eventually,the committee plans to have the information printed in hardbackform.

“It might take two or three years to get what we’re lookingfor,” Buie said.

Copies of the book will be placed in the public library andlocal school libraries, Buie said. He said the book will provideopportunities for children to learn about accomplishments andcontributions of black residents with local ties.

“There’s enough black history that our kids, and whites too,don’t know about,” Buie said.