SHSAA, Inc. - The Beginnings

THE INITIAL IDEA FOR THE SAMPSON HIGH SHCOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION came from a young and enterprising man, Dr. Jesse Williams.  This occurred when he was talking with some former classmates in the summer of 1971.  Jesse made the statement that it would be a wonderful thing, since Sampson High School had been phased out, if they could organize a Sampson Alumni High School Alumni Association and draw back home many of their friends and classmates who had taken their worthy places in the world. Jessie's idea lit the torch that beckoned alumni and all who attended Sampson High School to come home or come together to some designated place in America to fellowship, to share their successes, their failures, their aspirations, and their dreams.   This dream grew into the SHSAA, Inc. and helped its members to foster their identity as Clintonians, Sampsonians and to establish better conditions in education and the quality of life for future generations. Jesse’s conversation started surveys, buzz sessions and organizational meetings.

ANOTHER PERSON WHO WAS RELENTLESS in her efforts to organize our first reunion was Perdeithia Ezzell.  Among other things, sh e sent out the letters to the classmates in her and Jesse’s graduating class of 1969 regarding the Reunion.  Other involved classmates included Carolyn Tatum Butler, Alberta Williams Russell, and Ollen A. Dupree, Jr.  Letters went out to almost every state in the union where prospective alumnus lived, encouraging each person to participate. Finally, a time and place for the first reunion was established which was the Marriott Motel in Washington, D.C., on August 19, 1972. 

THE FIRST REUNION WAS A PHENOMENAL SUCCESS.  Alumnus from the four corners of America attended.  The fun and jubilation did not destroy their aims and seriousness of purpose.  The first reunion drew in excess of two hundred and fifty  alumni.  Dr. Jesse Williams, at this time, had grown to be respected as the Father of the organization and the membership unanimously voted him in as its first president.

LESLIE WILLIAMS, ANOTHER SAMPSON HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNUS, suggested that if an Alumni Association  was going to be established that a Scholarship Fund should be set up to help the children in Clinton be able to attend college.  Therefore, a scholarship fund was established and is one of the most important missions of our organization. The Sampson High School Alumni Association has grown to include 11 chapters, located all over the United States.

EACH CHAPTER'S MINIMUM REQUIREMENT to the organization is to abide by the by-laws set forth by the organization and to contribute a minimum of $1,000.00 annually to the National Chapter. Our organization is very proud of its aims and goals.  Our success in achieving our goals has been phenomenal and we look forward to the future as we work together to achieve greater things!