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The initial idea for the Sampson High
School 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. |
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Another
person who was relentless in her efforts to organize our
first reunion was Perdeithia Ezzell. Among other
things, she 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. |
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The purposes of the organization were, and still are, to: 1.
Establish and maintain continuous and periodic fellowship and
association among Sampson High School graduates and friends;
2.
Establish and administer a scholarship fund for needy and worthy
youth in Clinton and or Sampson County or decedents of Sampson
High school Alumni Associated members;
3.
Promote allegiance, and support fidelity among all Sampson High
school graduates and associates;
4. Unite
Sampson High School graduates in worthwhile endeavors to help
themselves and others; and;
5.
Organize and implement various worthwhile community projects to
help the needy and underprivileged. |
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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. |
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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!
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Originally written
by Alphonza H. Williamson, Sr.;enhanced by Etta R. Williams,
8/4/2006.
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