The George Washington Carver National Alumni Association experienced a successful celebration over the Fourth of July weekend.
The Carver Eagles came home from near and far to be a part of the fellowship with classmates, family and friends on the campus of Carver High School once more.
The celebration began July 1 as Caverites toured The Twin County Hall of Fame Museum to honor the school’s principal, Mr. Samuel Alexander Gilliam, a 2009 inductee. The tour was followed by a hospitality and business meeting at the Comfort Inn.

The celebration continued July 2 with the Carver Eagles Parade down Hamlet Street in Pinetops to S.A. Gilliam Street at G.W. Carver Elementary School. Scholarship recipients Nicole Waller and Jeffery Warrick carried the G.W. Carver Alumni Banner. Williams Grant was the Grand Marshall, representing the first graduating class of G.W. Carver High School in 1942.

National President Leah S. Vines was driven by her son, Travis, followed by the Tarboro High School Marching Band, which gave a brilliant performance. Local President James Collins, President of the Washington-Baltimore Chapter Mary Staton, Pinetops Mayor Vines Cobb, Edgecombe County Sheriff James Knight, Mayor Pro-Team the Rev. Florence Pender, Edgecombe County Board of Education member Evelyn Johnson and N.C. Black High School Alumni President Morris Roberson led a 65-entry parade. Classes from 1942-1971 and all extracurricular activities of Carver High School were represented in the parade.
Hats off to the Carver Alumni Band, they were few, but they stood tall and gave an excellent performance. The G.W. Carver Alumni Band Banner was carried by Kenneth Plemmer Jr. and Jamal Dickens, students of SouthWest Edgecombe High School. Deshaun Dixon and Elmer Dixon carried the G.W. Carver Elementary School Banner.

Alumni chapters, Phillips/Brick Alumni, Booker T. Washington Alumni, Frederick Douglas Alumni, Conetoe Alumni and North Edgecombe Alumni joined the parade. Rev. Walker and the Carver ministers and area churches Pines Chapel, Bynum Chapel, Crisp Chapel and Crusaders Mission of Washington D.C. all embraced the parade. Area businesses, fire department rescue squad, antique cars, motorcycle clubs participated. The parade dispersed on S.A. Gilliam Street.
Everyone gathered on the Carver campus underneath the big tent for the picnic. The Pines Chapel Male Chorus rendered the entertainment with a great gospel concert that was truly enjoyed.

On July 3, we attended the 11 a.m. church service at Pines Chapel Baptist Church in Pinetops. A sold-out S.A. Gilliam Scholarship Banquet and Dance was held later that day at the Gateway Center. The speaker was Dr. Margaret Telfair Lee of Emporia Va. Originally from Pinetops, Lee graduated from Carver High School in 1957. She was introduced by her daughter Kimberly Devon Lee.

Dr. Lee delivered a powerful speech as she spoke on the subject, “Celebrating Gifts of Love for Seventy Years.” She noted that the students of Carver received many gifts of love, perseverance, caring and knowledge – all coming in different forms. Mr. Gilliam, our principal, set standards and had high expectations for all his students. At the closing of her speech she addressed the scholarship recipients by offering them the gift of encouragement. She reminded them that they pocess a powerful tool, their mind – never limit what it can do for you. Keep God first in your life, prepare yourself for self sufficiency and don’t be afraid to step off the boat.

Dr. Lee presented the past six national presidents and current President Leah S. Vines, a beautiful eagle trophy. Soloist for the banquet was 14-year-old Tiffany Blossom, great-granddaughter of the late Juanita Moss Pitt, member of the first graduating class of G.W. Carver High School. She is the daughter of the Rev. Eugene and Tammye Blossom of Jessut, Md. She opened by singing the National Anthem and several beautiful selections during the banquet. Other entertainment was by “God’s Awesome Property Dance Ministry” from Divine Faith Baptist Church. George Chance and Gabriel Bynum performed to “Something About The Name Jesus.”
Classes from 1942 through 1971 were given recognition by Mary Hannon as they gave their class donations to the S.A. Gilliam Scholarship Find.

The class of 1967 surpassed their goal with the largest donation of $2,100. Each class contribution goal is $1,000 each annually to the scholarship fund. Thirteen college bound students were awarded S.A. Gilliam Scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each. One recipient received $200 in cash as she received a full scholarship from the college she will attend.

Everyone attending the banquet received our 70th anniversary journal as an anniversary gift from the National Alumni Association.
DJ Royal and “Off The Hook Records” provided music for the dance following the banquet as the celebration continued until midnight.

National President Leah S. Vines and the G.W. Carver Alumni thanks everyone for your support and attendance of all the 70th anniversary celebration events, making it a great success and one to be remembered.