Williston Senior High School alumni remember school desegregation

Truly the greatest school under the sun. I was in the class of 68 and can vividly recall all the good times attending Williston. Desegregation was a must but it was very sad how they went around the concerns of the African American community to accomplish it. My most memorable times.....in the classromm with "L.S.Williams, the greatest teacher under the sun. God Bless!

I graduated from Williston Senior High School in 1966, two years prior to it's closing. I was very saddened and angry to hear of the closing of Williston, the "Greatest School Under the Sun". The Black community knew nothing of the school's closing until the decision was made, thus giving no one the opportunity for rebuttal. Apparently, that was the plan of the Board of Education. Forty years later, I am still hurt that the officials responsible for the operation of the school system thought so little of the Williston students, parents, and community that they would not be decent enough to at least entertain any concerns from the folks that were most affected by such a decision. This one ACT OF DISRESPECT is the best example I can think of that identifies discrimination at it's best that was perpetrated upon the Black citizens by by the White power structure. There was nothing fair, ethical, or compassionate about this decision. It was full of bias, corruption, and bigotry. To my knowledge, since the closing of this great school, NOTHING has been done by the Board of Education that remotely resembles an apology, admission of wrong doing, or regret. I continue to be amazed that folks in power can and will do wrong without the least bit of conscience. The whole idea of being "in authority" is to allow your actions to reflect an undeniable concern for those that are entrusted to your leadership. Regardless of the era of gross discrimination that existed in Wilmington and across the South at that time, there is no reason this should have happened like it did. Most Black high schools across the State were closed in this same manner, yet hardly any White high schools closed. Whites basically said by their actions we'll give no notice, honor no appeals, and answer no questions - case closed! From the standpoint of historical significance and moral value, Williston High School was only third to the Black family and the Black church. Though the closing of Williston was the greatest travesty of the sixties, the shame of what happened then still lives on today because the black community has never had an opportunity for healing and closure. Since the issue of Williston's closing has never been addressed, I ask the Wilmington Board of Education do something now, at least to the point of a resolution admitting the closing procedure was not done fairly. Though nothing can reverse this awful experience of the sixties, considerations can and should be given to the reopening of Williston High School on the current grounds or in a new location. What about the name Williston being reserved as the name of the next new high school in Wilmington? Such reopening will speak volumns about the current Board of Education's willingness to allow the Spirit of Williston to thrive. Contrary to popular belief, the Spirit of Williston still lives mightily in the hearts of so many across America. Today, I still give honor to the school that made the most difference in my life. Imagine the power of a School Board's reconciliatory action that would allow the reopening of Williston High School. I humbly request that the Board of Education appoint a study commission composed of Board members, Williston alumni, local officials, and community persons to entertain the idea of reopening Williston High School. Allow the findings of this commission to made public via a report to the Board of Education. Unlike the era of the sixties, input should be solicited from all that choose to speak on this issue via (a) forum(s), especially those that were most affected by the tragic closing of Williston - the Black community. Forty years is a long time to do nothing. Now is the time to take action and at least open the dialogue and enthusiastically entertain the promise of a revived Williston. Why do this now?- because we have an opportunity to do what no other generation has done. To do nothing would be disgustingly repulsive and irresponsible.