Williston alumni commemorate 40th anniversary of school’s closing

WILMINGTON — It has been forty years since Williston Senior High School, New Hanover County’s only African American high school, was desegreated and closed.

This weekend, graduates of all ages gathered to commerate their school. A gathering in front of the school Saturday afternoon gave people a chance to share stories and catch up. Thomas Nixon, class of 1954, said, “We will never forget this school. We love it, we still love it.” Nixon was in the first graduating class after the high school was built in 1953. “We enjoyed it, I’m proud of this school, proud of what it stands for,” he said.

Williston is in Nixon’s blood. His aunt, Hannah Nixon, class of 1933, may be the oldest living graduate. She said, “It opened the way for learning. You could advance because everything was taught there.”

A historic plaque was unveiled, which shares the school’s story. Harold Maultsby, class of 1960, had a story of his own to share after receiving a picture from the day he graduated from Williston Junior High. “I remember that day, this is really unbelievable. It brought tears to my eyes when it was given to me today,” he said. Looking at the picture, he remembered exactly what he wore on his graduation day. “I was dressed up in a brown suit, bow tie, and white buck skin shoes,” he said.

It was a day of sharing stories, snapping pictures, and remembering what Williston represented. Maultsby said, “Williston, it is, and truly will always be, the greatest school under the sun.”