Video: B.F. Ford School Hosts Reunion

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NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WCBI) — As this year’s high school graduates celebrate their future, some former graduates are celebrating their past.

High school students today learn about school segregation in their history classes but former students of the B.F. Ford School in New Albany lived through it.

Ford School served only black students from 1957 through 1968. Today, these students are celebrating more than a class reunion.

“It keeps our history going. It keeps everything we remember and those things that keep us motivated us to be part of the community,” says Larry Dykes.

1964’s class President, Ruth Knox, says she returns each year in hopes to continue the unity and the friendships she built 50 years ago.

“It’s refreshing to see as many of these old people that I know and love,” says Ruth Knox.

Even though it would be five more years before Mississippi schools would become integrated, Knox knew Martin Luther King Junior’s dream would come true.

“I knew a change was going to come but I didn’t know when. It had already started in Little Rock, Arkansas and Alabama and at Ole Miss…James Mereidith, It was only a matter of time before it would branch out,” says Knox.

Larry Dykes who graduated in 1965, left Ford School and went to college in hopes to return to share his life lessons.

“My goal was to try to get me an education and get me a job and come back to New Albany and put back into the community what I got out of the community,” says Dykes.

As these graduates enjoy their time together, they want their yearly celebration to serve as a reminder for future generations.

“We left them a foundation that try and build on and not only do we want to see this but we expect them to do bigger and better,” says Knox.

“We’re hoping that we can come together like this and inviting everybody to come that people will sit down, socialize and get to know each other,” says Dykes.

The years may come and go, but graduates from Ford School only hope their legacy will carry on throughout the community.

A special banquet was hosted Saturday night as a part of the reunion.