Webster High School

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Webster High School was a school for African Americans in Louisiana during segregation.[1] It succeeded Webster Training School.[2]

History[edit]

Schooling for African Americans in Webster Parish was in churches until 1922 when Schools Superintendent E. S. Richardson helped organize funding for Webster Training School with Rosenwald Schools funding.[3] A wood frame building for the school was constructed on the eastern edge of town and it offered vocational training.[4] By 1932 Webster Training Institute had several buildings and expanded course offerings.[3]

The Webster Parish Library established in 1929 delivered books to local schools including Webster Training School.[5] A new school building was constructed for it in the 1950s.[5][6] In 1959 a study comparing student performance in typewriting classes at the school was published.[7] A 1962 document states construction of homes was taught at the school.[8]

Willie D. Moore attracted attention and drew comparison to Satchel Paige for his pitching prowess at Webster.[9]

A Freedom of Choice plan was implemented to allow token desegregating student transfers from 1965 to 1969.[10] After desegregation in 1974 the Webster High building was used for Webster Junior High School.[5]

Athletics[edit]

Webster competed in the Louisiana Interscholastic Athletic and Literary Organization (LIALO). Wolves were the school mascot. Ozias Johnson and then Lee Arthur Flentroy were successful coaches at the school.[11]

Legacy[edit]

The school's legacy and history were celebrated in 2022 with a ceremony and travelling display about the school and its successful alumni.[12]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Agan, John A. (January 19, 2015). Lost Minden. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781467113199 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Agan, John (August 28, 2000). Webster Parish. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781439627723 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b Agan, John A. (May 11, 2002). Minden: Perseverance and Pride. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738523880 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Agan, John A. (January 19, 2015). Lost Minden. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781467113199 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ a b c Agan, John (May 11, 2000). Webster Parish. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738506043 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ Agan, John A. (January 19, 2015). Lost Minden. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781439649251 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Gunn, Elizabeth Mardell (1959). "A Comparison of Student Performance in Two Classes Beginning Typewriting at Webster High School, Minden, Louisiana".
  8. ^ "Preparatory Trade and Industrial Training Programs in Public Schools: A Directory, 1961-62". U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Office of Education. May 11, 1962 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ Company, Johnson Publishing (April 25, 1963). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company – via Google Books.
  10. ^ Agan, John A. (May 11, 2002). Minden: Perseverance and Pride. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738523880 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ "Coach Lee Arthur Flentroy, Webster High School, Minden, LA". March 9, 2022.
  12. ^ Journal, PAIGE NASH-Webster Parish (July 11, 2022). "Legacy of Webster High School reclaimed". KTBS.