As a local school prepares to close its doors, longtime residents are reflecting on the impact the facility has had on the community for nearly 100 years.

  Henry County Middle School hosted “Crossing Over – the Legacy Continues: A Night of Recollection” on March 28. The event celebrated the school’s previous incarnations – complete with photographs from its time as Henry County Middle School, Henry County Junior/Senior High School, Henry County Training School, and Westside High School.

  The impending closure will precede the opening of the new McDonough Middle School in August.

  Assistant Principal Lawrence Gwin said the occasion was designed, in part, as a way to remember the school’s history through its various incarnations.

  “One of the mistakes we make in history is to forget history,” he said. “Our school is unique in that it started out as a segregated school. It had a mission for the uplifting of African-Americans, and a lot of great people came through these doors.

  “But then, a wonderful thing happened,” continued Gwin. “In 1971, it became integrated. As a result of that experiment, even greater achievements took place, because it gave us an opportunity to recognize that pushing forward together, we can do better things, and more things, and greater things.”

  Gwin, originally from Savannah, has worked at Henry County Middle for the last 10 years. Although he is not a native of Henry County, he said he has been impressed, during that time, by the “reverence” that people in the community have had for the school.

  “It got to a point where I would meet so many people that came through Henry County Middle School – black and white – and all of them had nothing but wonderful memories of this place,” said Gwin. “So, one of my goals was to bring everybody together to celebrate the collective history.”

  Dozens of former students and teachers gathered at the school to share memories and to celebrate the school’s legacy. One of them, Alton Head of McDonough, recalled that he started first grade at the school – prior to integration -and remained there until graduating high school.

  “Not only that, but my daddy helped build this school,” Head told those in attendance. “We came from the cotton fields to be here.”

  Head said students, at that time, were “determined” to get an education so they could improve their chances for a better life.

  Idahlia Johnson taught kindergarten at the school from 1954-72, and returned for the Night of Recollection. With a beaming smile, Johnson remarked on the significance of the occasion. 

  “It just means so much,” she said. “It’s just a joy to know that I can come back these many years, and I still see some people that I had in kindergarten, and they remember me.”

  The evening’s keynote speaker, the Rev. Dr. E.W. Lee, came to the school in fourth grade – long before becoming the pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in McDonough. Lee, who graduated from the school in 1962, said it has helped to shape the person he is today.

  “This is my home,” said Lee. “This is where I learned, probably, everything that I know … It’s part of our life and part of our heart, and it’s part of everything that I continue to do here in the McDonough community.”

  In reflecting on the school’s history, Lee challenged the audience to remember the lessons of the past, and to maintain high expectations for the future.

  Jo Vann, principal secretary at Henry County Middle School, helped to get the word out to area residents about Night of Recollection. She said she is grateful for the public’s involvement in helping the school to succeed over the years.

  “This is a great community,” said Vann. “These people in the community, they have done so many things to help us. They’re so eager to just step in. We’re going to miss them when we leave, even though they’ll still be part of our school.”

  Gwin added that he is looking forward to the next event honoring the legacy of Henry County Middle School – a Concert for the Ages, scheduled for April 25.   “We are trying to let this community know that though we’ve become McDonough Middle, we’re not forgetting the legacy,” said Gwin. “We’re not forgetting all the achievements and all the strivings that people have done before, because it was significant. Some of it was hard, but it’s a part of our collective history. It’s a part of the collective history of Henry County. I want to celebrate that, and I will continue to celebrate that with as many people who will join me.”