SUMNER HIGH SCHOOL SETS BIENNIAL REUNION

CAIRO, Ill. -- Activities are planned for graduates of Cairo's old Sumner High School and their families for the 13th biennial reunion scheduled Aug. 29-31.

Event treasurer Gloria Patton said the homecoming celebration is for graduates of Sumner High School, the segregated school attended by black students from 1921 to 1967, when the school consolidated with Cairo public schools.

"We always have 400 or 500 graduates and their families attend the reunion because it gives us a chance to get together and just reminisce about the past," Patton said. "We've got people coming from everywhere: from Washington, Florida, Texas and every state."

At each reunion, graduates come together for a picnic and church service, Patton said, and civic organizations and other groups sponsor "welcome home" activities specifically for reunion participants. A different church is chosen to hold the reunion church services, so that the entire community benefits from the reunion.

"We like to keep up with each other, and this gives us a chance to do that," Patton said. "A different graduate is invited to be the guest speaker at each reunion so we can continue to learn from each other and see how we've progressed over the years."

The Cavalier Club at 2511 Commercial Ave. is the center for reunion activity. On Aug. 29, reunion-goers can pick up their informational packets at the private club. On Aug. 30, a reunion picnic featuring barbecue and fried fish will be held at St. Mary's Park. Also that day, a reunion mass choir will perform a concert at 7;30 p.m. at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.

Reunion-goers will return to Mt. Moriah Aug. 31 at 1 p.m. to hear alumna Ernestine Johnson of Chicago speak, and from 5 to 9 the Cavalier Club will sponsor a dance.

"We try to do a lot of different things for the graduates and also their families," Patton said. "We'll have food, music, dancing and a lot of laughter to offer folks this year."