Carter - Parramore High School CA 1959

The Carter-Parrramore High Alumni Scholarship Fund, Inc. (The Fund) has been established by several graduates of the school to solicit funds for scholarship support for selected college-bound graduates of Gadsden County High School, Havana, FL.  The founding group included graduates of two other Gadsden County High Schools.

 

Carter-Parramore Junior & Senior High school opened its doors in 1955 (ca-1955-1967) as the only such facility for African American youths in Gadsden County.  It replaced Stevens Elementary & High School (1929-1955) as the only high school facility for African Americans in the county.  In 1970, Carter-Parramore Junior & Senior High was converted to a solely junior high school.  Most, if not all, students who attended and graduated from Carter-Parramore strongly feel that it’s African American administrators and teachers were very supportive of and showed tremendous commitment to the students.  The teachers challenged, encouraged, and motivated students to apply themselves to the fullest. A frequent challenge of our Principal, Mr. Verdell Hamilton was: “Good, Better, Best. Never let it rest.  Not until your GOOD is BETTER, and your BETTER; BEST.”  Students were encouraged to achieve academically, be productive, stay in school, graduate and move on to college.  Students were also told to help others, and not allow their surroundings to determine “who you are or who you will become”. The mantra of the teaching core was: “Just become the best that YOU can be.”

 

As in today’s environment in the county, many students who graduated from Carter-Parramore were from families who could not afford to enroll their children in college.  Some of the graduates entered the Armed Services and continued their education following their tour of duty.  Many other graduates entered the labor market to assist in providing support for themselves and their siblings.  Some graduates, often with financial support, prospects of a student loan and/or part-time work entered college, received their degrees and embarked upon their chosen careers.

 

Many students who graduated from Carter-Parramore are now in retirement. They look back with fondness on their years of attendance at the “new school”, of the dedication and commitment of the teachers and of the efforts and commitments that were endured to graduate with a high school diploma.  They understand that today, as then, many of the students in the public schools of Gadsden county come from families with limited resources.  They, as a group of Carter-Parramore alumni, feel compelled to assist the next generation of high school graduates from the county and thus, are proud to promote the mission of the Carter-Parramore High Alumni Scholarship Fund, Inc. The Fund invites all retirees and, in addition, other individuals and businesses who wish to contribute, the opportunity to assist in the realization of the dreams and aspirations of the young community residents who will be high school graduates by contributing toward their college education.