Dunbar Alumni Reunion...a hit parade

Oakwood's Dunbar Alumni Reunion started off this weekend with a parade beginning at the Oakwood school on Holly Street and ending at the Dunbar school across town on Academy Hill. This was no rinky-dink, wanna-be parade. This was a genuine, honest to goodness parade. Adults and children alike lined the streets to watch this exciting moment in Oakwood history.

The Oakwood Volunteer Fire Department was out in full force working traffic duty in the smaller trucks while the big fire engine hosted the Mayor of Oakwood (Vicki Stroud) and members of the City Council, the School Board, and the VFD. Chief of Police Lewis Miller led the parade and school board member Terry Johnson joined him for the "ride along." A Legacy EMS ambulance followed the police and fire truck vehicles. OISD Superintendent Richard Scoggin and his wife, Kimberly (Oakwood's 1st grade teacher/ cheerleader sponsor), pulled a load of Panther spirit filled girls in their first official act as Oakwood's 2010-2011 cheerleaders. Leon County Judge Byron Ryder was among the officials spotted in the parade, as were Oakwood Municipal Judge Charles Kloesel, Oakwood Municipal Commissioner David Ferguson, Buffalo Municipal Judge Rondal Mullenax, City Councilwomen Bobbye Bullock and Dorothy Bell, and Leon County Sheriff, Jerry Wakefield. Butler's VFD First Responders joined in and so did the Leon County Resource Center. The community really came through for the Dunbar Alumni Association.

The community also had several really nice cars and trucks rolling through the parade, including a new Camaro, a Chrysler 300, 2010 Mr. OHS, Eric Ballard in his supped up Impala, and a bright yellow colored car sitting on "24s" that had all the young people whoopin' and hollerin'. (My husband said he thought it was either a Grand Marquis or a Crown Victoria. He also said if I had taken a picture of it from the rear, he could have told me for sure. For all you car guys out there...my bad.) Oakwood's 2010 Miss OHS, and recent graduate, Jocelyn Williams was there too. Coach Stephanie Lucio proudly displayed super athlete Felicia Wil- Williams' vast array of medals as they both rode in the back of a truck driven by Williams' proud mother.

Several churches got in on the fun. The Rocky Mt. Baptist Church took 1st place for their float and 3rd place for the Rocky Mt. Family float that portrayed the names of multiple generations of families. Andrew Chapel Baptist Church even had a band playing on their float. First Christian Church had a couple of the cutest little girls waving at the crowd.

As for the the Dunbar Alumni members, the classes of 1960, 1962 (along with Alumni President, Clara Page), 1963, 1965 (which won 2nd place for their float), and 1967 each had a float or vehicle in the parade.

Closing out the parade was a Dodge truck pulling a horse trailer followed by horses and their riders. This included little Madison Parker who is a special needs child that attends Oakwood Elementary. She is certainly a special child, and it showed as she proudly rode her pony right along with everyone else.

Once the parade had come to an end, people jumped in their vehicles and followed down to "the old school" where a huge breakfast was served, the float winners were announced, people mingled, music was played, BBQ was served, and a fun time was had by all. Later in the day there was an open house. For some it was the first time to see these hallowed halls. For others, it was a blast from the past. Whether it seemed like "ages ago" or "just yesterday", this reunion was full of walks down memory lane.

Louise Williams announced that this weekend was such a success that the Dunbar Alumni hope to make it an annual tradition, starting with the parade.