O.J. Thomas Alumni gather this weekend for reunion

O.J. Thomas High School Alumni gather this weekend for their 51st homecoming reunion.

A full slate of events and a special guest speaker are planned. Theme for this year’s reunion is “Once a Legacy is Revealed, Dreams Can Be Fulfilled: Together, We Can!”

Activities get under way on Friday, when a fun day for youth with games. food and prizes will be held from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the school, where there will also be tours and visitation.

The Memorial Service at 7 p.m. in Progressive Baptist Church will honor those graduates who have passed away in the  year since the last reunion. Special guest speaker for the service will be Hempstead mayor Michael S. Wolfe, Sr., who is also pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Hempstead. He is a graduate of Hempstead High School and Prairie View A&M University, where he earned a bachelor degree in political science and a master’s degree in counseling. He has been mayor of his hometown since 2004. In addition to the memorial program and speaker, there will be awards, the queen will be presented and alumni will hear an update on the scholarship program.

Following the memorial service, a social hour reception will be held, along with a young adult dance in the school band hall, both starting at 9 p.m. The OJT Class of 1966 will have a gathering at Bubba’s Place starting at 9:30 p.m.

The annual homecoming parade will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at the 12th Street Park. An awards presentation will follow.

To allow the parade to pass by as many houses as possible, from the 12th Street Park the route will include several side streets before ending at the school on Martin L. King Jr. Drive. Family and friends of alumni are encouraged to participate. The Cameron Fire Department and Police Department will have units in the parade as well as help with traffic control. 

The annual Bulldog Luncheon will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the school cafeteria with a membership meeting scheduled from 2 until 3:30 p.m.

A dance at 9 p.m. in the school gym will conclude the Saturday events.

On Sunday, an executive meeting will be held in the band hall.

Current O.J. Thomas Alumni officers include Virgie Hardeman, president; R.L. Canady, vice president; Velvia Williams-Jones, treasurer; Denise Pittman, secretary; Hattie Canady Steward, historian; Rogers D. Petty, business manager; and Rev. Ernest Taylor, Sr., chaplain.