Anniversary Celebration Anniversary Celebration Anniversary Celebration Cameron High Alumni Association, Inc. Cameron High Alumni Association, Inc. Cameron High Alumni Association, Inc. Saturday, November 24, 2012 The Music City Sheraton Hotel 777 McGavock Pike Nashville, Tennessee
Program brochure for the 27th Annual Cameron High Alumni Association, Inc. Blue and Gold Weekend, Nashville, TN
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To see President Barack Obama be re-elected for a second term was one of the most gratifying mo-
ments that I have had in my life. A surge of joy and optimism overwhelmed me as I recalled all of
the abuse and disrespect this President had to endure in the last four years. No other President
that I know of in my life time had to exist in this type of climate. Yet he stood tall, faced adversity
and continued to stay focused. No doubt he will go down in history as one of the great leaders this
country has ever known.
When we think of the Cameron High Alumni legacy, we think of something that has been handed
down. So, we ask ourselves, what has been handed down over the years that has molded us into
the person that we are now? It had to start with our parents whose values we first experienced.
For most of us those genuine values were continued and fostered through our teachers. During my
generation our teachers were most important, because that’s when life and its opportunities began
to open up to us. Our teachers were our parents away from home. They were highly respected and
our parents demanded that we respect them.
“Seeds,” were sown in our minds that we could be whatever we wanted to be through honesty,
integrity and hard work. And most of all, a feeling that we were somebody, just as gifted and tal-
ented as anyone else prevailed in the classroom. A section in our yearbooks always contained pag-
es asking us what we wanted to be in life. As I look back, many of those aspirations and dreams
were manifested in us and came true.
So, on this weekend we celebrate two of those faculty members that had a profound effect on our
lives while at Cameron, Miss Ola Hudson and Mr. Leonard Morton. We thank you so very much.
The Cameron High Alumni Association is “Alive and Well.” Our legacy of planting “financial seeds”
into the lives of young graduates will continue with much enthusiasm!
I accept the Presidency of this Alumni Association with much humility. It is a great organization
with a great mission. I’ve seen how hard you have worked within this or-
ganization. I am aware of your individual contributions whether in financ-
es, labor or participation. For that we say “Thanks.” I am encouraged.
Adversity will come and go, but with your determination and will, the Cam-
eron High Alumni Association will flourish! Let us continue to move
“Forward.” There is a piece of us in all of us! That’s why we’re FAMILY!
We have a “BIG VISION” for the Cameron High Alumni Association. We’re
fired up, Ready to go!
November 24, 2012
George McLaurine, President
CAMERON HIGH ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC.
1914 - 1988
Oscar Robert Jackson, Sr.
O scar Robert Jackson, Jr. was one of a kind. Oscar Robert Jackson,
Sr., born on August 8, 1914, Nashville, Tennessee, was the fourth
of five children of the late William and Lizzie Payton Jackson.
The curtain fell on his earthly life on Sunday, May 8, 1988, at
Meharry-Hubbard Hospital, after an extended illness.
He was educated in the public schools of Nashville, Tennessee, graduating
from Pearl High School in 1931. His educational goals and objectives were
attained through his studies at Tennessee State University where he received
the B. S. Degree; North Carolina Central University, M. S. Degree; Yale
University, Certificate of Alcohol Studies; Mammouth College, Diploma in
Reading; and Post-Graduate work, Fisk University.
After graduating from college, he served as Dean of Men at Natchez College
and Tougaloo College in Mississippi. In 1950, he returned to Nashville to teach for a year at Washington
Junior High School. He served as Principal of Carter-Lawrence Elementary School from 1951 until the
spring of 1958.
In the fall of 1958, Mr. Jackson became Principal of Cameron High School, which is the location now
for Cameron Middle School. He served as Principal of Cameron until suffering a heart attack in 1970.
He retired from Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools on April 23, 1971.
He was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, member of the Vestry, member of the Choir, and
was a Lay Reader for seventeen years. Mr. Jackson was a charter member of Bordeaux North YMCA;
served on the Board of Directors of the Nashville Urban League and South Street Center; member of the
Board of Commissioners, Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency; member of the Board, Grace
M. Eaton Day Home; Life Member of the National Education Association, National Association of Sec-
ondary School Principals, Tennessee Retired Teachers Association, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; member
of NAACP, the Alumni Association of Tennessee State University, Phi Delta Kappa (George Peabody
College Chapter), 33rd Degree Mason, and Frontiers International..
The death of Mr. Jackson ended a chapter in the history of education where he left his imprint on the
lives of many students. He was a legend; he possessed the drive, the energy, the courage, the determina-
tion, the almighty will, and the Grace of God which characterized him as having marks of an educated
man.
He was a man for all seasons. He was a “tough boss” who could be abrasive, but one knew he was a
teacher with a mission. Mr. Jackson was king of all he surveyed and no one seemed to have ever doubt-
ed it. Mr. Jackson, as has been noted, was a legend in education — and legends tend to live on in the
minds of those who remember. He has now passed the torch to a new generation.
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CAMERON HIGH ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION
The Cameron High Alumni Association was created on the second Friday of June, 1986 at the Hilton Airport Inn
after the former Cameron High School Faculty Luncheon (now the Annual Fellowship Luncheon). A group of
former students began to discuss how they could perpetuate the memory of Cameron High School and of our be-
loved principal, O. R. Jackson. This founding group was comprised of Harry Beamon, Jeanette Brown, Claude
Cartwright, Julius Darden, John L. Fair, Eula Hendricks, Patria Haley-Howard, Josephine S. Jackson, Ronnie John-
son, Ronald Myles, Kenneth Southall, Charleene Spencer, Jimmy Wallace, Charles Watkins, and Evelyn Watson.
This core group formed the Cameron High Alumni Association with the purpose of creating a scholarship fund for
descendants of Cameron High School alumni. The first elected officers in 1986 were Patria Haley-Howard, presi-
dent; Harry Beamon, first vice president; Jewell Betty, second vice president; Rollie McAdoo, third vice president;
Ronald Myles, treasurer; Claude Cartwright, Barbara Snell, and Bill Taylor, assistant treasurers; Ethel Rucker,
recording secretary; Josephine Jackson and Kenneth Southall, assistant secretaries; Tonya Matlock, Evelyn Wat-
son, and Barbara Willams, corresponding secretaries; Eddie Frierson, chaplain; Charles Watkins, assistant chap-
lain; Ronnie Johnson, parliamentarian; and Charleene Spencer, historian.
The association’s first official meeting site was the conference room in Gentry Center on the campus of Tennessee
State University. It is here that the groundwork was laid to establish what has become a vital and successful alum-
ni association. The group’s first mission was to establish fund-raising activities to build the scholarship fund.
Thus was born the Blue and Gold Week-end. The festivities have historically occurred on the Friday, Saturday,
and Sunday after Thanksgiving. In its first year, activities included the Blue and Gold Banquet at the Sheraton
Music City Hotel, the Blue and Gold Ball at the National Guard Armory, and Sunday Worship Service at Mt. Ara-
rat Baptist Church. For some years the Birdland Revue extended the Blue and Gold Week-end, parading extraordi-
nary talent, old and new.
The Blue and Gold Ball has been the major fundraiser for the CHAA. For the first nine years, the ball was held at
the National Guard Armory or the Municipal Auditorium. For the next nine years, the ball was held at the Millen-
nium Maxwell House Hotel. In 2010, to lend an added air of elegance and to provide additional monies to the
scholarship fund, the dinner/dance site was the Music City Sheraton Hotel.
The following alumni have served as president of our organization: Patria Haley-Howard, 1986-89; Harry Bea-
mon, 1989-91; Claude Cartwright, 1991-93; Josephine S. Jackson, 1993-95; Tonya Chavers Frierson, 1995-97 and
again from 2004-06; Jalilah Haqq (Jewell Betty), 1997-2000; Eula Hendricks, 2000-04; Shirley Edmondson, 2006-
08; Charles E. Watkins, 2008-2012; and George McLaurine, the current president.
The organization has taken on, or has been a part of, many activities in its twenty-six-year history, including spear-
heading the naming of the Hull-Jackson Montessori School, and providing assistance to both the Hull-Jackson
Montessori School and to Cameron Middle School. The CHAA has sponsored a bus trip to Atlanta, GA and a
cruise to the Bahamas. In 2003, The CHAA donated a picture of Mr. H. A. Cameron and awarded a $1,000 schol-
arship to Cameron Middle School. This was the year that the association opened its Archives, or Alumni Room at
Cameron Middle School.
Continued on next page
This room has become a virtual treasury of rare Cameron High School memorabilia and is the current site of CHAA
meetings, both regular (second Tuesday of each month from September-June) and special. The Alumni Room also
hosts the Cameron football brotherhood that meets once a month.
In past years, the CHAA has hosted and directed a Gospel Extravaganza, bringing together local churches and choirs to
benefit Cameron Middle School. The Cameron singers, led by Mr. Leonard H. Morton, were another by-product of the
CHAA. This group formed an important nucleus of what is now the Pearl Cameron Community Choir, which, under
the continued direction of Mr. Morton, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2010. The CHAA is responsible for the desig-
nation of the Cameron facility as an historical monument and therefore part of the National Register; as such, it cannot
be destroyed.
More recently, CHAA military veterans participated in the Veterans’ Day Celebration at Cameron School (in the 2008-
09 academic year). The CHAA hosted its first annual Spring Fling in late May 2009 on the Cameron football field, and
will continue to hold this event in future years to benefit the scholarship fund. Also in 2009, the CHAA achieved non-
profit, tax exempt status, a long-sought accomplishment that will significantly reduce costs and increase revenue.
The Lifetime Membership list of the CHAA has reached almost 300 to date. The CHAA continues to actively seek
contributions of $100.00 from Cameron alumni and friends to increase the size and the force of this crucial group. The
CHAA Newslink, published four times a year, is distributed to all lifetime members. Our official website is
www.cameronalumni.net.
The CHAA has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships during its twenty-six years. The fund is named after O. R.
Jackson, who served as principal for most of the 15 years of Cameron High School’s existence (1957-1971). Our or-
ganizational focus is to provide educational/financial assistance to deserving young men and women, to foster fellow-
ship, unity, and, support among our membership, and to perpetuate goodwill among those we touch. We hold closely to
our hearts our motto, because the Cameron High School experience is precious and unique: “MANY IMITATE, BUT
NONE CAN DUPLICATE.”
Written by Harry Beamon, ’60
Updated by Gloria (Thomas) Pillow, ’65
Last update: 11/2012
Continued from p. 3
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The Cameron High Alumni Association, Inc.
Presents Our 27th Year Anniversary
Praise and Worship Service
Tabernacle M.B. Church
2214 12th Avenue, South
Friday, November 23, 2012 7 p.m.
Rev. Samuel Sims, Worship Leader
Selection The Tabernacle Mass Choir
Devotion
Scripture Rev. Larry J.T. Boyd
Prayer Rev. Morgan Branch
Selection The Tabernacle Mass Choir
Greetings Mary Watts-Keeble
Class of ’62 Tribute Rev. Freddie Dixon
Offering Cameron Ushers
Offertory Prayer Rev. Samuel Sims
Memorial Steve Burton
A & B Selection The Tabernacle Mass Choir
Introduction of Speaker Linda Petway (Mother)
Solo Joyce Caudle
Sermon Rev. Leon Corder, Jr., Pastor
Swift Tabernacle Baptist Church
Invitation to Discipleship Rev. Corder
Remarks George McLaurine, President, CHAA
Benediction Rev. Corder
The Praise and Worship Committee and the CHAA extend our deepest appreciation to the Tabernacle Church Family for the use of their Sanctuary and the support of the members, Rev. Leon Corder, Jr, our many friends, and all of the program participants.
Thank you, The Committee
Almedia Blackman, Eula Hendricks, and Shirley Johnson
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O la G. Hudson, CFCS, is a native Nashvillian who was reared along with her eight siblings by devoted Christian parents, the late Benja-min F. and Rachel Tarrant Hudson. A product of the public schools, she graduated from Pearl High School and received both BS and
MS degrees from A & I State College, now Tennessee State University. In 1987 she became a member of the first group certified by the American Home Eco-nomics Association, now known as the, American Association of Family and Con-sumer Sciences.
Her long and successful career included teacher of Home Economics at Frank-lin Training School in Franklin, and Cameron and East High Schools in Nashville, Tennessee; program assistant in the Human Relations Department; coordinator of Home Economics/Health Sciences Technology/Technology Preparation and interim director of Vocational, Adult and Community Education, Metropolitan Public Schools.
Among the innovative and highly successful programs she either initiated or coordinated were: (1) the first laboratory pre-school program to be held in coop-eration with a Metro Schools Child Development class. (2) a federally-funded program “A Night on the Town”, in which seniors from seven selected Metro high schools received an etiquette booklet , which she authored, and training prior to going out on the town as a homeroom group to a restaurant and entertainment of their choice.
Her forty-one year career continues to be a source of pride and satisfaction as she continually meets former students and their parents who cite incidents and evidence of the impact she had on their lives. Two examples of the esteem of former students and parents came when she was inducted into the Tennessee Teachers Hall of Fame upon the nomination of a former student and her parents; and the Ola G. Hudson Scholarship given by the Detroit Cameron High Alumni Associ-ation to a T S U student.
An active member of Spruce Street Baptist Church, she is former chairman of the Trustee Board. Currently, she is a member of the Board of Deacons; the Sanctuary Choir; the Spruce Street Community Development Corporation; and advi-sor to the Vareda Williams Missionary Circle. She also served as chairman of the Board of the Spruce Street Golden Manor, Inc. which facilitated the planning and construction of this 23 unit Senior Independent Living Apartment complex.
Other volunteer activities include: past president of the Metropolitan Nashville Retired Teachers Association; secretary, Board of Directors of the Metrocenter Teachers Apartment; member, Pearl-Cohn Teen Learning Center Board; past presi-dent, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; member and past chairman, TSU Agriculture and Home Economics Hall of Fame Commit-tee. In addition to these organized volunteer efforts, her greatest joy comes from the countless hours she spends while ministering to family members, friends, church and Sorority members as well as strangers who are sick, hungry, needy, bereaved or lonely. These and other volunteer efforts have lead to these recent honors: cited as a Local Visionary and in-cluded in the first edition of the book `A Wealth of Wisdom`, 2003, edited by Camille Cosby and Renee Poussaint and inau-guration of the Ola G. Hudson Volunteer Leadership Award,2005, to be given annually by the Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension Program; and induction into the TSU Agriculture and Home Economics Hall of Fame, 2006.
Former Cameron High School Faculty Member
In Grateful Appreciation Of
Miss Ola Hudson
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L eonard Hugh Morton, Sr., was born in Chicago, Illinois, where
he attended public schools. He served in the 118th Ground
Forces Band. He attended the Chicago Conservatory of Music
and Tennessee State University, where he received his B.S. and
M.S. in Music.
Morton was initiated into Alpha Theta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,
Inc., in 1949. He began teaching at Wilson County High School in Lebanon, TN.
While there, he was honored on “Leonard Morton Day.” Morton was Director
of Bands at Cameron High School in Nashville, TN, from 1961-1969. He served
on the Arranging Staff for the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands
from 1969-1998. In 1962, he organized the Leonard Morton Jazz Trio.
Morton was appointed as Supervisor of Music for Elementary Schools in the
Nashville Davidson County School District in 1969. In 1978, he was appointed
as Coordinator of Music Education, Nashville Davidson County School District,
and was the first African American to hold this position.
Morton was Director of Community Based Choir, the Cameron Singers, form 1978-2000. He was the founder and director
of the American Baptist College Male Chorus and The 30 Men of Clark, Clark Memorial United Methodist Church. Since
1975, Morton has worked with the Provincial Music Committee of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and has developed
Province Choruses to sing at Public Meetings and Closed Banquets. He has served as adjudicator for the Student of The
Year Pageant at both the National and Province levels and has conducted numerous “Songs of Kappa Alpha Psi” seminars
at C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conferences (with emphasis on the Kappa Alpha Psi Hymn) and MOIP Sessions. He has
received several Kappa awards for service, alumni achievement and lifetime achievement.
Although the list of recognitions, awards and honors Morton has received is quite lengthy, it includes the following:
Honorary Doctor of Music, 2007, A.P. Clay Christian Theological College, Kenner, Louisiana
Cameron High School Certificate of Appreciation, 2006; Advisors Recognition, 2005
Tennessee State University Alumni Association Plaque, C2006, Contributions to TSU and the Nashville Community
Pearl/Cameron Founders Award, 2006; and 2005, Establishment of the “Leonard Morton, Sr. Scholarship Fund”
Wilson County High School Alumni Plaque of Distinction, 2002, Lebanon, TN
Clark Church United Methodist Women, 2006, Certificate of Appreciation Program & Scholarship Coordinator
In Grateful Appreciation Of
Mr. Leonard Hugh Morton
Former Cameron High School Faculty Member
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Annual Cameron Alumni Brunch Program Cameron Gymnasium
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Welcome George E. McLaurine, President, CHAA
Introduction of Master of Ceremonies Rev. Morgan Branch
Master of Ceremonies Dr. Tonya Frierson
Prayer Rev. Samuel Sims
Order of Food Serving:
Honoreess, Former Cameron Faculty, Honored Classes will lead serving line)
Recogntion of Special Guests
Selection Cameron Singers
Tributes to Ms. Ola Hudson Mrs. Jalilah Haqq & Mrs. Gloria Pillow
Tributes to Mr. Leonard Morton Mr. Jimmy Wallace & Mrs. Gloria Pillow
Selection Cameron Singers
Recognition of Former Cameron Faculty
Recognition of Classes in Attendance
Recognition of CH AA Lifetime Members
O. R. Jackson Scholarship Assistance
Remarks Mr. George E. McLaurine, President
Cameron Alma Mater All Stand
Prayer and Dismissal
Brunch Menu
Steak and Gravy Sausage & Bacon
Eggs, Apples, Hash Brown Casserole
Homemade Biscuits Jelly/Preserves
Assorted Fruits, Juices, Milk, Coffee, Water
Patrick Tucker Catering Service 615-812-0907
A builder builded a temple; A teacher builded a temple:
He wrought with care and skill: - She wrought with skill and care; _
Pillars and groins and arches Forming each pillar with patience,
Were fashioned to meet his will; Laying each stone with prayer.
And men said when they saw its beauty: None saw the unceasing effort:
“It shall never know decay. None knew of the marvelous plan:
Great is thy skill, O Builder, for the temple the teacher builded
Thy fame shall endure for aye.” Was unseen by the eyes of man.
Gone is the builder’s temple;
Crumbled into the dust,
Pillar and groin and arches
Food for consuming rust;
But the temple the teacher builded
Shall endure while the ages roll;
For that beautiful, unseen temple
Was a child’s immortal soul.
– Annonymous
We are grateful for the numerous young men and women you helped develop
at Cameron High school, and throughout the school system.
Former Cameron High School Faculty Members and Students
In Loving Tribute
to
Mr. James McKinley Robinson Cameron High School Assistant Principal, Principal, Scholar, and Gentleman
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Dinner/Ball Programme
Cameron High Alumni Association, Inc.
26th Annual Dinner/Ball
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Honoring the Classes of
1962 and 1967
Mr. Steve Burton, Master of Ceremonies
Mr. Victor Moore, Master of the Classics
Invocation Rev. Cora Austin
~ Dinner ~
Welcome Mrs. JoAnn Washington
The Occasion Mr. George McLaurine
President, CHAA, Inc.
Ringing of the Bell Mr. Steve Burton
Recognition of Classes Master of Ceremonies
Recognition of Lifetime Members Master of Ceremonies
Panther Awards Mr. Ronnie Johnson
Raffle
Door Prizes 10:30 p.m. Mrs. Ruby Robinson
Mrs. Joann Washington
Cameron High School Alma Mater Everyone Stand
The Executive Board of the Cameron High Alumni Association, Inc. and the Blue and Gold Weekend Events
staff extends sincere appreciation for your loyal support and participation in our 27th Annual Blue and Gold
Weekend Events. A special thank you is extended to all who worked and contributed their time and efforts to
make this Blue & Gold Weekend a success.
George McLaurine, President
Cameron High Alumni Association, Inc.
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Congratulations! to the
Cameron High Alumni Association
from the
“Recently Celebrated 50th Year Class Reunion”
of the
Class of ’62
Honoring the Class of 1962
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Honoring the Class of 1967
Celebrating 45 Years
Since We Walked Those
Hallowed Halls
Best Wishes
to the
Cameron High School Alumni Association
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Congratulations to CHAA, Inc.
GEORGE E. MCLAURINE
REAL ESTATE BROKER
THANK YOU
NASHVILLE FOR 30 YEARS! ! !
C H S C L A S S O F 1 9 6 5
MCLAURINE REALTORSMCLAURINE REALTORS
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