A group of local citizens met numerous times during the 1969-70 school year to plan for a school reunion during the 1970 commencement exercises. A steering committee was organized with: John W. Jones, Chairman; Veronica B. Eatmon, secretary; and Shirley Woodard, treasurer. These persons completed plans for a reunion of graduates and friends to take place during the 1970 commencement exercises.
One of the activities planned was a meeting of those concerned persons who wished to continue the reunion idea. During this meeting an overwhelming affirmative vote was given to not only continue the reunions, but to seek the establishment of a national tax-exempt, non-profit corporation named the Charles H. Darden High School Alumni Association. Ruth H. Harris was chosen to serve with the three elected steering committee officers to form a Board of Directors for the Association.
Many hours of meetings and a lot of hard work brought about the Articles of Incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation of the Charles H. Darden High School Alumni Association, Inc. was granted by the state of North Carolina on May 25, 1971 and registered with the Wilson County, North Carolina Register of Deeds on May 27, 1971.
The Charles H. Darden High School Alumni Association was established primarily to create within the community a means by which the group, on a continuous basis, could substantially promote and improve all facets of life. It was also intended that an annual reunion provide a renewal of old acquaintances and the meeting of new ones, while uniting people who had a common goal.
Mr. John W. Jones was the first person to serve as President of the newly formed Alumni Association. He served from the Associations inception in 1971 to May 1975.
Others who have served as president are:
Marjorie Moore 1975-1979
Carl Moore 1979-1981
Isaiah Ferguson 1981-1985
Hubert O. Speight, Sr. 1985-1987
James T. Forbes 1987-1989
Robert E. Spells 1989-1993
Jake Simms 1993-1994+
Velma E. Hinnant 1994-1995+
Jacqueline J. Cobb 1995-1999
Velma E. Hinnant 1999-2005
Ida B. Williams 2005-2011
Andre L. Winstead 2011-2015
Jacqueline Cobb-Williams 2015-2017
Gwendolyn S. Murrain 2017-2021
Renee Oates 2021 – present
+Jake Simms died before completing his term in office.
In accordance with the By-Laws, the Vice President,
Velma E. Hinnant, completed the term
The Constitution and By-Laws of the Association were amended in 1976 to include the position of Executive Secretary. Mr. John W. Jones was appointed as the first Executive Secretary. Mrs. Betty L. Grissett-Boykins was the next person to be appointed. Mr. Arthur Ray Knight, now deceased, served many years as the Executive Secretary. During Arthur’s tenure the Association experienced excellent growth. Mr. Jones was reappointed Executive Secretary in 1990.
The position of Executive Secretary was later changed to Executive Director and Mr. Jones continued in this position until his death in 2004. Donna J. Simms followed Mr. Jones and Sammie J. Dew served as interim Executive Director from 2013 to 2015. Donna Simms Pulley was reappointed in 2015 to the present.
COMPOSITION OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The Charles H. Darden High School Association has been consistently comprised of members affiliated with six Chapters and at-large members.
The Chapter locations were New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington (DC), Tidewater and Wilson. At-large membership consists of members who reside in areas across the United States in which a Chapter does not presently exist.
Membership is not limited to persons who attended Darden High School, but is open to anyone who subscribes to the objectives of the Association.
The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, parliamentarian, sergeant-at-arms, and executive director. Officers may serve up to 3 two-year terms and assume their duties on July 1st of the year in which they are elected.
The Executive Director shall be selected by the Executive Committee and serves until his/her successor is chosen.
An annual business meeting of the Corporation is held in Wilson, North Carolina during the weekend preceding the last Monday in May (Memorial Day Weekend).
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
THE CHARLES H. DARDEN HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATED IS A NON-PROFIT TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION AS DESCRIBED UNDER SECTION 501 (C) 3 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.
In 1982, the executive committee was asked to explore the possibility of building a facility for the purpose of establishing a tutorial program and providing a place for activities that could enhance the quality of life for local students.
After receiving approval for the project at the National Meeting in 1983, three acres of land was purchased and a deed was recorded in August 19, 1985.
Groundbreaking for construction was held December 8, 1990.
May 23, 1991, a most magnificently rewarding day in the history of the Association, was when the certificate of occupancy was issued to us by the city. Dedication of the Charles H. Darden High School Alumni Center was held on Friday, May 24, 1991.
The Honorable G. K. Butterfield, Jr. (at that time) Judge of Superior Court in Wilson County, North Carolina, gave the dedicatory speech. He said, “This building that we dedicate today just didn’t happen. It is the product of a dream and the result of hard work in furtherance of that dream. It is a testament of what can be achieved when ordinary people dream in extraordinary ways. And we are here today standing upon these premises, dedication this marvelous building and all of us should be proud of this accomplishment.”
Our Alumni Center was constructed to house activities that will provide educational experiences for families of the Wilson Community, build better relationships, and make the community a better place in which to live.
The Alumni Center is an instrument to help preserve the past, embrace the present, and prepare for the future. It is the legacy that we, former faculty, staff, students and friends collectively known as the Charles H. Darden High School Alumni Association, Inc. give to the future generations—our children.
The citizens of Wilson County as well as those from surrounding communities have utilized the Center. Events range from seminars, wedding/wedding receptions, gospel programs, family reunions and church services have been held at the Center. The Association has worked with Talent Search – North Carolina State University, Project Teach- State Dept. of Public Instruction and Business Partners/Community Groups.
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COME BY AND VISIT WITH US
Originally called the Wilson Colored High School it opened in 1924, and in 1939 it was renamed Darden in memory of Charles H. Darden, a former slave who became a funeral home owner and one Wilson’s most prominent African American leaders and proponents of education.
Charles H. Darden High School Alumni Association, Inc. 