A large crowd gathered at the First Baptist Church in Augusta on Saturday night for the ninth annual Lucy C. Laney Alumni Association Class of 2025 Hall of Fame.
The Lucy C. Laney High School Alumni Association (LCLHSAA) initiated the Hall of Fame program in 2014 to honor Laney graduates who have attained advanced education degrees, have won high honors or awards, and/or who have contributed to the lives of others.
The ceremony also stands as an inspiration to current Laney students, aiming to be a visual reminder of what they can accomplish.
“Whenever Laney has their Hall of Fame and the students can see what they can be, you are helping to set dreamers. It’s no small feat,” said Richmond County School District Interim Superintendent Dr. Melinda Cobb.
Hall of Fame class of 2025
This year’s Hall of Fame inductees include Reverend Jerome Preston Bates, an artist, educator, playwright and minister who graduated with the class of 1972; William Alexander Brown III who passed away in 2004 and attended Laney when it was the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute; Darryl R. Griffin, a class of 1971 Laney grad with a history of community involvement; Juriah Lewis, a community-oriented 1970 Laney graduate; Augustus C. Thurmond, a 1954 Laney graduate who worked as an educator and Dr. TyJuan Williams who graduated from Laney in 2000 and is the owner of a dental practice, One Smile Away, Inc.
“We can all go get an education. We can all go to work. But giving back to your community is a major vein of service. Volunteering, giving back, mentoring students and that’s what we have in this particular class [of inductees],” said LCLHSAA President Dr. Curtis Briscoe.
James Carter III was also recognized as alumnus of the year. Carter is a Laney graduate from the class of 1955.
“Any and every time he’s called upon for something for a student or Lucy Laney High School in any capacity he has stepped up to the plate,” said Dr. Briscoe.
College tour bus
Since the LCLHSAA was founded in 2012, its mission has been to provide monetary resources to students, faculty and staff through fundraising events and member dues.
Dr. Briscoe said that one of the Alumni Association’s prominent programs, which is a direct result of funds they have raised, is the Johnny C. Nimes Historically Black College and University (HBCU) College Bus Tour.
He said that some Laney students end up being accepted by the college they visit via the bus tour.
“Several of our students have been accepted by going to the college campus, once they review their transcript, look at their SAT scores, then they get an offering to attend. And that has been remarkable for us…all the costs for this, this banquet here tonight, pays for that tour,” Briscoe said.
Laney students will be taking this bus tour to both South Carolina State and Claflin University in Orangeburg on Tuesday morning, March 26.
