THURSDAY
THE EVENTS, PAGE 6 Tom Ward speaks at library Monday
SPORTS, PAGE 10 Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
February 21, 2019 Vol. 127, No. 37 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Coosa seeking to improve on the mound
Equality, unity still issues, group says “[Students are now] able to play things (together), but there’s still some differences shown toward people of still a modern issue for the schools dur- color, poor people, people who are not By GABRIELLE JANSEN the advanced academic level and everying Tuesday’s school board meeting. Staff Writer thing,� Moten said. The board listened to a presentation Co-PACE formed in 1988, and Moten While Alexander City schools have from former Co-PACE members Teresa been successfully integrated for decades, Moten and Beverly White about equality said while the group is no longer active, members of Concerned Parents for in local schools and carrying on Martin it wants to encourage the community to strive for equality. Academic and Community Excellence Luther King Jr.’s vision at its regularly Moten said at the time the group start(Co-PACE ) said equality and unity are scheduled meeting.
School board hears from civil rights group
ed, MLK Jr. Day was not recognized in Alexander City schools. “Co-PACE started because there was a disproportionate number of AfricanAmerican kids in the special education classes,â€? Co-PACE co-founder White said. White said there still is a disproportionate amount of African-American students in special education classes, but See BOARD • Page 3
Wingler selected as New Site councilmember
Gabrielle Jansen / The Outlook
Kalib Spivey, Cade Coleman, Tyler McIntyre and Ben Fox perform to The Temptations at Stephens Elementary School’s Black History Month program Wednesday.
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
MOVIN’ & GROOVIN’ Stephens students rock Black History Month By GABRIELLE JANSEN Staff Writer
I
t was a throwback to Motown Records on Wednesday as Stephen Elementary School students sang and danced to commemorate Black History Month. The program began with the AfricanAmerican National Anthem and the history of Black History Month. Student Grant Sheffield gave an
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introduction to the history of Motown. “Motown played an important role in racial integration of popular music as an African-American label that achieved significant crossovers today,� Sheffield said. “Motown has been a soul and pop classic that changed America. It gave all races something that we could not get enough of — joyous, sad, romantic, mad, groovin’ movin’ music.� Students Ja’Niya Spivey, Ja’Harmony Kelley, Ra’Miya Hicks, Jh’lyriunna Robinson, Za’Naja Milliner, Leslue
Roberts, Caleigh Belyue, Patience Epps, Ayunni King and Zy’Keria Stovall performed a choreographed dance to “I Know I’ve been Changed.â€? The school’s choir performed songs, including “This Little Light of Mine.â€? “We thank you for supporting our program and every initiative that we have to showcase our students and their talent,â€? SES Principal Mary Holloway said. See STEPHENS • Page 3
Alex City resident Tyrone Oliver says sports, Russell aided integration As student, he led march for cheerleader By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor
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Fire hoses, police dogs and billy clubs were not used to resist black people who sought equality in Alexander City during the Civil Rights era but there were still isolated skirmishes, a student who once led a peaceful march on the local school board office remembered. “You could have a fistfight and be buddies in 10 minutes,� said Tyrone Oliver, 66, who recalled being chosen to speak for a group of black students upset about a black girl not
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Alex City resident Tyrone Oliver, who once led a protest march about the exclusion of a black cheerleading candidate in high school, poses in front of Stephens Elementary School, the site of the former Laurel school. Jimmy Wigfield / The Outlook
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being allowed a chance to join the cheerleading squad at freshly integrated Benjamin Russell. That incident aside, the calm during the integration of Alex City’s schools is a testament to the way residents were brought up, how children were disciplined at home and because parents worked together at the local mills, Oliver said. “Everybody worked at Russell,â€? Oliver said. “Your parents saw each other. There was a different discipline back then. If you got in trouble at school, you got in trouble at See OLIVER • Page 9
Leslie Wingler was unanimously selected to replace Bree Walton on the New Site Town Council on Tuesday night. Wingler and Tiffiney Wyckoff expressed interest in the position declared vacant at the Feb. 4 meeting after Walton submitted her resignation because she was moving outside the town limits. Those interested in the position submitted a one-page letter of introduction as requested by the council and Mayor Phil Blasingame. Blasingame said he appreciated the interest in the position. “I would like to thank Ms. Wyckoff and Mr. Wingler for expressing interest in the position,â€? Blasingame said. “This will fill the vacant position til the election in August 2020.â€? Wingler was selected 5-0 to fill the vacancy. Wyckoff left the meeting shortly after the selection. The letters of introduction included in council packets were the only information the council had for the two candidates as Blasingame and councilmembers did not speak to Wyckoff who was present at Tuesday’s meeting and has been at several meetings. Wingler was absent. “He will be sworn in at our next meeting,â€? Blasingame said. “I will also see if we can get him to be at our work session to try to get him See WINGLER • Page 3
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