ALMA, Ark. — Before the annual Alma and Van Buren Battle of the Bone football game, Alma celebrated a group of students who were the first black students to attend the high school.
On Sept. 8, 1964, the Alma School Board voted to integrate Alma High School, grades 7th through 12th, after Lincoln High School, a segregated high school for black students in Fort Smith, decided to only accept in-town students.
"The Alma School District Board met at early September date and decided that they would start with a high school and integrate grades seven through 12, and then the next year was grades one through six, and they would be allowed in all activities, everything school offered," said Bryan Duffie, superintendent for the Alma School District.
16 students came to the high school on that day in September. They were honored with a plaque and ceremony Thursday night. Shirly Vanlue and Brenda Owens said they found out they were moving high schools after their moms told them. They said they weren't too nervous but knew it would be a change.
"Nervous? Not really. When your mother tells you to do something, you do it," said Shirly Vanlue. It was different. Very different. Some of us were accepted as we were. Some others weren’t."
Garry Perry was the youngest of the 16 and an advocate for honoring his family's legacy at the school.
"Honor is due, and so honor is going to be given tonight," said Perry. "It's kind of like a dream come true. Sometimes, you know when things happen positive in your life, you have to pinch yourself first real. So I don't have to pinch myself because it's for real."
Dr. Duffie said he hopes the plaque outside the high school serves as a reminder to students.
"Adversity can be overcome, regardless of what adversity, what challenges you're facing. You can be brave. You can be courageous, just like other people have, and overcome whatever obstacles or challenges you have," said Duffie.
Perry said that after this recognition, he was even prouder to be an Alma Airedale 60 years later.
"If you want things to progress, especially for the community, everyone has to work together," said Perry. "I'm very proud of the acknowledgment and the hard work."
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