Class reunions are a time to celebrate old friendships and catch up on what classmates have been up to since graduation. It is also an opportunity to reflect on how you remembered the halls of your high school.
“St. Matthew High School Dynamic 12” hosted a class reunion which included classes from 1970-1981 with participation for other classes as well. The festivities kick off with a “Wild, Wild, West”, western theme meet and greet reception. There were several activities plan such as a boat ride on Cane River Queen, tour of Fort St. Jean Baptistie, and Louisiana Hall of Fame Tour. The reunion ended with a dazzling dinner dance banquet theme “St. Matthew Goes to Hollywood.” This weekend helped us take a trip down memory lane as we socialized, mingled, and relive those unforgettable memories.
St. Matthew High School open its doors in 1952. Where it became of local significance in the area of education and ethnic heritage because it was the first public high school building constructed for African-Americans in lower Natchitoches Parish. It provided education for rural families that lived in the areas of Cane River, Melrose, and Natchez communities. At that time it was one of only two public senior high schools for African-Americans in the parish. Motto: “Look Sharp, Be Sharp, Stay Sharp” as Mr. Noble Bulter would say.
St. Matthew is located in the heart of the Cane River plantation country, some three miles from Melrose Plantation and community. St. Matthew’s history traces its origins to a “church school” established at St. Matthew Baptist Church in 1916. The school permanently closed in 1989.
After 44 years since the last class graduated from St. Matthew High School. It was indeed a great time to reconnect with old friends and staff. We hope this will continue the spark and conversation of revitalizing this building into the community center that would serve the South area of Natchitoches Parish.
In closing, we would like to thank all of our sponsors who made this event a huge success: Dunahoe Law Firm, Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home & Crematory, Trail Boss Steakhouse, Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, City Bank & Trust Company, Bank of Montgomery, Burger King, Super 1 Foods, Whataburger, Sabine State Bank, City of Natchitoches, Archie’s Paint & Body, and Walmart.
