Senate Concurrent Resolution 595

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 82-YEAR HISTORY OF SUNFLOWER CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL AND COMMENDING ITS FORMER TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ON RESTORING AND PRESERVING THE SCHOOL, ITS BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.

WHEREAS, during the early 1920's, many rural one-room schools in the Mississippi Delta and across the state were consolidated into larger district schools; and

WHEREAS, in 1922, three one-room schools in south Coahoma County were consolidated to create Sunflower Consolidated High School; and

WHEREAS, Sunflower Consolidated High School included Grades 1-12 and consisted of a seven-room-and-auditorium brick schoolhouse, a new 15-room wood-frame house for teachers, a lunchroom converted from an existing one-room schoolhouse, and a fish pond, all located on approximately ten acres of land; and

WHEREAS, Sunflower Consolidated High School, as a school, began with consolidation (one-room schools) in 1922, operated 41 years, and as a school, ended with consolidation (one county-wide high school) in 1962; and

WHEREAS, Sunflower Consolidated High School was unique (believed to be one of only two such schools in the state) in that its school year was based and scheduled around its students being able to work on their family farms. One school year would end in early May to allow students to chop cotton on their family farms. After cotton chopping was completed, the new school year would begin in early July (a slow time for farm work) and continue for about six weeks (until middle to late August) when school was then dismissed for about six weeks to allow the students to pick cotton on their family farms. School would then resume in early October and the school year would then end in early May, and the cycle would begin anew; and

WHEREAS, Sunflower Consolidated High School, in its 41 years of operation as a school, was blessed with many qualified, dedicated, caring and loving principals and teachers who provided their many students with a good, well-rounded education to guide them through life; and

WHEREAS, when Sunflower Consolidated High School began in 1922, a Mr. Abernathy was in charge of the school for a time. Following Mr. Abernathy, six educators (listed with approximate dates) served as principals of the school: S.B. Thornton, Sr., 1924-1937; T.L. Lewis, 1937-1938; E.E. Sanders, 1938-1940; H.P. Oliver, 1940-1946; A.Y. Owens, 1946-1959; Cecil Vaughn, 1959-1962; and

WHEREAS, during the 41 years Sunflower Consolidated High School operated as a school, two wings were added to the school in 1929 and a new gymnasium-cafeteria-classroom facility was built in 1946 (this facility was later demolished in the 1970's); and

WHEREAS, in 1990, former students and teachers organized the Sunflower Consolidated School Preservation Commission, leased the school property, and began repairing, restoring and preserving the school, its buildings and grounds; and

WHEREAS, in 2000, the Sunflower Consolidated School Preservation Commission was successful in securing passage of legislation authorizing special vehicle license plates to raise funds for restoring the school property; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize historic educational institutions in this state and to support and commend citizens of this state for their accomplishments and achievements in restoring and preserving historic buildings and grounds:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the 82-year history of Sunflower Consolidated High School and congratulate and commend its former teachers and students on their work in restoring and preserving the school, its buildings and grounds.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Senator Delma Furniss is hereby designated to represent this body in presenting this resolution to former teachers and students of Sunflower Consolidated High School at its annual reunion to be held at the school on Sunday, May 25, 2003.