High school alumni make donation

Published 10:33 am Thursday, August 21, 2014

For the graduating class of 1968, high school memories hold a significant place in their lives. 

As a token of appreciation for the opportunities given to them through their education, class president, Faye Mullis along with class members presented a donation of four Georgia pine benches to Baldwin High School. 

“When we saw the benches we were pleased with how beautiful they looked and they are the perfect addition to the front lobby,” said Dr. Jessica Swain, principal at Baldwin High. 

Three benches are located in the front lobby while the fourth is situated near the entrance to the guidance-counseling department. 

The money to have the benches made was generated through contributions at class reunions. 

“We have a class reunion every five years and every time we always try to think of ways to give back to the community and the high school for providing us with the knowledge to live successful lives in Milledgeville,” Mullis said. 

Mullis added that the class would like to make other donations to the city, county and additional ones to the high school if the funds become available in the future.

“We’re fortunate to be in a place in our lives where we can afford to show our appreciation but we wouldn’t have had any of our successes if it wasn’t for the support we received from city and county representatives and an outstanding education from the high school.” 

Former state senator Johnny Grant is one member of the class of ‘68. He said education paved the way for many opportunities in his life as a politician. 

“High school taught me the value of a good education and opened several doors in the world of politics that may not have been available to me if I hadn’t received the fine education that was provided for me in Baldwin County.”

Classmate David Pettigrew said the purpose of the contribution was to give something back to the school that helped create great lifelong memories.

“Some of our fondest memories come from our days in high school,” he said. “We just thought this was a way to give back to the school system that gave so much to us.” 

Mullis said the contribution to the high school was not made as a way of getting recognition; it was made as an acknowledgment of appreciation.

“This was not about attention or to take attention away from any other high school class. We just wanted to simply say thank you for so much.”

The giving spirit is still alive in the class of 1968. At the next class reunion they will continue to discuss ways in which they can say thanks to the community. 

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