As the bell rings and classes change, black and white students fill the hallways of Columbia High School. It is a fully integrated school.
Of Columbia's 475 students, roughly half are black and half are white. That would not have been the case in 1969.
Before Columbia High School integrated, black students attended what was then Jefferson High School, now a middle school.
“We know that education is one of the best ways to unlock the doors, to open the door for anything you want to do, said Braxton Stowe, principal of Columbia High School. “If I had lived in Columbia, and I had the choice to go to school, this would be the school that I would go to.”
On Feb. 1, 1970, Columbia High School and Jefferson High School were forced to integrate as the result of a federal court order. Many in the community, unlike other Mississippi communities, did not oppose integration in part because of Columbia’s newly formed football team. which drew black athletes.
This fall the school is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its integration.
The school has come a long way.
“Football had a really great year during the first year of integration, and sometimes when you have a sport that’s winning, it’s easy for the community to get behind it,” Stowe said.
Walter Payton, who would go onto a Hall of Fame career with Chicago Bears in the NFL, was a star on that team and was named to the all-state team, leading Columbia to an unexpected 8–2 season. His jersey, number 22, is now retired, the school’s football field is named after him and his statue graces the south end zone.
Racial tensions existed in the community at the time the school integrated, Stowe said, but people learned to get along.
Stowe understood the reasons behind the racial tensions, and the community’s perseverance to understand one another. However, he did not experience this first-hand. A son of the Deep South, Stowe was born and raised in Fayette, Alabama, and worked at several high schools in the Mississippi Delta. He wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people, both black and white, and Columbia High School is the first racially integrated high school that Stowe has led, and it is a remarkable place -- 94.3 percent of its students graduate.
“At the end of the day, I think people would rather send their child to a great school, regardless of the racial make-up," Stowe said.
Hannah Elizabeth Watts moved from Atlanta three years ago and recalls visiting all the schools here before deciding to attend Columbia.
“When I got to the Columbia School District, I felt the most welcomed,” Watts said. “I chose Columbia High because it's just a very family-oriented place, and it makes me feel home.”
Students say the teachers and administrators at Columbia High School work hard to empower all students, regardless of race, making sure they know the world is never too big for them. Bright art works adorn the walls, reminding students to be all that they can be.
Columbia's success with integration is tied to an educational mission that stresses excellence and self-development, Stowe said.
In addition to a rigorous curriculum, the school offers a wide range of athletics and organizations for students. Nearly 75 percent of Columbia High School’s students participate in an extracurricular activity with at least a 3.0 grade-point average.
“I feel challenged every day, in everything I do," Watts said.
Joey Gerard Croom Jr. is a senior football player at Columbia High School. He chose to attend Columbia because he doesn’t see himself fitting in anywhere else.
Columbia High is home, he said.
“I like the community. It’s a friendly environment. I feel like I can be friends with anybody, wherever I go around Columbia," Croom said. “The whole perspective of being in this town makes me feel good. It makes me feel happy.”
Having a diverse body of students has helped Columbia High School create and maintain a successful status, not only in academics, but also in sports.
Watts also is a band member. She believes that the diversity of the school makes it more successful. She recalls finishing top three in many band competitions. Seeing beyond the color of a person’s skin is what makes them successful in these competitions, she said.
Columbia High works to develop students who are strong readers, writers, thinkers and leaders -- all with the goal of fostering unity.
Stowe’s administration understands that students sometimes experience bad days, but he tries to make sure they have more good days than bad.
“Columbia is a great school, and we’re building on our greatness,” he said. “We want them to learn and fail often, so they can succeed sooner because we’re then developing a person who’s ready to take on any challenge.”
Rabria Moore is a student in the University of Mississippi School of Journalism. Reach her at rmmoore4@go.olemiss.edu.
