Sumner Hill all-class reunion set for July 5-6

By Clinton Courier | June 23, 2025 |

The Clinton Courier

This year marks the 70th year that Sumner Hill has been a part of the educational process in Clinton at its Northside Drive location. The school, whose first graduation took place in 1955, once served students from Terry, Byram, Bolton, Raymond, Pocahontas and unincorporated areas around Jackson. Dr. Walter Washington served as the first principal of Sumner Hill High School.

Sumner Hill is now a part of the Clinton Public School District and continues to contribute to the educational process as a ninth-grade school, with Matt Fulton currently serving as the principal of Sumner Hill Junior High School.

Pictured preparing for the upcoming reunion are (l to r), front row: Herticile Thomas, Shirley Burns, LaJune Crews, Carolyn Patton, Shirley Miller, Earlean Tillman, Esther Ransom, Alberta Ross Gibson, Marilyn Jean Minter, Vertie Hill Martin, Irene Short, Shirley P. Buckley, Lula G. Williams and Elease Kelly; middle row: Patricia Rogers, Geralean B. Gibson, George Martin, Bessie Martin, Mary Mack, Merrell Hubbard, Joyce White Harris, Charlie Hubbard, Tersia Woods Wansley, James McQuirter and James M. Robinson; and back row: Bobby Fox, Ray Gibson, Betty G. Spencer, Richard Mack, Emily Allen Herd, Willie Taylor, Calvin S. Hill, Sr., Alvin T. Hodge and Eddie Staples.

An all-class reunion is scheduled for July 5-6. All former students of the institution are invited to attend the reunion – students who attended when it was a high school, along with those who attended as just a ninth grader.

The July 5 portion of the reunion will take place on the Brick Streets of Olde Towne Clinton. The reunion is presented by the Sumner Hill Alumni Association in an effort to support its scholarship program.

Sumner Hill Alumni Association officers and directors include (l to r) Financial Secretary Esther “Lou” Ransom, President Alberta Ross Gibson, Vice President Betty G. Spencer, Board and Scholarship Committee member James McQuirter, Board Chairman James Robinson, Secretary Patricia Rogers and Assistant Recording Secretary Emily Allen Herd. Not pictured is Treasurer Kenneth Evans.

Entertainment will be provided as a way to celebrate the educational journey of thousands of students throughout Hinds County and the Clinton District. Expected entertainers include the Canton Spirituals, Eddie Cotton and Jarekus Singleton, and a gala is planned for Saturday.

For information regarding vendors, tickets, sponsorships and more, call Alberta Ross Gibson at 601-941-1938, James Robinson at 601-940-6277 or Esther Ransom at 713-540-4154.