Little Rock Central High School Class of 1960

The LRCHS Class of 1960 had a particular role, as the senior class that would reopen Central and help recapture the traditions and high standards we had inherited as sophomores.

We came back to Little Rock Central in the fall of 1959 after all of the Little Rock School District high schools had been closed during our junior year. Most of us attended high school wherever we could for that junior year. As seniors, our goal was to re-ignite that Tiger spirit, which meant not only doing our best individually, but also recognizing the importance of what each classmate did, whatever our interest or pursuit, as part of making Central special.

Some of our classmates did not rejoin us at Central. Some did not finish, some went on to college or other endeavors, and some remained where they completed their junior year. We lost a lot by not having everyone return, and those who did not also are part of us.

We have many mixed feelings, given what we experienced and tried to accomplish. We wonder how many people were affected permanently by the school closing. The majority of our class may not have recognized the historical implications of desegregation, and what our black classmates faced. A lot of our class likely feels that accounts did not capture the total picture of what occurred, and that Little Rock and Central were not accurately portrayed.

So, we, as a special class, with some mixed feelings, yet pride in our role, hope that this website, as well as our reunions, will allow us to reconnect and to share, to remember those in our class who have died, and to sense again that special bond of Little Rock Central High School.

On October 8-9, 2010 we celebrated our 50th Reunion. You will find a review of the reunion activities under the Reunions link to the left. The 50th Reunion was very special, with many classmates attending (including many who did not rejoin us as seniors at Central) who had never or only seldom attended past reunions. After 50 years we have had time to reflect on our high school years, which began with what we experienced as sophomores in 1957, amidst events the significance of which most of us did not comprehend.

In addition to this website, you also will find us on Facebook at the LRCHS Class of 1960 page. Some photos from the Reunion are posted there and some of our class members are friends of that page.

We also have been having a picnic each year, usually a Saturday in the fall. If we do not have your email address please send it so that we can be sure you get notice of the picnic and any related plans.

Photo CDs and video DVDs of the 50th Reunion may be ordered. We still have a few copies of Tiger Pride--A History and Directory book that can be ordered. Please check the Reunions link for instructions on how these items may be ordered.

The Reunion Committee