Randolph, Remembered

Sixty years after it closed, the sounds of the Randolph School school song once again echoed off the walls of its gymnasium in La Grange.

“ ... Dear Old Randolph, we are standing, “Standing close so close to you “We will guard you as you shall guide us ...”

Former students, and visitors alike joined in the song as part of a festive afternoon Saturday that celebrated the history of the former African American school in La Grange.

The event was partially a reunion of former students from the school which closed when it integrated with La Grange ISD in 1965 in order to comply with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

But La Grange mayor Jan Dockery, who missed attending Randolph by one year (she started kindergarten the year it closed), helped make it more than just a school reunion.

Dockery presided over a special program highlighted by the unveiling of a new Texas Historical Marker honoring the school. Saturday’s crowd got a sneak preview of the marker, which will eventually be placed on Pearl Street in front of the school.

“This has been a focus of mine since I was elected mayor,” Dockery told the crowd. “We gather to look back and remember. This school holds a story worth keeping ... I am so proud to unveil this marker.”

Later in the program Dockery asked all of the alumni of the school in attendance to come to the front as she presented them with the Key to the City – the first time in recent memory such an presentation has taken place.

Dockery also publicly thanked Rox Ann Johnson and Bobbie Nash and other members of the Fayette County Historical Commission for their efforts in helping make the marker a reality.

Also during Saturday’s program, former student Jeff Kelly gave a prayer, saying in part: “Randolph was more than a school, it was a pillar of the community ... When times were not equal, those here believed the next generation could go farther, that education could open doors that had once been closed ... May we never forget where we came from.”

Then Lorenza Crosby Jr., 92, the former Randolph Ag teacher (and the only former teacher to make Saturday’s reunion) took the microphone, saying, “that plaque can not write all I know.”

“I’m so delighted to see so many people here,” Crosby said. “I want black people to stay in the game, and there is a special effort to leave us out.”

Crosby urged the Randolph alumni there Saturday to “be informed” and “show up” to local events to stay involved and make their voices heard.

“Where is your black boy right now?” he asked multiple times.

“There is an opportunity for a better world,” Crosby said. “I see a positive here today. This place is my place ... I’m glad to hear what Randolph did for you.”

Then a series of former Randolph students took the microphone, starting with Melvin Marshall, the Randolph Alumni President.

“I learned how to respect one another because of teachers like Mr. and Mrs. Crosby,” Marshall said.

Others shared their memories of their times at Randolph, of music contests and lessons on fixing lawnmowers.

Even with the conclusion of Saturday’s event, the lights of Randolph didn’t dim.

Years ago the entire school complex was renovated and turned into the City of La Grange’s Randolph Recreation Center, which increasingly, is used for community events. But now that historical marker, like the big sign in the gym that holds the words of the Randolph School Song, will serve as a reminder of the storied history of the place.