We’ve come a long way since Carver HS opened in 1957, a year Russia launched Sputnik 1, The “Little Rock Nine” integrated public schools in Arkansas, Althea Gibson won both Wimbledon and U.S. Tennis Championships, the cost of a 1st class stamp was $.03, and “West Side Story” played the theater circuit. Also that year Barry Gordy founded Motown Records with $700, Jackie Robinson announced his retirement from professional baseball and American Bandstand went national with Dick Clark as host.

On the Memphis scene, 1957 saw Memphis State designated university status by the Tennessee state legislature (and admitted its first Black students in 1959), Elvis Presley starred in the movie Jailhouse Rock, and Stax records was founded by Jim Stewart and his sister Estelle Axton creating the firm’s name using the first two letters of each of their last names.

 In 2007 our school celebrates its 50th year since inauguration in 1957 as a neighborhood school serving Southwest Memphis communities. Forty-four years after its opening the academic buildings of Carver HS were razed and rebuilt to accommodate contemporary academic and administrative challenges. I urge each of the members of the Class of 1962 to join together in celebration of the memory of our family and our alma mater as we transition into our next phase of responsibility and social assimilation enjoy a weekend of reclamation, food, recreation and wholesome community fellowship. Now, once again it is a time to celebrate, commemorate and participate!

 Our 2007 Reunion is planned for the Weekend of July 20 – 23, 2007, during which we hope to renew our bonds of friendship, community and generally enjoy the fruits of our common heritage. I genuinely look forward to seeing each of you, and your significant others, during this celebratory time and occasion.

Classmates, if you are planning to attend the Reunion please take a couple of moments and indicate your  intentions to take part in the activities.  Your response will also update our contact records so that we can keep you informed you of other Class of '62 events.