Gainesville Sun Thursday, March 18, 1976
500 Pupils Attend School Dedication
by Bill Shields
Sun Staff Writer
| HAWTHORNE - Dedication of the remodeled Shell Elementary School took place
here Wednesday morning with more than 500 students filling the cafetorium for ceremonies
honoring the late Chester Shell, for whom the school was named. The $74,500 remodeling project increased the size of the school by two-thirds, according to architect Allen Isaac. Students from the Headstart program through grade six attend the school headed by principal Marvin Nelson. Nelson introduced county school personnel and state Rep. Sid Martin, who recalled his friendship with Shell. Shell worked for Martin's father on the railroad part of the year and served as a guide for "Yankee hunters" about four months each year, Martin said. Martin said when he was seven years old and Shell was about 25, they went hunting together. Martin said the friendship grew over the years, and he even recited a work song that he and Shell sometimes sang while hunting. That drew and appreciative giggle from the children. Shell helped raise more than $10,000 which was used to build the first school for Negro children in Hawthorne, Martin said. "Whatever your color may be, remember that Chester Shell helped to improve your education, Martin told the children. Also present for the dedication was Shell's daughter, Margery Johnson, a fifth grade teacher at the school. She thanked the group for the honor bestowed on her father and described the occasion as the happiest experience of her life. |
"If my daddy were here, he would be crying tears of joy," Mrs.
Johnson said. Shell died in 1968 at the age of 70. As the ceremonies closed, Supt. James Longstreth asked the children if they were proud of the new school. This brought a roaring "yes" from the students. He asked them to deliver a prepared "History of Shell Elementary School" to their parents and invite them to visit the remodeled facility. According to the two-page history sent home with the students, there was no school for Negro children in Hawthorne prior to 1915. The community hall was used beginning in 1915, and in 1929 there were 32 children enrolled in the class taught by Minnie Starke Jones. Mrs.Jones was on hand for the dedication ceremonies Wednesday and was honored as the first teacher of the school. When Mrs. Jones was teaching, the school term was two months long and her salary was about $30 monthly. After Shell helped raise the necessary funds to construct a school building , the county school board supported the program. The school was originally named Hawthorne Negro High School, later known as Shell High School, then Shell Middle School and now Shell Elementary School. The history concludes: "Today, March 17, 1976, as we look around Shell Elementary School, we can see the philosophy that Mr. Chester Shell lived, worked and died by: "Give the best you have, and the best will come to you." |
