Former students tell of separate schools
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The Rev. Louis Grant, center left, and his wife, Sandra, accompany Geraldine Ray, center right, and Sarah Weston Hart, far right, as they share their
experiences attending segregated schools in the 40s and 50s.
ate meals brought from home, often wood switch by dropping her hand Weston Hart graduated Mars Hill
in a tin pail, during their 30-minute at the moment of impact. College in 1975 and completed
lunch break. After school, Ray would return graduate work at George Mason
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It was one of the few times dur- to her Barnardsville home, work on University in 1996. She is currently
ing the day students could talk and the farm and complete her lessons an educator. Ray stayed at home to 1040EZ $50.00
interact. During class time, it was by oil lamp. take care of her ailing grandmother.
silence. Weston Hart said 30 or 40 stu- She now lives across from the school,
1040A $60.00
“The teacher carried a switch,” dents would hop a bus from Hot which moved to the Hillside Street
Fees include E-File
she said. “If you talked, you got the Springs and Marshall to reach the location in 1961 and eventually
switch.” Although she offered a tip Long Ridge School in Mars Hill. closed after school integration in
to the Vance students when she said Each school was a one-room build- 1965. It now acts as the Hillside
Free Quotes for Farms,
she usually avoided the stinging dog- ing with a separator in between the Community Center.
Business and, Sales
two classes. Long Ridge School also closed
Upon graduation, the two ladies after 1965, but now sits dilapidated,
traveled by bus to Stephens Lee High and Weston Hart said she has talked
Hours 9-5 Monday - Saturday
School in Asheville where they both to other former students about re-
admitted they felt like they had been storing the structure.
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dropped into a completely different Both admitted that while racism
environment. Weston Hart said the still exists in this country, there are
education at Long Ridge School so many more opportunities for
Helen Keene
featured the basic subjects of math students, both black and white, to
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and reading, but their education learn and achieve their goals.
levels needed a steep learning curve “There are so many resources
(828)645-2657
to reach the curriculum at Stephens out there,” Weston Hart told the
Lee. students. “There are no excuses for
9 Gill Branch Rd. • Weaverville, NC 28787
After finishing at Stephens Lee, you guys not to succeed.”
www.weavervilletribune.com
Apr 2 - 8, 2009 THE TRIBUNE 15
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