From the WGHF archives 07.03.14

Further education for West Orange County’s African-American students became a reality when high school classes were gradually added to Winter Garden’s Charles R. Drew Junior High School beginning in 1956. Previously, these students had to travel into Orlando to attend Jones High School. Drew High became accredited in 1959 and held its last graduation exercises in 1969; its remaining grades were transferred to newly integrated Lakeview and Ocoee High Schools. These young men and women are members of Drew High School’s graduating class of 1959: front, Leyvon Thompson, Louie Jean Siplin, Earlene Riley, Elizabeth Keith, Carl James, Loretha Massey, unidentified, Algerine Law, Eloise Jackson; back, Harry Jackson, Curtis Bing, Bow Lindsey, Shirley Wilson, Henry Brown, Wonzel Mobley, Olivia Davis, Irene Baker and Vernell Massey. If you can supply the missing information or any corrections, call the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation at 407-656-3244.