W. H. Lanier Junior Senior High School 100th Anniversary finale June 13-15

Lanier Junior Senior High School

Lanier High School is named in honor of William Henry Lanier, who served as a former president of Alcorn College and was the inaugural supervisor of Jackson Colored Public Schools. Lanier was born a slave in Huntsville, Alabama, in 1851. He attended Tougaloo College, Oberlin College, and Fisk University and received his B.A. from Roger Williams University. He served as president of Alcorn A&M for six years. Lanier taught school in Forest, Winona, Black Hawk, Carrollton, Yazoo City, and Jackson, MS. He was principal of Robertson School from 1912 to 1929.

 Lanier was first organized as a junior-senior high school in 1925, providing instruction for pupils from the seventh through the twelfth grades. A new chapter was added to its history when, on February 8, 1954, it transferred from the old Lanier at 136 East Ash Street and occupied the new Lanier Junior-Senior High School building at 833 West Maple Street. On January 27, 1972, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered that Lanier School be designated as a center for 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students. In 1991, ninth-grade students were included in the enrollment.

Many Lanier students participated in the Civil Rights Movement. In 2007, Lanier was designated a Mississippi Landmark and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

Lanier High School National Alumni Association

The Lanier High School National Alumni Association was established in 1998 by graduates committed to their academic success. The Association is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Its mission is to support and increase the success of all students academically, economically, and socially. The LHSNAA is active and in good standing with the Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy. The award-winning alumni association donates thousands of dollars annually to support student scholarships and educational needs. Several individual alumni donate funds earmarked to support sports programs and other endeavors. Alumni-owned businesses also contribute to school needs, including donating blazers to Mr. and Miss Lanier annually. The LHSNAA has received the Governor’s Award for Exemplary Partnership in Education for five years. 

W. H. Lanier Junior Senior High School Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary

The year 2025 marks the 100th Anniversary of Lanier Junior Senior High School, also known as 833. The theme for the celebration is “W. H. Lanier Celebrating a Century of Resilience, Excellence, and Future Possibilities.” Lanier is an institution with a rich history that has withstood the test of time through the days of segregation and the Civil Rights Movement. The school’s rich history is highlighted by the accomplishments of its faculty, staff, and alumni. Among all alumni associations per capita, the Lanier High School National Alumni Association is larger and stronger than any Historically Black High School (HBHS) in the country. 

The alumni chose to celebrate its 100th Anniversary through a series of events during the 2024-2025 school year. The Centennial Celebration began in October 2024 with a week-long series of activities. On Sunday, October 6, 2024, the kickoff event was the annual “Wreath Laying Ceremony” at the grave site of the founder, W. H Lanier, in the Greenwood Cemetery near downtown Jackson. The newly formed Lanier Alumni Ministerial Alliance (LAMA) led the event. The LAMA is currently expanding and consists of a group of ministers and clergy from all classes of Lanier graduates. 

Activities also included a homecoming parade, pep rally, and the crowning of Mr. and Miss Lanier with their homecoming court. The events concluded with Lanier’s annual Homecoming Tailgate celebration, followed by a winning football season game. Hundreds of alumni gather for this day-long celebration each year on homecoming day. Other events include the presentation of the history of Lanier during the Black History Month program on February 20, 2025, at the school auditorium. 

The Lanier High School Centennial Steering Committee has announced the “Finale Weekend” Celebration, which will be held Friday, June 13, 2025, through Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Jackson, MS. The Finale Celebration is open to all alumni, friends, and supporters of Lanier Junior Senior High School. It is also open to the surrounding community, current and former administrators, teachers, and coaches. 

The schedule of events includes Friday, June 13, 2025, Reception at the Two Mississippi Museums, 222 North Street, Jackson, MS, 39201; Saturday, June 14, 2025, Centennial Black-Tie Gala, Jackson Convention Complex, 105 E Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS, 39201; Sunday, June 15, 2025, Memorial Service, Lanier Junior Senior High School Auditorium, 833 West Maple Street, Jackson, MS 39203. Specific times for the beginning of each of the above events will be provided to attendees once the registration process has been completed. The registration deadline is April 1, 2025.

The registration fee is $150 per person, which covers the entire weekend. Tables may be purchased for the Black-Tie Gala for $1500, with seating for ten (10). The fee does not decrease for attending only one night. All sales are final; there are no refunds. To register, complete each section of the form and return it with payment by money order or cashier’s check, payable to W.H. Lanier Centennial Steering Committee, P.O. Box 1332, Ridgeland, MS, 39158. Payments may also be made via Venmo @LHS100th. For those who elect to pay for the event in cash and receive a hard-copy ticket, contact Charlotte Cannon at (601) 918-1621. Please do not send money via mail.  Please refer to QR Code provided.

Activities and events were planned and developed by the Lanier Junior Senior High School Centennial Steering Committee (LHSCSC). The core members of the LHSCSC were appointed by the Lanier High School National Alumni Association in November 2022. The Centennial Steering Committee was organized formally and obtained 501(c)3 status in March 2023. The committee was established independently of the Lanier High School National Alumni Association (LHSNAA) to plan and implement the Centennial Celebration. The balance of funds from the celebration will be donated to the LHSNAA for Lanier Junior Senior High School student educational enhancement and related activities.

W. H. Junior Senior Lanier Centennial Steering Committee Members

Ceagus S. Reed (LHS Class of 1969), President, Public Relations Sub-Committee 

Lee A. Bernard, Jr. (LHS Class of 1968), Vice President, Public Relations Sub-Committee

Dr. Rosie Lee Calvin (LHS Class of 1969), 2nd Vice President, Events/Planning Sub-Committee

Dr. Dyna G. M. Chambers (LHS Class of 1982), Secretary, Graphics Designer, Marketing Sub-Committee

Denise Jones Bynum (LHS Class of 1982), Treasurer/Finance, Events Planning Sub-Committee

Beverly Harris-Williams (LHS Class of 1979), Marketing Coordinator, Fundraising Sub-Committee

Lawrence Johnson (LHS Class of 1974), Fundraising Coordinator, Fundraising Sub-Committee 

Rosaline H. McCoy (LHS Class of 1993), Community Relations Coordinator, Community Relations Sub-Committee

Charlotte Cannon (LHS Class of 1974), All Class Resource, Events Planning Sub-Committee

Teresa Palmer-Jones (LHS Class of 1993), Communications Designer, Public Relations Sub-Committee

Daryl L. Jones (LHS Class of 1973), Legal Advisor, Fundraising Sub-Committee

Hazel Shields (LHS Class of 1966), Ex Officio Member (Advisor) 

Al Thomas (LHS Class of 1966), Ex Officio Member (Advisor)

With the constant decrease in Jackson Public Schools’ student population, the potential is high for more schools to face closure. Jackson, Mississippi, is more than 80 percent Black, and Lanier Junior Senior High School has a rich history worth preserving. Since 1925, Lanier has supported generations of Black families. The history of Jackson, Mississippi, is strongly associated with Lanier High School, a place that has stood the test of time and witnessed the struggles and triumphs of its community. 

In 1947, Lanier student Elport Chess organized the first bus boycott in Jackson, Mississippi. Students at Lanier have been highly active in civil rights throughout its history. Its doors were open to Black students when most high schools in Jackson were closed to them. The only Blacks entering those schools were cafeteria, janitorial and maintenance workers. With the start of the Community School concept at Lanier, supporters believe they are on the right track. “We all must support this worthy cause. We must keep Lanier Junior Senior High School as an active school in Jackson, Mississippi,” stated Ceagus S. Reed.