When former students of the old Burnett High School gather next week for their reunion, they'll surely swap memories of their days on the Terrell campus.

They'll also remember who made it all possible, the man who was instrumental in educating generations of black children in the Kaufman County town.

W.H. Burnett became principal of the one-room Old Colored School in 1900 and expanded it to serve high school students. For more than 40 years, Mr. Burnett instilled in children the importance of reading, getting an education and saving money. He also offered hope for the future.

During those days, when schools were segregated, Mr. Burnett told his students, "Things are going to change for the better."

Those who knew the educator say the W.H. Burnett Family Reunion, which starts Thursday, helps ensure that his legacy endures. The reunion, which typically attracts more than 500 alumni, is held every three years.

"It keeps history alive," said E.P. Shaw, 83, a former Burnett student. "We share what happened back in those days. And what the school system meant for blacks in those days. Hopefully, we pass this on to the younger people."

After earning a college degree, William Henry Burnett moved to Terrell and led the school for 44 years, organizing and directing the school band and choir, and forming an oratorical club.

Mr. Burnett died in 1944, and the high school eventually was named for him.

With pot-bellied stoves burning coal to heat classrooms, simple chalkboards and used athletic uniforms, life during the school's early days was far from fancy. But for the students, that didn't matter.

"We didn't know any better; we didn't know anything else," said Herman Furlough, 69. "It was a place to go and learn, and that's what we did."

Former students say they developed strong bonds with their classmates, and their teachers were caring.

The school "was like heaven to me," said Howard Flewellen, 93. The alumnus credits Mr. Burnett for getting his life off to a good start.

"To me, he was everything a person could be," Mr. Flewellen said. "He was a father, a grandfather, a schoolteacher and he was almost a preacher."

Mr. Shaw said that Mr. Burnett asked his students to obey their teachers, listen to what was being said in their classes and apply themselves throughout their lives.

"You have something to offer society and there's a place for you," Mr. Burnett would tell the students.

The last group of students graduated from Burnett High in 1968, when the Terrell district integrated.

W.H. Burnett Elementary School in Terrell is named for the educator, and a state historical marker featuring details on his life appears in the city.

Mr. Furlough, Mr. Flewellen and Mr. Shaw all came back to teach in Terrell, either at the old Burnett school or in the integrated Terrell schools. Mr. Shaw was an assistant principal at Terrell High, and he was the school's first black administrator. Mr. Furlough was the first black person to serve as Terrell High's principal.

What would Mr. Burnett think if he were alive today, seeing black children go to school with white children and watching blacks lead integrated schools?

"He would be in awe," Mr. Furlough said. "He would be proud and amazed and jumping with joy."

Print

E-mail this article

Forums

Check Screen Name Availability

Screen names can only consist of letters and numbers.

---

Leave Comment

Conversation guidelines: We welcome your thoughts and information related to this article. When leaving comments please stay on topic and be respectful of others.

You must be logged in to contribute. Log in | Register Now!

You are logged in as screenname | Log Out

You are logged in, but do not have a "screen" name. Update Your Profile

Showing:

Newest first Oldest first

---