Fernandina Beach, F.L., June 24, 2024 – The illustrious Peck High School hosted its 9th Grand Reunion Banquet for all living alumni of all classes under the theme "Preserving Our Legacy." This celebratory event was held at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club on June 21-22, 2024. Evelyn Pringle Mosley, a proud alumna of the Class of 1968, was the grand reunion's Mistress of Ceremony.
The alumni sang the school alma mater before any speaker addressed the audience. The song, with words written by alumnus Richard S. Cook, symbolizes the deep love and respect that the school's alumni hold for their alma mater. The event began with an invocation and a welcome address. Thereafter, reflective and celebratory activities, a 50/50 raffle, followed by a full-course formal dinner filled the evening.
The reunion also honored our beloved visionary ancestor, Professor William H. Peck, a teacher, principal, mentor, and distinguished individual. Born a slave in Virginia, Peck became well respected in both the Black (Gullah/Geechee) and White communities of Fernandina Beach, FL, long before integration. His legacy continues to be a big part of history on Amelia Island, and his contributions to the educational system are still remembered and appreciated.
The Institution
Remembering Prof. William Henderson Peck (1859-1950)
William Henderson Peck was a distinguished teacher, principal, and mentor. Born a slave in Virginia, he garnered respect in both the African American and White communities of Fernandina Beach, Florida, long before integration. A graduate of Howard University, Professor Peck moved to Fernandina Beach in 1887 from Washington, D.C.
Upon his arrival, Professor Peck served as an assistant to Professor Payne, who later passed away during the yellow fever epidemic in 1887. Following this, Professor Peck was appointed principal of the school and held the position for nearly 50 years. In 1928, when the school was rebuilt using funds from the Julius Rosenwald Foundation, he was the first principal. He was responsible for hiring qualified personnel and developing the curriculum for enrolled students. During the summer months, he held classes to train teachers and prepare them for the upcoming school year.
Professor Peck was married three times. His second wife, Georgia Mordecai, whom he married in 1891, and his third wife, Maria McHenry Edwards, whom he married in November 1930, are both buried in Bosque Bello Cemetery. Professor Peck was buried alongside Maria, and his family remarked his grave in 2008. His mother was listed as Mattie Henderson.
Despite many documents about his life being destroyed by fire or flood, his contributions to education are remembered. He was described as a private individual who did not seek the limelight. Willie Mae Ashley, a student at Peck High School during Professor Peck's tenure as principal, stated, "He was a caring person who was always trying to better people."
His influence on the educational system is still remembered and appreciated. He provided such positive motivation for his faculty and students that his legacy continues to be a significant part of the history of Amelia Island. In 2000, Professor William H. Peck was nominated for the distinguished Great Floridian Award, an honor for him, his school, and the community he led to great heights. His legacy lives on today at the Peck Center, which houses various community organizations and a library for research and study on the first floor.
Toward an Authoritative History of Peck High School (1884-1969)
From Abandoned School to Community Center (Since 1969)
The Sustainers
Peck High School Alumni Association
The Peck High School Alumni Association, led by President Louryne Spaulding, Vice President Milton Green, Secretary Annette Spaulding, Financial Secretary Vernetta L. Spaulding, Treasurer Sandra Williams-Palmer, and Business Manager Sylvia Jones Chandler, along with alumni staff members Wanda Blue, Joyce William Downing, Neil Frink, Nathalie Clayton Jackson, Cheryl Henderson Joseph, Brenda Richardson Hooper, Janice Mote, Dorothy Mote Thomas, Annette McClough Myers, Geneva "Janie Raysor" Terry, and W. Clarice Williams, are the main planners of the event. These dedicated individuals are leading the push to potentially reopen Peck High as an active high school for the Amelia Island inland community.
About the Keynote Speaker, Mr. Spencer Albert
Born in Nassauville, known as "the Hammock," Albert's journey from humble beginnings to illustrious careers was truly inspiring. He recounted his early years, his parents' stern discipline, and his entrance into Peck High School in the fall of 1953, which he described as not just the start of a new adventure but a relief from the daily toil.
Albert graduated from Peck in 1965 and, with the help of the school's Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Edith Thurston, enrolled at The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). After serving a tour of duty in Vietnam, where he received the United States Army Accommodation Medal, he returned to FAMU and graduated with honors in 1971. With his degree, Albert went on to serve as a ghostwriter for Dr. Benjamin Perry, the then President of FAMU, and later for the City of Tallahassee, Florida.
Albert's career in Tampa, where he now resides, was marked by important roles, including job development, consumer protection investigator, and community relations specialist. His long-standing tenure with the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners saw him rise from Administrative Assistant to the Chief Deputy County Administrator and later to Executive Manager of the Hillsborough County Disadvantaged/Disadvantaged Women Business Enterprise and Small Business Enterprise Programs.
Keynote Address
A centerpiece of the event was a keynote speech by Spencer Albert, a distinguished alumnus from the Class of 1965. As the Founding President of Goldwater Ventures and the Founding Chairman of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Community Trust, Prince introduced the keynote speaker, his beloved uncle, "Mr. Uncle Spencer Albert."
Mr. Spencer Albert begins his speech by acknowledging and uplifting his nephew:
I asked [Prince] to introduce me because he grew up in Philadelphia. And since he has become grown, he has fallen in love with Fernandina. And I suspect that, in years to come, you are going to hear from him because he is not afraid of challenges.
Spencer shifted to discussing his personal history and his various challenges and milestones. He recalls visiting a museum the previous day and being impressed by its organization. He reflected on the importance of being proud of their heritage, despite the disappearance of Peck High School. Spencer fondly remembers his early school years and his teachers, particularly his first and second grade teacher who was like a second mother to him.
Spencer then delves into his high school experiences, mentioning the desegregation decision and other significant historical events from the 1950s and 1960s, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He shares his journey from Peck High School to serving in the Vietnam War, eventually returning to complete his education and embarking on a long career with the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
In a more reflective part of his speech, Spencer discusses the importance of faith and perseverance in his career. He shares anecdotes about reading the Bible and working on crossword puzzles during his bus rides to work, emphasizing the significance of being an inspiration to others, even unknowingly.
Spencer then touches on broader societal issues, warning of the dangers of censorship and the importance of preserving their cultural and educational institutions. He recounts a specific instance involving Dr. Perry from FAMU and the efforts to prevent the university from being moved to Jacksonville.
Spencer concludes his speech by stressing the need to maintain and support our institutions, such as churches and schools, and to continue introducing future generations to their rich heritage. He shares a personal story about staying with a mentor during a difficult time, highlighting the value of community and support.
In closing, Spencer reflects on the resilience and creativity of their community, urging everyone to never give up on their shared goals and to take pride in their accomplishments. He emphasizes that they are still here, creating and moving forward despite the challenges.
Goldwater's Support
Goldwater Ventures is a full-service cultural sustainability firm that offers advisory and media services to cultural institutions worldwide. We promote the traditionalist lifeways of cultural communities worldwide. Founding President A. Prince Albert III expressed deep pride in contributing to the 9th Grand Peck High School Reunion, emphasizing how his uncle Spencer Albert's keynote speech encapsulated the very essence of Goldwater's mission. Uncle Spencer's inspiring journey from humble beginnings to distinguished careers highlighted themes of resilience, maintaining traditions, and community empowerment—principles at the heart of Goldwater Ventures.
In reflecting on the event, Prince shared his thoughts on the importance of preserving and honoring their shared legacy:
My guardian angel, Mrs. Marva Ruth Albert (Johnson), used to remind me that 'charity begins at home.' The cultural sustainability work that I do with my Afro and Indigenous cousins throughout the diaspora, I also do locally at home in Fernandina because this is my ancestral home.
Young Mr. Albert continued,
Uncle Spencer has been a key influence in my life from an early age, engaing with my instinctive pensivity and my natural aptitudes for language, history, and advocacy. He moved me by asking me to introduce him, but I was humbled by him giving me such praise. The work of Uncle Spencer and all of his sibblings, parents, and others has always been 'cultural sustainbility'. Froma jit, I was constantly encouraged learn from the elders, and keep the culture. This is not accident that his recognition of my emerging efforts co-occurs with our launch of "The Culture Keepers." But more on that in the coming weeks.
The Event's Reverberating Impact
The event proved a memorable occasion for all attendees as they honored the school's legacy, reconnected with old classmates, and paid tribute to the individuals who have made significant contributions to Peck High School. The Peck High School Alumni Association, under the leadership of President Louryne Spaulding, was instrumental in organizing this grand reunion. Their dedication to preserving the School's legacy inspires the entire Amelia Island community. The grand-reunion stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and pride that Peck High School instills in its students, past and present. Hopefully, it will inspire the larger community to maintain the legacies of Prof. William Peck and the high school named after him.
Citation
Goldwater Ventures, Goldwater supports the Peck High School Community's Sustainability Efforts (Jun. 24, 2024), LINK.
References
Suanne Z. Thamm, Honoring Peck High School, Fernandina Observer (Feb. 19, 2016), https://fernandinaobserver.com/general/honoring-peck-high-school/.
Amelia Islander, Remembering Peck High School (March 2021), https://www.ameliaislander.com/remembering-peck-high-school/.
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