WINONA - Students, teachers, alumni, and friends gathered Tuesday at Winona Christian School to celebrate the school's fortieth birthday.
"For this fortieth anniversary of Winona Christian School, this is a moment we should all appreciate," said Mike Guttuso, headmaster. "Dreams of certain individuals have created made what we have today, and we'd like to extend our gratitude to all those that make that dream a reality."
Winona Christian School started March 2, 1970, in Purnell Hall, the former band hall for the Winona Separate School District. Four classrooms held eight grades with two grades in each classroom. Beginning with just 69 students, the new school building was partially opened the fall of that year. The first graduating class for Winona Christian School graduated in 1972.
Today, 315 students attend Winona Christian School, and students travel from Madison, Grenada, Webster, and Leflore counties to attend school.
Evelyn Strickland, one of the first four teachers at Winona Christian School, recalled how WCS became known as "The Stars."
"The Stars were a military regiment from this area that came together in 1861 and fought all over the state of Mississippi," Strickland said. "These brave men were the last known company to surrender in 1865. Because of these brave men, we chose the name the Winona Stars."
Founding fathers Vince Saia and Bill Graves gave guests a look back at the school's beginning and reinforced the effort of teamwork that built the institution.
"I remember the first parent-teacher meeting at the barn where Hill Fire now has their performaces," Saia said. "It was a real family effort."
Saia remembered early leaders visiting the current site of WCS and deciding it would be the school's future home.
"Bob Ellis and M.L. Branch came to this hill and stood about where the front steps are now," Saia said. "Mr. Branch said this is where we are going to put the school."
Saia also remembered parents, teachers, and supporters working together to get the new building ready for students in mere days.
"If that wasn't a miracle, I don't know what was," he said. "It wasn't the best conditions, but it was up."
Saia remembered nearly a dozen country music shows held in the school's library and gymnasium where funds were raised to construct the school's football field.
"We raised enough money to buy those stands and the lights out there," he said.
Graves gave guests a snapshot of initial efforts to create the school.
"In 1965, a group came together to organize the Montgomery-Carroll Academy," Graves said. "It started out as a school that would serve both counties to be located near Kilmichael. It never came through, and we assumed the charter that started as the Montgomery Carroll Academy."
Graves said he remembers 10 members meeting in the Winona City Café to discuss the feasibility and needs of building the school.
"We had to find a place to conduct the school," Graves said.
Eventually, Graves said organizers purchased Purnell Hall from the Purnell Estate for $6,000. From there, the school became Winona Academy and later in 2000, the name changed to Winona Christian School.
"When I see all these little fellows, it touches me," Graves said. "We've come a long way."
Sixth grade Winona Christian School Student Morgan Garrett wrote a poem in honor of the school's birthday that she dedicated to the student body.
"The dream you keep chasing
The life you keep wanting to live;
The mountains you climb;
The thoughts you think all the time;
The ways you feel in times;
The tears you have cried;
And it doesn't matter;
How hard you tried.
The voice inside your head;
That keeps telling you never,
But as hard as you can,
You push it over.
All the battles that were fought;
All the ones lost,
But you kept on trying,
To make it at any cost.
You fall to the ground,
But it doesn't matter.
You aren't going to let this dream
Just go down and shatter,
You meet new people,
And make new friends,
But this isn't where
Your journey ends.
And after all of this,
After the dreams you chased
All the tears you cried
And all the battles you faced,
Here you are right now
Living your dreams
Where all of it
Started at the seams.
So follow your dreams,
Live your life,
Because it could
Change overnight."
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