Announcement

Classmates,

My heart is aching with every stroke of the keyboard. I am announcing the passing of my childhood friend, Valerie Lanier Joseph, who loss her battle with cancer this morning. Please pray for her family and especially her son, Christian, who is in his freshman year in college. Remember them all with cards, calls, letters, visits, etc. I will notify you as soon as I know about services. I hope you all will be there for her celebration -- that's what she would expect -- us to celebrate.

This message was sent by Johna Robinson Vazquez, President, on behalf of the PHS '81 Alumni.

Announcements

Hello Everyone,

Our friend and classmate Larry J. Brown Jr. (also known at J-Elijah) has published a book of poetry titled I GOT THE REVELATION THAT LIBERATION THROUGH SEXUALITY LEADS TO BONDAGE, BUT REPENTANCE LEADS TO FREEDOM.   The book will be available in September.  More details will be provided as they become available.

Congratulations on your success, Larry!

***************************************************************

PHS alum Blair Underwood will be starring on a new drama on the NBC network called "The Event."  There is currently a petition to bring the premiere of the show to Petersburg.  Currently, Oklahoma City is in the lead.  Please cast your votes to bring "The Event" to our town though the link below.  Please use zip code 23803.

http://eventful.com/performers/the-event-/P0-001-000229643-3/demand

Congrats to Heriberto Vazquez II

Hello Everyone,

It's been a while between blog updates, but we have some exciting news to share. Our classmate Johna Vazquez has an extremely talented son (Heriberto Vazquez II) who illustrated a book recently. The book, A Woman of Society, is by local author Quinton Fauntleroy. You can purchase the book by clicking on the title and following the link. Please support if you can.

Congrats Heriberto! We wish you much success in your future endeavors and look forward to seeing more of your work.

Class of 1990 Reunion/Spoken Word Show

The following information was forwarded by Spencer Hunter (Timeless Peace):

 

Come and join us as we show some love for The PHS Class of 1990! We are pulling out all the stops for this one!!! P.U.P will tickle your ears and open your mind with some of the best Spoken Word this side of the planet! It will be a fun filled night full of gifts and suprises... Timeless Peace,

X-ODUS, and Fittz The Fire Starter will set the stage

a blaze... And some special guests will be in the building! Come and celebrate with us...Smile!

Some very special door prizes will be given away...

This is one show you don't want to miss, Don't let someone else tell you how much fun they had, come and be apart of it..! Eat! Drink! and Enjoy...

 

Timeless Peace

 

Date:	Friday, June 25, 2010
Time:	9:00pm - 12:30pm
Location:	Club Liason ( The old Gene's kitchen in Blandford)
Street:	37 N. Crater Rd.
City:	Petersburg, VA

Class of 1995 - 15 Year Reunion

Hello PHS National Alumni Association,

 

This is Larry Brown Jr. President of PHS Class of 95'.  I'm planning our 15 year class reunion for this year's Homecoming weekend in October 2010.  We will be attending the parade, alumni mixer, and football game.  Let me know what we can do in conjunction with you and how we can participate in alumni activities and be involved.  I can be reached

at 516 425-7997 and soulsurvivorshine@yahoo.com .

God Bless.

 

Larry J. Brown Jr.

Updates

This message was sent by Johna Robinson Vazquez, President, on behalf of the PHS '81 Alumni.

 COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PREP:

The CollegePlace-Richmond: ³College Admissions Prep Clinics²


The College Place ­ Richmond is pleased to offer two-day college admissions
prep sessions to help rising juniors and seniors prepare for the upcoming
college admissions season. These free workshops are geared to help students:

Two-Day Session Highlights include:
·      Crafting and enhancing the student¹s college portfolio
·      Develop an appropriate list of colleges
·      Brainstorm topics and writing tips for a powerful personal statement.
·      Understand the basics of financial aid and budgeting.

Event Details: Mary & Frances Youth Center (on the campus of VCU next to the
Cary Street Gym).

Date: July 8 & 9, July 12 & 13, and July 29 & 30 from 10a ­ 5p.

Apply: In order to review eligibility requirements and download an
application, please visit:http://www.ecmcfoundation.org/details/prepclinics.html . Registration
Deadline:  June 14, 2010. Due to program limitations, students are
encouraged to apply early. Twelve students will be selected per two-day
session. Students will be notified by June 21st, 2010. T

This program is free for participants.

For questions, please call 827.0551 or email richmondtcp@ecmc.org.

APPRECIATION DINNER FOR DAVID CHAMBLISS:

The Petersburg High School Marching Band Alumni will hold an Appreciation Dinner for Mr. David Chambliss, who is celebrating 30 years as Director of Bands for Petersburg City Public Schools.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday June 11

WHERE: Fort Lee Regimental Club

 

Tickets can be purchased at the following:

Bland Florist 7 West Wythe Street Petersburg, Virginia 23805 (804) 732-5319

Hair Dreams II 2138 East Washington Street Petersburg, Virginia 23803 (804) 862-3603

Sophia Seaborne at Petersburg High School, and online at www.phsbandalumni.webs.com

BLACK AND GOLD WEEKEND:

 

THE BLACK & GOLD WEEKEND - May 27-30, 2010

For more information, visit the website @ http://blackandgoldweekend.com/ or call 804-590-6846

You are invited to be a part of a fun and festive weekend celebrating the 40th anniversary of the last graduating class of Peabody High School (1970).  Experience the social events, musical concerts, golf tournament, and more. 

Sad News

Below is the information for Steve Jones' father, who passed away on Sunday, May 9, 2010.  Please keep Steve and his wife, Cynthia (Class of '82) and their family in your prayers.  Thanks to Raymon "BeBe" (Moore) Bessix for keeping me up-to-date.

This message was sent by Johna Robinson Vazquez, President, on behalf of the PHS '81 Alumni.

Harold C. Jones
(May 8, 1927 - May 9, 2010)
One thing I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4 On Sunday, May 9, 2010, our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend Mr. Harold Curtis Jones peacefully left his early home and completed the ultimate goal in a Believers’ life, where all who confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior desire to achieve. Harold Curtis Jones was born May 8, 1927, to the late Mary Jones (Parks) and Willie C. Jones. He was born in Mecklenburg County, VA. He worked 29 years for the U. S. Postal Service before he retired in 1993. He was joined in holy matrimony with Mattie Leona Whitehead on July 21, 1956. Together they shared 51 years of marriage. He was a faithful member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church until his health began to fail. He was the President of his Neighborhood Watch and the Petersburg Association of Neighborhoods (PAN). He was preceded in death by his wife, Mattie L. Whitehead Jones. He is survived by his devoted sons, Denton A. Epps (Iona), Harold Rodney Jones (Rosalind) and Steve M. Jones (Cynthia); five grandchildren, Denise Epps, H. Quincy, Ebony, Danyiel and Maya Jones; six great grandchildren; one brother, Calvin C. Jones (Maxine); one nephew, Warren Jones (Gina); one niece, Carolyn Jones-Bey (Mikael), one sister-in-law, Eva Spratley; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. Harold will forever live in our hearts. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 14, 2010 at the Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 2223 South Crater Road, Petersburg, VA. The Rev. Jeffery Reaves, Pastor, officiating. Interment to follow in the Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at 4101 Twisted Oak Drive, Colonial Heights, VA (804)526-4140.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mr. Jones online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of the J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Essay Contest

This message was sent by Johna Robinson Vazquez, President, on behalf of the PHS '81 Alumni.

For more than a decade, the Richmond Peace Education Center’s annual essay contest has encouraged Virginia’s youth to think more deeply about the meaning and importance of peace while strengthening their writing skills.

This year’s theme, Living in a World of Diversity, prompts students to consider how Americans can look beyond our divisions to build unity and respect as individuals, communities and a country. 

An official entry form, along with the full writing prompt and contest rules is available at the Peace Center’s web site, www.rpec.org.

The contest is open to all public, private and home-schooled students in Virginia from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Many teachers use the writing prompt as an assignment or extra-credit option in the classroom in order to provide a meaningful subject for students to write about as they develop their language and composition skills.

Entries are divided into four age groups, with eight cash prizes in each division. The top two essays in each school level are also invited to read their essays on WRIR, Richmond Independent Radio.

Entries will be judged on content, composition, style and grammar, with emphasis on a thoughtful and creative approach to the theme. Two copies of all essays are due by April 19, 2010, at the Richmond Peace Education Center office: 400 W. 32nd St. Richmond, VA 23225.

Paul Fleisher Assistant to the Directorrpec@rpec.org or (804) 232-1002. 

The Richmond Peace Education Center is a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization.

Lisa Relaford Coston

We received the following message from Johna Vazquez (President, PHS '81 Alumni):

Dear Classmates:

I am saddened to announce the passing of our classmate, Lisa Relaford Coston. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 1pm at SAINT PAULS CHURCH in Norfolk VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to St. Paul's Episcopal Church or Ohef Sholem Temple in Norfolk. Lisa was doing wonderful things just as we expected of her: I Googled her and here are some of the links:

http://music.cnu.edu/pdf/coston.pdf

http://www.williamsburgchoralguild.org/site/pages/bios/bio_coston.shtml

http://www.vachorale.org/singers.html

http://www.artsongupdate.org/Reviews/Creo/Creo.htm

https://www.carepages.com/carepages/lisarelafordcoston

(you have to register and subscribe to view this information, but it's free)

Thank you to her good friend and fellow choir member, Joseph Lyons, Sr. for notifying us of her passing.

Attention Class of '96!

The class of '96 now has an email group. If you would like to join, please email crimsonwave96@yahoo.com to get to the link.

Upcoming Athletic Events

To PHS Alumni:

On Thursday, January 28, at 7. p.m., Petersburg High School (PHS) will host a jersey retirement pre-ceremony celebration for former PHS student-athlete Kenny Harris ('89), at the Petersburg High School cafeteria. This is a public event.

On Friday, January 29, at 7 p.m., PHS will officially retire Kenny Harris’ jersey, at the PHS gymnasium. Entry to this event will be by ticket only.

 

On Wednesday, February 3, at 10 a.m. in the PHS library, PHS student-athletes Quinton Spain and Eric MacGruder will sign for the University of West Virginia and Madison University, respectively.

 

On Thursday, February 4, at 7 p.m. in the Lawson Gymnasium at PHS, PHS will retire the jersey of former PHS student-athlete Sylita Thomas, who was a Crimson Wave four year starter from 1992-1995.

 

On Thursday, February 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Petersburg City Public Schools will host the Central District Track and Field Championships, to be held at the Arthur Ashe Center in Richmond (as is customary due to space limitations).

 

For more information, contact Clifford Davis, Public Information Officer, Petersburg City Public Schools, 804-862-7084

Thanks to Johna Vazquez for forwarding this information.

Update on Troy Eley

PHS alum Demetria Mckensie-Rambert has relayed some wonderful news that I am happy to share with you all.  As many of you already know, our friend and classmate, Troy Eley, was in need of a kidney transplant.  I am pleased to report that he successfully received his transplant on Sunday!  On behalf of the PHSNAA, I'd like to wish Troy a speedy recovery.

Additional Information:
For anyone wanting to send Troy cards or well wishes, he is at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.  Phone number: 704-355-2000

Thanks again Demetria for sharing this information.