in uplifting his race and community .” He was an ardent follower of Booker T . Washington . Home economics was offered for girls and vocational agriculture for boys . Athens was an agricultural community and most of its students lived on farms or at least had a cow and garden .
Students were taught the dignity of labor , using their head or hands . Classes and projects afforded opportunities to learn leadership , new techniques and farm management . The school competed against other Black schools in the county in every area from agriculture to penmanship and usually brought home numerous awards .
Fisher was known as a liaison between the Black and white community , organizing activities between the races and diffusing racial crises . He assisted Jimmy Kitts and frequently traveled with the teams during their basketball championship years . Known as a dreamer , he also put feet to the ideas and was a creator and builder .
This was evident when the brick schoolhouse he dreamed of including six classrooms , book-room , principal ’ s office and auditorium was completed in 1932-33 .
Death claimed Fisher in 1932 . There is a stone placed at Athens North Cemetery in his honor
Courtesy photo Principal Jesse Royall supervises students outside .
February 2022 | Greater Athens Magazine 13