together , that sense of community , cause Meridian — you know I kind of got a little bit disconnected during those 40 years I was in Houston – but we were a strong community .” This year ’ s convention and picnic , being hosted by the Southern region home chapter , will take place June 26-29 with the theme , “ When we all get together , what a day of rejoicing it will be .” The organization ’ s executive board members will begin arriving in Meridian on Wednesday , June 26 , with business sessions scheduled for Thursday and Friday morning . The Drury Inn & Suites will be this year ’ s headquarters hotel .
The National Council of Meridianites Jacquelyn Sweetner Caffey Scholarship Foundation luncheon will be held at 1 p . m . Friday with a memorial service planned for 6 p . m . to honor those members who have passed away since the last reunion . The hospitality gathering is set for 8 p . m . and will include a dance and the annual awards ceremony .
Saturday will be the big day for activities with the Meridianite Picnic planned for Highland Park from 11 a . m . until 4 p . m . Several graduating classes will hold reunions during the picnic with tents from various years posted around the park . Some community organizations also will
Reuniting with classmates , reuniting with family and that ’ s what the picnic does , it brings everybody back home
- Terrence Davis
years ago , but it ’ s like you ’ re reuniting with family and that ’ s what you feel in the atmosphere in Highland Park .”
His 1989 Meridian High School graduating class always tries to hold a class reunion at the picnic . He said , “ It is always something special for our class .”
The Meridianite picnic originally started with a group of students who graduated from the old T . J . Harris High School . Since then , it has come to include students who graduated from Middleton High School in the county , as well as Meridian High School and students who attended St . Joseph Catholic School , Oatis said , adding their spouses and families are also encouraged to get involved in the organization .
“ I am not a Meridianite . I am originally from Natchez , Mississippi , but I ended up teaching at Meridian High and a little while at Kate Griffin and a little while at Magnolia ,” she said .
She got involved in the convention and picnic through her husband , the late C . E . Oatis Jr ., a long time band director , educator and administrator with the Meridian school district . A longtime president of the Council of Organizations Inc ., he helped to form the National Council of Meridianites .
In this file photo from the 2019 picnic , Guy W . Davis and Larry Jones prepare food for their picnic group
have booths on hand including the Mississippi Children ’ s Museum-Meridian with activities set up for the children . The park ’ s playground areas , basketball court and Dentzel Carousel will also be open for use .
Participants can bring their own food to grill and cook out , but organizers also will have a catered meal for those who purchase tickets in advance . The Grand Ball will be held Saturday evening , giving everyone the chance to dress up in semi-formal attire and celebrate with friends .
Terrence Davis , cultural affairs coordinator for the city ’ s Community Development department and a member of the picnic ’ s executive committee , said he enjoys the fellowship the gathering brings .
“ Reuniting with classmates , reuniting with family and that ’ s what the picnic does , it brings everybody back home ,” In this file photo from the 2019 picnic , Stephanie Collier , left , he said . “ The sense of family is so strong in Highland Park , Theresa Whitlock , Phyllis Collier , Virginia Jackson and Brenda not just seeing people that you haven ’ t seen from 25 , 30
Walker prepare ribs at the Highland Park gathering .
8 • MERIDIAN LIFE