On June 22, 32 generations of U.S. Jones students will gather at the Demopolis Civic Center over the course of the weekend.

The occasion will be the second grand reunion for the Demopolis school since 2003.

Although the event is a more than week away, Dot Russell, Burnquetta Johnson, Brettaina Evans, Sara Lee Miles, Doris Henderson, Sara Wright, Annie W. Smith, and Holley White gathered in the Eastern Star Baptist Church fellowship hall to pack the registration goodie bags.

As they strategically rolled t-shirts, the group carefully placed the appropriate number of tickets and pencils in each bag as they worked toward the completion of providing for approximately 400 guests.

“In 2003 we had between 550 and 600,” committee member Laura G. Foster said, “so our numbers have gone down.”

In order to contact their former classmates, the committees mainly used word of mouth to spread news of the reunion. However, in the age of technology, Foster said the Internet also played a large role in getting information to U.S. Jones alumni.

The theme for the weekend is “The challenge of today is the task of tomorrow,” and the ladies are prepared to overcome any obstacles that may prevent them from seeing their peers.

“I am really looking forward to it,” Smith, class of 1952, said. “I am thankful to be able to see them again.”

“It’s so exciting,” White, class of 1957, added.

“It’ just a blessing to be reunited again,” Miles, class of 1961, said with a smile.

Reunion attendees will attend a picnic, banquet, brunch, dance and morning worship together over the weekend.

According to Foster, the itinerary is the same except for the addition of Sunday services, which will be led by Jones alum.

The Rev. Joseph Henderson (’55) will lead Sunday school, while the Rev Fansworth Coleman (’67) will deliver the morning sermon and the Rev. Laymon Hardy (’69) will assist him. Foster said the Rev. Dan Thomas and the Rev. Frank Jones, both Jones graduates as well, will speak the invocations at the banquet and brunch events.

The group plans for the event to be a fun time for all, however

if Jones graduates have not registered, it’s too late now.

“Registration is closed,” Foster said, “and we will not collect money at the door.”