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'We went through the same traumas': 2nd annual Peter G. Appling and Ballard Hudson High School reunion held

About 600 people met to share memories, eat food, and receive awards at the reunion at the Macon Centreplex Exhibition Room.

MACON, Ga. — On Friday night, some people who graduated from two former all-black high schools reunited for a special occasion.

Sabrina Burse went to the Peter G. Appling and Ballard Hudson second annual reunion.  About 600 people met inside the Macon Centreplex on Coliseum Drive. 

Former student George Smith says it was an emotional night. 

"We were the only two here in Macon, the only two black schools, minority schools," said Smith. 

Smith says with those two high schools being the only available for black students until desegregation, the Tigers and the Wildcats did their best to have school pride.

"Back then, it was special. There was this bond, this friendship," said Smith. 

Reunion organizer Isaac Lightfoot says both schools had noteworthy accomplishments. Ballard Hudson produced professional athletes like NFL player Julius Adams with the New England Patriots and J.T. Thomas of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"Peter G. Appling won five state championships, and most of the great people of Macon have come to these schools -- [like] former Mayor C. Jack Ellis [and] Judge Billy Randall," said Lightfoot. 

Classmates listened to music, drank refreshments, ate dinner, and got to share memories. Smith says the opportunity to see his peers is special because they all struggled and persevered together.  

"We went through the same traumas here in Macon, so I think it's very, very good that we are coming together and doing something as one," said Smith. 

Both schools closed in 1970 and students began attending Central High School, Southwest High School, and Northeast High School. 

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