Our New Face

Warren Sparrow weighs in on our old building's face lift:


Ed:

It is gratifying to see the changes to the facade at Central. My sister was in the Class of 1959 and yesterday she told me how glad she was to see the old building restored to its original look. I, too, teared up a bit when we drove past.

Our drive up Elizabeth Avenue caused a sense of pride. It also caused an old grievance to surface. The old grievance is this: I was disappointed when the replacement school was named "Garringer." I have never gotten over it. It has nothing to do with Dr.Garringer. It has to do with the short-sightedness of those who decided to name the new school after him. How could they transfer all the indicia of Central to the new school without transferring the name? What a pity. Apparently, the gods were not pleased, either. Who could blame them? No wonder Garringer has lost so many football games. No wonder the geese have destroyed Garringer's football field.

Naming the new school Garringer was a bad decision. I hope those responsible understand what they did to those who went to Central and to those who followed in their footsteps at Garringer. A rich history was diminished, almost lost, for both groups by politicians who failed to see the long view.

All of us who went to Central are indebted to those who pressed for the renovation. They have rendered Charlotte and us a great service. Nevertheless, it is hard for me to forgive those who gave up on Central when it really mattered.

Warren Sparrow
Central High School, Class of 1954

Warren brings up a good point. Frankly, it never crossed my mind that they might name it the "New Central" or something like that. To my way of thinking, that would be like putting lipstick on a pig, or putting a tuxedo on a monkey. When they closed that old building on Elizabeth Ave, as far as I was concerned, Central no longer existed. No point in keeping it on life support by pretending the old school was still alive by calling another building miles away "Central." If they had, there would always have been an asterisk by the name.

However, I wish they would change the name of the University that I went to. It still carries the same name that's on my diploma, but it sure as heck ain't the same school I went to! I'm embarrassed to ever mention that I even went there. -Ed

The staff here at CHS54.COM would love to hear from you folks on your reaction to the new facade, OR anything you want to mention!

Email me at Ed Myers