Warren Central Class of ’95 returns from across the globe to honor the educators who shaped their lives

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Warren Central High School Class of 1995 reunited in for their 30-Year Reunion Banquet, gathering not only to reconnect but to formally honor the educators and leaders whose guidance laid the foundation for their personal, professional, and community success. Classmates traveled from across Mississippi and from as far as Germany to return home to Vicksburg for the milestone celebration, demonstrating the depth of connection and pride that has endured across three decades.

Calvert White, a member of Warren Central’s championship Class of ’95 football team who traveled from Germany, reflected on the significance of finally being able to attend:

“For most of my adult life, my military career and years of living overseas meant I missed opportunities to gather with my classmates. When I retired and realized my time back home in Vicksburg lined up with our 30-year reunion, I felt incredibly grateful. Being able to return, reconnect, and stand alongside the teammates and classmates I once shared that championship season with was incredibly meaningful. This was a moment I truly didn’t want to miss.”

What unfolded was far more than a traditional reunion. The evening became an emotional tribute to mentorship, discipline, compassion, and belief, the qualities embodied by the honorees who helped shape the Class of ’95 into the changemakers they are today. Each honoree received a commemorative gift and a custom-designed placard featuring images from Friday night’s reunion festivities at the MHSAA Semi – Finals held at Viking Stadium, along with an official Certificate of Honor recognizing their lasting service to Warren Central High School students and the greater community.

Former Warren Central football players, led by Brian Darden, took the stage to honor legendary Coach Robert Morgan, Sr. for his unmatched impact on their lives, crediting him not only for cultivating athletic excellence, but for instilling discipline, accountability, humility, and integrity.

“Coach Morgan taught us discipline that went beyond the field,” one former player shared. “He didn’t just prepare us to win games; he prepared us to stand up in life. He showed us how strength and humility can live in the same body.”

Dr. Kim Carter Evans, Alumni WCHS Cheerleader and Reunion Co-Chair honored former principal Mrs. Agnes Lyles with a deeply personal reflection on the role administrators and teachers play in shaping students beyond surface labels.

“I spent a lot of time in the principal’s office for talking too much,” Carter Evans said jokingly. “But what I remember most is never feeling pushed aside. Instead, I felt seen. Mrs. Lyles, along with so many educators at Warren Central, chose to invest in me rather than label me as a troublemaker. Those same communication skills that once got me sent out of class now serve me every day in leadership.”

Dr. Carter Evans currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for a New York City – based development finance and investment firm and remains committed to mentoring leaders and young professionals across the nation the way so many mentored her.

Latoya Glasper-Lumpkin, Former Big Blue Band member and current teacher with Vicksburg – Warren School District presented an honor to Ms. Jackie Loyacono, retired WCHS Counselor for her dedication to nurturing excellence through compassion and consistency.

“Ms. Loyacano taught us that excellence didn’t require perfection,” Glasper-Lumpkin shared. “She led with heart first and discipline second, which made us want to rise to the standards she set.”

Danielle Chin, Reunion Co-Chair, honored Ms. Faye Thompson, retired WCHS Counselor for her unwavering belief in students whose potential might not have been immediately visible.

“Ms. Thompson didn’t just provide counsel,” Chin reflected. “She taught us our worth. She poured into us and mothered some of us. Long before we realized it, she was building our confidence.”

The evening’s keynote address, introduced by Sheeneka Covington was delivered by Mrs. Zelmarine Murphy, former President of the Vicksburg Warren School Board, who offered a stirring message on the far-reaching impact of educators and mentors.

“When you honor teachers, coaches, and administrators, you honor the unseen hours they give to molding futures,” Murphy said. “Their work doesn’t end when the bell rings. It shows up decades later in graduates who become leaders, parents, mentors, and community builders.”

A solemn moment of silence was led by Jacke Hall and LaShanna Green to honor deceased classmates whose lives remain an integral part of the Class of ’95 story. The room stood united in remembrance, reflecting on friendships, shared memories, and the continued presence of classmates who live on in spirit and legacy.

One former student shared, “We carry each of them with us. Their dreams continue through ours.”

Another added, “Tonight reminds us that our successes are not individual achievements. They were built on the shoulders of teachers, coaches, families, and friends who believed when we were still learning how to believe in ourselves.”

The evening concluded with a toast led by Class President Mincer Minor, who expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate alongside his classmates.

“Being here tonight is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Minor said. “I love my classmates, and being present for this moment, surrounded by people who shared our beginnings and helped shape who we’ve become, means everything. Cheers to 30 years of friendship, resilience, and growth.”

The room erupted in applause and cheers as glasses were raised, marking not only thirty years since graduation but a lifetime of connection, legacy, and shared purpose.

The Warren Central Class of ’95 reunion banquet closed as more than a celebration of the past. It became a tribute to the mentors who molded a generation and a reminder that the impact of meaningful educators lasts far beyond the classroom. Thirty years later, the Class of ’95 stands as living proof that when teachers lead with discipline, compassion, and belief, their influence carries forward for a lifetime.