Reunion 2017 Pictures
Julie Olcott Gibson
Julie Gibson passed away on November 17, 2016 in Columbia, SC due to cancer. She was 62.
Julie was born on December 17, 1953 in Augusta, GA to Robert and Jane (Norton) Olcott. She and William R. Gibson were married on January 10, 1981. She recently retired from Central Electric Co-op after a career as an Office Manager. For over 40 years her other career was as a talented organist at several churches.
From an early age, Julie had a love for animals, especially horses. She enjoyed horseback riding for many years and volunteered as a judge at regional competitions. To the surprise of her friends and family she became an avid fan of PBR Bull Riding. In her spare time she created many beautiful cross stitch items and loved to give them as gifts. Other hobbies included shopping, decorating, and watching college football. Julie was always on the search for the perfect hamburger.
Julie is survived by her sister, Laura (James) Poole of Ohio; her sister-in-law, Sarah (Robert) Ricker of Columbia; close friend, Dayna Epting; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, William.
Visitation will be Tuesday, November 29 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Barr-Price Funeral Home, 609 Northwood Road, Lexington, South Carolina. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.
The History of Aiken High School
On February 23, 1888, the Aiken Institute was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina. The school opened its doors as a high school on September 17, 1888. The first students were required to pay a small tuition to help defray the cost of running the school. Prior to the establishment of the Aiken Institute, the youth of Aiken attended several private schools located in the city.
In 1935, the name of the school was changed to Aiken High School and the student body moved from the Chesterfield Street location to the new building on Laurens Street. The school was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1934. A new plant was built in 1954 on a large site on Rutland Drive and the student body moved to the new campus on April 21, 1954.
In 1955, Windsor High School of Windsor, South Carolina consolidated with Aiken high School. Aiken High School in 1955 consisted of grades seven through twelve. The enrollment was 763 with a graduating class of 153 students.
The Quakers established Schofield in 1870 as a school for the black students of Aiken. In 1886, the school was incorporated under the laws of South Carolina as the Schofield School, but the name was soon changed to Schofield Normal and Industrial School. The school consisted of grades one through high school. Its graduates were then eligible to teach in most black schools of the south. Schofield received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1968. Schofield and Aiken High School were consolidated in 1970.
September 1970 found the ninth and tenth grades of Aiken High School housed on the Schofield Campus and the eleventh and twelfth grades housed on the Rutland Drive site. During 1972-73 the enrollment was 2908 with a graduating class of 618 students. Aiken High School now has an enrollment of approximately 1700 students.
The 1980-81 school year began a new phase for Aiken. With the establishment of South Aiken High School, Schofield became a middle school, and Aiken High School once again had grades nine through twelve on one campus. The senior class of 1981 remained intact, with the rest of the student body being rezoned to accommodate the new school.
During the 1988 and 1990 school years, renovations were done to the interior of our school. During the 1994-95 period, the James A. Taylor Activities Center with a new gymnasium and seven classrooms was constructed. In 2000, the old North Aiken Elementary School was renovated for the addition of classrooms for Aiken High School. The main office was renovated in 2004. Plans are underway for a major renovation of the main campus beginning Summer 2012.
~from the Aiken High School Website
Isaac, Gaddy Lead Hornets
From the Aiken Standard, September 14, 1970
By JEFF SHANNON
Donald Gaddy rallied Aiken High to its first victory Friday night by intercepting two Butler passes for touchdowns. The Hornets went on to defeat the Bulldogs, 2.8-6. The game’s first touchdown carne on the third play of the game when halfback Levi Isaac, who scored twice last week at Richmond, broke through the right side of the Butler line and secondary, then sprinted 74 yards to score. The conversion failed due to a bad snap and a fumble. Later in the first quarter, Aiken safety man Gaddy intercepted Mike Bibee’s pass at midfield and ran it back to give the Hornets their second touchdown. Isaac’s run for the PAT was good, and the Hor nets surged ahead, 14-0. Gaddy again was the hero in the second quarter when an illegal procedure penalty against Butler made it second and 15, forcing the Bulldogs to pass. Pass they did, and Gaddy was ready as he intercepted at the Butler 23 and ran it back for his second score of the night. Isaac’s run again was good, and at the half the score stood 22-0, Aiken. Aiken’s only score in the second half came when fullback James Johnson bulled to the Butler two from the seven, thus putting the Hornets in scoring position. Halfback David Jett followed suit by plunging through the line to score. The point after attempt failed. Late in the game.
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