Melvin Oakes Scrapbook

Recently, December 2024, in going through an old trunk, I discovered the scrapbook that my mother, Margie Hartley Oakes, made for me. It includes material from Redwood High School senior year (1954) and two years at Hinds Junior College (1954-1956). There are a couple of items from Louisiana State University in 1956-1958. I have added a caption if I remember any details. This is a very eclectic collection, unlikely to interest anyone, except and ardent enemy. Your forebearance is requested.

 

Mel Oakes Scrapbook Entries
At Hinds Junior College, after a couple of weeks of class, my first math teacher, Miss Lurline Stewart, called me aside and said, "Oakes, what are you going to study?" My response was "I want to be a high school coach." Her response surprised me "Oh no, you are not going to be a coach, you will do something that involved mathematics. When the time comes, let's talk about LSU, my alma mater." She was right and when I was making the decision, she contacted LSU and secured the scholarship shown above. I kept in touch with her until her death, visiting when we were in Mississippi.
My mother played the piano quite well, not sure whether she was self-taught. She read music and often play sheet music in our home. She wanted me to learn to play, so she signed me up with Mrs. Shelby Booth, the county music teacher. I was nine at the time. This is a program from one of my recitals. Sadly, sports interferred and she agreed to let me quit after a diasterous rehearsal for a recital. I showed up and could not remember my piece. The recital was that night. Mom said, "You learn that piece today, perform it tonight and you can stop lessons." Sadly I accomplished that goal. I note that only four of the players were male. Many of the names I recall.
Shelby Booth Recital Program.
there were four county schools at the time Culkin, Jett, Oak Ridge (no high school, students went to Redwood) and Redwood.
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Junior High County Basketball Tournament, March 1950. Redwood girls players mentioned: Peggy Sue Allison and Betty Jean Alderman.

Note that Earl Martin scored 18 point, Johnny Griffin 6, Ted Porter 4 and Floyd Oakes 0, Melvin Oakes 0. Not a great game for the Oakes family.
Junior High County Basketball Tournament, March 1950. The Hearn player was Hermanell Hearn. Willie Maddox was Redwood boys player.

Jane Keen (Griffin) and I were selected by our teachers. May 23, 1950, Vicksburg Evening Post
Eigth Grade Who's Who Contest, Redwood High School. The school had all 12 grades. 1949
American Legion Award

I attended a conservation camp. I think it was at LeRoy Percy State Park near Hollendale. Didn't know who Leroy Percy was until many, many years later, when I read the excellent book "Rising Tide." I am third from right on front row. Lamar Thomas is at my right. Did not remember there being black students there, but I see several in the photo. Since this was1950, it is a surprise to me.

I don't remember giving this talk.
Redwood Eighth Grade Play,1950. In order of listing above: Eugenia Sumrall and Fay Hicks, Claudius "Bobo" Burgoyne, Bob Hollowell, Lavern Oakes (my cousin), Jane Keen, Frances Lovett, Todd Huskey, Johnny Griffin, Melvin Oakes, ?(Bonnie Marshall or Angeline Champion or Darrell Fuller or Mae Livingston), Ann Huskey, Georgia Burton, Mable Bliss and Dorothy Sadler.
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Party for Redwood Teams April 15, 1950.
Each year a Miss-Lou Exposition was held in Vicksburg. Students and citizens competed for prizes with agricultural product and animal, canned goods, pies, etc. Students from school also competed in judging animals and farm products. Mr R. L. "Buddy" Smith, center of picture, was the county agent. Some of those in the picture are: Across back L to R: Billy Wayne Bishop, ?, Raymond Hunt, Walter "Blue" Mallett, Maybe Raymond Bakerwith chin obscured, Billy Harrison, two just to left of Smith are Johnny Griffin, Todd Huskey, to Smith's right: E. K. Walley, James Hicks and Melvin Oakes. The four in back at right are: Wilson Brent, ?, maybe Earl Martin, Richard "Dickie" Crosby. Front two with backs to camera: maybe Earl Martin, ?. At extreme left with arms crossed: ?. Vicksburg Evening Post October 06, 1950.
Oakes Auto Parts Baseball Team Outing
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1951, Redwood High School Football Team
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From The Vicksburg Sunday Post-Herald December 18, 1955 page 1.
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