A dedication ceremony was held for the new historical marker for the former Attala County Training School.
The ceremony was held during the 13th Bobcats School Reunion, held June 30-July 1.
Mayor Tim Kyle read a proclamation from the city.
“Whereas: The reunion represents Sam Young, Attala County Training, Tipton High School, Tipton Elementary and Northside Elementary School; and
Whereas: In 2022, a historical marker designated to recognize the Attala County Training School (ACTS) as a Rosenwald community school was approved and certified by the MDAH that ACTS was a historically significant educational resource in Attala County and the State of Mississippi; and
Whereas: On July 1, 2023, the historical marker will be unveiled at 600 Tipton Street, Kosciusko, MS at 11:30 a.m. and the focus will continue on the Bobcat’s preservation, perpetuation and their educational trailblazers.
Now, therefore, I, Tim Kyle, by the virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Kosciusko, hereby proclaim June 30-July 1, 2023 as Bobcat 13th Trailblazers School Reunion Weekend.”
Fifty-one alumni members provided the funds for the marker.
In July 2022, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History approved a designated historical marker in recognition of Attala County Training School as a Rosenwald community school. The designation signifies that the school played a historically significant educational role in Attala County and the state. Janice Burt Smith and Joyce Burt Williams, both Class of 1968, are credited with submitting the required documents to MDAH. Information was also provided by Minnie Greer, Class of 1965, and Dr. Sam W.D. Johnson (historian), Class of 1964.
During the late 1800s, a school was established to educate African Americans in Kosciusko. The school was name Sam Young School and was originally located on Goodman Street. From 1913 to 1932, the Rosenwald Fund was created to provide financial support to construct and supply schools, teachers and outbuildings for Black students. The fund also paid for Black teacher salaries, schoolbooks and bus transportation. The fund was created by Julius Rosenwald, president of Sears, Roebuck and Company. The school received money from the Rosenwald Fund and became known as a Rosenwald school.
In 1935, the school relocated to 600 Tipton St. and was renamed the Attala County Training School.
Attala County Training School is one of 17 Rosenwald schools in the state still standing.
