Page 38 - Florida Sentinel 2-4-22

Black History: The History Behind The Names
Garland V. Stewart Middle School
Born January 12, 1909, in Carlisle, South Carolina, Garland V. Stewart re- ceived degrees from At- lanta University and Morehouse College. He later earned the Master of Arts Degree from the Uni- versity of Michigan, and completed further studies at Oklahoma A & M Uni- versity.
Mr. Stewart moved to Tampa and launched his career as an educator at Booker T. Washington in 1932. He also served as the Principal at several schools including Robles Pond, Dobyville, Dunbar, and Carver Elementary Schools as well as at Middleton High School.
Stewart continued to move within the ranks of the Hillsborough County School District and became the first African American to serve as Director of Ad- ministration for the dis- trict. He is also credited with helping to obtain the first Accreditation status. He retired after several
GARLAND V. STEWART Jan. 12, 1909 --- September 12, 1996
productive years in the school district.
In addition to his role as an educator, Stewart took an active role in the com- munity,. Serving with vari- ous organizations, on several boards, and in his church.
A member of PSI Chap- ter Omega Psi Phi frater- nity, Inc., Stewart died on September 12, 1996. He was 86 years old.
Middle Schools
A.J. Ferrell Girls Academy
Ferrell Middle School was named in honor of Andrew J. Ferrell, a Tampa educa- tor who served as the last principal of Middleton High School. In 1971, the school
was converted to Middleton Middle School and remained that way until a new Middle- ton High School was built and opened in 2002 at a new location
In 2001, the building was rededicated and became A. J. Ferrell Middle School. In 2011, it became an all-girls academy.
African Americans who set- tled in the Plant City area of Hillsborough County did not have a school to educate their children.
In 1920, Edward Jackson “E. J.” Marshall successfully persuaded the city to deed property to them for that pur- pose. Marshall went on to become the first African Amer- ican to serve as a school
trustee in Plant City.
As a result of his request, the
Midway Academy came into existence. It was a three-story structure that initially edu- cated youngsters in grades 1-8. However, as time passed a grade was added each year until it included all twelve grade levels.
The older children attended class on the upper levels,
which was referred to as Plant City Negro Junior High School and High School.
In 1951, Midway Academy was converted into a high school and named in honor of Edward Jackson Mar- shall.
Six years later, in 1957, Mar- shall Junior High School was built. In 1995, the school be- came Marshall Middle School.
E. J. Marshall Middle School, Plant City
Charles Walker Middle School
A native of Georgia, Rev. Charles Walker moved his family to Florida and settled in the Keystone and Odessa area, now known as Citrus Park.
Rev. Walker served as a Missionary for the Union Foreign Association for nearly 15 years. He is best known for his efforts to se- cure a school for African American children in his
community.
A Baptist minister, Rev.
Walker and his wife, Mrs. Pearlie James Walker, were the parents of 10 children. Rev. Walker died in February 5, 1993, at the age of 102.
In 1998, the Hillsbor- ough County School Dis- trict dedicated a new school in the area in his honor.
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