HISTORY of “THE HAWK”JOHNSTON COUNTY TRAINING SCHOOL (JCTS)/ JOHNSTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (JCHS)
In 1889, Smithfield Elementary opened in a three-room building located on Fourth Street in Smithfield, NC. The school’s first principal was Mr. John Byrd. He taught grades 1-7. In 1903, Mr. Charles Smith became principal, and the school had its first graduation. In 1921, the school was moved from Fourth Street to the current site on Massey Street, in the Belmont community, on land purchased by the Johnston District Baptist Association. Mr. Smith was succeeded by Mr. W. M. Cooper and the first class was held at the Massey Street location, with only 11 grades being required to graduate.
In 1922, the brick structure of the school was built, and under a special charter, the school was named “Johnston County Training School” three years later, the school was accredited by the State of North Carolina. In 1923 & 1924, Mr. J.B. Prather and Mr. H. Howard served as principal for one year respectively. In 1925, Mr. A.J. Taylor assumed principalship, and formed “Brotherhood Day” and the “Alumni Spirit” began with the foresight of a few citizens.
In 1926, the Johnston Central Alumni Association was formed by James Obey, Roy Solomon, Sr., David Bryant, John Holden, Alexander Judkins, Fred Forte, Helen Morgan, Cleopatra Bryant, Patsy Bridges, Maude Stevens, and Schofield White. James Obey was the first president, and the Homecoming Reunion and Alumni Dance began to raise money to help improve the appearance of the school and to entertain the graduating classes. From 1929 until 1964, Mr. W.R. Collins was the principal. With hard work and determination, in 1930, the alumnus completed the circling driveway and brick columns with lamps at the front entrance to the school.
In 1940, Johnston Central Alumni Association established a scholarship to be awarded each year to the most accomplished graduate. The Miss Alumni Contest would become the major source of revenue to support the scholarship. Graduate Chapters formed in Johnston County (NC), Raleigh, NC, Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, and New York would sponsor a representative in The Miss Alumni Contest, and the winner would be the contestant that raised the most money.
From 1964-1967, Mr. Justin McNeil was the principal, and in 1965, Johnston County Training School was renamed Johnston Central High School. In 1969, at the end of segregation, Johnston Central was integrated, and the last class graduated in June of that same year.
For many years after integration, the school building and gymnasium stood empty. The school was later demolished, and the gymnasium was boarded up. Trustee Frank Penny spearheaded the bidding to purchase the building from the county, and successfully, after several bids, the Alumni Association was able to buy the building for $7,000. Mr. Wade Stephenson, Chairman of the Johnston County Board of Education, was very instrumental in helping obtain funds from the state to begin the long process of renovating the gymnasium. He also donated the first chairs for the center. Trustees Rev. James Bell and Louise Sewell worked closely with the Town of Smithfield Community Development Program and Contractor, Mr. Foye, to secure funds for the major remodeling project.
On December 17, 1983, the Alumni Center was reopened and a dedication ceremony was held. Trustee Chair Louise Sewell and Sarah Yard worked tirelessly to obtain non-profit status from the IRS. Under Mrs. Sewell’s leadership, Recreation Grants were received from the Town of Smithfield and County Commissioners, which paved the way for the first Youth After School Programs in the community. The downstairs was renovated for a Game Room, and a Study Area was completed behind the stage. She also spearheaded the licensing for Bingo and the purchase of all the equipment from a business in Raleigh. Bingo became the main source of income.
In May 1997, the Homecoming Reunion was historic, for we had finally overcome, and the Mortgage was burned.
The Johnston Central High School National Alumni Association maintained chapters in various cities from 1940 until 2017, when the North Carolina, Washington, DC, and New York chapters merged to be one chapter. From the late 1990s to the present, the Alumni Association has accepted membership from graduates from the local schools who grew up watching the legacy and are excited about being a part of the “History of the HAWK.”
We challenge the younger generations to join us and continue the work that so many have worked hard to accomplish.