Central High Class Of '84 Donates $5K To Ready-to-Work Program

TUSCALOOSA, AL - The Central High School Class of 1984 on Tuesday announced a $5,000 donation to its alma mater to help fund the school’s Ready-to-Work Program.

The Class of 1984's reunions committee and co-fundraiser coordinator Rebecca Todd Minder says that because Central is a much smaller school than when her class went through, and because fewer graduating students now have the opportunity to attend college, the Class of 1984 chose to donate the funds raised toward Central’s Ready-to-Work Program, which prepares students for success in the workforce immediately upon graduation.

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“We want to see today’s students thrive, and success is not always guaranteed because you have a two-year or four-year degree,” Minder said. “This program will allow students a real chance to succeed and to also remain in the Tuscaloosa community. It’s a win-win-win for the students, the local businesses, and our hometown.”

Minder pointed out that while 2021 is not an official reunion year for the class, the classmates decided to reunite in honor of them turning the age of 55. This year’s gathering also involved classmates making donations to memorialize fellow classmates who have passed on over the years.

“Out of nearly 600 graduates, we have had more than 50 pass away way too soon,” she said. “Creating a fundraiser that would honor our departed friends and then also benefit future Central graduates just made sense. It is also a wonderful way to include those of us who live too far away, or because of pandemic restrictions, couldn’t travel back home to Tuscaloosa to get together.”

Additionally, Minder explained the Class of 1984 was the first graduating class that went all four years at the consolidated Central High School, as part of the federally mandated integration of Tuscaloosa schools in 1979.

“We were a powerhouse Class 6A school,” she said. "And after a rocky first year, our class quickly realized the benefit of bringing all of the students in the City of Tuscaloosa together. We became very close and supportive of one another, and that has continued for more than 40 years.”

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