54th Annual Reunion
Keeping the Torch Burning for the Next Generation
August 7–9, 2026 | Raleigh, North Carolina
For three memorable days, the SHSAA family came together in Raleigh for our 54th Annual Reunion, hosted by the Triangle Chapter.
This year’s theme—“Keeping the Torch Burning for the Next Generation”—was more than a reunion slogan. It came to life as former scholarship recipients returned to celebrate, serve and lead while SHSAA welcomed the newest students benefiting from the investment generations of alumni have made in education.
Three Days of Fellowship
Friday | Reconnecting
The reunion opened Friday evening with Hospitality, giving classmates, members and friends time to reconnect and enjoy one another before the weekend’s formal activities began.
Saturday | Taking Care of Business
Saturday morning’s annual Business Meeting gave members an opportunity to hear where SHSAA stands as an organization and participate in shaping its future.
President Dr. Angela Davis-McCoy emphasized working together toward common goals, strengthening communication and honoring organizational commitments.
Saturday | Celebrating Our Scholars
The afternoon Scholarship Luncheon brought together former, current and future scholars for one of the weekend’s most meaningful events.
The program featured recognition of SHSAA scholars, presentation of the 2026 scholarship recipients, Life Membership and RAM recognition, memorial observances, a silent auction and special donations.
Nia A. Carr
2026 Leslie Earl Williams Memorial $6,000 SHSAA Scholarship
A graduate of Clinton High School, Nia plans to attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and pursue a degree in Professional Theatre.
Raynah Jamille Nooriah Jones
2026 $2,000 SHSAA Scholarship
A graduate of Clinton High School, Raynah plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and pursue a degree in Psychology.
SHSAA also recognized Carmen Naomi Dillahunt, a continuing recipient of the Mary C. Fowler Scholarship. Carmen is studying engineering at Morgan State University, where she continues to distinguish herself through academics, leadership, service and volunteerism.
[PHOTO: 2026 scholarship recipients]
1974 → 2026: More Than 50 Years of Investing in Students
One of the weekend’s most powerful moments came from bringing together different generations of SHSAA scholars.
Larry Peterson, SHSAA’s first scholarship recipient in 1974, returned for the reunion.
Peterson attended North Carolina A&T State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education. He chose the field because he loved numbers and wanted to help others, eventually becoming a mathematics professor.
More than five decades later, Peterson’s presence alongside today’s scholars demonstrated what SHSAA’s mission is all about.
An investment in a student can produce returns for generations.
Approximately 16 former SHSAA scholarship recipients participated in the reunion.
Today, former scholars are educators, attorneys, IT specialists, scientists, executives, pharmaceutical professionals, real estate brokers, social workers and more.
And increasingly, they are returning to SHSAA as volunteers, donors and leaders.
Several members of today’s SHSAA leadership are themselves former scholarship recipients.
A special scholar networking initiative also brought former recipients together to exchange ideas about how they can remain connected and help strengthen the organization. [PHOTO: Former scholars roundtable/group photograph] Keynote Speaker Julian Gilyard: From Scholar to Leader
The Scholarship Luncheon keynote speaker was Julian Gilyard, a 2012 SHSAA scholarship recipient and Managing Director and Deputy Head of USD Linear Rates Trading at Société Générale.
Gilyard challenged scholars to remember those who invested in them and to help organizations such as SHSAA sustain, grow and prosper.
His message reinforced one of the weekend’s central ideas:
Receiving an SHSAA scholarship doesn’t have to be the end of a student’s relationship with SHSAA. It can be the beginning.
[PHOTO: Julian Gilyard delivering keynote] It Takes a Team
The 54th Annual Reunion would not have been possible without the leadership of the Triangle Chapter Reunion Committee and dozens of hours contributed by volunteers.
Volunteers supported hospitality, the reunion journal, decorations and audio, registration, the silent auction, memorial activities, scholar recognition, treasury functions and sponsorships.
To every volunteer, sponsor, donor and member who contributed: thank you. [PHOTO: Triangle Chapter/reunion volunteers] Worship, Fellowship and Farewell
The weekend concluded Sunday morning with worship and fellowship at Watts Chapel in Raleigh.
It was a fitting conclusion to a weekend rooted in fellowship, gratitude, service and hope for the future.
The Torch Comes Home in 2027
The physical Sampson High School building may no longer stand, but the legacy created within its walls continues through SHSAA and the generations touched by its work.
In 2027, that legacy comes home.
SAVE THE DATE
55th Annual SHSAA Reunion
August 13–15, 2027
Clinton, North Carolina
Mark your calendar now and make plans to join us.
The reunion ends. The mission continues. Keep the Torch Burning for the Next Generation.
