BY ROBIN CAMPBELL AND JOHN HYDE (BOTH SEHS ALUMNI)
Photos from Robin Campbell and the SEHS Homecoming page on Facebook.
If you are on Facebook, you might have seen recent posts about former football players. John Arthur Hyde, SE Alumni c/o 1998, has started a passion project honoring former football players and coaches. He has also included former and current SE Cheerleading Coaches. If you would like to be included in the project, please contact Mr. Hyde at hydejohn220@gmail.com or call him at 334-669-4975.
Stanhope Elmore High School was founded in 1965 and named after the late Albert Stanhope Elmore. The school has a rich history in sports but the heart of it has always been football, cheerleading and band. As a young person growing up in Millbrook it was always fun to go to Friday night games to hear the roar of the band, listen to the cheerleaders hype the crowds and watch the mighty players on the field.
The morning of the games we were greeted by the cheerleaders selling pom-pons and game ribbons at all of the schools. Those who played for the city leagues wore jerseys and cheerleading outfits to school and to the games. We were aware of the richness of being a part of something great, being a part of the cardinal and white. We might have not known the words but the Alma Mater of SE was already becoming a part of us from the start.
Proudly she stands
Noble and grand,
Through her portals pass
The future of our land,
Her loyalty is true
May it ever be for you,
Your loyal sons stand by
Hail! Stanhope Elmore High!
The crowds chanted the cheers… Be Aggressive, Let’s Get Fired Up, Let’s Go and We Want A TD along with the cheerleaders. If that did not bring you to your feet during the games then, when the band played “The Horse” everyone was up and moving. Even now, the end of every game is a special moment for the students past and present as it was when alumni walked the halls.
Our richness also comes from legacies of families and Alumni that return to SE such as Coach Rick Samsal, Alumni c/o 1968, retired teacher and coach. During his time as a student and football player at SE he caught the first touchdown at Foshee-Henderson Stadium thrown to him by Harold Hogan.
He came back to SE to teach history and coach. He can still be found at games alongside other former coaches.
Ayena Duncan Jackson, Alumni c/o 1995 and former SE Cheerleading Captain, came back as Principal over Millbrook Middle for many years and is now the Director of Middle School Education at Elmore County Public Schools.
Brad Mann, Alumni c/o 2002 and former SE football player, can be found at SE as Assistant Principal.
Wesley Morris, Alumni c/o 2001 and former band member under Mr. B, returned as the current SE Band Director.
Over the years SE has grown to include Archery, Baseball, Bowling, Basketball, Cross Country, Cheer, Dance, Football, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, and Wrestling. There are stories to be told to highlight the richness of SE and memories to share. Please reach out to John Hyde or myself, Robin Campbell, as we want to honor you and your stories at SE.
We can both be found on Facebook. SE has an Alumni group Stanhope Elmore High School 56th Homecoming Celebration also on Facebook. The year is changed each year.
John Hyde – hydejohn220@gmail.com
Robin Campbell – msrobincampbell@gmiller
