West Charlotte Lions Club of 1969, Inc.

August 30, 2019

On behalf of the West Charlotte High School Mighty Lions (Class of 1969) it is my honor and pleasure to serve as your newly elected president.  A few days ago I was prompted to look up the definition of the word “Lion.”  To my amazement there were so many definitions used to describe the word:   “A lion is a large heavily built social cat of open or rocky areas chiefly sub-Sahara.”  A lion is wise, perceptive, eccentric and elegant, superb, has an inevitable good-nature, and is royal, suave and aristocratic.”  The lion symbolizes courage, justice, power, strength and pride, dignity, dominating authority, material wealth and riches.”  “Spiritually the lion brings with it the need to balance matters and remain strong.”  
 I am reminded of the day, fifty (50) years ago, when we proudly wore our cap and gowns and marched down the aisles at Ovens Auditorium.    After graduating we had no idea of what we would face, what paths we would take or what the future held for us.  What we did know was that we were “The Mighty Lions of WC” and the sky was the limit.   We were not a social cat, but an idealistic group of social young adults who had hopes and aspirations.   We were superb and good natured in spirit as we elegantly and proudly walked across that stage to receive our diplomas.  Like the ‘lions’ that we were called we felt a sense of courage, power, strength, pride, dignity, royalty and authority for what we had accomplished.  We were ready to gain material wealth and riches.  We had stretched ourselves to accomplish the major feat of graduating while balancing our lives with the help and guidance of our teachers/parents/family.  
As we fast forward to today and fifty years later, I am grateful that our lives were yet intertwined again during our 50th Reunion Celebration held May 24-26, 2019 at the Airport Sheraton Hotel.  What fun we had reminiscing, laughing, worshipping, volunteering, memorializing, honoring past teachers, praying, posing for pictures, dancing, singing and fellowshipping together.  As the seniors and staff at West Charlotte stated, “We looked good for having graduated 50 years ago.” 
 An immense thank you is extended to the outgoing executive board and planning committees for working tirelessly over the past few years to make our 50th reunion a huge success.  Thank you to the returning class members/their spouses and everyone who participated and celebrated with us during the reunion.  
It is my desire as the newly elected president of the WC Class of ‘69 to serve you and the newly elected board members with a sincere commitment and heartfelt passion.  I hope to demonstrate a sense of leadership that will inspire you to remain active and involved with the class of ‘69.  I feel invigorated and energized as we look to the future in anticipation of great things to come.  We must be willing to continue to carry the Torch that has been handed to us from the outgoing executive board.  We must continue to keep the flames ignited by promoting class involvement and volunteer efforts at West Charlotte High School; promoting and boosting our scholarship amount presented to graduating seniors; planning other creative projects and ideas that will have an influential impact on the lives of others and providing the opportunity to come together in unity, fun, purpose and fellowship as a class.
We can now tell the story of what happened 50 years ago.  We have worked and created for ourselves successful careers and professions that some of us have retired from.  May we continue to find “balance in our lives, remain strong and walk with pride and dignity.”  May we encourage one another to achieve even more, to do our best and to remain humble and grateful to God “for evermore.”  
May we “bring, honor, joy and glory free!”

Darnell L. Ivory,
West Charlotte High School Class of 1969 President