THE BEGINNING – JEWETT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATION
After the Class of 1960 had a Class Reunion in 1986, a group of Jewett graduates met at the Winter Haven Neighborhood Service Center in June 1986 to plan a reunion of all the classes from Jewett High School from 1942 to 1969. At this meeting was Mrs. JoAnne Tyler, Ms. Edith Brown, Ms. Glenda Jones and Ms. Jimmie Lee Hudson. The group said, “the last person to come through the door would be the chairman.” It was Donzell Floyd and Ms. Jimmie Lee Hudson said, “it was ordained by God.”
In December 1986, we had a two-day celebration, fun on Friday at the Northeast Recreation Complex (known as the Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center) and a banquet on Saturday at Southwest Complex (known as the Advent Health Fieldhouse and Conference Center), honoring teachers that worked at Jewett, and persons from the community. The persons honored from the community were Mrs. Annie Mae Doles, Mr. Short Denmark (1942) and Mr. Lemuel Geathers (1943). In 1986, Jewett Wolverine Weekend was supposed to be a one-time reunion and the money that was raised over expenses went for community scholarships in honor of the late Dr. Mary Jewett.
In 1986, the two-day Jewett Wolverine Weekend was so much fun and a great success. That the 1986 Jewett Wolverine Weekend Committee were asked to continue the event annually in December which would reunite any Ebony class members that attended and/or graduated from Jewett Elementary, Jewett High, Northeast Junior High, Jewett School of the Arts, Jewett Middle Academy, Winter Haven High School, Auburndale High School and family, friends and descendants of Jewett.
This was the birth of Jewett High School Alumni Association, Incorporation. Which allowed the committee to give two scholarships in 1987. The two recipients were Patrice Bryant “Thigpen” (1987) and Patrick Plummer (1987). In December of 1987, 800 Jewett Wolverines spanning from 18 different states reassembled in Winter Haven, Florida at Nora Mayo Hall and set in motion for many Jewett Alumni Gatherings. The 1987 theme for the Jewett Wolverine Weekend Reunion was “A Wolverine Night In 1987 – The Spirit Lives On.” What a great job the Chairperson Donzell and Jewett Alumni Association, Inc. Committee did!
CONTINUATION OF THE JEWETT ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATION
From December I987 through December 2013 the Jewett Wolverine Weekends has taken place at Nora Mayo Hall and have consisted of two-day or three day events in Winter Haven, Florida. These two-day events consisted of J.A.A.I. balls, golf tournaments (Polk County, Florida or Orange County, Florida), and church services at various African-American Church in the Florence Villa Neighborhood. The three-day events consisted of J.A.A.I. banquets, balls, golf tournaments (Polk County, Florida or Orange County, Florida), parades and church services at various African-American Church in the Florence Villa Neighborhood.
From December 2014 through December 2016 the Jewett Wolverine Weekends has taken place at the Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center and have consisted of two-day or three day events in Winter Haven, Florida. These two-day events consisted of J.A.A.I. balls, golf tournaments (Polk County, Florida or Orange County, Florida), and church services at various African-American Church in the Florence Villa Neighborhood. The three-day events consisted of J.A.A.I. banquets, balls, golf tournaments (Polk County, Florida or Orange County, Florida), parades and church services at various African-American Church in the Florence Villa Neighborhood.
From December 2017 through December 2019 the Jewett Wolverine Weekends has taken place at Nora Mayo Hall and have consisted of two-day or three day events in Winter Haven, Florida. These two-day events consisted of J.A.A.I. balls, golf tournaments (Polk County, Florida or Orange County, Florida), and church services at various African-American Church in the Florence Villa Neighborhood. The three-day events consisted of J.A.A.I. banquets, balls, golf tournaments (Polk County, Florida or Orange County, Florida), parades and church services at various African-American Church in the Florence Villa Neighborhood.
In December 2020 the Jewett Wolverine Weekend was a one-night event which took place virtually via Zoom Meeting from the attendees residence due to the 2020 Coronavirus-19 Pandemic which happened globally.
CONTINUATION OF THE JEWETT ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATION
In December 2021 the Jewett Wolverine Weekend took place at the Garden Center and Nora Mayo Hall and consisted of a three-day events in Winter Haven, Florida. The three-day events consisted of J.A.A.I. Prayer Breakfast (new), concert night (new), banquet, ball, golf tournament (Orange County, Florida), parade and church service at Hurst Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
This year December 2022 the Jewett Wolverine Weekend will take place at the Garden Center and Nora Mayo Hall and consist
of a three-day events in Winter Haven, Florida. The three-day events will be dedicated this year to the first Chairperson the late Mr. Donzell “DChief” Floyd. It will consist of J.A.A.I. Prayer Breakfast, banquet, ball, golf tournament (Polk County, Florida), and church service at First Missionary Baptist Church in Florence Villa Neighborhood.
THE JEWETT ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATION PAST Chairpersons and
Present Chairperson
1986 - 2016 Mr. Donzell “DChief” Floyd
2016 - 2017 Ms. Glenda Jones (Interim)
2018 - 2020 Mr. Norris Horton
01/2021 - 07/2021 Mr. Johnny Cotton
07/2021 - Present Ms. Sherry “Net” Bryant
In closing, between December 1987 and December 2021 the JEWETT
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATION: 501(3)C EDUCATION FOUNDATION has awarded $314,000.00 to 266 recipients. The Education Scholarships ranged between $500.00 through $2,000.00 per recipient. Thanks to the individuals, parade of Jewett HighSchool/Auburndale High School/Winter Haven High School Ebony classes, community businesses, community organizations, community churches, and the City of Winter Haven, Florida for their continuous support.