Gladewater is “calling all Bumblebees” back to the hive again this weekend for the fourth annual Weldon Honor Game Friday night.
Weldon Alumni Association’s Darren Richardson credits former GISD Athletic Director Johnny Louvier with the inspiration to pay homage to the Bumblebees in honor of the years the campus served as the local school for African American students during segregation.
In 1965, according to a 2023 history of the campus, “On Feb. 8th, the dual school system was abolished. Freedom of choice among the four Gladewater schools was instituted.”
Weldon Elementary-High School operated through 1969 before being converted and renamed Gladewater Middle School that fall. It was renamed Weldon Middle School in 1979, became the intermediate school in 1984 then transitioned to elementary in 2016.
During the school’s heyday, with its signature green and white, “There were a couple of times the Bumblebees played for a state championship. They never won, but they made it twice,” Richardson said. “The last time they made it was in 1968, when Walter Derrick was their head coach.
Come Friday, “The Bears will wear green and white jerseys and turn into the Bumblebees for this game.”
Fans, too, are encouraged to where Weldon’s colors Oct. 3 as Gladewater High School faces the Sabine Cardinals at Jack V. Murphy Bear Stadium.
Richardson is co-organizing this weekend’s alumni activities. For more information, contact him at 903-374-1370.