“Leadership is the ability to influence the behavior of others.” SHS student, John Young, began his speech with these words during the Starkville High School Graduation Exercises held on May 28, 1971.
Long before Mr. Young served as an Oktibbeha County Supervisor or as Personnel Director for the City of Starkville, he and other members of the SHS Class of 1971 led the way for a new generation of Yellow Jackets.
Mr. Young was elected Vice President of the SHS student body for the 1970-71 school year and served on a bi-racial committee of students and community leaders formed to create unity and offer input on the creation of an integrated school system.
Mr. Young sat down with us to share his remembrances and thoughts about this milestone year in the life of our district and our community. Watch to hear some of his story, and join us on October 22 as we premiere a compilation of oral history from the SHS Class of 1971.
