Lincoln-Jackson in 'our hearts forever'

After a couple of decades, Lucio Marin can still remember the people – Loyce Hodges was a favorite teacher – and activities – kickball, blacktop basketball – that made Lincoln-Jackson, an original Black school and later a Clovis public school, so special. 

"I think it really represented the core of what education should be," Marin said. 

Given the positive experience Marin had, it made Saturday's reunion "bittersweet."

"Sweet" because it honored 100 years of the school's excellence. "Bitter" because the 100th year will also be its last year. District officials recently announced it will be used mostly for storage. 

"So many memories made with the people that were there," said Marin of the event that was attended by over 100 people. "A lot of the students that showed up as well were just so grateful how impactful Lincoln-Jackson was."

A steady decline in enrollment across the Clovis school district has led officials to consolidate and close several schools. Lincoln-Jackson had already been merged with Bella Vista Elementary in 2005 and was most recently used as an alternative site for non-traditional students.

Officials have said its stage and gym could still be used on occasion, but its historical designation limits other uses even if the district needed the space.

While its future is unclear, its memories are as solid as Clovis' brick streets on Main.

Ray Mondragon, former Clovis police chief, was a student. On Saturday, he talked at length about the impact of his fourth-grade teacher, Jeri Byrnes. 

"Not only was she my teacher, she became my mentor," Mondragon said. 

Mondragon said Byrnes instilled in him the confidence that he could forge a career in law enforcement. He described her as both "encouraging" and "pushing." 

What amazes Mondragon is how their relationship extended beyond the classroom and well into his adult years. She would attend his family gatherings, and when she got cancer, he was right by her side. 

"Who would have ever thought that 35 years later a student in the fourth grade would be sitting next to Jeri Byrnes' hospital bed, holding her hand, reading Scripture from her personal Bible as she took her last breath," Mondragon said.

"She was there to read to me, and I was there to read to her."

Saturday's event included a performance by students from the Arts Academy at Bella Vista and plaques presented to Dela Martin and Leroy Green: The oldest female and male students. 

"Dela Martin, she had attended the school from 1940 to 1946," Marin said. "Leroy Green, he actually attended the school from 1943 to 1952."

Marin said he's in the process of finding a future use for the school. That could be a Boys and Girls Club or a way to utilize the playground. Just something that continues its legacy. 

"Lincoln-Jackson is just a place that will stick with our hearts forever," he said.