John J. Wright Alumni Association

Newsletter, Fall 2026

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK

Shelby Robinson

Greetings JJWAA members and friends!

As we say hello to autumn, John J Wright 2026 Scholarships and Stipend awardees, Brandon Bazemore-Fountain, Jordyn Raynor, Janaya Raynor, Mariah Rollins, Christopher I. Washington, Camila Washington and Saniya Lewis have started the school year. Congratulations Scholars! On behalf of the Executive Board and members of the JJWAA, may all you do reflect the love and guidance given to you over the years by family, schools and church families. Our prayers for a productive 2026-2027 school year!

The 2026 John J Wright (JJWAA)

Friends and Family Day

The 2026 John J Wright (JJWAA) Friends and Family Day, was an amazing success with over 100 attendees. The 1959 and1966 Graduating Classes celebrated their class reunions during the event and that made it a special occasion. Also special were the inspirational and loving salutes made by Mrs. Easley to the Class of 1966 and the review of Class of 1959 memories by classmate Jimmy Dyson. A beautiful plant was presented by Sonny Pratt to Mrs. Easley on behalf of the Class of 1966. Our lovely Mrs. Lillian Brooks, Mrs. (Manley) Parker, Mrs. Carol Young, Mrs. Hughes (English Teacher) and others also came to sit and reflect with their students and JJW acquaintances. It was pure pleasure to glimpse at the mixture of teachers, students and those ages six months to the 80s and 90, just relaxing and enjoying the time to talk and break bread together. The day brought back memories of the safety and love we all felt at ole John J. Wright!

NAACP President, Mozett Petway and JJWAA President, Shelby Robinson gave passionate requests for all attendees to vote, to contact family and friends who do not vote, to encourage them to do so. Who can afford not to vote?

Reverend Wayne Robinson continued the theme by giving his testimony, encouragement and guidance reference the impact and results of "not listening" to the warnings of these current times.

Delegate Nicole Cole later joined the community festivities and introduced herself to all the attendees, young and old, table by table, inside and outside.

The Pendleton sisters, Wanda Roy and Charlene Chew, assisted, inspired and encouraged youth as they put on an impromptu exhibition of jump rope tricks and routines learned earlier that week in a Jump Rope Camp. Ask them about it!

To see more photos, visit the JJWAA webpage

Thank you to Linda Bundy ( Menu and Food Coordination), Linda Alsop (Raffle Tickets Coordination), Sandy Coleman, (Winnings Disbursements), Clifton Johnson, (Facility Specialist), Vernon and Mike Thompson, (Expert Grilling and Fish Preparers); Gloria Wormley, Margo Robinson, Jackie Washington, Tovah Johnson, Talaya Fairchild and The Class of 1966 for serving JWAA members and community friends. Thanks also to Clyde Robinson, Kenworth Banks, Allegro Parker, Adelaide Parker, Gwen Dyson, Bernard Robinson, Sherman Roy, Sharon Johnson, David Coleman and all who stepped in to help as they saw the need, just as Mr. JJ Wright did for the community.

We appreciate all who brought hygiene and school donations for our Hope House community service activity. Two runs were made to the Hope House to deliver unused fresh bread and donated items into the arms of staff and tenants who welcomed and appreciated the goodness of the community.

The activity was held at the Spotsylvania Sunday School Union Park Site. A special thank you to the SSSU Board of Directors!

Thank you to all others who helped to make the JJWAA Friends and Family Day a major community success. BRAVO !!!

JJWAA BINGO, CAR & BIKE SHOW

and Membership Rally

JJWAA BINGO, CAR & BIKE SHOW, and Membership Rally was held

August 15, 2026, at the Berkeley Community Center. Linda Alsop and the entire family stepped in to bring us an exciting Community BINGO Day. Lewis Alsop Jr. headed up the grilling of hot dogs and hamburgers while Linda A, Jennifer, Cynthia, Pat, Jayda and Jayden brought us the best BINGO and Trivia Fun ever. All the children had a great time helping adults hand out prizes. Winners won beautiful JJW custom backpacks or gift baskets donated by Sandy Colemen or, $50 Lowes cards and Food Lion Cards, $25 Mastercard gift cards or the $100 VISA card grand prize, all donated by the BINGO Sponsor.

Linda and Tyree Bundy coordinated the JJWAA Car and Bike show, inviting members of the Underground Customs Bikes Club and the Victory 7 Mustang Club to compete for a $100 prize and a $150 vehicle detailing prize. Local community members also showed up and showed out in their custom vehicles as well. All enjoyed the day of scholarship fund raising and comradery. At one point during the day, students from John J. Wright, Walker Grant and Union High Schools were reminiscing of old school days! Beautiful vehicles included 12 custom bikes and custom Mustangs. Both the winners of the $100 and the mobile detailing returned the prizes as donations to the scholarship fund, and then club members donated additional funds before departing. Thank you, Kenyon and Tre Lewis, for all you did to support this activity! The day brought back memories of the old “May Day” celebrations.

Renna Alsop Washington, JJWAA Membership Chair and members of the Women Empowering Women organization donated chicken and fish to the day’s meal for all attendees. Ms. “Queen Elizabeth” Taylor White baked a variety of delicious cakes and the men could not stay away from the desert table. Pastor Hashmel Turner (Union High School) and wife Alice Turner (JJW and Spotsylvania High) registered as JJWAA members during this Membership Campaign Rally.