Luther H. Foster High School

History of Luther H. Foster High School

Written by Mrs. Alice Birckhead for the Luther H. Foster High School Alumni Association

Location & Dedication

Luther H. Foster High School, located on Highway 460, one mile from Nottoway Courthouse in Nottoway County, Virginia was completed in 1950 at a cost of approximately $680,000. The building contained 18 classrooms, a complete Home Economic Department (five rooms and bath), Industrial Arts and Agriculture Shops, and a Science Laboratory. The auditorium seated 650 students and had a motion picture booth. The library had a special conference room and a work room. There were special rooms for music, art, and visual aids. The school had a cafeteria and a clinic.

The school was dedicated on June 6, 1950. It was named the Luther H. Foster High School in memory of Dr. Luther Hilton Foster, Sr., deceased, former President of Virginia State College in Petersburg, Virginia. Dr. Foster served the college as president from 1943 to 1949. Before his appointment as president, he served as business manager for many years. At the dedication exercises, Mrs. Foster spoke to the assembly and Dr. R.P. Daniels, President of Virginia State College delivered the major address.

On June 6, 1950, the first commencement exercises were held in the school auditorium, even though the building was still incomplete. The last graduating class of the old Nottoway Training School was the first to march down the aisles of the auditorium. There were 64 graduates. This class planted the maple tree outside of the home economics department.

First Classes Held in September of 1950

Mrs. Elizabeth M. Barbour

Mr. William L. Carter

Mrs. Alice H. Birckhead

Mrs. Theresa T. Oliver

In September of 1950, the first class met in the building.

There was a teaching staff of 17 including:

Mr. James B. Woodson, Principal
John L. Collins, Physical Education
Marie Goodman, Music
Mrs. Elizabeth Barbour, English
Mrs. Doris Williams- Strode, English & Dramatics
Rufus M. Gant, Industrial Arts
Alan Thornhill, Business
Mrs. Alice H. Birckhead, Home Economics
Miss Ruth M. Johns-Pegram, Home Economics
Margaret Bizzell, Science
Theresa Taylor-Oliver, Math
Emma Sykes-Davis, Librarian
Mr. W.L. Carter, Agriculture
Mrs. Grace Womack, English
Mrs. Blanche Newkirk-Penn, French
Mrs. Almaida Lomax-Smith, Chemistry

Approximately 350 pupils were enrolled. The first Parent-Teacher Association was organized, and Miss Almaida Lomax served as president. The first Cadet Teachers were Miss Princess Kelsaw and Miss Eliza Ann Fisher. Miss Fisher later joined the staff.

First Graduating Class & Enrollment Increases

In June of 1951, the first graduating class of Luther H. Foster High School held its commencement exercises in the auditorium. There were 72 graduates; Anna Jones was valedictorian and Martha Cater, salutatorian.

An increased enrollment in the elementary school of the county made it necessary to move the seventh grade pupils to Foster in September of 1952. At this time, four elementary teachers and three high school teachers were added to the teaching staff. Enrollment increased to 457 pupils.

In 1951, the 5th year was added to all four year high schools in Virginia. All pupils entering high school in September of 1951 and there after, would spend five years instead of four at the Luther Foster High School. As a result, there was no graduating class of 1955, but a diploma was awarded to Mr. Henry (Chick) Townes of Crewe, who had returned from the Armed Forces. Through the years, many changes occurred. The first clinic room was changed into a private office for the principal and the second one was later changed to the guidance office; the conference room of the library was converted to a bookstore; the art room used for physical education; the former agriculture classroom was used for boys physical education classes. The teaching staff grew from 18 to 27 and for the first time, in the year 1965-1966, Miss Martha Singleton was appointed as a full-time guidance counselor. The enrollment increased from 350 to 549. There were 64 graduates in 1951-- there were 90 graduates in 1965.

In 1958, Mr. J.B. Woodson resigned to become principal of Walker-Grant High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia and Mr. Joseph B. Pervall, former principal of the Luther P. Jackson High School in Cumberland, Virginia became principal of Luther H. Foster.

The Start of The Bulldog

The class of 1954, the last four year graduates, were the first to request a yearbook. Time did not permit them to publish one. However, the final edition of the Foster Star (the school paper) was dedicated to this class and carried a picture of each graduate. The Foster Star was published from 1950 to 1959 under the sponsorship of Mrs. Theresa Taylor Oliver. Among the graduates at that time were: Miss Rose Marie Chatmon, Miss Emily Williams, and Mr. Norris Johnson who later became faculty members.

The first edition of the Bulldog, the school yearbook was published in 1956. It was dedicated to the principal and the faculty. Barbara Lewis and Clarence Williams were co-editors. The sponsors were Mrs. Elizabeth Barbour, Miss Mary E. Griffin-West, and Mrs. Bernice Woodson. Luther H. Foster High School existed until the year 1970.

Luther H. Foster High School: Colors, Song, & Team Name

The image is a collage-style tribute to Luther H. Foster High School, focusing on its school colors, song, and team name.

Top Center: A section with the school song, "Hail Foster High!", composed in 1951 by Mrs. Marie Goodman Hunter, a teacher at the school. The song is written as a pledge of loyalty and pride in the school, emphasizing unity, education, and the school's dedication to humanity. The song is sung to the tune of "Danny Boy" or "Londonderry Air."
Top Left: A torn paper graphic noting that the school colors, Maroon and White, were adopted in 1950-1951.
Top Right: Information about the composition of the song and its composer, noting that Marie Goodman-Hunter was a native of Richmond, Virginia, and a 1950 graduate of Virginia State College. She was also the first music teacher at Luther H. Foster High School.
Bottom Left: A historical note about Mr. David Maynard, who succeeded Mr. J.L. Collins as coach in 1951. He initiated the search for the athletic team name, and after input from students and faculty, the team name "Foster Bulldogs" was selected.
Bottom Center: An illustration of a bulldog, representing the school’s athletic mascot.

This image highlights the legacy and history of Luther H. Foster High School through its symbolic colors, song, and team spirit.

The description of the below image was added to ensure that vital information contained, such as the school’s colors, song, and team name, is accessible to all members of the community, including individuals who rely on assistive technologies like screen readers. The original text, which holds significant historical and cultural importance, was not readable by these tools, making it inaccessible to sight-impaired individuals. By providing a detailed description, we are promoting inclusivity and ensuring that everyone can appreciate the school’s legacy.