Lavonia High School Alumni Pave Way With Memorial Bricks

The old Lavonia High School is long gone, but some alumni are working to keep its memory alive by installing commemorative pavers on a stretch of sidewalk near the old campus.

 “This is called the Lavonia Sidewalk Brick Project,” said Vivian Young, who is one of the coordinators. “Lavonia High School was in use from 1920 to 1964 when they consolidated the high schools to make Franklin County High.  The paver project is a memorial to those who went to Lavonia High School, whether they graduated or whether they didn’t.”

The idea for the paver project came from Lavonia High School alums Russell Gillespie and Lavonia mayor Ralph Owens. Young said the pavers are being laid in the breezeway of what is now Lavonia Elementary School on the SR77 extension.

“There are two classes are already down, 1953 and 1954,” Young said. “Each class has a header brick and underneath it in alphabetical order is each class member, either in their married or maiden name.”

Cost for a brick paver is $25.  Young said it is hoped every student from all of the classes will be represented whether alive or deceased.  Relatives of Lavonia High School students who have died are also invited to purchase a paver in that alum’s name for the memorial walkway.  Young said there is no timeline for when the walkway will be completed.

“It’s just when the representative gets their class names together,” Young said. “The pavers are really nice and I suggest anyone who wants to, go over and look at the pavers.  It’s just a really neat project.”

Again, anyone interested in purchasing a brick or getting more information should call Young at Lavonia Welcome Center at the train depot at 706-356-1932.