JANS – Several hundred alumni and guests attended the “Finale Weekend” – June 13-15, 2025 – to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Lanier Junior Senior High School, also known as 833. The theme for the momentous occasion was “W. H. Lanier: Celebrating a Century of Resilience, Excellence, and Future Possibilities.” Lanier is an institution with a rich history that has withstood the test of time through the days of segregation and the Civil Rights Movement. The school’s rich history is highlighted by the accomplishments of its faculty, staff, and alumni. Among all alumni associations per capita, the Lanier High School National Alumni Association is larger and stronger than any Historically Black High School (HBHS) in the country.
The Lanier High School Centennial Steering Committee received applause throughout the “Finale Weekend” which kicked off Friday evening with a welcoming reception at the Two Mississippi Museums. On Saturday, alumni and guests gathered for a Centennial Black-Tie Gala at the Jackson Convention Complex. A Memorial Service filled with music and tributes was held Sunday in Lanier’s auditorium located at the iconic address, 833 West Maple Street, Jackson, MS 39203.
In all, the centennial celebration spanned over the course of the 2024-2025 school year, beginning in October 2024 with the annual “Wreath Laying Ceremony” at the grave site of the founder, W. H. Lanier, in the Greenwood Cemetery near downtown Jackson. The newly formed Lanier Alumni Ministerial Alliance (LAMA) led the event. The LAMA is currently expanding and consists of a group of ministers and clergy from all classes of Lanier graduates…