Estell Washington:
CLASS OF 1962
Woodburn Elementary SchoolClass of 1962
Falls church, VA
Estell's Story
My memories of Woodburn Elementary was started from 5th grade. My first day in an integrated school. I'll never forget the fact that while my mother didn't drive, she brought me to class that day, I lived in a small, predominantly black neighborhood off Gallows road. My cousins and myself integrated Woodburn Elementary that year, either '61 or '62. Over the years, my class photos have been lost, but sure would love to see them if someone has class photos from that year. I think my teacher's name was Mrs. Blake. It was a somewhat difficult time, no real racial incidents and school went well for the most part. However, I do remember in the 5th grade being paired up for square dancing and the young boy, barely touched my hands when we...Expand for more
had to hold hands. I remember playing kick ball on the black top in back of the school which I loved to play. I don't remember hearing much about the integration that year except, I remember quite a few of the black kids were held back. Blessedly, I was not and performed pretty well in school. While I was a young girl, I knew from what I basically learned from TV, that whites expected us not to do well, and I was determined to not let that happen. I remember this really smart young girl in my class by the name of Melanie who always got straight A's and no matter how hard I tried, I didn't get all A's. She was well traveled and I remember she had been to Japan. I also remember someone named Darlene. My days there were not bad overall.
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