Gerald Singleton:
CLASS OF 1981
Thomasville High SchoolClass of 1981
Thomasville, NC
Church Street Middle SchoolClass of 1975
Thomasville, NC
Colonial Drive Elementary SchoolClass of 1974
Thomasville, NC
Church Street Junior High SchoolClass of 1970
Thomasville, NC
Kern Street Elementary SchoolClass of 1969
Thomasville, NC
Gerald's Story
Life
Life in Thomasville was tremendous. I can say that now after traveling around the world and living in various places in the United States. It is very safe to say that I miss my family and my friends and the close relationships that we shared.
Life has dealt me some very serious lessons and I am extremely happy to have experienced them. My character has change because of the things that I have been through. I have learned more about myself and how others view me and respond to me. I have been both right and wrong. I find that part of the human nature network is to need for something and we must take time to stop and ask ourselves 'are we selfish because of our basic needs and fundamental wants?' Or are we right to need and want?
When I left Thomasville in 1981 I entered the military via the North Carolina National Guard stationed in Thomasville at the Armory by the stadium. I also entered North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro, NC. My first significant failure came when I did not complete my undergraduate study at A & T. I simply partied to much.
So I ended my college career and my ties to the North Carolina National Guard and I joined the United States Navy. I had a great career in the National Guard and achieved the rank of Sargent E-5.
I had an eye-opening experience in the Navy in which I traveled to between 15 and 20 different countries or nations and traveled through at least 40 states. I have lived in five different states South Carolina, Florida, New York, California and Michigan. I have a host of aquaintecies all over the world. However, the friends that I made growing up in Thomasville have remained at the top of my list.
During my Naval career I rushed myself into marriage. My second major failure is my un-happy marriage.
My Navy career ended in 1994 and I regained my life as a civilian. I left as an STG2.
In 1999 I suffered an injury on my job and had to submit to surgery on both of my knees and while going through the process several other life changing events have happened.
First and most embarassingly tragic, was being homeless for a period of time. Secondly, I knew that with my injury I could not go back to doing what I was doing so I decided to re-enter college and get my degree.
I gained three associates in 2004 at San Diego City College in the disciplines of English, Black Studies and Transfer Studies. I transfered to San Diego State University where I completed a BA in 2006 in Liberal Arts in the discipline of Africana Studies (the study of African history in the Diaspora concentrating on African American History) and a minor in English.
Later, I suffered Congested Heart Failure (CHF) and life took another tragic turn. Due to the economy shift I lost my job and my marriage finally failed, so I moved to Pontiac, MI about 20 miles north of Detroit; where my best friend lived.
Life has change for me for the better for one simple reason. I stopped pointing fingers and re-gained my strength in my spirituality. Without my higher power I am nothing. I am humble and thankful to my God everyday for everything and I know that it is through his son Jesus that I shall have redemption.
I shall continue this bio as my life changes. I realize that I skipped various events and incidents in my life, but why should I bore you any longer.
School
Growing up in Thomasville was unique, in that, it was a small town USA, yet it was bigger than life to us during our youth. I look back now a...Expand for more
nd reminise on all of the antics we did. We played all types of ball year round football, basketball and baseball. We went swimming in the summer and we all had our crushes on different people. My first crush was on Sherry M. I would just melt every time she came around me; yet, I never had enough courage to say anything to her to let her know that I liked her. She probably does not know to this day. I was a good friend of her twin brother, Terry and I don't think he even knew that I liked her. Where ever she is at, I hope that life is treating her well.
I think the silliest thing that I took part in was the ticket scam of the Spring Dance our junior year. My friends and I were so silly that we would talk about what we were doing in class and of course someone ratted on us and just like Spike Lee spoke in his movie "Malcolm X" "the gig was up."
I think that my favorite teacher was Mrs. Williamson. I learned a lot in her English class. She was a nice looking woman and Coach Williamson made sure that she stayed pregnant for quite a few years.
The biggest mistake I made during high school was quitting the football team my senior year. Boy did I miss playing. I was good, but, I know that others were better. Also, knowing what I know now; I know that racism played a major role with some of our coaches and their choices in who started. May God give them many blessings because they need them.
Finally, the one thing that I am most proud of is when two of my best friends Ralph W. and Ralph V. and I edited and put together the literary magazine at Thomasville our senior year with very good results. We use the artwork of Raynard S. and selected some very interesting poetry and short stories. The literary magazine was entitled Chanenj. Our final accomplishment came at graduation where Ralph V. was Validictorian; Ralph W. (accompanied by the late Wayne Gathings on keyboards) sung the class song "The Greatest Love of All"; and I was given the honor of writing and reading our class poem.
College
My first try at college was at the Historically Black University North Carolina A & T State University. I entered in 1981 and failed out by 1985. I was spoiled from the start. My first day on campus during freshmen orientation I met a young lady who was a senior who in the period of two days helped me grow into manhood and gave me the false sense of confidence that I could get any woman I wanted. Boy did the reality came crashing in quickly. My first roommate was a high school friend of mine by the name of Todd R. We were not very close in high school and things barely got better in college. But he was cool. I joined the National Society of Pershing Rifles in the Spring of 1982 on the Treacherous Seven Line and my Line name is Gangsta Sing. The next three years were nothing but party, party, party and not much going to classes, thus I ended the madness in 1986 when I joined the US Navy. However, until I die I will be a Scooney Man and Aggie born and Aggie bread. So I holla AGGIE PRIDE and a loud and thunderous SCOONEY to all those who know and understand.
After the military and a brief civilian career I re-enter college this time on the West Coast. San Diego City College and transfered San Diego State University. I have accomplished the task of achieving my BA in Humanities. Now, I am in school again. This time I am going online at the University of Phoenix enroute to a degree in Health Administration to aid in a new career direction.
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