It started as a simple reunion among former schoolmates, but it has become something larger than could have been predicted. The SEMO Social and Civic Club just celebrated the 55th annual reunion, and the yearly gathering might soon make its permanent home in Poplar Bluff.
According to Oris Robinson, the torch is being passed to the next generation, and he is curious to see how everything continues.
“This all started 55 years ago when a bunch of us who attended Wheatley School here in Poplar Bluff decided to get together and have a reunion,” Robinson explained. “You see... a lot of us moved away to areas like Detroit and St. Louis to find work. But we never forgot where we came from.”
Robinson went on to explain the reunion was a particularly important event because many things changed within the social dynamic after students from Wheatley School were integrated with Poplar Bluff Schools.
“By the time we got integrated, I was in place to be a varsity athlete,” he recalled. “But in the Poplar Bluff school system we were told that there would be only two Black varsity athletes and only two Black junior varsity athletes.”
In order to maintain that strong sense of community and fellowship that was shared within the halls of Wheatley School, Robinson said the idea to start the SEMO Social and Civic Club came about.
“This is our 55th year, and I have been to 53 of these events,” Robinson said. “I don’t live in Poplar Bluff, so it was nice to get down here for this one.”
According to Robinson, the reunion has been held in multiple locations including Detroit and Chicago.
“It’s important for us because we aren’t getting any younger, and we need to focus on the history more each year,” Robinson stated. “The younger generation doesn’t directly understand the struggles we had and the things we went through to get to this point. Things like this are important to keep them familiar with our history.”
A source of motivation
Rory Tripp smiled from ear to ear as he monitored the large grill full of meat at the Civic Club cook-out Friday afternoon in Bacon Park.
“I have been doing this for 30 years,” Tripp said as he removed a rack of ribs from the grill. “I look forward to this every year.”
Tripp worked for the Poplar Bluff School system for 14 years, and though he does not work now, he always makes plans to man the grill for the SEMO Social and Civic Club,
“They were trying to tell me, because of my health, that maybe I shouldn’t do this this year,” Tripp remarked. “But I told them that this is what keeps me going sometimes. I love getting everything together and getting the food out to everyone here.”
Tripp explained he has been cooking for the reunion for 30 years.
“I have traveled to Texas, Chicago, Detroit and other locations to help with this,” Tripp noted. “I was basically a kid when all this started. And it’s good to see this younger generation stepping up.”
Taking pride in the cooking and taking pride in the past are synonymous for Tripp, and he has no plans to slow down.
Passing the baton
Lisa Robinson-Dawson remarked that she has an immense amount of pride for the SEMO Social and Civic Club.
“This is more than just a reunion,” Robinson-Dawson remarked. “We do get together to socialize, but we also focus on how we may give back to the community. We support multiple events throughout the year, and this is the one big thing that brings us together every year at the fourth of July.”
Following the cookout at Bacon Park, the civic club also had a game night Friday night and a dance/dinner Saturday night. After the dinner, multiple awards were given to different people in attendance.
The Roots Award was given to Wallace McDonald and Joseph Johnson. The club also awarded the first Unice Brewer scholarship to Darian Webb, and the Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Coursey Scholarship to Myracle Powell. Both scholarships were in the amount of $500 to help further education.
“There is no doubt about it: we need to support our youth,” Robinson-Dawson said to the crowd after the awards were given. “We are ready to pass the baton on to the younger generation, and they need us. They don’t just need us to get them to the age of 18. They need us to help them prepare to figure out this world.”
Robinson-Dawson recognized them club members of different ages — noting many are in their 60s, 70s, and 80s.
“I know we will be here for the celebration again next year, because that has already been decided,” Robinson-Dawson remarked. “And there is actually some talk about keeping the reunion here every year from now on. I’m happy to see so many people showing up for this. It makes me feel good for the future.”