Tuesday, June 4, 1996

50-year irony at graduation in Mexia

By BOB WRIGHT
Mexia Daily News

MEXIA - When Shannon Copley received her diploma at Mexia High School's recent commencement program, she did so at the same hour, on the same date as when her grandfather claimed his diploma half a century ago.

Shannon's graduation was on May 24 at 8 p.m. at Black Cat Field. Shannon's grandfather, W.T. Sanders, got his diploma on May 24, 1946, at an 8 p.m. commencement program in the Mexia City Hall auditorium.

That's 50 years ago, during which numerous changes have come about on the education scene. Sanders recalls the good times of his Mexia High School days and cites friendships cultivated during those days. His granddaughter, Shannon, also has enjoyed the people she's met in her 12 years of schooling in Mexia.

Shannon is much like her grandfather, in one respect. "I've never seen her meet a stranger," W.T. laughs.

Due to a chronic case of mononucleosis, Shannon has had to be homebound for the past two years.

"I've sure missed seeing everyone at school," she says. "Its kind of hard to keep up with what's going on but thanks to Ms. Mitchell, my teacher, I get to know how everyone is doing. I really miss my teachers and the other people that work at school, it makes me kind of sad when I think I won't be going back."

They miss her, too. Since Shannon's illness her mother, Mexia Daily News Publisher Lynnette Copley, has been contacted not only by students and teachers but also cafeteria workers and teachers aides, who say "we miss her smiling face in the halls."

When asked what she wants to do next, Shannon says, "Mom says I have to work at getting well first but then I want to get a job. I really like little kids and I hope I can go to work at a preschool."

W.T. nostalgically recalls his school days, and those of other members of his family who have also become Mexia High graduates. Lynnette Copley, W.T.'s eldest daughter, is not a Mexia graduate, but his two other children are - Carol Pickett of Mexia and Buster Sanders of Arlington.

That's not all from W.T.'s lineage to have gotten diplomas here. The others are Beau Copley, Lynette's son; and Shelly Pickett and Melissa Pickett Bosley, Carol's daughters.

W.T. actually started his high school at Thornton, where he also played football. He fondly remembers his coach, T.E. Caldwell, who also was the principal, and pastor of Thornton Baptist Church, where W.T. attended. "I was with him more than I was at home."

W.T. moved to Mexia during his sophomore year when his dad gave up the farm life to help in building the nearby prisoner of war camp for Germans. After World War II, it underwent the conversion for today's Mexia State School.

Fifty years removed from MHS, he kept coming back to the man who had a great influence on his life - Carroll Wood. "A very good man," he said about his coach, who also was principal here at the same time. "He taught us discipline but always was there for me and the others. If we had a problem, whether we wound up the office or at his home, he would always take the time for you."

After W.T. retired from his freight company job at Alice, he and Hautence moved to San Antonio, where they were going to retire along a river. That changed. "All of our kids were in Mexia, so we just packed up and moved to Lake Mexia, about five years ago," he says.