Skip to main contentSkip to main content

You are the owner of this article.

Edit Article Add New Article Close

You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close

Tulsa World

50°

Site Search

© 2026 Lee Enterprises

Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Site Search

Tulsa World

News+

Where your story lives

Site Search

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Subscribe

Tulsa World

News+

Where your story lives

Subscribe

Share This

customer support chat

Four Sandites recall 1964 desegregation of Charles Page High School

customer support chat Live chat

0 Comments

Share this

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Topical

Four Sandites recall 1964 desegregation of Charles Page High School

From the Sand Springs Leader education stories series

1 of 9

022322-ssl-desegregation-p1

Calvin Long (from left), Cortez Johnson, John Neal and Bob Lemons attended Charles Page High School in 1964-65, the first year that Black students were admitted to the previously all-white school.

022322-ssl-desegregation-p2

This plaque, installed at Charles Page High School in January, is intended to honor the courage of the nine Black students who desgregated the school in the fall of 1964.

Bob Lemons (left) and Cortez Johnson, who both live in Tulsa, were at Charles Page High School to see the plaque installed.

“I appreciate that it was nonviolent,” said Calvin Long, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio, today. “That’s why we didn’t make the news, I guess. But it was scary.”

John Neal, who now lives in Austin, said most white students in Sand Springs weren’t told much about the looming desegregation of their school, so when it happened, “we just thought it was our time — our turn.”

“I really enjoyed my year there,” Cortez Johnson said of his senior year at Charles Page High School. “I was really disappointed that I had to graduate.”

Cortez Johnson and John Neal (front row, second and fourth from left, respectively) became wrestling partners and friends at Charles Page High School.

“I had a disappointment not making the basketball team,” Cortez Johnson said. “I played from sixth grade through my junior year. But it wasn’t any setback, because I went and made the wrestling team.”

Calvin Long (back row, second from right) remembers his basketball teammates as having his back whenever race issues cropped up.

Prefer us on Google Learn More

Sharon Bishop-Baldwin

In 1949, a storm of controversy brewed on Broadway when the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific” poked a finger at racism with the song “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught,” in which one character sings about having not been born with bigotry:

kAmk6>m“*@FVG6 8@E E@ 36 E2F89E E@ 36 27C2:5k^6>mk^Am

kAmk6>m“~7 A6@A=6 H9@D6 6J6D 2C6 @55=J >256[k^6>mk^Am

kAmk6>m“p?5 A6@A=6 H9@D6 D<:? :D 2 5:77VC6?E D9256[k^6>mk^Am

kAmk6>m“*@FVG6 8@E E@ 36 42C67F==J E2F89E]”k^6>mk^Am

People are also reading…

kAmk6>mu:7E66? J62CD =2E6C[ 2?5 92=7 2 4@?E:?6?E 2H2J[ D@>6 H9:E6 J@FE9D :? $2?5 $AC:?8D 2AA2C6?E=J 925 366? >:DD:?8 @FE @? E9@D6 =6DD@?D] |2?J @7 E96> 5:5?’E C62=:K6 2E E96 E:>6 9@H F?4@>>@? E92E H@F=5 >2<6 E96>]k^6>mk^Am

kAmpD E96 7:C6D @7 C24:2= F?C6DE 3FC?65 2C@F?5 E96 ?2E:@? — 2?5 6G6? 2D 2 ?F>36C @7 4@>>F?:EJ =6256CD 2?5 D49@@= @77:4:2=D :? $2?5 $AC:?8D C6D:DE65 — ?:?6 DEF56?ED 7C@> E96 E@H?’D q@@<6C %] (2D9:?8E@? $49@@= — :ED D68C682E65 q=24< D49@@= — 3682? 2EE6?5:?8 4=2DD6D 2E E96 2==\H9:E6 r92C=6D !286 w:89 $49@@= :? E96 72== @7 `hec]k^Am

kAmp?5 2D C6E@=5 3J 2 92?57F= @7 4=2DD>2E6D 7C@> E92E J62C — EH@ q=24<[ EH@ H9:E6 — E96C6 H2D ?@ G:@=6?46 2?5 92C5=J 2?J 4C@DD H@C5D]k^Am

kAm(9:=6 E92E >:89E 36 2DE@F?5:?8 2?5 4@>>6?523=6[ :E’D 2=D@ ?@E E96 6?5 @7 E96 DE@CJ] ~G6C E96 564256D[ E:>6 2?5 C67=64E:@? 92G6 4@>6 E@ 362C @? H92E H2D D66? 2?5 6IA6C:6?465]k^Am

kAm%H@ q=24< >6? 42>6 E@ C64@8?:K6 E96:C C@=6D :? D92A:?8 9:DE@CJ] p?5 EH@ H9:E6 >6? 42>6 E@ C62=:K6 E96:C 8@@5 7@CEF?6 :? 36:?8 23=6 E@ =@?8 C6>2:? 3=:DD7F==J F?2H2C6 @7 E96 DECF88=6D E96:C q=24< 4=2DD>2E6D 72465]k^Am

kAm}@H 2== :? E96:C >:5\f_D[ E96J’G6 5@?6 D@>6E9:?8 23@FE :E]k^Am

kAm%96J 2?5 @E96CD C2:D65 >@?6J 2?5 H@C<65 H:E9 $2?5 $AC:?8D !F3=:4 $49@@=D E@ 2CC2?86 7@C 2 4@>>6>@C2E:G6 A=2BF6 7@C E96 9:89 D49@@=[ 3@E9 E@ C6>6>36C E96 6IA6C:6?46D E96J 925 2?5 E@ 6?4@FC286 7FEFC6 86?6C2E:@?D E@ =62C? 23@FE 2?5 C6>6>36C E92E 9:DE@CJ]k^Am

k9bm‘~FC EFC?’k^9bm

kAmy@9? }62= H2D 2 ;F?:@C 2E r92C=6D !286 E92E 72==[ 2?5 96 D2JD E96 H9:E6 J@FE9 @7 $2?5 $AC:?8D “H6C6 46CE2:?=J 2H2C6 @7 H92E H2D 8@:?8 @? 6=D6H96C6 — 3FE >2J36 ?@E E96 6IE6?E]”k^Am

kAmw6 2=D@ D2:5 >@DE H9:E6 DEF56?ED :? $2?5 $AC:?8D H6C6?’E E@=5 >F49 23@FE E96 =@@>:?8 56D68C682E:@? @7 E96:C D49@@=[ D@ H96? :E 92AA6?65[ “H6 ;FDE E9@F89E :E H2D @FC E:>6 — @FC EFC?]”k^Am

kAmp?5 A=6?EJ @7 H9:E6 DEF56?ED H6C6?’E F?92AAJ 23@FE E96 492?86[ 6:E96C[ }62= D2:5]k^Am

kAm“(9:=6 x’> DFC6 E96C6 >FDE 92G6 366? D@>6 DEF56?ED H9@ @AA@D65 :E[ x ?6G6C 962C5 2?JE9:?8 23@FE E92E] %96 2EE:EF56 H2D 6:E96C :E’D :?6G:E23=6 — @C :E H2D H6=4@>65[” 96 D2:5]k^Am

kAm“$:?46 @FC 4@>>F?:E:6D H6C6 E@E2==J D68C682E65[ H6 <?6H ?@E9:?8 23@FE 6249 @E96C] %96C6 H6C6 2 D:8?:7:42?E ?F>36C @7 FD — D:?46 H6 925 ?6G6C >6E 2 q=24< A6CD@? — H6 E9@F89E H6 H6C6 8@:?8 E@ 92G6 D@>6 6IA6C:6?46D H:E9 D@>6 A6@A=6 H9@ H6C6 C62==J 4@@=[” }62= D2:5[ 6IA=2:?:?8 E92E >F49 @7 E96:C =:>:E65 <?@H=6586 42>6 7C@> E96 7:6=5D @7 DA@CED 2?5 6?E6CE2:?>6?E[ H96C6 q=24< A6@A=6 H6C6 @7E6? C6G6C65 7@C E96:C 2E9=6E:4:D> @C >FD:42= AC@H6DD]k^Am

kAmx? 724E[ :E H2D H9:=6 8@:?8 :?E@ E96 HC6DE=:?8 C@@> 27E6C D49@@= E92E 96 >6E r@CE6K y@9?D@?]k^Am

kAmpE q@@<6C %] (2D9:?8E@?[ y@9?D@? “925 366? 2 32D<6E32== A=2J6C — 2 8@@5 32D<6E32== A=2J6C — 3FE H96? 96 EC:65 @FE 2E r92C=6D !286[ E96 4@249 =:E6C2==J =67E E96 3F:=5:?8” C2E96C E92? 8:G6 9:> 2 ECJ@FE[ }62= D2:5]k^Am

kAm$@ y@9?D@? EC:65 @FE 7@C HC6DE=:?8[ :?DE625[ 2?5 >256 E96 DBF25] w6 2?5 }62= 3642>6 HC6DE=:?8 A2CE?6CD 2?5 7C:6?5D]k^Am

k9bm%96 2H2<6?:?8k^9bm

kAmp?5 7@C J62CD — 564256D[ 6G6? — E9:?8D D66>65 ;FDE 7:?6] p?5 E96?[ H:E9 E96 2??:G6CD2CJ @7 E96 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^EF=D2H@C=5]4@>^C6G:D:E\E96\9:DE@CJ\@7\E96\`ha`\EF=D2\C246\>2DD24C6^2CE:4=60_6h6ba_g\2`_h\``62\g743\5ffh7`d6h6aa]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm`ha` %F=D2 #246 |2DD24C6k^2m 2AAC@249:?8[ }62= — ?@H C6E:C65 2?5 =:G:?8 :? pFDE:? — H2?E65 E@ =62C? >@C6 23@FE E96 E@A:4 2?5 2?J C@=6 $2?5 $AC:?8D >:89E 92G6 A=2J65 :? :E]k^Am

kAmw6 DEF>3=65 24C@DD E96 H@C< @7 y2>6D #FDD6==[ ?@H 2 AF3=:4 A@=:4J 2FE9@C 2?5 AC@76DD@C 2E !@CE=2?5 $E2E6 &?:G6CD:EJ :? ~C68@?]k^Am

kAmqFE :? E96 `he_D[ #FDD6== H2D 2 D@4:2= 24E:G:DE H9@ E@@< A2CE :? E96 `hec %F=D2 4:G:= C:89ED =F?49 4@F?E6C D:E\:?D 2?5 H2D 2 =6256C @7 E96 42>A2:8? E@ 56D68C682E6 r92C=6D !286 w:89 $49@@= 2D 2 >6>36C @7 E96 r@?8C6DD @7 #24:2= tBF2=:EJ[ @C r~#t]k^Am

kAm#FDD6==’D H63D:E6[ k2 9C67lQ9EEAi^^;2>6DHCFDD6==]4@>Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm;2>6DHCFDD6==]4@>k^2m[ 92D 2 A286 56G@E65 E@ E96 9:DE@CJ @7 E96 :?E68C2E:@? @7 $2?5 $AC:?8D’ D49@@=D[ 2?5 }62= C625 :E 56G@E65=J[ 96 D2:5]k^Am

kAmw6 =62C?65 23@FE E96 C6D:DE2?46 ?@E @?=J 2>@?8 E96 E@H?’D H9:E6 C6D:56?ED 3FE 2=D@ :? :ED q=24< 4@>>F?:EJ[ H96C6 E96C6 H6C6 C62= 762CD @7 C6E2=:2E:@?[ =@DD @7 4F=EFC6 2?5 =@DD @7 ;@3D]k^Am

kAmw6 =62C?65 23@FE k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^EF=D2H@C=5]4@>^4@>>F?:EJ^D2?5DAC:?8D^?6HD^8F6C:?\6>:8\E96\DE@CJ\@7\>2CBF6D\92J?6D\2DD:DE\H:E9\D2?5\DAC:?8D\D49@@=\:?E68C2E:@?^2CE:4=60h_54`_ha\fg_5\``63\2chf\67db34fgcef4]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmE96 C@=6 72>65 32D<6E32== A=2J6C |2CBF6D w2J?6D @7 E96 w2C=6> v=@36EC@EE6CD A=2J65k^2m :? 2==2J:?8 E9@D6 762CD]k^Am

kAm“x ?6G6C 7@F?5 @?6 H9:E6 DEF56?E H9@ 925 <?@H? 23@FE E96 C6D:DE2?46 @C @3DE24=6D E96 q=24< DEF56?ED 925 72465 H9:=6 H6 H6C6 :? D49@@=[” 96 D2:5]k^Am

kAm“(96? H6 7:?2==J =62C?65 E96 ECFE9 @7 E96 @3DE24=6D 2?5 C6D:DE2?46 — 3@E9 :? E96 4@>>F?:EJ 2?5 :? E96 D49@@=D — E92E E96J 925 72465[ H6 925 2 766=:?8 @7 D92>6[ 3FE 2=D@ @7 AC:56 E92E H6 925 249:6G65 E9:D” :?E68C2E:@? H:E9@FE G:@=6?46]k^Am

kAmp?5 E92E’D H96C6 E96 A=2BF6 4@>6D :?]k^Am

kAm“(6 D6E @FE E@ C64@8?:K6 2?5 >6>@C:2=:K6 H92E E96J 6IA6C:6?465[” }62= D2:5]k^Am

k9bm‘%H@ 5:776C6?E H@C=5D’k^9bm

kAmr@CE6K y@9?D@? ;FDE H2?E65 E@ E2<6 FA 5C27E:?8[ 2?5 9:D D49@@=[ q@@<6C %] (2D9:?8E@?[ 5:5?’E @776C :E]k^Am

kAm“':4<: (6DE3C@@< H2D 2 8@@5 7C:6?5 2?5 4=2DD>2E6[ 2?5 D96 :?7@C>65 >6 E92E D96 H2D 4@>:?8 WE@ r92C=6D !286X[ 2?5 x H2?E65 E@ 8@ 7@C 5C27E:?8[ D@ x 5:5[” 96 D2:5]k^Am

kAmqFE :E ?6G6C @44FCC65 E@ y@9?D@? E92E 96 925 2?JE9:?8 E@ 762C]k^Am

kAm“x ?6G6C E9@F89E @7 E92E G:@=6?46” E92E 92AA6?65 6=D6H96C6[ 96 D2:5] “x 8C6H FA 2E `hbC5 (6DE pG6?F6[ 2?5 x <?6H 2 76H H9:E6 72>:=:6D] x 925 H9:E6 A=2J>2E6D]k^Am

kAm“x 8C6H FA :? EH@ 5:776C6?E H@C=5D[” 96 D2:5[ 6IA=2:?:?8 E92E 9:D 2==\3=24< D49@@= H2D G6CJ 5:776C6?E 7C@> 9:D >:I65\C246 ?6:893@C9@@5]k^Am

kAm“x?E68C2E:?8 H2D?’E E92E 3:8 @7 2 E9:?8 7@C >6 A6CD@?2==J[” 96 D2:5]k^Am

kAm%92E’D ?@E E@ D2J y@9?D@? H2D?’E 2 3:E ?6CG@FD @? E96 7:CDE 52J @7 D49@@= — 96 H2D — @C E92E 6G6CJE9:?8 H6?E A6C764E=J]k^Am

kAm“x 925 2 5:D2AA@:?E>6?E ?@E >2<:?8 E96 32D<6E32== E62>[” 96 D2:5] “x A=2J65 7C@> D:IE9 8C256 E9C@F89 >J ;F?:@C J62C] qFE :E H2D?’E 2?J D6E324<[ 3642FD6 x H6?E 2?5 >256 E96 HC6DE=:?8 E62>]”k^Am

kAm|2J36 :E’D ;FDE 9:D A@D:E:G6 A6CD@?2=:EJ[ 3FE 9:D >6>@C:6D @7 r92C=6D !286 2C6 23F?52?E=J A=62D2?E[ D2:5 y@9?D@?[ H9@ ?@H DA6?5D 9:D 7C66 E:>6 E2<:?8 4=2DD6D 2E %F=D2 r@>>F?:EJ r@==686 2D 2 “=:76E:>6 =62C?6C]”k^Am

kAm“x C62==J 6?;@J65 >J J62C E96C6] x H2D C62==J 5:D2AA@:?E65 E92E x 925 E@ 8C25F2E6]”k^Am

k9bm‘x H:D9 x 925 <?@H? >@C6’k^9bm

kAmq@3 {6>@?D H2D E96 r92C=6D !286 w:89 $49@@= r=2DD @7 `hed’D AC6D:56?E] w6 H2D H6==\4@??64E65 2E D49@@=]k^Am

kAmqFE 96 92C5=J <?6H 2?JE9:?8 23@FE E96 ?6H <:5D — E9C66 D6?:@CD[ @?6 ;F?:@C 2?5 7:G6 D@A9@>@C6D — H9@ H@F=5 ;@:? E96 DEF56?E 3@5J E92E 72==]k^Am

kAm“x 5@?’E C6>6>36C 6G6? E9:?<:?8 23@FE :E] (6 H6C6?’E C62==J 2H2C6 E92E :E H2D 8@:?8 E@ 92AA6?[ 2?5 >2?J @7 FD 5:5?’E D66 :E 92AA6?[” {6>@?D D2:5[ C676CC:?8 E@ E96 q=24< DEF56?ED’ 7:CDE 2AA62C2?46[ 2E 2 E:>6 H96? >2?J H9:E6 DEF56?ED H6C6 2=C625J 566A :?E@ 367@C6\D49@@= 6IEC24FCC:4F=2C 24E:G:E:6D]k^Am

kAm“xE ?6G6C 4C62E65 2?J :DDF6] ~3G:@FD=J x H2D G6CJ 24E:G6 :? D49@@=[ 2?5 H6 ?6G6C 925 2?J :DDF6 2D E@ ‘(9J 2C6 E96D6 <:5D 96C6n’” 96 D2:5] “%96J H6C6 ;FDE 96C6]k^Am

kAm“}@H x H:D9 E92E x 925 <?@H? 2 =@E >@C6] xE >2<6D >6 766= =:<6 H6 >:DD65 @FE @? 2 =@E @7 E9:?8D E92E E96 25F=ED H6C6 <66A:?8 7C@> FD]”k^Am

k9bm‘}@ EFC?:?8 324<’k^9bm

kAmr2=G:? {@?8’D >@E96C[ r@C6==2 {@?8[ H2D 2 >6>36C @7 E96 q=24< A2C6?ED’ 8C@FA AFD9:?8 7@C 56D68C682E:@? @7 $2?5 $AC:?8D’ D49@@=D]k^Am

kAm$E:==[ D96 E@=5 96C D@? E92E H96E96C 96 2EE6?565 r92C=6D !286 H2D FA E@ 9:>]k^Am

kAm“$96 ?6G6C AFD965[” r2=G:? {@?8 D2:5] “$96 D2:5 :E H2D >J 564:D:@?] x D2:5[ ‘$FC6] (9J ?@En’ qFE E92E H2D ?2:G6E6]k^Am

kAm“~?46 H6 564:565 H6 H6C6 8@:?8 2?5 DE2CE65 AC6A2C:?8[ :E H2D C62==J D42CJ]”k^Am

kAm|F49 E@ 9:D C6=:67[ {@?8’D H@CDE 762CD H6C6 ?6G6C C62=:K65]k^Am

kAm“x 2AAC64:2E6 E92E :E H2D ?@?G:@=6?E[” 96 D2:5] “%92E’D H9J H6 5:5?’E >2<6 E96 ?6HD[ x 8F6DD] qFE :E H2D D42CJ]k^Am

kAm“(6 ;FDE 8@E E96 =@@<D]”k^Am

kAmqFE =:<6 y@9?D@?[ {@?8 AC676CD E@ C6>6>36C E96 A@D:E:G6 2DA64ED @7 6G6? E96 ?682E:G6 :?4:56?ED]k^Am

kAm{@?8 H2D @? E96 32D<6E32== E62>[ 2?5 96 C642==65 E92E E96 E62> @7E6? H6?E @FE E@ 62E 27E6C 82>6D]k^Am

kAm~?6 6G6?:?8[ E96J DE2CE65 E@ 9625 :?E@ 2 C6DE2FC2?E — “x 5@?’E 6G6? C6>6>36C E96 ?2>6 @7 :E” — 2?5 D@>6@?6 :? 492C86 E@=5 E96 8C@FA @7 3@JD[ “*@F 2== 42? D:E 5@H?[ 3FE ?@E 9:>[” A@:?E:?8 2E {@?8]k^Am

kAm“$@ H6 5:5?’E 8@ E96C6[” 96 D2:5] “(6 H6?E D@>6H96C6 6=D6]”k^Am

kAm{@?8’D >6>@C:6D 2C6 7F== @7 :?DE2?46D DF49 2D E92E — E62>>2E6D 2?5 @E96C DEF56?ED 92G:?8 9:D 324<]k^Am

kAm“x 42==65 E96> DJ>A2E9:K6CD[” 96 D2:5] “qFE E96J H6C6?’E DJ>A2E9:K6CD] %92E’D ;FDE E96 H2J E96J H6C6] %96J C62==J 42C65 7@C @E96C A6@A=6]”k^Am

kAm{@?8[ H9@ H2D 2 ;F?:@C H96? 96 DE2CE65 2E r92C=6D !286[ D2:5 9:D EH@ J62CD E96C6 “H6C6 8C62E] x 42?’E 4@>A=2:? 23@FE 2 E9:?8]”k^Am

kAm“%96 92C56DE A2CE H2D :? >J 9625[ <?@H:?8 E92E E96J 5:5?’E H2?E >6 3642FD6 @7 H92E E96 A6@A=6 :? E96 4@>>F?:EJ 2?5 H92E E96 3@2C5 D2:5]”k^Am

kAmp?5 96 8@E D@>6 C6D:DE2?46 7C@> E96 q=24< 4@>>F?:EJ[ E@@]k^Am

kAm“x 8@E D@>6 AC6EEJ F8=J EC62E>6?E H96? x H6?E 324< 9@>6[” 96 D2:5] “xE 9FCE BF:E6 2 3:E] x 5:5 BF6DE:@? >JD6=7 2 76H E:>6D[ 3FE E96C6 H2D ?@ EFC?:?8 324< E96?]”k^Am

kAm}@E 7@C E96 32D<6E32== E62>’D 4@\42AE2:? 9:D D6?:@C J62C 2?5 E96 $6AE6>36C `hed $EF56?E @7 E96 |@?E9]k^Am

kAm“x 4@F=5?’E 36=:6G6 E92E[” {@?8 D2:5] “%92E H2D 2>2K:?8” E@ 36 ?2>65 $EF56?E @7 E96 |@?E9]k^Am

k9bmyFDE:46 56=2J65k^9bm

kAm~?46 E96 677@CE E@ 7F?5 E96 A=2BF6 8@E F?56CH2J[ }62= D2:5[ E96 @FEA@FC:?8 @7 DFAA@CE H2D “:>>65:2E6 2?5 F?36=:6G23=6]”k^Am

kAmp=F>?: 7C@> `_ DE2E6D 4@?EC:3FE65 E@ E96 7F?5[ 2?5 @C82?:K6CD C2:D65 6G6? >@C6 >@?6J E92? E96J ?66565[ 96 D2:5]k^Am

kAm%96 A=2BF6 H2D :?DE2==65 2E E96 9:89 D49@@= @? y2?] f[ 2?5 2 565:42E:@? 6G6?E H2D 36:?8 A=2??65 7@C u63] d[ ;FDE 2E E96 DE2CE @7 q=24< w:DE@CJ |@?E9[ H96?[ 2D 92AA6?D 2 =@E E96D6 52JD[ r~'xs\`h ?F>36CD DE2CE65 C:D:?8 AC64:A:E@FD=J]k^Am

kAm(:E9 2 AC:>2CJ E2C86E 2F5:6?46 DBF2C6=J :? E96 9:896DE\C:D< 8C@FA[ A@DEA@?:?8 E96 82E96C:?8 H2D E96 @3G:@FD 42==]k^Am

kAmp 7@C>2= 46C6>@?J H:== 567:?:E6=J 92AA6?[ {6>@?D D2:5[ “3FE H6’C6 ;FDE ?@E DFC6 H96?]”k^Am

kAmtG6? H:E9 E96 r~'xs 56=2J[ {6>@?D 4@F=5?’E 36 >@C6 A=62D65 H:E9 9@H E96 AC@46DD 92D 8@?6[ 96 D2:5]k^Am

kAm(6 7@F?5 E96 W4FCC6?EX 25>:?:DEC2E:@? E@ 36 G6CJ DFAA@CE:G6[” 96 D2:5] “(6 H@?56C65 :7 E96J H@F=5 ?@E 6?4@FC286 FD 2?5 >2J36 ?@E 6G6? k6>m2==@Hk^6>m FD E@ 5@ :E[ 3FE H6 7@F?5 E92E ?@E E@ 36 E96 42D6]k^Am

kAm“%@ @FC A=62D2?E DFCAC:D6[ E96J H6C6 2== G6CJ DFAA@CE:G6[ 2=@?8 H:E9 E96 D49@@= 3@2C5]”k^Am

kAm{6>@?D D2:5 :E’D :>A6C2E:G6 ?@E E@ “=@D6 E96 :>A@CE2?46 @7 E96 6G6?ED E92E E@@< A=246 2?5 9@H ECJ:?8 — ?@H E92E x <?@H — 9@H 92C5 :E H2D @? E9@D6 DEF56?ED E92E H6C6 :?G@=G65] xE E@@< 2 EC6>6?5@FD 2>@F?E @7 4@FC286 @? E96:C A2CE E@ D9@H FA 2E E92E D49@@=]”k^Am

kAm“xE 5:5?’E >2<6 >F49 5:776C6?46 E@ 2== @7 FD H9@ 925 2=H2JD 366? E96C6[ 3FE :E H2D 2 3:8 562= E@ E96>]”k^Am

kAmp?5 2D 7@C E96 DEF56?ED @7 E@52J 2?5 E96 7FEFC6[ “x 9@A6 E96J’== 36 :?BF:D:E:G6 — ?@E ;FDE D66 :E 2?5 G:6H :E[ 3FE >2J36 =@@< :?E@ H9J E92E H2D DF49 2 3:8 562=[” D2:5 {6>@?D[ H9@ :D C6E:C65 2?5 =:G6D :? %F=D2] “x 9@A6 :E’D 2 DE:>F=FD E@ =62C?[ ?@E ;FDE D@>6E9:?8 J@F H2=< 3J 2?5 D66 6G6CJ 52J]”k^Am

k9bm‘!2CE @7 E92E 9:DE@CJ’k^9bm

kAmu@C y@9?D@? 2?5 {@?8[ E96 A=2BF6 :D[ F?56CDE2?523=J[ 6G6? >@C6 A6CD@?2=]k^Am

kAm“x’> 2 A2CE @7 E92E 9:DE@CJ[” y@9?D@? D2:5] “p?5 H:E9 E96 F8=:?6DD @7 C24:2= C6=2E:@?D9:AD[ 6G6? ?@H252JD[ H6 H2?E E@ 8:G6 $2?5 $AC:?8D 2 =:EE=6 AC@A] $2?5 $AC:?8D H2D ?@E A2CE @7 E92E F8=:?6DD]”k^Am

kAmpD 7@C E96 7FEFC6 $2?5:E6D H9@’== A2DD 3J E92E A=2BF6[ y@9?D@? D2:5 96’D “9@A:?8 E92E E96J <?@H E92E E96C6 H2D D@>6 J@F?8 q=24<D E92E H2?E65 E@ 4@>6 FA E96C6 2?5 4@>A6E6 2?5 E92E 6G6CJE9:?8 5:5?’E 92G6 E@ 36 2D F8=J 2D H92E H6 D2H :? @E96C A2CED @7 E96 4@F?ECJ]”k^Am

kAm“p?5 E96J H6C6 4@FC286@FD 2?5 4@?EC:3FE65]”k^Am

kAmu@C {@?8[ H9@ =67E ~<=29@>2 E@ 8@ E@ r=6G6=2?5[ ~9:@[ :? `hgf 2?5 92D 366? E96C6 6G6C D:?46[ E96 5:DE2?46 92D A6C92AD 366? 6>@E:@?2= 2D H6== 2D A9JD:42=]k^Am

kAm&A@? =62C?:?8 23@FE 9:D 9:89 D49@@= 6IA6C:6?46[ 9:D 52F89E6C[ H9@ :D ?@H :? 96C b_D[ E@=5 9:>[ “s25[ J@F >256 9:DE@CJ]”k^Am

kAm“x ?6G6C C62==J E9@F89E 23@FE H92E E92E >62?E E@ E92E 568C66 F?E:= D96 D2:5 E92E[” 96 D2:5] “xE 8:G6D >6 49:==D 6G6CJ E:>6 H6 E2=< 23@FE :E]k^Am

kAm“$@ 5@:?8 E9:D A=2BF6 :D C62==J 2 8C62E 9@?@C[” {@?8 D2:5] “%@ 92G6 >J ?2>6 @? E96 A=2BF6 :? E96 3F:=5:?8 H96C6 x 8C25F2E65 2?5 H96C6 x A=2J65 32==[ … E92E D2JD 2 =@E]”k^Am

news@sandspringsleader.com

In this Series

Sand Springs Leader education stories

0 Comments

Be the first to know

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Sign up!

* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.

Sharon-Bishop-Baldwin

Sharon Bishop-Baldwin

Sand Springs Leader Staff Writer

Follow Sharon Bishop-Baldwin

Close

Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Save

Manage followed notifications

Close

Followed notifications

Please log in to use this feature

Log In

Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Related to this story

Close

022322-ssl-desegregation-p1

Calvin Long (from left), Cortez Johnson, John Neal and Bob Lemons attended Charles Page High School in 1964-65, the first year that Black students were admitted to the previously all-white school.

This plaque, installed at Charles Page High School in January, is intended to honor the courage of the nine Black students who desgregated the school in the fall of 1964.

Bob Lemons (left) and Cortez Johnson, who both live in Tulsa, were at Charles Page High School to see the plaque installed.

“I appreciate that it was nonviolent,” said Calvin Long, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio, today. “That’s why we didn’t make the news, I guess. But it was scary.”

John Neal, who now lives in Austin, said most white students in Sand Springs weren’t told much about the looming desegregation of their school, so when it happened, “we just thought it was our time — our turn.”

“I really enjoyed my year there,” Cortez Johnson said of his senior year at Charles Page High School. “I was really disappointed that I had to graduate.”

Cortez Johnson and John Neal (front row, second and fourth from left, respectively) became wrestling partners and friends at Charles Page High School.

“I had a disappointment not making the basketball team,” Cortez Johnson said. “I played from sixth grade through my junior year. But it wasn’t any setback, because I went and made the wrestling team.”

Calvin Long (back row, second from right) remembers his basketball teammates as having his back whenever race issues cropped up.

×

Tulsa World

Prefer us on Google Learn More

Sites & Partners

Services

© Copyright 2026 Tulsa World, 315 S. Boulder Ave. Tulsa, OK 74103

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertising Terms of Use | Privacy Choices | Cookie Preferences

Powered by BLOX Content Management System from bloxdigital.com.

{{title}}

{{summary}}

You don't have any notifications.

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.

Topics

Breaking News

Subscribe

News Alert

Subscribe

customer support chat

VisaMastercardAmerican ExpressDiscoverJCBDiners ClubCredit CardCredit Card

Back ×

Offer

Sorry, an error occurred.

Already Subscribed!

Get StartedManage Service

Cancel anytime

You are logged in

 Switch accounts

Secure transaction. Cancel anytime. Have an account? Log In

Back ×

Sign Up

Account processing issue - the email address may already exist

User information

Username (Optional)

This is the name that will be used to identify you within the system. Choose wisely!

* First name

* Last name

Your real name will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more!

* Email Address

Your email address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else.

* Password

Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).

Create a password that only you will remember. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address.

* Confirm Password

Confirm your password.

CAPTCHA

Create Account

Have an account? Log In

×

You're all set!

Thank you .

Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.

Check your email for details.

OK

Back ×

Log In

Invalid password or account does not exist

Email Address

Password

Remember me

Forgot your password?

Log In

Email me a log in link

Admin login Subscribe

Need an account? Sign Up

Back ×

Reset Password

Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.

Email or Screen Name

CAPTCHA

Reset Password

×

Forgot Password

An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.

Back ×

Email me a log in link

Account Email

CAPTCHA

Send Email

Back ×

Promotional Offers

Promo code

Enter Promo Code

Redeem

No promotional rates found.

Back ×

Purchase Gift Purchase Access

See More Offers

details close

×

An error occurred

×

Secure & Encrypted

What's your email address?

Email

Password

Confirm password

Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).

What's your name?

First name

Last name

Who is this gift for?

Recipient name

Recipient email

Optional message for the recipient

Who is this gift from?

Purchaser name

Purchaser email

Purchaser zip code

Delivery date

Delivery date

What's your billing location?

Address

City

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code

Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

What's your delivery address?

Copy billing location

Address

City

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada

Zip code

Country

United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

Phone

Purchase detail

Subtotal:

Total:

How would you like to pay?

Ending in

Add New Card

American Express Discover Mastercard Visa JCB Diners Club Credit Card Credit Card

Terms of service confirmation

I Agree to the Subscription Terms of Use.
This service will be automatically renewed and your credit card billed once it nears expiration.

Secure transaction. Secure transaction. Cancel anytime.

×

You're all set!

Thank you.

Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.

Rate: Begins: Transaction ID:

A receipt was sent to your email.

OK

×

An error occurred

This offer is currently unavailable.

Close

Search AI Answers