KANNAPOLIS — Local leaders gathered Monday at the former site of George Washington Carver High School to dedicate the Carver Memorial Garden and recognize Kannapolis students for their help in creating it.
The garden, a public service project completed by students from the Kannapolis Alternative Learning Center and neighborhood residents, surrounds a granite marker commemorating the site of Kannapolis’ first public high school for African-American youth. Carver High School stood at the site for 30 years until the building fell victim to arson in 1967.
The site is now the location of Kannapolis Intermediate School.
During Monday’s ceremony, Kannapolis Mayor Bob Misenheimer, Kannapolis City Schools Superintendent Dr. Pam Cain and Carver Historic Preservation Association President Joyce Gibson recognized the efforts of students Alicia Bethea, Antonio Hester, Lovey Monk, Juamakis Perry, Emmanual Saavedra, Tyler Scaccia, Kenneth Wise, Alex Nelson and Inkera Washington.
The students and neighborhood residents planted more than 60 plants and shrubs under the direction of Colleen McDaniel, a Kannapolis landscape designer and owner of The Inspired Garden. A bench has also been installed at the site.