Beverly Watts Dyson

Interviewed on December 13, 2003 and later July 21, 2007, Beverly Dyson started at Great Mills High School in September of 1964, she graduated in June 1968. Integration was occurring at the schools thus she was very nervous to be going to an all-white school, detailing negative experiences. She talks about the teachers, especially white vs. black teachers, and relationships with African American students at Great Mills. Ms. Dyson talks about males versus females and how the males were treated worse than females. She talks about recreational activities and how the way of life is gone now, she mentions religion and attending church on Sundays. Ms. Dyson discusses the principles taught at Great Mills versus Carvers and how attending Great Mills made an impact on her life. Ms. Dyson concludes the interview by reflecting upon memories, especially of her parents and local community members.

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John William Alonzo Gaskin

Interviewed on October 14, 2003, John Gaskin begins the interview by talking about Great Mills High School in the fall of 1967 and graduating in 1969. He remembers how there were very few blacks that attended Great Mills in 1965 and 1966 which his parents prepared for him for the integrated school experience. He recalls serious fights and the discipline that followed aggressive behavior in school, he says that the first year was the worst. He talks about graduation and how many classmates became doctors, coaches, lawyers, engineers, and more. The school was small, they had trailers and his mother was a school teacher, classes were small and the experience was good. Mr. Gaskin says that students stuck together by race, he recalls how black teachers earned less than white teachers, and that white people were more upset over the integration than black people were. He says that white people felt that black people were taking what was their right at the time and that blacks would dilute the learning experience. Mr. Gaskin then speaks at length about the historical perspective of the rhetoric at this time, a student during the interview then interjects and talks about the difference in support systems for teens in the past and present. Mr. Gaskin then pledges to provide the support system needed for students to succeed, he then speaks at length about “The Gear Up” program and concludes the interview by mentioning how Francine Dove-Hawkins will talk with the students next week. 

Francine Dove-Hawkins

Interviewed on October 21, 2003, Francine Dove-Hawkins begins the interview by discussing the schools she attended such as St. Peter Claver School and George Washington Carver which were both segregated black schools. She speaks at length about segregation and desegregation in the educational experience. She talks about symbols and “what was symbolic of my education” along with memorable friendships and teachers. She mentions Great Mills High School and how it was a “struggle” but her love of education, learning and her teachers made it a more positive experience. Mrs. Dove-Hawkins discusses owning her own business along with counseling and teaching at schools or companies. She established the Black Student Association and was the president of it, she was the salutatorian of her class which sparked controversy because many thought that a black should not be the valedictorian. Mrs. Dove-Hawkins speaks at length about the importance of selecting your friends and being prepared to excel at school and, later on in life. She asks a question about how much respect and whether black students were appreciated which she then leads into three important lessons learned. She talks about her college experience, becoming a speech-language pathologist, and her children. She discusses hobbies and meeting her husband, Steve in the 7th grade. Mrs. Dove-Hawkins concludes the interview by talking about her husband Steve and is asked the question “What’s the value of history?”, the tape runs out before she can answer. 

George Gaither Forrest

Interviewed on June 6, 2003, George Forrest was born in 1938 in Leonardtown, Maryland, he worked for the county administrator’s office in the Governmental Center. He attended Banneker, Jarboesville, and Cardinal Gibbons/Richard Ryan. He speaks at length about the African-American Revolution specifically sit-ins and Morgan State College experiences. He deeply appreciated his father whom he had considered “Uncle Tom”. He talks about early racial issues, religion, socialization, job turnovers, and St. Mary’s County changes. Mr. Forrest speaks at length about teenagers, especially their approach to life and the attitude of “keeping on”. He discusses the county’s low expectations of him during his tenure and how much African Americans suffer.  He talks about his responsibility to change the black stereotype and the importance of having a firm base of behavior and standards. Mr. Forrest concludes the interview with a discussion surrounding his regrets in life and a detailed account of military involvement specifically the Iraq War. 

Harriet Ann Swales Forrest

Interviewed on July 14, 2005, Harriet Forrest lives in Leonardtown, Maryland, she begins the interview with biographical and schooling information. She started school at age six at the St. Aloysius Society Hall with her two brothers and a sister. She then attended the old Leonardtown School and while attending Leonardtown School, she was hired by the Board of Education to do janitorial work. Miss. Forrest mentions Mrs. Cora King and how she taught her about saving and depositing money from her Board of Education job. She then talks about attending St. Joseph’s Catholic School and the nuns there, she recounts making prayer books and performing school concerts at the Hall. She remembers a classmate, Mary Holt who was an important connection for her. Miss. Forrest concludes the interview by speaking at length about transportation, academics, struggles, and sacrifices she made for her children.

Francis and Margaret Forrest

 Margaret & Francis (Bert) Forrest, Sr.'s interview took place on March 26, 2024. Together, they own a dental office, Forrest Dental Laboratory. The Forrest’s both went through the process of school integration and felt that it was easier than in other areas. They discuss how they got into the dental industry and started their business in 1979, Bert's dental apprenticeship, the integration of their schools, family, affording dental and health care in St. Mary's County, and community activism and involvement. (U.S. Colored Troops Interpretive Center in Lexington Park)