Howard W. Curry Interviewed by Leah Hedrick and Ali Sheikh, 2023
This oral history is an interview with Howard Curry conducted by Leah Hedrick and Ali Sheikh for the Lucy F. Simms School Oral History Project. Leah and Ali were students in Melissa Dean and Tim Van Schaick’s African American history course at Turner Ashby High School. The interview was conducted on February 28, 2023, at the Simms Center.
Howard Curry attended the Simms school from 1949 to 1961. In this oral history, Mr. Curry reflects on various aspects of his life, including his experience at the Lucy F. Simms School, his love for the arts, jazz music, and his time in the military.
Mr. Curry highlights the sense of community at the Simms school, where students were like a family. He reflects on the support he received from teachers and the impact of community members who gave him opportunities to work and thrive. He also shares memories of playing on the basketball team that won the state championship in 1960, a proud moment for the community.
Interview and Transcript
Click here to download a copy of the transcript.
The transcript presented here has undergone a rigorous review and editing process undertaken by Mollie Godfrey, Mariam Ismail, and Kirsten Mlodynia to ensure its accuracy and authenticity. After the completion of the oral history interview, we provided Mr. Curry with the opportunity to review the initial transcript and offer feedback, corrections, and additional insights. This collaborative effort between Mr. Curry and our team at James Madison University has resulted in a final version that faithfully reflects the participant's own words and recollections.