Old school remembered through outreach

The former Reddick High School building is no more, but an alumni group remains active. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

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Posted March 12, 2024 | Staff report

The Reddick High School building no longer stands on the hallowed ground in the little town of Reddick in the northwest corner of Marion County. Built in 1923 and renamed North Marion High School in 1957, the school was demolished in 2021, despite efforts to save it.

Generations of students who attended the school from 1927 to 1965 are still thriving, however, and many of them meet annually to reconnect and relive their high school days.

According to Janice Ray, the group reunion last year honored the 1963 boys’ basketball team, which went 24-1 and made it to the state playoffs. Another reunion is being planned for this fall.

The RHS Reunion Committee, under the leadership of D.A. Lewis Jr., came up with the idea of establishing a scholarship in memory of those Reddick High School Terriers. The Reddick High School Reunion Scholarship recognizes two deserving North Marion High School seniors with $1,000 each. This is the sixth year the scholarships have been presented, Ray said.

Seniors wishing to apply for the scholarship should contact NMHS counselor Dana Spencer by emailing [email protected] or by phone at (352) 671-6010).

Scholarship applications also are available at the Reddick Public Library, at 15150 NW Gainesville Road, Reddick. Applicants should ask for Jim Stroup in person or call (352) 438-2566. Stroup, who graduated from North Marion in 1959, is a former longtime mayor of Reddick and has long been involved with the reunion.

The deadline to apply for a scholarship is Friday, April 12.