What today is Macon’s Central High School is the culmination of a legacy that began in 1913 when the co-ed Lanier High School opened on Forsyth Street. In 1924, Sidney Lanier High School for Boys opened on Holt Avenue, followed by A.L. Miller Senior High School for girls in 1932 on Montpelier Avenue. Lanier and Miller eventually became Central High School, maintaining the leadership tradition of its predecessors through JROTC, comprehensive athletics and award-winning International Baccalaureate and fine Arts magnet programs.

In 2007, efforts to strengthen ties among the three schools’ alumni resulted in creation of a scholarship fund to benefit Central graduates. The Class of 1959 raised more than $35,000 to seed the Miller-Lanier-Central Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Central Georgia.

One goal of the fund is to perpetuate the schools’ legacy by producing annual scholarships for outstanding college-bound seniors at Central.

“These things made the Community Foundation a clear choice,” Jonathan added. “The people there are great, the staff is terrific, and I could go on for hours about the excellent level of service they have given us.”

Lee said the Class of 1959 hopes the fund also will spur more and more alumni to return to visit the school, to ask questions and to “buy in” to perpetuating the legacy of excellence of all three schools.

“And when someone donates to our fund, they know their money is, and always will be, for the direct benefit of students at Central.”