Witness Tree campaign recognized
April Meyers, Tim Parrott, and Tim Simpson
The council’s Tim Simpson present CMS Principal April Meyers and Anderson County Director of Schools Dr. Tim Parrott with a plaque commemorating the tree during a ceremony Oct. 20.
“Of all the trees in the state we have recognized, I believe this Witness Tree is the most important,” Simpson said during the ceremony. “What this tree is part of is special, what it witnessed is important.”
Simpson was referring the desegregation of Clinton High School.
Meyers said saving the maple tree was accomplished through the efforts of the students in the “Clinton Alive” project and their work and dedication, and by working closely with the Clinton Tree Board.
Riley Sain of the Clinton Tree Board said the “Witness Tree” is now more than that. He said because of the work being done to save the tree, it has become a teaching resource.
“Efforts to save this tree have brought a renewed interest in the history it has wintnessed,” he said.