Hugh Harrell III

Class of 1962 - has ancestors who were Nottoway, Chickahominy, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, Cherokee, African and Irish. His heritage led him to co-found the Weyanoke Association for Red-Black History and Culture. The Association specializes in researching, collecting and disseminating information about peoples of African and Native descent.

Hugh is also a singer and co-founder of Legacy of Weyanoke, and a cappella vocal ensemble specializing in the music and stories of African Diaspora. He has toured with major performing organizations to North America, South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Europe, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay and has performed with Handel’s Messiah as a soloist with the Phenix High School Choir and Hampton Institute Choir.

Linwood D. Harper

Class of 1965 - Butch as he is affectionately known, has excelled at creating opportunities through sports to foster an environment for the youth to succeed.

In 1982 he co-founded the Aberdeen Athletic Association that started out with one team and ten kids. The program has grown to include 5 football teams, 5 cheerleading squads, 20 basketball teams and 6 baseball teams.The program now is known as Deen Ball Sports, Inc. and has over 100 coaches and 600-700 kids every year.

Mr. Harper served as Youth Director for the Boo Williams AAU Program for over twenty-five years. Mr. Harper serves as a member of the Hampton School Board and enthusiastically voted to support the naming of a new school after George P. Phenix. 

Barbara L. Johnson

Class of 1968 - After graduating from Phenix, Ms. Johnson received her B. S. Degree in Pre-Med with concentration in Chemistry in 1975. She began her professional career as an analytical chemist and instrument engineer for Dow in Midland, Michigan. She then decided to go to law school and received her J. D from the College of William and Mary in 1984.

Ms. Johnson is a trial lawyer for Paul Hastings in Washington D. C., specializing in the representation of management in labor and employment litigation. Ms. Johnson’s current practice involves litigation in a number of areas, including civil rights discrimination, public law (municipalities and schools), environmental racism, and employment arbitrations.

Ms. Johnson routinely assists employers with workplace investigations, implementing affirmative action plans and diversity programs, and day to day employment law issues.

Charles A. Wynder

Class of 1959 - After graduating from Phenix he attended Florida A&M University, graduating with honors in Health and Physical Education. After teaching in the Hampton City School system for one year, Charles received his Masters of Arts Degree in School Administration from Hampton University in 1970 and became an Instructional Supervisor.

Mr. Wynder was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, United States Army in 1964. Subsequently, serving in numerous leadership and supervisory roles, one being the first black aide de Camp to the Deputy Commanding General US Army Communications Zone Europe.

He concluded his military career with the rank of Colonel, US Army. As a single parent, he and his three children were selected as the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Family of the Year.

His community work ranges from Boy Scouts, Peninsula Habitat for Humanity; Williamsburg James City County Community Services Board and Big Brothers – Big Sisters volunteer.