The dedication of James B. Sanderlin Elementary School features memories of the lawyer and judge who fought for civil rights.
By DONNA WINCHESTER
Published March 21, 2004
ST. PETERSBURG - More than 200 children, staff and community members turned out last week to dedicate a south Pinellas school that bears the name of a St. Petersburg legend.
James B. Sanderlin Elementary School, one of three schools built in St. Petersburg as part of a settlement with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to end court-ordered busing, opened in August at 2350 22nd Ave. S. The ceremony recognized the school as well as the man who became Pinellas County's first black judge, principal Denise Miller said.
"This was much more special than simply dedicating a new building named after someone," she said. "This was very significant not only because Judge Sanderlin was significant, but because of his beliefs and what we hope to achieve here."
Those who knew the judge best said it was the kind of celebration he would have enjoyed.
Children wearing colorful student ambassador sashes circulated offering cookies and spring water. A fourth- and fifth-grade chorus sang selections such as Lift Every Voice and Sing and If I Had a Hammer. Sanderlin's friends and family shared cherished memories.
Pinellas school superintendent Howard Hinesley said the judge, who died in 1990, probably would be nervous about having a school named after him, but no one deserved the honor more.
"He made contributions not only to the school system but to the greater Pinellas County community," Hinesley said. "His legend will carry on as long as this school provides a safe learning environment."
Attorney Enrique Escarraz, who joined Sanderlin's law office in 1972, said he was pleased the School Board decided to name a school for Sanderlin, whom he described as "my very closest friend." He was even more pleased when he learned the school would offer a Primary Years International Baccalaureate program. Such a program is perfectly in line with Sanderlin's principles, Escarraz said.
Developed by teachers and administrators at international schools, the Primary Years program is administered by the International Baccalaureate Organization, which also offers a high school program. The program's liberal arts curriculum emphasizes a hands-on approach that encourages children to ask questions.
Sanderlin's niece told the audience the IB program's ideals were her uncle's ideals as well.
"He was a sword to the oppressor and a shield to the oppressed," said Paula Sanderlin Dorosti, visiting from Washington, D.C.
Before he was elected Pinellas' first black judge in 1972, Sanderlin fought civil rights battles as a young lawyer. He sued the Pinellas School Board on behalf of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, charging that separate was not equal, and forced the district to desegregate.
He sued the city of St. Petersburg for not paying a promised wage increase to its sanitation workers, who were almost all black. He also sued the city's Police Department, forcing it to integrate more than a dozen police zones.
But Sanderlin's greatest love was young people, the Rev. Wayne G. Thompson said. Thompson, pastor of First Baptist Institutional Church, recalled meeting Sanderlin as a boy living in segregated St. Petersburg.
"He always encouraged us to stay in school and do our best," Thompson said. "We didn't want to have to show the judge any bad grades."
One highlight was the dedication of a portrait of Sanderlin by artist Ron Marvin. Sanderlin's older brother helped cut a blue ribbon around the portrait.
Raymond Sanderlin Sr., who at 78 is a substitute teacher at the school, said his brother had told him when he became a judge it was the icing on the cake of his career.
"He would consider this the ice cream that goes on the cake," he added.
