OUR HISTORY
In 1963, a small group of committed citizens of Augusta decided that the new school should be named for the late Dr. Thomas Walter Josey, and should have as its motto, “Power through Knowledge”. In addition, this group chose the color KELLY GREEN (power), GOLD (knowledge), and WHITE (purity) as the school’s colors. The EAGLE (a bird of might) was chosen as the mascot. We very proudly called ourselves the Thomas Walter Josey High School.
The new high school was erected at 1701 Fifteenth Street and opened its doors in 1964, graduating its first class in 1966.
Among the members of this distinguished class are:
- The Honorable Carl Brown - former Georgia 10th District Court Judge
- Dr. Joseph Hobbs - Chairman Emeritus of the Augusta University Department of Family Medicine
- The late George Frank Myles Jr. - Josey's first NFL draft pick (Miami Dolphins)
- The late Honorable Larry Leroy Palmer - former US Diplomat and Ambassador to Barbados & the Eastern Caribbean
- The Honorable Marion Williams - former Augusta-Richmond County Commissioner.
Throughout her 60-plus year history, T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School has produced:
- A United States Diplomat
- A 10th Circuit District Court Judge
- A Georgia State Legislator
- Augusta, GA's second Black Mayor
- Augusta-Richmond County's first Black elected Sheriff
- Augusta-Richmond County's first Black elected Marshal
- Three County Commissioners
- Two College Presidents
- A College Dean
- A Regional Director for the United Negro College Fund
- A Medical Director for a major city hospital
- 2019 Aiken County (SC) Public Schools Principal of the Year
- 2021 Middle School Principal of the Year for the State of Georgia
- 2022 Aiken County (SC) Public Schools Educator of the Year
- 2022 Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement & Presidential Volunteer Award recipient
- Five NFL players (Including three Super Bowl champions, including one 2023 Georgia Sports Hall of Fame inductee)
- Nine professional basketball players (two in NBA; a two-time WNBA champion who is also a 2024 Womens Basketball Hall of Fame inductee & a six-time WNBA all-star; and six current & former international professional basketball league)
- A member of the 1998 USA Women's Professional Basketball Team & WNBA interim head coach
- A referee official for the 2003 NCAA Men's Division I National Basketball Championship
- A Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Hall of Fame inductee
- A Southern Conference (SoCon) Sports Hall of Fame inductee
- An All-Mideastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Honoree and 2004 US Olympic Track & Field Trials qualifier
- Georgia Tech's first Black Organic Chemistry Doctoral Degree recipient
- A Billboard charting Hip Hop recording artist
- A Gospel recording artist who performed at the White House
- An Emmy Award-winning filmmaker
- Four actors who have appeared in major television shows, motion pictures and national television commercials (including two who have guest-starred in films produced by film moguls Tyler Perry and rapper 50 Cent)
- Three media personalities (radio and television)
- Numerous pastors, attorneys, educators, medical professionals, engineers, scientists, military officers, faith leaders, book authors, professional musicians & artists, entrepreneurs & community leaders
Also throughout her 60-plus year history, T.W. Josey has achieved a major mark in sports, earning them renown in the Central Savannah River Area as well as statewide.
- 1967 Georgia Interscholastic Athletic Association Class AA State Boys Basketball Champions
- 1974 Georgia High School Association Class A State 440 Relay Champions
- 1976 Georgia High School Association Class A State 330 Yard High Hurdle Champion
- 1978 Georgia High School Association Class A State Boys Basketball Champions
- 1995 Georgia High School Association Class AAA State Football Champions
- 1998 Georgia High School Association Class AAA State Girls Basketball Champions
- 2008 Georgia High School Association Class AA State 300 Meter Low Hurdles Champion
- 2013 Georgia High School Association Class AAA State Girls Shot Put Champion
- 2018 Georgia High School Association Class AA State Wrestling Champion (285 lb. Class)
- 2021 Georgia High School Association Class AA State Girls Basketball Champions
T.W. Josey prides herself of having been the home of Georgia High School Association's winningest high school girls basketball coach the late Lynn Brantley (1940-2019). In her 38-year coaching career, Coach Brantley retired in 2007 with a record of 749 wins and 249 losses (.751 winning percentage). Also it should be proudly noted that, for the first time in the history of our "Dear Alma Mater," the 1977 Josey Eagles baseball team advanced to the State Class A Baseball Championship finals against the eventual champion Roswell High School of Atlanta.
T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School also prides itself with a nationally renowned, award winning marching band program - THE T.W. JOSEY SONIC BOOM OF THE SOUTH.
Originally named the "MAGNIFICENT MARCHING 100 PLUS" during the school's infancy, the T.W. JOSEY SONIC BOOM OF THE SOUTH MARCHING BAND has for years taken its magnificent musicianship and performances extensively throughout the U.S. and parts of Europe, consistently garnering numerous national awards and honors for approximately four decades. Among the band's memorable honors from the late 1970's through the mid 2000's include the "All Superior" & "Excellent" titles by the Southern Invitational Band Festival & the Annual Centennial Marching Festival. Our SONIC BOOM OF THE SOUTH were also named "Best Band in the Nation" by the SCLC Drum Major for Justice Parade in St. Petersburg, Florida and was featured on the cover of the Augusta Magazine as the "Best School Band in Augusta."
The T.W. JOSEY SONIC BOOM OF THE SOUTH MARCHING BAND has performed before former U.S. Secretary of Defense the Honorable Leon Panetta (when he served as White House Chief of Staff during the Clinton Administration), on nationally televised parades such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and at Historically Black College and University football games.
Numerous T.W. JOSEY SONIC BOOM OF THE SOUTH MARCHING BAND alumni have collectively earned millions in scholarships and achieved greatness in numerous career paths, including as professional musicians, recording artists, educators, band directors & exceptional leaders within their respective communities in various fields of endeavor.
THE LEGACY OF DR. THOMAS WALTER JOSEY
Having seen and experienced the role of education in our society , we know the success of a community, a state, a country, or a nation depends upon the education of its people. The person for whom our school is named, Thomas Walter Josey, MD., was a medical doctor, community leader, churchman, and moralist of education.
Dr. Josey was born in Augusta, GA., the son of former slaves. As a boy, young Thomas Walter Josey placed his eye upon the star and climbed steadily toward his goal despite the setback which so many youths of his day encountered. He faltered not..... having lifted himself up by his own boot straps to a place of honor, dignity, and respect. Supported solely by his own efforts, he earned his way through Haines Institute, Atlanta University, and then through Howard University's Medical School.
The fact that his parents had been in bondage never beggared his soul. His life is a shining example of his motto: "Not for self but for others." The efficient services rendered by Dr. Josey to churches, the schools, drives for the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes, and the Character Chest are examples of his heroism.
Dr. Josey not only participated in many civic activities, he also sponsored countless civic projects. He organized the C. T. Walker Bible Class of the Tabernacle Baptist Church. The most outstanding of his civic achievements was his work with the Boy Scouts of America, Georgia- Carolina Council. He was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1948 for distinguished service to the organization, and in 1950 a permanent Boy Scout camp was named in his honor (Camp Josey).
Other services rendered by Dr. Josey were Medical Director, Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company; Charter member and Basileus of Psi Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; President of Stoney Medical and Dental Association; and Regional Vice President of the National Medical Association. In addition, Dr. Josey was the initiator and chairman of the drive to purchase the first uniforms to be worn by the Lucy C. Laney High School band.
THE LEGACY OF DR. THOMAS WALTER JOSEY LIVES ON!
PAST PRINCIPALS OF T.W. JOSEY HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Lloyd K, Reese (1912-1988)
Mr. Marion Barnes
Mr. Richard J. Johnson
Dr. Vivian Pennamon (1941-2018)
Mr. Horace Lamback (1949-2016)
Mr. Quentin Motley
Dr. Ronald Wiggins
Mr. Issac Lee
Mr. Chauncey Scott
Ms. Ny Green-McRae
CURRENT PRINCIPAL - Mr. Derrias Priestley
THE MISSION OF T.W. JOSEY HIGH SCHOOL
Our mission is to produce college and career ready graduates that will positively impact our Global Society.
THE VISION STATEMENT OF T.W. JOSEY HIGH SCHOOL
T.W. Josey High School strives to create an atmosphere that focus on innovative education, training, and career development for tomorrow's workforce.
T. W. JOSEY ALMA MATER (Tap/Click link to listen)
Written by
Mrs. Alice McRae
Hail to thee dear Alma Mater,
Hail to the school we love,
Thy praises we shall sing,
Until echoes loudly ring.
Sons and daughters as they work,
Will be inspired by thee.
In victory or downfall,
Mighty shall thy name be.
May thy glory ne're decline,
Through the ages wait before,
Raise high the banner gleaming,
Josey's green, white, and gold.
When we have gone away,
Out in the world alone,
Still we shall work for Josey,
And to thee honor bring.
