Our Mission & Impact

The Southwest DeKalb Class of 1983, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, works diligently to support Southwest Dekalb High School and the immediate feeder schools in academic achievement through our financial support. We support our fellow Panthers and the community with scholarships, senior dues assistance, PTSA donations, and more. Be sure to check our upcoming events page to participate in our activities.

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Join us as we celebrate our 60th birthdays onboard the Carnival Cruise ship to Cozumel! Call and book your cabin before March 31st!!

Meet the Alumni Officers

Hi, I’m Greg Evans, your 2021-2023 Alumni president and a proud member and graduate of SWD Class of 1983. I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Georgia State University with a concentration in marketing. I am a builder/developer in the Atlanta Metro area and enjoy the passion of revitalization, construction and mentoring to our youth. I have been married to my beautiful bride, Dedra, for  31 years with one daughter Kendal. I look forward to serving our SWD community with the help of my fellow alumni.

Hi, I’m Greg Evans, your 2021-2023 Alumni president and a proud member and graduate of SWD Class of 1983. I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Georgia State University with a concentration in marketing. I am a builder/developer in the Atlanta Metro area and enjoy the passion of revitalization, construction and mentoring to our youth. I have been married to my beautiful bride, Dedra, for  31 years with one daughter Kendal. I look forward to serving our SWD community with the help of my fellow alumni.

Greg Evans - Alumni President

Hi, my name is Melody Favors Jackson, and I'm a graduate from Southwest DeKalb High School Class of 1983. It was my absolute honor to serve as SWD C/O 1983 Inc.’s First President from 2018-2020. After graduation, I attended DeVry University. I was h…

Hi, my name is Melody Favors Jackson, and I'm a graduate from Southwest DeKalb High School Class of 1983. It was my absolute honor to serve as SWD C/O 1983 Inc.’s First President from 2018-2020. After graduation, I attended DeVry University. I was hired with United State Postal Service as a Letter Carrier in 1988, where I held several positions: AIMS Tech, Rural Carrier Route Examiner, OTJT (On the Job Trainer) CCA Academy Instructor, and Shop Steward for The National Assoc. of Letter Carriers(NALC). I recently retired in 2019. I’m also a proud member of the Order of Eastern Organization (OES). I married my soulmate, James, and we have 2 beautiful children: Jeremy and Cierra. My passion is Interior Design, cooking, shopping, caring for and entertaining my family. My design company is Ci’Jerre Interior Designs. I love putting a smile on my client’s faces and changing their life style as well are their homes. I love my Alumni and the work we have done by helping our students through scholarships to a college, university, or vocational school of their choice.

Melody Jackson – INAUGURAL Alumni President

Hi, my name is Sylvia Collins Smith, and I graduated from Southwest DeKalb High School in 1983. I serve as the Vice President. I graduated from Tuskegee University in December 1989 in Architectural Science. I am a Planning Manager for DeKalb County Government. I have two young men ages 22 and 27. I enjoy traveling, cooking and love Earth, Wind and Fire.

Hi, my name is Sylvia Collins Smith, and I graduated from Southwest DeKalb High School in 1983. I serve as the Vice President. I graduated from Tuskegee University in December 1989 in Architectural Science. I am a Planning Manager for DeKalb County Government. I have two young men ages 22 and 27. I enjoy traveling, cooking and love Earth, Wind and Fire.

Sylvia smith - alumni Recording Secretary

 
Hi, my name is LaSonji Lester-Marshall and I graduated from Southwest DeKalb in June 1983. I received my Master’s degree in Business Education from University of West Georgia and my undergraduate degree in Business Management from Albany State …

Hi, my name is LaSonji Lester-Marshall and I graduated from Southwest DeKalb in June 1983. I received my Master’s degree in Business Education from University of West Georgia and my undergraduate degree in Business Management from Albany State University. Before holding this position as your Alumni Secretary, I was the Treasurer for the Goodwill Alumni Association. I held the position of President at Goodwill Alumni Association from July 2018 to July 2020. I was also a founding member of Goodwill Toastmaster Blue Notes and served as the 2017-2018 Goodwill Toastmaster Association Treasurer. I am recently retired in February. However, I have owned and operated my business, Briana’s Kakery, after 25 years of catering and baking for various customers.

LaSonji Marshall - alumni Vice President

Hi, my name is Carmen! I am the Treasurer for the Southwest DeKalb Class of 1983. I’m happily married to my best friend for 35 years and I’m a happy mother of 3. I’m a business owner of my own customer service company named “NoGee Destinations”…

Hi, my name is Carmen! I am the Treasurer for the Southwest DeKalb Class of 1983. I’m happily married to my best friend for 35 years and I’m a happy mother of 3. I’m a business owner of my own customer service company named “NoGee Destinations”. Loved ones around me would describe as a very loving and caring individual, who really gets into their work. I love being a part of the ‘83 Southwest DeKalb class alumni board. Go Panthers!

carmen evans - Alumni treasurer

Hi, I am Sherry Thrasher King and I serve as your Corresponding/Communications Chair. I graduated from Southwest DeKalb in 1983, where I marched in the band and ran track. I worked my way through college (attending DeKalb Community College, Florida …

Hi, I am Sherry Thrasher King and I serve as your Corresponding/Communications Chair. I graduated from Southwest DeKalb in 1983, where I marched in the band and ran track. I worked my way through college (attending DeKalb Community College, Florida State University and Georgia State University) and earned a bachelors degree in business administration. I’ve worked in the financial services industry for nearly 35 years and am currently the Vice President of Operations at a major financial institution as well as the co-owner of King Delivery Service Inc., a local moving company, for 23 years. I have been married to Robert King since 1992 and we have 3 sons: Carlton, Tyler and Corey. As a recent kidney transplant recipient and COVID-19 survivor, I’m glad to be here to be a part of this alumni association! Go Panthers!

Sherry king - alumni corresponding/communications chair

 

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2023 Recipient

Thank you again!  It warmed my heart to know that the village is alive and right there! 

Chapel Hill Elementary Principal