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In May 1956, Fort Hill High School of Cumberland held the first commencement exercise in Allegany County with participating African-American students following integration. Judy Leath was among the first of this group of students graduating from Fort Hill. Prior to school integration, Judy had formerly attended Carver High School.
The photograph from the Cumberland News is used with permission. The text reads:
"Featured above are six members of the Senior Class at Fort Hill High School who will graduate Thursday in commencement ceremonies at Fort Hill stadium. Three of the group are the first integrated students to graduate from the school. As Fort Hill has the first 1956 commencement here these are the first integrated students in Allegany County. Left to right are Harold Hilton, Barbara Cyzick, class treasurer; Ronald "Pete" Rice, class president; William Peck, Judy Leath, and J. Frederick Sharer, vice president. Hilton, Peck, and Leath formerly attended Carver High until school integration was started."