> NODE: HISTORICAL_ACCOUNT
← EVENT INFOPainting the City Orange & Green
Tiger Pride Day was officially established in 2016, born from the collective vision of Ivy Wynn Fowler (founder of the Tiger Den and Jones High School Boosters President), alongside original concept founders James Free Jordan and Kisha Baker Williams. With the enthusiastic approval of then-Principal Mr. Roderick Waldon, the inaugural Tiger Pride Day was set into motion.
On February 6, 2016, the very first Tiger Pride Day took place to celebrate the cultural impact and rich history of Jones High School. Occurring just weeks after the school's 121st birthday (established in 1895), the event was designed to honor the legacy of Orlando's historic, predominately African American high school that still stands as a pillar of excellence today.
The impact of that first day reverberated far beyond the campus. City and County elected officials issued official proclamations, WESH-Channel 2 arrived to provide live media coverage, and the iconic fountain in downtown Orlando was dyed Orange and Green to highlight the celebration.
The Inaugural Celebration
For that first event, alumni classes were asked to participate by setting up tents and tables to showcase their history. Twenty alumni classes answered the call—with graduates dating as far back as the Class of 1953. They brought pictures and keepsake memories from their time walking the halls of Jones High.
Former cheerleaders and majorettes returned to dance, showing the current students what Tiger Pride meant to them. It provided a powerful opportunity for alumni and the community to interact directly with the current student body, passing down perspectives and history first-hand.
Attendees were also able to tour the campus museum. Jones High School holds the distinct honor of being the only school in Orange County with a dedicated Historical Society on campus (and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places). Guests explored memorabilia, books, articles, musical works, and art created by former graduates.
From One Day to Everyday
Despite a little rain, over 2,000 attendees came out to celebrate that inaugural event. Thus, Tiger Pride Day was officially born.
Today, this day is set aside every year to bring the alumni and community back together. Attendance has exploded to between 3,000 and 4,000 people annually, featuring over 50 participating alumni classes, alongside dozens of food, clothing, and art vendors.
But as the founders note, this is not just about one day—it is about the everyday culture at Jones High School. There is no other school that can do this, and visiting alumni from across the nation remain endlessly impressed by the accomplishments and community impact of Tiger Nation.
