In this conversation, Flint Energies' Community Relations Specialist Natalie Bradley interviews Al Pearson about the history of Fort Valley High School and the efforts to memorialize its legacy through the Green Wave statue. They discuss the school's impact on the community, the challenges faced in preserving its history, and the collaborative efforts of alumni to create a lasting tribute.
The conversation highlights the importance of remembering local history and the role of community in preserving it for future generations.
You can also read about the Green Wave in this month's issue of Georgia Magazine here.
The Green Wave Found Its Way Home: Honoring the Legacy of Fort Valley High School
By Natalie Bradley, Community Relations Specialist
Drive through Fort Valley and you might pass an old brick building without a second glance. But in front of what is now the Vallihi apartment complex stands a striking monument: a powerful bronze wave with a greenish patina, honoring the former Fort Valley High School—home of the Green Wave.
From 1927 to 1970, Fort Valley High School served as a cornerstone of the community. With state championships in football, a strong literary record, and generations of proud alumni, its impact lasted long after the school was consolidated into Peach County High School.
For years, the original school building sat empty, eventually repurposed into apartments. But in 2016, during a class reunion, alumni realized there was no sign commemorating the school’s rich history. “It just didn’t sit right,” said Al Pearson, a graduate who led efforts to change that.
Pearson, along with fellow alumni James Khoury and Debbie Spearman, envisioned a monument that was unique—something more than a school bell. Inspired by memories of homecoming parades, Pearson sculpted a clay wave, which was later cast in bronze by an art foundry in Peachtree City.
It took nearly a decade to find the wave its permanent home. With the help of the property’s new owners, the monument was installed in spring 2025.
The dedication ceremony drew a crowd of alumni, faculty, and even the Peach County School Superintendent. “It brought back a sense of validation—a sense of place,” Pearson shared.
The Green Wave now stands as more than a statue—it’s a symbol of community, memory, and the growing effort to preserve historic school buildings across Georgia. Fort Valley High’s transformation into housing mirrors a broader trend of saving, not razing, cherished spaces.
More plaques and stories are planned for the site, and Pearson hopes alumni and friends might help digitally document the school's legacy.
If you haven’t seen it yet, stop by Vallihi Apartments and take a look. The Green Wave has come home—and with it, a proud piece of Peach County’s history.
