1.6 Lloyd Gaines, Valedictorian, Vashon Class of 1931

Lloyd Gaines also helped to support his family by selling magazine subscriptions. He graduated in 1931 after only three years and served as the Valedictorian of his class. As a senior, Gaines finished first in a local essay contest, winning a prize of $250 (equivalent to $3000 in modern currency) that he used to enroll as a student at Stowe Teachers College in St. Louis for the 1931-32 school year

2.7 Lincoln University Senior Class of 1935

After graduation, Lloyd Gaines filed papers with placement office at Lincoln but he could not find an immediate position. Although he minored in education, Gaines was not primarily searching for a teaching position. However, he had a backup plan. Lloyd's background in history led him to an interest in the law and unbeknownst to anyone, save his mentor, Lorenzo Greene, he was preparing to what no American-American had done before. Lloyd Gaines was going to enroll in the University Missouri School of Law.