Still doesn’t wash. There were probably more black kids in this guys classes later in life. Did he remember those to? I think the photo is a phony. Name 1 classmate in your 3rd grade class who only attended part of the year.
IMO, it’s reasonable that an asian kid attending a vastly “asian” school would take notice of a much taller “black” kid. Especially if he became friends with him at some point. Could very well have been the only black friend, or classmate he had while at that school.