This is what I remember about high school. I took the term "high" school literally and entered and exited daily in that fashion. I ran with an older crowd; successfully skipped 2nd period study hall my entire junior year along with skipping 35 days that year; rarely opened a book - unless it was a good read; never got a grade lower than a C;  got caught by Gilchrist and the truant officer (Nazi) lady eating breakfast at Nickerson Farms (expelled for 3 days - reinstated before lunch - thanks mom); played soccer; regret not playing baseball; almost broke my neck maneuvering down the steps by the schools rear entrance in 5" platform shoes; had great fun getting my heart broken by numerous girlfriends (you know who you are ladies), and; was graduated early in the summer of '74 by taking Sociology and Government. During what would have been my senior year, I slept in, played soccer, worked and took some college classes.

 

Many years later with my hair much shorter (and thinner), I am a Vice President at JWT, also known as J. Walter Thompson, which is the world's oldest advertising agency. I manage advertising for Ford Motor Company throughout the Mid-South and for the Ford Fund (philanthropic arm of Ford Motors).

 

I have been a resident of Memphis, TN (hold the Elvis jokes) for 16 years. I love the Mid-South. I am married (happily this time) to Lauren, a beautiful woman from Memphis. I have a 25 year old daughter, Katy, who is a registered nurse at a children's hospital in Memphis, a 22 year old son, Andrew, who is a graphic artist, and a delightful 4 1/2 year old daughter, Lilly, who is tearing up the junior kindergarten social circuit. We are very involved with Hope Presbyterian Church which is a 6500 member mega-church where I serve as an elder. Every once in a while I pick up a paint brush and put it to the canvas. More frequently I pick up a wine glass and put it to my lips.

 

At our 10th high school reunion, which was the last one I attended, I was told by a former classmate that he was surprised to see me doing so well as he didn't think I would amount to anything. He assured me he was quite successful, and I reassured him that as successful as he might be, he was and will always remain the "dweeb" I remembered him as. 

 

I have been back to Sylvania only once since my mother passed in 2001. That was to attend the funeral of my good friend Jeff Barcus (class of '73) who died in 2004. Both my mom and Jeff died of ALS.

 

As much as I would like to attend, and true to my high school attendance record, I'm going to have to skip this one as well.  Plan the next reunion on a Caribbean Island and I'll be there!