Question: Which classmate in high school provided the most help to you?
Most recent response:
So, I have been thinking about this for quite a while and it finally dawned
on me who was the most helpful to me when I needed help the most. To get
into the swing of things at Central after moving from Nashville, I took a
job in the office as a volunteer. Rhonda West was also serving in that
capacity and I thanked her quite frequently for helping me navigate the
tricky path of a newbie into a new school. She was patient and kind and
gave advice without being overbearing.
Early on I accepted a date with someone's son whom I didn't know. Our mothers had made the arrangements since they knew each other through church. When Rhonda found out who my date was to homecoming, she tried to hide her shock. It didn't work. I picked right up on that this was not a good choice. She carefully and thoughtfully laid out the reasons why I should not go out with this guy. I listened and broke off the date immediately. Thank Goodness! I am sure my social life would have been totally ruined. Rhonda exhibited a truly caring friendship in that first year. I don't know that I ever thanked her enough.
So if you read these posts Rhonda....
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, A THOUSAND THANK YOUs!!!! --Cathy Sakas cathyjosakas@gmail.com
Hey Cathy!
Thanks for the "shout out." Actually, I didn't see your sweet comment. My
first cousin, Diane Reed, saw your story, called me & forwarded it to me.
Those were great days. I loved working in Mr. Faulkner's office. He ran a
tight ship as I recall & was always very professional. I'm not sure how I
got the office spot, but I suspect that it was a teacher suggested
appointment that worked with my schedule.
I had forgotten that you moved from Nashville. I have such fond memories
of the Parthenon Nativity/Holiday displays, the Cain-Sloan's Department
Store & the Vanderbilt area. My doctor had an office in that area and our
son was born at the old Baptist Hospital near Vanderbilt.
I hope (back in the day) that I truly was not too persnickety. Craig, my
brother, was on the football team & he heard lots of stories, so he would
come home & caution me about certain "men folk." He married Deb Kovaskitz
& they live in Arizona where he has dental office. They have 6 children &
have 15 grandchildren. We have 1 son & a 6 year old granddaughter.
I so enjoyed reading about your "retirement" a few years ago. It sounds
like you have had a wonderful & fulfilling career. I hope you are doing
well. I won't be down for the reunion, but love staying in the loop with
former classmates. Again, thank you for your kind words! --Rhonda West Hale rhondawesthale@gmail.com
The "person" who helped me most in high school was not a single person; it
was virtually all of you. When I look back on that time, I have many
memories of stereotypical teenage fears and feelings of inadequacy and
isolation. Many, many times one of you lovely people would smile at me or
speak and make my day, though you never knew it.
It is the foundation of my adult practice of always making an effort to
look in the eye, smile and find something nice to say to every person I
see in the course of my day. Who knows what it may mean to him or her.
By the way, you look great today! --Sara Daw Day carolynlattimore@gmail.com
The "person" who helped me the most in high school would have to be "The
Band." I loved being in the band. It gave me a sense of belonging and
purpose. Occasionally I'll hear music that I recognize from pieces that
we learned to play. My best buddies in the band were Robin Findley, Carol
Patterson, and Becky Robertson. We were the 4 Musketeers and had lots of
fun on football game trips and especially the trip to the Orange Bowl in
Miami in 1967. --Carolyn Bigger Lattimore carolynlattimore@gmail.com
