About a month ago, Vivian told me she and I had an invitation to be guests at the “20 Years Reunion” of the 2003 Class. Ashley Combs sent the message and said to “not tell anyone; you are to be a surprise!” I was happily shocked, since it had been a while since I had received an invitation to a class celebration, and it had probably been close to 20 years since I had talked to even a few of 2003’s members.
I was proud/excited they had thought of me, and we Themers quickly and happily accepted and marked the date–LARGE–on the calendar so we wouldn’t forget.
I did some “looking back” at 2003, historically, and found #2 Ohio State had defeated #1 Miami, 31–24, to win the BCS National Championship. Sheryl Crow and Eminem won 30th American Music Awards. Andre Agassi won his 8th and final Grand Slam title– Australian Men’s Tennis Open.
The Righteous Brothers and Floyd Cramer were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Airstrikes by an American/British-led coalition signaled the Invasion of Iraq. Brock Lesnar defeated Kurt Angle in the Heavyweight Championship– WrestleMania XIX.
General Hospital won at the 18 Soap Opera Digest Awards. Michael Jordan played his final NBA game. Toby Keith, Martina Mc-Bride, Kenny Chesney won 38th Academy of Country Music Awards.
The Spirit Rover marked the beginning of NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover mission. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (5th in the series), by J. K. Rowling was published worldwide in English. Roger Federer (Wimbledon) won his 1st first Grand Slam Title.
The final “old style Beetle” Volkswagen rolled off the line in Mexico. Farm Aid 16 was held in Columbus, Ohio, with Willie Nelson, Hootie & the Blowfish, etc. Arnold Schwarzenegger became Governor of California (re-call election).
Mother Teresa of Calcutta was beatified by Pope John Paul II. 13-years-old Bethany Hamilton had her arm bitten off by a shark while surfing in Hawaii. Alan Jackson and Martina McBride won at the 37th Country Music Association Awards. 21-years-old Britney Spears became the youngest singer to get a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, was captured near his hometown, Tikrit, by U. S. Forces.
At Forney High, the “top five out-of-school activities” were listed by students as (1) Sports…(2) Church...(3) Movies…(4) Sleep…(5) Watch T. V. Favorite Music was voted as 24% alternative, 22% rap, 16% other, 12% rock, 12% Christian, 7% rhythm & blues, 7% all.
SENIOR SECTION– Mr. & Miss F. H. S. were Angela Wagner and Jordan Case..... Friendliest: Heather Pipkin and Darren Rabb..... Most Athletic: Shanika Deckard and Jordan Case..... Most Talented: Julius Thomas and Angela Wagner..... Most School Spirit: Lacey Thompson and Jimmy English..... Funniest: Mallory Cowgill and Bradley Jones..... Most Handsome and Beautiful: Matt Lobban and Naomi Bennett..... Cutest Couple: Ashley Butters and Kyle Malinowski..... Most Shy: Brittany May and Jonathan Swindle..... Most Likely to Succeed: Myra Houser, Misty Feinglass, and Derek Ruiz.
THE REUNION–SENIOR CLASS OF 2003: We were supposed to arrive at 7:00 p. m., so my wife and I made sure not to be late, so much so we had to ride around 15 minutes before parking, then listen to the radio for 5 minutes, and finally stroll up to the front entrance of Siren Rock Brewing Company in Rockwall, talk to a host at the serving area, and be shown to the area where the reunion was scheduled–that is where I saw Ashley Combs, probably the first time since Graduation, 2003. She looked younger than I expected, as did just about every attendee. She thanked us for coming, showed us where everything would take place, and related again that she had told 2003 Class Members that there would be a “surprise guest.” Viv and I looked at the decorations, memorabilia, snacks set-up, and display honoring those students who had “passed on” during the preceding 20 years.
Soon, Ryan White greeted us, as did Amber Jez, as she came striding up, grinning broadly, and stating that she had thought the “surprise” might be Mr. Themer. (I heard that thought echoed several times as past students arrived; it made me happy that I was remembered.) I don’t know who had a better time–students who recalled things that happened during English Class or the teacher, fortunate enough to have taught those youngsters.
After everyone arrived, there were short speeches, photos snapped, delicious “Mexican Appetizers/Main Dishes/Snacks” consumed, laughing, reminiscing, and sometimes just sitting and enjoying memories, floating in the air. I told one past student I thought he had grown even taller; he told me he thought I had shrunk a little. I recognized nearly everyone who showed up, but will admit I had to ask “for sure” before I called out to a few.
As I later sat with my wife off to the side and just watched all the laughing, good-natured kidding, and attempts at telling the best “tales” about “how it was when they were seniors,” I remembered a verse that rejoiced how “at times life can perfect be,” and decided this was one of those times!
At the event’s opening, I told students anyone who wanted to leave information in “my notebook” would have his words printed in my “this week’s story.” A few did so! Here are those words (best as I could read them) for our CONCLUSION.
HEATHER PIPKIN (SCARBOROUGH) came to FISD in kindergarten–was born in Dallas and also lived in Wylie, Rockwall, and Rowlett. She is a teacher now, but worked at a bank while in college at Texas A&M–Commerce. When asked about other family members to mention, her answer was, “All the Pipkins you know!” She has been married for almost 15 years (My wife and I attended her wedding!) and has 3 children: Tate, Hazel, and Tucker. Future plans are to retire from teaching eventually and/or win the lottery! One of her favorite memories from “school days” is the time Mr. Themer corrected everyone and taught them how to say the word–AGAIN–correctly..... with the “AIN” pronounced as a “long A sound.” RAIN and A-GAIN rime!
RYAN WHITE ..... 8/23/84.....has lived in Mesquite, San Angelo, Abilene, Dallas, Terrell, Colorado Springs, and Garland– coming to Forney for the 3rd Grade. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Insurance Sales and a wife, Shawna, plus a daughter of 3 years– Hadassah. Ryan says future plans are GROWTH, and one of his favorite memories is the day Harris (Justin) and English (Jimmy) came to school with heads “shaved” to look like Coach Morrison.....and he says he “loved being the main sports photographer!”
DEREK RUIZ was born in Dallas and has lived in Forney, University Park, and again in Forney. (says he came to Forney pretty quickly after birth!).....He has been a “Fitness Pro” at SMU and works now for Do D. Parents are Juanita and Vincent Ruiz; siblings are Vincent P. and Yvonne. (Unfortunately, Yvonne “passed on” at an early age a few years ago.) Future Ruiz plans are to “make this world a better place than when he entered it,” and he has fond memories of the “tomatoes in a parade” story in Mr. Themer’s class, events in Senora Florez’s class, and being part of a “Community that watched out for each other.”
AMBER JEZ, now Amber OLSCHWANGER (She thought I would not be able to spell that name!) was born in Dallas but actually grew up on Forney Street. She has also lived in Forney, Dallas, The Colony, Little Elm, and Frisco–originally came to Forney during Elementary School. In the “job” area, this busy woman lists loan processor, commercial loan analyst, operations team manager–agility lead, coach of software development teams. Family-wise, she brags of a 7-years-old son and 10-years-old daughter, and “future plans” are to TRAVEL.
KARYN HARRIS (soon GRIMES)–10/16/84–has lived in Mesquite, North Dallas, Ft. Worth, and, of course, came to Forney in 1992. She works for Baylor Medical Center in Neurosurgery, and future plans are to be married with children and good jobs for all. Karyn’s good memories involve the continuing relationships made during her time in FISD.
ASHLEY WRIGHT (MAYO), who came to Forney in 1987, was born in Grand Prairie and has lived in Forney, College Station, Irving, Dallas, Richardson, and currently in Sachse. She has a Finance Degree from Texas A&M, and work history centers around Daltile, with multiple roles in Finance–current Finance Director–15 years at Daltile.....She says she married Dustin Mayo (2016), a Michigan State Spartan (if I read it correctly), and has two children: Amelia and Avery Mayo (4 years and 15 months) (and 2 cats, 2 dogs, 12 hamsters, and fish). When she listed future plans as “retire,” she noted a “HA” after that desire! Her “good” memory is “Mr. Themer’s Class,” and “No, I did not pay her to say that or promise to buy Daltile!”
LACI LECROY (BELZ) was born in Mesquite and has also lived in Forney and Irving, after coming here in 1991. Her job is “Instructional Coach–Elementary” and she earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from UNT. Laci married Kevin Belz in 2009; they have Spencer (10 yrs.) Piper (7 yrs.) and Rowan (5 yrs.) Future plans are travelling and continuing creative outlets. Favorite memories include the Cafeteria’s “Crispito Day” or “Chicken Rings Day.” (For some reason, many past students remember those two delicacies!)
CRYSTAL LASTER (YOUNG) was born in Garland and moved to Forney in 1996, 6th Grade. She moved to Tyler for College and then back to Dallas after college graduation, now lives in Wylie. Crystal is a Registered Nurse and worked in ICU for 14 years–but now works as a Hospice Case Manager. She says, “I am married to my wonderful husband of 12 years and have one, beautiful 6-years-old daughter and plan to spend much future time with my family, because “that is where it’s at.” Crystal’s “memorable” memory is also one that I recall, as I still have the same discussion with some of my relatives: I try to convince folks that turning up or down the thermostat setting does not change the temperature of the air that is blown from vents; it just makes the unit “run” longer or shorter, depending upon the desired temperature. Crystal says she thinks of Mr. Themer each time she changes the temperature. (What a legacy!)
LINDSAY WILLIAMS (HARRISON) was born in Arlington and moved to Forney Schools for the 2nd Semester of Kindergarten– also lived in Sunnyvale, Austin, Ft. Worth, Richardson, Dallas, and Forney. She did Undergraduate College work at the University of Texas at Austin and Law School at Wesleyan Law..... now a Partner at Hardesty Law Office. Lindsay’s Boyfriend is Tim Hardesty, and she has a Brother, Austin. Parents are Kathie and Russell Baity and Robert Williams. Future plans are expanding “our” law firm, getting married (says this as staring at boyfriend), travelling, and competing (horses) with Family. This young lady has many great memories: Getting an “A” on Themer’s dreaded research paper, being Drum Major/football games, hitting Mr. Themer when he “woke me up” during class, creative dress-code violations.
AMANDA BURTON (HARRIS) was born in Dallas, came to Forney in 1996 at the start of 6th Grade, and has lived in Forney and San Marcos (for college). Her occupation is Operations Manager for Susan G. Komen, and she has a BBS Degree and an MBA, both from Texas State. Amanda is married to Justin Harris and has three children– Luke (7 years) and twins, Leighton and Lainey (5 years). Favorite memory is going to Prom with Justin.
LESLIE BUTLER came to Forney in 1994 and is a mother now. Her favorite memory is Ms. Johnson’s firm guidance. (in a hurry; ride was driving away!)
If you missed the fantastic Reunion, “You should have been there!” (D. T.)
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