As I was chatting with my old Ankeney friend Pete Bales at the Beavercreek High School reunion on Saturday, July 17, 2010, I remarked, “no offense, but the people it means the most to me to see here are the ones that I went to grade school with.” This was an absolutely true statement in that I think that the friends that you make in childhood are the ones that really stick in your head as the most memorable. In addition to Lisa Baker, Amy Lupini, Mike Ross, Debra Prystaloski, and Missy Fodor (who can all be seen by clicking on their respective links), there were six other whom I remember best from my grade school days at Fairbrook Elementary. Here are the first three:
Niki looks a bit confused in first grade
I had plenty of opportunity to get to know Niki Shaffer (above in first grade, and at the top of the posting in second grade) over the duration of my stay at Fairbrook Elementary. Although she attended the school from the beginning, she was in Ms. Lynch’s afternoon class and I was in Mrs. Neff’s morning class, so we didn’t meet until first grade in Mrs. Fulkerson’s class. After that we shard Mrs. Deets’ homeroom in second grade, Mrs. Corn’s homeroom in third grade, and Mrs. Owens’ homeroom in fifth grade.
Niki’s sixth grade picture. We didn’t share homerooms, but we still exchanged photos, and probably shared some classes.
Niki was a very nice girl who seemed to love my sense of humor, so we always got along swimmingly. Even her Mom, who did occasional volunteering for the school came to know and like me quite well. I’d always see her at the skating parties and be sure to talk to her. It was great to see Niki at the Beavercreek High School reunion. I hadn’t seen her in the full 20 years since graduation and she had recently been living on the west coast.
With Niki at the reunion
David Van Wert currently lives in Tara Estates in Beavercreek, just a stone’s throw from where I grew up. Even though he remained in the area, I hadn’t seen him since high school either. David was a year ah
ead of me for the first two years at Fairbrook, but I eventually caught up and we ended up in the same second grade – but not in the same class. I really got to know David best when we shared Mrs. Smith’s class in fourth grade. He and I also shared Mr. Turner’s class in sixth grade (when the photo at right was taken).
I actually socialized with David a couple of times outside of school. Over at his house, I got the chance to play the bizarro version of the Atari 2600 called Intellivision. David had a great slumber birthday party that year. Although now and then he’d make fun of me if he caught me picking my nose, David was an extremely nice and friendly guy – and still is. It was a lot of fun seeing him at the reunion and he would be a great guy to go out and have a beer with. Let’s do it!
David’s senior picture
With David at the reunion
Last, but certainly not least, is my friend Mike Sparks. I was thrilled when he joined Facebook and we began communicating a bit. Again, I hadn’t seen him since high school and he currently was living in New York. Mike didn’t come to Fairbrook until third grade, and we didn’t share a class until our final year there: in Mr. Turner’s sixth grade class.
Spunky Mike, sixth grade
I think I came to know and like Mike the best when we were on our sixth grade class trip to Glen Helen in the Fall of 1983. He was a short, but very spunky, guy who loved a good sense of humor…and I had one. Mike was quite athletic as well and could run circles around me and just about anyone else on our sixth grade basketball team.
The sixth grade basketball team coached by my Dad and Frank Rosati that Mike was on. In the back: me, Tim Coleman, Steve Deeton, Eric Welch, Rob Bradford. Up front: Jason Painter, Neil Kingery, Ron Reid, and Mike Sparks
I remained friends with Mike as we moved onto Ankeney and we shared the Mr. Vinson’s seventh grade Social Studies class. He sat next to the hottie Kristi Smith, and wouldn’t you know it… he ended up ‘going with’ her. At least some of the Fairbrook boys were making good with this new crop of women! We never really socialized outside of school, but always remained friends through our Senior year, at which time we lost contact.
Mike wrote on the back of his senior picture: Brad F. Well Bad I guess this is it! I’ve known you forever. I’m glad your in my class this year! Good luck w/ your girlfriend and especially your cartoon endeavors. I hope to read Brashley someday in the Sunday paper! 555-Mike!
It was particularly great to see Mike at the 20 year BHS reunion. He had come all the way from New York, bringing his charming and attractive wife Jessica with him. It’s too bad they don’t live closer. Beers would be on me if they did.
Mike at the reunion, still a ball of fire
The Fairbrook foxes will wrap up in the next posting…
Return the BHS 20-year reunion here…
It was nice to see some Fairbrook Foxes at the reunion. My daughter, Kayla is in the first grade at Fairbrook. When I visit Fairbrook all the special memories come right back to me. I feel like a kid again. It’s a very cool experience.
Brad,
I enjoy your site. Keep up the good work.
David Van Wert
November 7th, 2010