The last trio of former Ankeney Chargers are three individuals whom I didn’t know all that well during school, but who all are fine individuals who share the bond with me of having attended a half-dozen years of school together. Even if none of us were that particularly close in school, I certainly knew them all well enough – and more importantly had a great time socializing with at the Beavercreek High School 20-year reunion on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
We didn’t hang out together outside of school, but Pete Bales (seen at right in ninth grade) and I shared one common interest during our ninth grade year, that reverberated through the hallways for more than 20 years afterward: we loved to imitate our science teacher Mr. Dukes. This teacher had an uncanny knack for a cache of phrases that we would repeat ad nauseum in his distinctive animated squealy voice. Pete wasn’t the only friend of mine who picked up on this, but he was one of the few that carried it with him to the reunion 24 years later. Pete, get the hat off…
Senior photo of Pete Bales
With Pete at the reunion
Dan Dice and I were not friends in school at all. In fact, I think we had a mutual dislike for each other during the early years of junior high, which by the time we matured and made it into high school, I realized he wasn’t quite the nerd I thought he was (hanging out with arch nemesis Harry Knight), and he realized that I wasn’t quite the ass that I once was. Dan has transitioned form law to the clergy, and it is always interesting to hear his take on things on Facebook – and it was great to see him at the reunion.
Dan’s senior picture
With Dan at the reunion
I can’t recall if Heather Wassem and I had any classes together, but I certainly remember her well from high school. She, like I, brandished the epitome of campy, 80’s hair – whch for a girl meant high on top, and some crazy wings on the sides. These days, her hair is much better (as I like to think mine is), and she’s a really fun person and I’m glad I got to see her both at the reunion and the dinner at Milano’s the night before.
Heather’s senior picture
With Heather at the reunion
My years at Ankeney were a very important transitional period of my life – that all-too-often miserable time in where one finds themselves locked into the constraints of childhood, but losing the innocence as we creep toward adulthood. But knowing friends such as these and others I had during these years made it all the more palatable.
This concludes the Ankeney Chargers reunions.
See the Fairbrook Foxes from the reunion here…
Return to the reunion here…
Hey Brad. I just stumbled across a google image of me in an Ankeney Chargers jersey. I wondered where that pic came from and found your blog! Fantastic reading! I remember that reunion like it was yesterday. Hope you are doing well. Thanks for the memories!!!
Pete Bales
July 30th, 2020