Friday (Part 1) - For Those that Couldn't Be There

Ok, this is not eloquent, think of it as reporting. I have to preface that after reading two beautiful reflections by Daniel and Marcus.

I arrived in Columbus on Thursday evening so I had the pleasure of doing a Pilgrimage tour that night. And, of course, I had to tour Temple Heights. Memories flooded back before I could even step inside. They started when I had to park for the tour. Anyone that gave a tour of the Butler home knows that if you couldn't find a spot right away you ended up on the wrong street that V'd away from the home. So guess where I had to U-Turn?

As I arrived 2 MSMS students greeted me and let me know Dixie was on the front porch. Dixie was delighted that a former guide had returned, she even slipped me her cel number so that alumni could tour the house during the weekend if they wanted. Walking in I was shocked at how sentimental I became. I know Carl wasn't the beloved teacher that Judy was, but he taught history in a way I had never experienced before. Because he made you EXPERIENCE it. Also walking through the home I was struck by the memories of giving tours, driving Columbus looking for architecture he assigned, and just being in a group of friends. Several guides were MSMS students so it wasn't hard to be flooded by memories. And standing in his home I realized he is gone, Judy is gone, and chances are we will say goodbye to many more in the next 10 years. Finally, I just have to say Mr. Butler's class is an example I use of why MSMS was not just about Math and Science. I learned the Charleston, the Jitterbug, I listened to Jolson, and I saw the Berlin Wall fall - all in his class.

On to Friday. I was up early to get the Welcome Bags, doughnuts, set up in Hogarth and just get settled. Which was great, because there was little stress. Luckily, we had a bit of money for welcome gifts so I was able to tour the MSMS 'store'. Ok it was a supply closet, but they moved the stuff into a conference room that afternoon. I was shocked at the different types of memorabilia - mugs, shirts, blankets, ornaments, umbrellas, laundry bags, and geeky lanyards. We opted for coffee cups since they were in budget and something everyone could use. Then I went to the room where it would all be laid out, only to be greeted by large portraits of Dr. Bunch and, of course, Mr. Franklin. Meanwhile, Cindy and Cass squared away the rooms at P.B. and the keg. And upon arrival, I have to say, the Everitt girls setup our welcome table since neatness is not in me.

As our fellow classmates arrived I began to get excited. I have to confess, I only had one person I didn't recognize - Jason Miller. Jason, the shaved head threw many of us. As everyone trickled in it was like no time had passed. And even the spouses and partners seemed to naturally fit in. Besides raiding the store our first order of business was the tour. Hooper is the same as ever, just more computers. The auditorium has new seating and the tables have built in plugs for your computer. Remember when Lee was the oddity for having a computer in every class?

But the rest has changed a lot. Fant has been closed due to mold, although we got a peek on Saturday and it is just as I remembered it (outside of some peeling paint and a lot of dust). Pohl gym (the first one we used) was destroyed in the tornado, so a large facility has replaced it. So MSMS and MUW share a gym again. But the new one has an indoor track, aerobics rooms, 2 raquetball courts, many cardio machines, a pool, and a gym with pullout stands. It is VERY NICE, and it sounds like MSMS has virtually full access. Both of the dorms being used are like twins of Kincannon and are in that part of campus. What can you say, they are old. The school has turned the old laundry building (by the tracks) into a music center for band/choir. They also have another old building for art, yearbook, and a few other classes. The art room is like a warehouse, with multi-media art. In addition to painting and drawing, they are sculpting and have decorated a few rescued mannequins. The main section of Hogarth has not changed, but the cafeteria has undergone an entire facelift. It is run by Marriot, and has a variety of lines (not just one slop and go tray line). Also it is brightly lit, perhaps they don't mind you seeing your food now. The library hasn't changed much, but MSMS students are rarely allowed upstairs (can't imagine why).

After the tour we mostly hung out at Hogarth, although a few people went to classes. We also had Dr. Mac visit with us. Eventually we migrated to Hooper and did the private, talk to teachers tour. In other words, we stood around listening to Dr. Mac rant. She says having a lab in the classroom is a huge improvement, but that the students don't push the envelope like we did. I guess that was the unique thing about being the first. We were willing to try things others weren't. Some of those things were in the classroom, and some were outside. But ultimately, it was in our nature to risk an adventure and learn from it. Of course a tour was not complete without someone leaving a bit of graffiti on the boards. And it was one of the usual suspects.

We closed the afternoon with a state of the school address by Mr. Brown (the director) and an older gentleman from the foundation. The school had a rough year last year. Their senior class this year started with 93 students, but those students have truly been dedicated to the current juniors. So the junior class has lost very few students. Like every other school I know the MSMS budget has been slashed. They will get a cut of about 15% this year. This will affect not only staffing, but the number of students they can accept this fall.

The foundation presentation was a bit lackluster. The foundation has made great strides in obtaining grants to offset the budget cuts. However, they are really struggling on how to reach the alumni. The gentleman working for the foundation has been responsible for obtaining the grants, but technology and young donors are outside of his element. On the upside, Noelle and Mickey will be joining the foundation in May so we should see this turn around. The only other thing I can think to add so you feel like you were there - put on shorts and a t-shirt and sit in your freezer for an hour. That would be the temperature of Hooper that day.