25 years ago this month, I started my senior year at Taylorsville High School in Taylorsville, Utah. I remember the excitement I felt as I went to that first week of classes. I was in my final year of high school. I would be leaving home after graduation to start my own life. I would soon be off to college playing my trumpet in a marching band. I would have my own responsibilities and would no longer have to worry about what was going on at home. It was my time. It was my moment. It was the ending of one life and the beginning of another.
When I graduated in June of 1985, it was truly the ending of one life and the beginning of another. College was not going to happen – not because of grades, but because of need. My family situation required that I work to help support the family. I did my graduation walk on a Friday and went to work full-time the very next Monday. No celebration with friends, no downtime to decide what I wanted to do, nothing special at all. It was simply a time for me to put away the fun of my youth and go to work.
In the 25 years since graduation, I have lived a remarkable and full life. I met the girl of my dreams at Disneyland (that is a story for another day). She and I got married and started our lives together. We had two children – a beautiful daughter who will turn 22 next year and a wonderful son whose life on this Earth was very brief and filled with both incredible joy and unimaginable pain. There were times where we lived on our own and where we lived in the same home with relatives. We helped two of the most incredible people I have ever met live out the remainder of their lives with dignity and love. We’ve lived through Wyoming winters, California summers, a water line break that flooded both the upstairs and downstairs of one house, found pets, lost pets, different jobs, medical emergencies, and both good and bad financial situations. We are still together and still love each other. We beat the odds then and are beating them now.
I have experienced a few other moments since graduating high school that deserve special mention. I did go back to school and earn my bachelors degree. I did fulfill my dream of working in the radio broadcasting industry as an on-air announcer (disk jockey if you like). I worked for one season at an amusement park and had more fun than I ever imagined I could. I went to COMDEX in November of 1996 and it changed my life – I have worked in the Information Technology industry ever since.
All of these life experiences began when I graduated from Taylorsville High School. Going to THS is a time in my life that I absolutely cherish. I look back on it now and realize just how much fun I had as a senior. I was a band geek and am proud to say it. I had three instrumental music teachers in the three years I went to Taylorsville High. To Mr. Crump (Mr. C), Mr. Zambrano (Mr. Z), and Mr. Jensen (Doc), I respectfully tip my hat to each of you.
I also remember the good friends I had back then, some of which I had known as far back as elementary school. I have reconnected with many of them via social media. There is something most comforting about knowing that the friends you ran around the playground with are still there these many years later. I have also reconnected with many of my fellow band and orchestra friends. Some are still playing their instruments, some haven’t touched them in years. We all remember playing together and creating music. It was our time. It was our moment. Such is the power of friendship and memory.
To you, my fellow alums of Taylorsville High School, I salute you. I am glad that I got to know you and to call you friend. I look forward to the official reunion and catching up with each of you.
I also look forward to the next 25 years. This is my time. This is my moment. I can now do, have, or be anything I wish (kudos to Tony Robbins for these magical words). After all, I’m a Warrior from Taylorsville High.
