The History of Harrell aka Leroy

I still have my kids, Nick 8 and Victoria 6, convinced I have a statue over at the high school we call our alma mater. Yep, I was a hero, in my own mind, but nonetheless I believe we all have a little statue over there that someone forgot to dust off and put back up after many attempts to rehab that old building.

Andy Newberg was, let's face it, the funniest man on earth. Ben Wu, well, I never knew him, and am sad to have to say that. Jennifer Green could play hoops like no white girl I have ever met. And then there were the slumber parties that were supposed to be a secret until after our daughters were old enough to drive a car. There were perfect football seasons, almost perfect girls basketball seasons. Dawn Brooks was our own little Larry Bird. Angel Coon was as fast as lightening and who could forget Tracey Carlson, although not a senior, making a half court shot to beat Groves with less than 2 seconds remaining on the clock and Coach Hawes jumping out of his loafers and falling flat on his rear end??? By the way, if anyone has that tape, I'd sure like to have a copy. Then there was the big mall hair that we all sported, and if you didn't, you can be spared the embarrassment in 2008 and beyond!

I still live in Rochester...not sure why I can't leave?! I guess my roots are deep, and not the ones from that bad dye job in late 2007. Nope, I miss the old days. My kids look at the pictures here on Facebook and ask me if I was a nerd in the olden days. I guess I was, and maybe I still am, but it is what shaped me into the person I am today. There have not been too many people I know from Rochester that turned out to be a snake or a thief, in fact, there are none. One of my dearest friends was the maid of honor in my wedding and my best friend was in my wedding party as well. Some of those relationships have faded, but they are not forgotten. My best friend from high school is still my best friend today. We don't see much of each other, but she is still very important to me and maybe I don't tell her that enough, I'm hoping she knows. Yes, Mel...you are very important to me. You were there when my kids were born and you were there when I ended my marriage. You haven't failed me...ever. So, thank you.

In 1987, I moved here from Florida. I knew no one and no one knew me. That was obvious. I had a choice to go to Rochester or Adams. My dad had already interviewed the coaches for both basketball teams and knew my fate, but he left if up to me to decide. He remined me that there would be no car in my future and if there was it would be 10 years younger than the year we had moved here. As many of you know, he told the truth often...I got that 1978 Cordoba as a birthday gift. Yep, I was cool. It was green and had the high beems on the floor. It was lined with corinthian leather, lime green to be exact. It fit 8-9 girls in it at lunch to get to taco bell...when taco bell was in Troy. Remember that?? We drove that thing until it..actually..I sold that thing to a under classman for more than my dad bought it for. I was a born salesman. We had a blast. I had my first crush at Rochester...yes I did...Dale Oaks. My friends teased me about being so tall and him not, but he was one of the greatest guys I ever dated and still is. Melanie Vallelunga had some old jalopy that she wrecked in front of school. RoboCop had to chase underclassmen in the parking lot at commencement....remember that?? Are you serious?? WOW, the memories are flooding in. I don't know how to end this, so I won't. I will just keep adding to it and hope that most of you get a kick out of reading it. Oh, and Jennifer (Brewer) Bruce, man you had some awesome parties! The last one I remember going to I was on crutches, that sucked getting down the hill in the snow when some neighbor called the cops and all my friends ran off without me!! I tell ya...we were maniacs at best. But boy did we have fun! I will keep writing the memories if you keep enjoying them!