Tell us about your Danville Schools journey. What school(s) did you attend, and what’s a highlight that stands out to you?

I began at Toliver Elementary in first grade and had Mrs. Burke of the Burke’s Bakery fame. My time at Toliver was idyllic. I still enjoy walking through the hallways of Toliver telling my 8-year-old son, Asher, what room and teacher I had each year. I tell him and my spouse, Kris, of all the memories I had there both inside the school building and out on the playground. The memories at Toliver were sweet and cherished, and I always like to tell the story that my mom had Mrs. Toliver as her principal!

My next move was to Bate Middle School. Mrs. Sims was my homeroom teacher, and I remember her reading to us each morning, with my favorite book being “A Tale of Two Cities.” I loved Bate, with the open-area cafeteria and library at the time. I started my band experience at Bate under Mr. Gravely, and I played trumpet.

I also ran cross country under Coach EG Plummer while in middle school at Bate. He was also our vice principal at Bate along with Alex Stevens as our principal, and I have fond memories of them coming to the cafeteria to sit down with us and visit during lunch.

I fondly remember Mrs. Medaris as my 7th and 8th grade English teacher, Mr. David Davis as my 7th grade social studies teacher focusing on Kentucky history, as well as Mr. Atkins as my 8th grade social studies teacher, Mr. Hammonds as my 7th grade math teacher, Mrs. Robinson as my algebra teacher in 8th grade, Mrs. Vahlkamp as librarian, Gary Reynolds and Mike Swain as our physical education teachers, as well as Mrs. Harris as our arts teacher.

Then came Danville High School, filled with marching band, orchestra, soccer, basketball, “The Log” school newspaper, and creative writing. While a student at Danville High School, I was a member of the Danville Marching Admirals who won nationals at the Marching Bands of America competition for Class A bands in 1981 and 1982. We placed in 5th overall in 1981 and 6th overall in 1982 of all bands competing there, even of different-sized bands.

The Danville band orchestra was also important to me as I played trumpet and we traveled to Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond for competition with many honors obtained by our band.

I was also a proud member of the Danville Admirals soccer team from 1982-1986. I played under Coach Gary Reynolds and was very proud of our 1985 Central Kentucky Conference first-place honor and 1985 Regional Runner-Up Soccer title losing 2-1 to Lexington Catholic that year. There was not a girls soccer team at the time, so I played and started on the boys soccer team. I played right fullback and loved it. Channel 18 news did a nice vignette in my regard. I had played with these guys since I was in elementary school, so I enjoyed their respect in every way.

I was also a member of the DHS girls basketball team all four years of high school under Coach Brant’s leadership.

Lastly, I was co-editor of The Log , which was the DHS newspaper at the time. I was co-editor with Julia Deville under Virginia Graham’s tutelage.

Three of my very favorite honors were being voted most athletic along with Eric Alcorn, Soccer Coach Gary Reynolds giving me the “Charlie Hustle” award in soccer, and, with the help of Mrs. Graham in creative writing, I had three poems published and received the creative writing award my junior year.

One special memory that stands out is the time the band went on a cruise to the Bahamas and then Disney World afterwards. This was a reward for winning the Class “A”  MBA title in 1981. Wonderful memories from this trip that we mention to each other to this day!

What aspects of your Danville Schools education helped mold you into the person you are today?

Several students of our class banded together to obtain permission to take algebra 2 along with chemistry our sophomore year, and we were granted this. This allowed us to build chemistry 2, physics and calculus into our high school curriculum before we graduated. The teachers were solid and challenged us to be the best students we could be. Because of this and the excellent education I obtained at Danville, I was very prepared for college. This preparation allowed me to dive into my college years with much less stress than some of my classmates. I owe that to the great education at DHS.

The structure and discipline taught through my band experience and my sports experience taught me resilience, diligence, determination and to pick myself up and try again.

One aspect I still discuss with others to this day in regards to my youth and attending Danville schools is the diversity, even in the ‘80s. The diversity we all grew up with served us well in the “real world.” We were able to interact with others from different backgrounds with respect and admiration, seeing each other for our differences and our likenesses. This fact has been so important to me as I have lived in this world. I am so thankful for where I was raised.

When you think back on your Danville Schools experience, are there specific instances or relationships that stand out to you as having had a significant impact on your success since graduating?

Mr. Gillum and the marching band taught us we could do anything we set our mind to and worked hard at doing. Mr. Don Peden in biology my sophomore year — he made it come alive.

Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Snowden and Mrs. Dickey taught us how to write well and to be well-read to prepare us for college.  Mrs. Gover’s Latin class prepared me for medical terminology and the career I enjoy today. Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Jim Moore prepared us in math and science, allowing us to be miles ahead of others in the first years of college.

Mrs. Kelly, my homeroom teacher all four years at DHS — her demeanor, calmness and kindness started our school days well. I remember Mrs. Hammons and Mrs. Bell at Toliver, as my 2nd-grade teachers and how supportive and kind they were. Ms. Cole, my 3rd-grade teacher, instilled in me a greater desire to learn, Ms. Harney in 5th grade made me be obedient, and Mr. Brummett in 5th grade taught me the circulation of the heart. I can still see the visual aide he used that he had hung up in the back of the room.

Mrs. Melton, our librarian at Toliver instilled in us a desire to search out all kinds of books and helped us learn to love reading. The cafeteria workers at Toliver were always so nice to us, and it was always a joy to go through the line and see their smiling faces. Mrs. McWhorter was our music teacher at Toliver. I always thought getting to music class was an adventure. Mrs. Sims and Mr. Tiberghein at Bate were instrumental in literature and writing, including learning to like the classics and writing for the school paper. PE class was always fun, with Coach Gary Reynolds and Mr. Swain.

As a product of Danville Schools, what advice would you give to a parent who was choosing an education path for their child?

I would encourage a parent to realize how important diversity is in the school system that they may consider to send their child. Diversity in all forms is so important. It prepares the child for the world in which that child will have to live and exist. I would encourage a parent to look past sending their child to what appears to be the best school in regards to testing scores and to see all aspects of the school system that would allow for a well-rounded education.

As a product of Danville Schools, what drives you to give back to your local school and/or district?

What drives me to give back is how important the Danville school system was to my upbringing. I was recently at a Bate Middle School basketball game, and I couldn’t help but look around and see the diversity and reminisce on my time there.