Introduction: From Grade School, to the School of Hard Knocks, to Awesome!

 

Dear James,

It has been a pleasure to teach you and to know you.

Keep your ideas, your sense of responsibility, your willingness to work, and your pleasing personality and life should be good to you.

May you have a life of service and happiness!

—MRS. AUDREY BRODIE, JUNE 23, 1979

 

This book project began nearly seven years ago.

I sat on the floor in a familiar position, my back leaning against the numerous authors on the bookshelf, my legs crossed, ankles overlapped. My subconscious pressed the rewind button in my brain and took me on another fascinating trip down memory lane. With my University City High School Class of '79 yearbook nestled comfortably in ...

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