Lisa Barksdale:  

Hi Fellow Ballou Knights! I haven't attended a reunion since our 10 year reunion! Where y'all at??!! LOL I was a pom pom girl and remember the good ole' days. I have lived on both the east and west coasts (Los Angeles) returned home in 1999, married twice, divorced twice, 2 step sons, an entrepreneur at heart, but now consulting small business owners. My name is Melissa Dent. Of course, none of you would recognize that name, that's why I didn't use it on this profile. I have not been in touch, but would like to hear from some of you. I have run into Mamie (Williams) Byrd now a first lady....and Alva (Jackson)....a leader in the church and still crazy about 8 years ago, Rosalyn (Morgan) showed up at a yard sale I had. I still like to laugh and swell with pride every time I hear good things about BIG BAD BALLOU!!! Like the Marching Band...off the chain!!! I always let people know that I was 'born, bred and buttered' in Southeast D.C. AND PROUD of it!!! Ballou gave me a wonderful foundation for life. Always had a job due to the mini employment office, during summers, college, holidays, etc. Vanessa (where you at with yo' crazy self?), Gina Ferguson, cheerleaders, holla back!!! Y'all were "alright", but WE performed for the Girls Basketball Team that won the Championship!!! LOL No...you guys were great and the cheerleaders and pom pom girls had a great time and always supported each other in spite of our 'imaginary' rivalry:-)))) Like I said....Ballou impacted my life!!! We had the BEST teachers!!! I chose my initial career of accounting because we had someone come speak to us during career day in the gymnasium in 1975, I believe and the gentleman mentioned that the field was just opening up to women. He said back in 1975 that the starting salary was $12,000!!!! I said...."WHAT??? $12,000???!!! I'm going to be an accountant and get rich!!! LOL Well...we all know that doesn't make you rich, but a girl from the hood, daughter of a single parent, got excited and ended up passing the CPA exam after graduation from the University of Maryland, College Park! Remember Ms. Bagley's Office Machine class, where we learned how to use a calculator without looking and learned bookkeeping??!! Ms. Bagley helped prepared me for my career....even though she sent me to the principal's office a couple of times (lol) ...she was a mess, but again...our teachers and principals were the best!!! They loved us and gave us the best that they had, in order to p...Expand for more