Monty Heying:  

School There are so many rich memories of those wonderful years at Poly. I wish I'd been more mature. I wouldn't have broken up with Marcia, and I'd have been more accepting of people whom I didn't understand. I was so envious of Spradley--his grades, his parents, that beautiful Candyapple red '57 Chevy. Today, I'd like to thank Larry's parents, and others like them, who were such great "Boosters" of the band. There were many things they did, some of which I'm not even aware, which benefitted me and others in similar circumstances without much of a family support system. "It takes a village... ." I wish I'd been able to be a better friend for Larry, but the me that was then is not the me of today. I wish Ms. Graves, my English teacher, had lived long enough for me to thank her for fortifying me in the use of words--something I'm still developing. She was so demanding, but she made it fun, even the day she made me stand in the hall for holding hands with Marcia. I can't thank enough my fellow members of the band, who made me feel an important part of something that grew far beyond the sum of its individual parts. Ten years ago I was able to thank Jim Smith, our director, for giving me the opportunity to excel and for helping filling those years the richest experiences of my life. I wish Mr. Thompson were around so I could thank him too. Those words he said so often still ring in my ears, "Remember who you are and where you're from." I didn't always remember, but eventually I did. College I enjoyed the learning immensely. I still ta...Expand for more