Debra Brown:
CLASS OF 1972
Southwest High SchoolClass of 1972
Kansas city, MO
Debra's Story
I hope people remember me for my singing voice, Choir, Belles & Beaus, my querky humor, my desire for fairness and justice and standing up for the oppressed and the underdog.
I always wanted to be a politician when I grew up. My family and friends thought that was a bad idea. As it turns out, they were right and wrong.
I still love music and love to sing, so my favorite way to blow off steam is to put on my iTunes or other music and go with it.
The wildest thing I ever did in school was ditch periodically to go to the Art Gallery on days I wasn't working. Those were days I regenerated my batteries, reclaimed my sanity and pulled myself together again.
If I'm going to work somewhere, I need to have coffee by the gallon, sunflower seeds, and a great assistant to be able to deal with the day-to-day.
There are many people from history I wish to emmulate, but mostly I desire to leave this world better than I found it however it is possible for me to do so.
I have lived in the Northeast-Southeast in 1970-1971, Phoenix in 1973, Canada in 1973-75, back to KCMO in 1975-1979, Houston from 1979- Present. All moves were usually precipated by work.
The one person from my past who I'd most like to see again is Evie Greenbaum and family, because we were very close back in junior high and her mother made a profound impact on my life that year.
I'm an avid football fan. I still root for the KC Chiefs, but am torn when the Texans are involved. I'm also a dog-lover, having two small lap-warmers for company at the present.
Too many to count! Come on, people! You know the proverb, "Man makes plans, G-d laughs?" It's the story of my life!
If I could improve my home, I'd remodel the kitchen and baths and add on a wider driveway and back patio. My dream home would be a one-story in a less humid climate, but my son and grandchildren live here.
You never appreciate your own parents, especially your mother, until you have your first child.
I would love to see Jack Foster again because he and I had a great teacher/student relationship and personal friendship.
If I won $100 million, I'd give $10 mil of it to all my family, immediate and extended, then spend the rest on bills and mortgage, a small trust for my comfort/needs and the lions share on a charitable endowment.
I began working as a fashion model and also singing at the ...Expand for more
age of 13. I was immancipated at the age of 16 and worked my way through the end of high school and on through college, so I didn't join any clubs, however, I was Phi Theta at one point.
I am truly happy. Happiness is a choice that we make every day. Now, if I could be anywhere in the world other than Houston at this very moment in time and cost were no object, I would be taking a world cruise in warmer climates enjoying white sandy beaches, archaeological tours, and cold fruity drinks in tall glasses in a chaise by the pool...or stretched out on the beach near Tel Aviv, taking in the sights of the Gallil, having spa treatments at the Dead Sea, shopping for antiques in the Old City and praying at the Western Wall.
My current age is 58. When I was 12, I thought that people my age now would be "out of it" like my grandparents were back then. I was so completely wrong.
My oldest granddaughter loves for me to shop for her because, according to her, I "dress cool and pick out only the coolest clothes for [her]" I haven't modeled in over 30 years, but I still love to keep up with current fashion, choosing to wear more classic styles and throw in a trend here and there to keep things fresh.
WOW! How many of us given 20/20 hindsight would only pick one do-over?
My oldest friend is a woman named Kim. We met at the office shortly after I moved to Houston and quickly became best friends. She is like the sister I never had and there is nothing we wouldn't do for each other. Oddly, our mothers died of the same disease some 15 years apart.
If I make it to another reunion, y'all write me and tell me what about me, if anything surprised you after all these years and then I'll fill this out.
My first job was at age 11 for my mother's friends, where I got paid 25 cents an hour to babysit their two children. What I remember most about it is how the little brats refused to mind me.
I tell everyone in Houston that I grew up in the Southwest corner of the basement. I guess what I remember most is always running from tornados or standing on the front porch watching one hang above 79th and State Line with the front door open and a clear path to the basement a few feet away so we could run if it turned toward our home at 79th and Pennsylvania. I don't remember what year it was, but that was pretty traumatic for a little kid.
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