David Penn:  

High School: I had a "TREMENDOUS" time at Crane. In addition to playing sports, I was President of the V.I.P. Club; Editor for the Crane Chronicle (school newspaper); Captain of the Chess Team; Manager of the Stage Crew and Student Adviser to the late Mrs. Florence Miller; one of the Assistant Principals at Crane. I didn't realize until after my graduation what a great time I had at Crane Tech. I have only one regret... "I really wish I could do it all over again!!!" It was also at Crane where I met my "Three J's" namely, Janita Wilson, Jacklyn Blanchard, and Judy Brown. I will always remember Judy who was my senior prom date. After high school several years later, I was saddened to learn that she died from smoke inhalation which resulted from a fire in her apartment. I was also saddened when Jacklyn (Jackie) passed away in the spring of 2017. I was deeply honored by her "specific request" for me to perform her eulogy. Jackie and I were "extremely close" during our high school years at Crane. She was Captain of the Varsity Cheerleaders and always called me her first "real" boyfriend. My last "J" (Janita Wilson) is doing well at the time of this post. I spoke with her a few days ago and she is retiring from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) following this 2017 school year. "J" (as I have always called her) is my confidant and conscious. We have always remained passionate towards each other throughout the years. While at Crane, everyday we would walk to the "L" train together on Western Avenue after school. On many occasions, I would ride the "L" and go home with her to ensure that she arrived safe and sound. College: I went to college (Rochester College) on a basketball scholarship, although I did not play interscholastic basketball at Crane. I have always been even to this day a "BASEBALL" guy, having played four (4) years at Crane and on the collegiate level; in addition to playing semi-professional with the Chicago Braves, the Chicago Orioles, and the Cincinnati Orioles. As stated above, "BASEBALL" has always been my game primarily because that's the game my dad taught me how to play. Both my dad and his younger brother played for a short time in the old "Negro League." My father knew many of the Negro League stars such as Leroy "Satchel" Paige, James "Cool Papa" Bell (who was said to be the fastest man alive), Josh Gibson, and Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe. My dad always told me that Josh Gibson was without question the "BEST" baseball player to ever play the game including Jackie Robinson. He once said the only reason they never allowed Josh to play in the integrated Major League was because they knew he would destroy Babe Ruth's homerun record. Presently: I can reflect on my college life and experiences with mixed emotions. Since then I have accomplished many things, but there are some things I would like to do over again. I have been blessed without a doubt and I am thankful for what I have been able to do and what I am doing presently. In addition to graduating from Rochester College with an Associate and Bachelors degree, I have also been blessed to matriculate from other institutions of higher learning. I have traveled extensively throughou...Expand for more