Charles Stricklin

Charles' 1978 Senior ID Card

Yes, that’s me in all of my 17 year-old, long-haired beauty! I’ve blotted out the information I’d rather not post, but the rest of it is my actual senior class identification card issued by C.E. Byrd High School in 1977. This May marked 30 years since I graduated firmly in the middle of the class, GPA-wise, and there are currently plans for the Class of 1978 (Word document) to meet for their 30-year reunion later this month.

I haven’t made it to previous reunions: in 1988 I was a Data Systems Technician Seaman Apprentice  in the U.S. Navy studying to advance to a 3rd Class Petty Officer at Combat Systems Technical School Command on Mare Island Naval Station in Vallejo, California, and in 1998 I was a Junior studying Information Systems at Mississippi State University, so I wasn’t able to make it either time.

Although, I really wanted to go in 1998, for no other reason than to be a part of this conversation:

“So, what do you do?”

“I’m a doctor at Willis Knighton, specializing in brain surgery.”

“And you?”

“I’m an attorney, I deal with civil suits, mostly related to the oil & gas industry.”

“And you?”

“I’m a business owner. I employ over 200 people at XYZ Industries.”

“And you, Charles?”

“I’m a Junior studying Information Systems at Mississippi State University.”

That would have been funny. It would have been all I could do to keep from snickering.

Anyway, I should be able to make it this year, although I’d prefer the mixer they’re planning at a local steakhouse the night before than the actual reunion.

And, just so you know: My hair got a lot longer than that before I let the Navy shave it all off. A lot longer. Like, down my back long.