Joining me on the Born To Talk Radio Show Podcast on July 11th, from 1-2PT is my lifelong friend Donna DeSmith Clements.
History.
Donna and I grew up in Westchester, a community within Los Angeles. We are known as the home of Los Angeles International Airport. When we were growing up, it was unknown as Mines Field. In those days there were 11 elementary schools, 2 junior high schools, Airport and Orville Wright, and Westchester High. Many of those schools are gone now, including my elementary school and Airport Junior High, where Donna and I met.
It was at Airport Junior High School where Donna and I began to flourish as we got to know kids from other schools in our neighborhoods. As I look back on those days, there are many memories. The “standards” weren’t only writing something over and over again if you “screwed up” but dress codes were explicit to only dresses and skirts and tops, no pants, not even to football games on a Friday night!
One of the most unforgettable events we experienced together, along with the entire country, was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. If you were alive on that Friday, November 22, 1963, you know exactly where you.
We also shared many fun experiences, including what our school called, “Sports Night.” You might think this has something to do with sports, but that’s not the case. This was a Friday night in our gym where a DJ played music and we danced. Seemed like it was common for the girls to just dance with other girls, the boys were often times too timid to approach a girl to dance. But if they did ask, it was really exciting!
Westchester High.
We were very lucky to go to school with members of “The Turtles.” Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan were seniors our first year at Westchester. We were all certainly Happy Together. Including seeing them in person. Donna and I are also with our long-time school friend, Kat Giroux.
Reunions.
Donna is a great storyteller as you will soon find out. We have worked on our class reunions since the first one in 1977! The next one is coming up in just a couple of months in September, 55 years later! We can’t believe it! Where has the time gone?
Donna!
In closing, Donna and I share many common memories and interests. Including, our families, and our love of sports, especially the Dodgers and Clippers. And, Tupperware! Really? Yes, we were both Tupperware ladies!! We know how to “burp” a lid!!
Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and where we are today!
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Conversations + Connections = Community
Making the world a better place. One Story at a time.
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