Danya Steele

After graduation, went to UALR and spent time at the Chi O house, Sigma Nu house, and BJ's Star Studded Honky Tonk - and not necessarily in that order. :) Also went on a cruise to the Bahamas with Laura (Sain), Scarlett, and Lori (Riggs) - and yes, a very good time was had by all. My summer job with the Arkansas Highway Department turned into a "real" job lasting 16+ years. A little over a year ago, the Federal Highway Administration (Arkansas Division) made me an offer I couldn't refuse, so I jumped ship and I am currently enjoying all the benefits they have to offer. One of the biggest perks is working with Valera (Melton in high school - McDaniel now) again. We worked together at the State for several years and she has been trying to talk me into the Feds ever since. She and I have remained friends since those early years - she even lets me borrow her two boys once in a while when I need a reminder of why I love my dogs so much. :) (Just kidding - mostly... they're great, but ALL BOY.) ;) I prefer to just spoil them and send them home. :) Until a few months ago, I served as an officer on the board of directors at the Humane Society of Saline County for the past four years. Pretty much spent every weekend and every other free moment either at the shelter or working events for the shelter. Totally worth it and I miss the animals terribly. (BTW, spay and neuter your pets!) :) I was also a hostess for the 10 and 20 year reunions for the class of 87.

Well, unlike most of you (according to the posts I've read), I remember GOING TO CLASS. :) I have a lot of memories from Student Council, Biology & Zoology with Mr. Steinkraus, English with Mrs. Jones, Speech & Drama with Mrs. Billingsley, and I keep flashing back to Cloverdale and Mr. Hinkson, The Odells, Mr. Gress, and all of those folks in those classes with me and the dramas we went through over the years. I remember riding around in Becky's (Taverner) classic car nicknamed The Blue Goose (when it wanted to cooperate and stay running). I remember Christy (Summers) and I going to Target to buy kiddie pools for Almost Anything Goes in my little Nissan Pulsar, only to realize they wouldn't actually fit INSIDE the car after we bought them - so we stacked them on top (like the car had a hat), and we both put one hand out the window to hold them on - which meant she and I took turns either operating the gas and brakes or steering because of the hand controls on the car. Don't really know how we made it back to school without an "incident", well... except we had "mad skills". ;) I also remember someone dunking Ms. Swain in those same pools full of Jello at AAG - effectively ending another Mc tradition for future Lions. I also remember playing a lot of Rummy with Greg (Riggs) during Coach Jolly's "study hall" period our senior year.