John J Ray

For a time, Fred Pfenninger and I practiced at the same law firm in Indianapolis. One day I stopped by Fred’s office to chat. We were reminiscing when a colleague poked his head in the door and said, “Did I overhear that you guys went to the same high school?” We affirmed that Fred and I had been classmates and friends from third grade until graduation, and I said, “Yes, Fred was voted Most Likely to Succeed.” Fred smiled— pleased and maybe a little proud that I had remembered the well-deserved honor our classmates had bestowed upon him. Then I said, “And I was voted Most Likely to do Hard Time.” Fred quickly came to my defense, declaring, “That’s not true!” I agreed with a clarification: “No, that was a joke. But the only reason I didn’t win that ‘honor’ is that it wasn’t on the ballot.” We all had a good laugh.

I guess I tell this story to say that, since graduation, I’ve spent a lot of time outgrowing my childish ways and trying to atone for the high-crimes and misdemeanors of my youth. I’m sure I wasn’t alone in this endeavor.

My favorite memories from high school (and junior high) are of finding a secluded spot and making out in a hallway. You know who you are. Don't worry--I'm sure we weren't the only ones.