Melanie Gardner

Wow, since '99, thats a long way to look back. After graduating from Central I decided I needed a change of scenery. So I moved to another small town, Ruston, where I attended Louisiana Tech University. After a couple of years there I wanted another change and needed a break, so I decide to go spend a couple months working in Disney World (I know, surprise, surprise). It was great experience and I loved every second of it. After finishing the college program there I returned to Tech, fall of '02. In the fall of '05 I graduated with a degree in Architecture. Once graduated I was so ready to get back to South Louisiana. I moved back home and start working in an architecture/construction management firm in Denham Springs. While working in Denham I thought I should live in Denham, so I bought a house in June of '07, and i love it! Shortly after putting down my roots there I took a job downtown. I now work for C.M. Oliver Architects and specialize in residential architecture, so if any of you need some house plans, I'm your girl. Other than that just been enjoying life and everything that comes my way.

There are so many great memories, i don't know where to start. Theres the parties at the maze. Thinking that Billards on Greenwell Springs Road was an actual dance club. Hanging out at sonic after we got out early our senior year. Having Ms. Flack scream at me everyday for falling asleep in class. Rolling houses. The dances and the after parties.

I have to say and this may sound weird one of my favorites is sitting in my drive way the day our house burned down in June of '98 and having all my friends around me. It was a hard time for my entire family but before that day I took so many of my friends for granted and I learned then what the meaning of true friendship is. So to those of you that were there, thanks. And to those of you that went in my house when the firemen told you not to, just to see what you could salvage, thanks.

Those four years were amazing i just wish i could remember all of the good times.