John Provenzale

I remember Ricky very clearly since he grew up just two doors down from me over on Ardoon St. in Cleveland Heights! One memory that is very striking was an incident that happened in the gym at Monticello Junior HS. when we were all gathered in the gym (in gym class or maybe after lunch?). Anyhow Ricky, who lifted weights and was pretty muscular, wanted to challenge himself and attempt a dangerous stunt (& maybe show off as well). So, he climbed up those wooden dowel rod ladders that they had attached flat to the wall (not pegboards but horizontal 3' wide dowels rods spaced about 12" apart for climbing flat against the wall up to about 10' high). Anyway, Ricky wanted to see if he could jump from the top of those wooden climbing racks over to the 10' basketball hoop which was at least 6' away! So he leaps across with everyone watching him and almost grabs the rim but slips off! He does a hard belly slam on the gym floor and breaks his jaw! For the next 6 weeks his jaw was wired shut which was especially tough for Ricky since he was always talking smack! Otherwise, I remember Ricky as always smiling and happy! He was always loud and excited in conversations! He had his mom's exuberant personality, and his dad was a hard worker and down to earth guy-US Post Office? Anyway, it is hard to believe that he's no longer with us! RIP

Hey Susan, just saw that you updated your profile and it's funny because I didn't realize that you graduated form Heights!-(since our graduating class was so big). Anyway I really don't remember seeing you in Junior High School (Monticello) or high school, but I distinctly remember you at Noble Elementary School in 5th & 6th grades! One event in particular was the time you were selected/voted to be something like a Queen for an Oriental (Japanese?) Feast. I remember the class was arranged with seat cushions and a low table and we sat down cross-legged and ate food and you were dressed up in a fancy silk Oriental outfit! I was impressed that the teacher went through all that trouble!

That's really cool especially since my wife & I were just looking at horses yesterday (to buy one). We asked ourselves where we could go for lessons. But I don't think we're anywhere near Burton. Never heard of it-I'll have to look it up.

I remember Larry Bauer calling you “Johnny Pro” in biology.and running out of the classroom after he set up an experiment. He would love that you ended up a science teacher!

Looking forward to our 50th Reunion tomorrow! I attended one a long time ago (20th?)
It's funny because on one hand, I feel like I know the people that I grew up and went to school with, but on the other hand people go through so many changes over the years that the reality is I probably really don't know anyone!-Especially since I haven't stayed in touch with anyone! My two best friends who lived on my street have both passed-John Hultberg & Jay Basch. Hard to believe. Anyway it will be an adventure seeing people who we used to know and finding out what they've been up to!

Ellen is one of the few people I remember from K-12