McKinley Tech High School

Charmaine Thrower Franklin

Classmates -

Please keep Mary Alexander and her family in your prayers also. Mary lost her mom on yesterday.

Julius Wayne Linsey

My dear "Class of '79",

It's around homecoming time, and I want you to know that you all are in my thoughts around this time.
I was hoping to make it back for the celebration but unfortunately, I'm not able to make it. I would like to acknowledge the pride I feel in being a member of such a wonderful group of people: "The McKinley Tech Class of 1979". The collective spirit of the group assembled for the reunion was a wonderful thing to experience. It reminded me why I enjoyed my time at tech so much. The thirty years between now and then have been full of varied stories and winding paths, all leading us to DC (or not, for those of you who didn't make it) for that "forever memorable reunion weekend". We are blessed to have survived that journey, and I, for one, am proud of who we all have become. Enjoy the activities this weekend and think about a brother.
On another note:
"A Song Without Words" is now available on iTunes.
Visit the site & give a listen or even purchase a copy, if you like.
The physical CD's will soon be available at "CD Baby" & "Amazon.com".
I would appreciate it, if you would help me spread the word by telling all your friends and family about the project. I'm going to need all the help I can get to make this thing happen so, thanks in advance.
Also, visit my website here and be among the first to join my FaceBook fan page.

Anyway, thanks for letting me be part of your lives.

Wayne "Ziggy" Linsey
Mr. McKinley 1979

Charmaine Thrower Franklin

Classmates -

Just found out today that Erica Napier lost her mom (Lillian L. Myers) on October 15 (the funeral was this past Saturday). Let's please keep Erica and her family in our prayers. It's when everybody is gone and things quiet down ... that our prayers will be needed the most!

Thanks. Much Love.

Lawrence Fletcher

HERE IS THE LINK TO SEE THE PICTURES FROM THE 2009 HOMECOMING GAME

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=248711727211%3A1472510155

Maria Wilson Henderson

It was good to see everyone again.I enjoyed the school tour and the game. The school is simply beautiful. I couldn't get over the fact that they use elevators. Unfortunately the students seem to lack some school spirit.

Charmaine Thrower Franklin

Maria -

You are being so diplomatic ... what school spirit? I didn't see or hear much of any... There seemed to be more of us (alumni) than there were students!!! And most of them looked at the alumni as if we were crazy every time we joined in with a cheer or a chant !!!

One last comment ... someone please tell me again ... what was the purpose of the ladies in black accompanying the band? And why did anybody in leadership at Tech ever allow this???

Okay, okay ... My attitude about the school and what "spirit" means just officially confirms for me that I am old!!! Some things I just can't understand or tolerate!

Much Love Class of '79 ...

We WERE, ARE AND FOREVER WILL BE ... ALL OF THAT ... past, present and future!!!

Monica Carter

Charmaine,

You are absolutely correct-except for the part about being old. School 'SPIRIT' is the same as it was when we, our parents and grand-parents were in school. The current Tech student body, as well as those your graduated the year before do not have it. Even my daughter, who attended Tech for 2 years after it re-opened and niece questioned the lack of spirit.

As for the young ladies in the black, we were told that those are the band dancers. I agree the administration should not have allowed the display, but the parents should have voice some displeasure also.

Monica

Steven Lesesne

i like to thank to all mckinley tech family for the wonderful 30th years reunion it was so great to see my good and best friend we all change alot but i still remeber everyone there in my homeroom calss it was so much for the 3 days event and i like to thank the committee who make the reunion very sucessful and i will be there for the 35th reunion and god bless everyone of you

Norma Hood

Charmaine/Monica I would like to agree with your comments. Back in the day we did not understand what our parents/teachers and other role models were trying to teach us; I realize now that we were being taught how to be respectful of ourselves and others. That is not what is being taught now. (Can you believe 30 years later) Times have not changed; people have. Prayer can change all things.

Charmaine Thrower Franklin

Class of '79 -

Our classmates, Grace and Gladys Hollis, lost their sister, Gwendolyn Hollis Wormley (Class of 1977) last week.

The viewing and funeral is tomorrow,December 16, 2009 at the Contee AME Zion Church, 903 Division Ave., NE. The viewing begins at 9 a.m. the funeral service begins at 11:00 a.m. The interment will be at Harmony Memorial Park. Condolences may be sent to the family via www.marshallsfuneralhome.com.

Pamela Nixon Nixon-Mckisset

Hello All-

The homecoming event I thought was great for me and my youngin it gave me the opportunity to show my 7 year older that this is where mommy went to school he and I was very excited, I forgot he was with me in trip city and some of us got to talking about what use to go on in trip city (lets keep it real, what I was doing) he was all ears he question me that whole day and Sunday to tell him my stories in trip city (Ha Ha I'm still sorting the story) I couldn't believe I still remember where my old locker was some things just won't change, I enjoyed the game because we brought the flavor back to McKinley just as we did in the 70"s the kids of today didn't understand us and probably never will, I just thank God on a constance basis for allowing me to grow up in the era we did, and I'm doing my best to filter it down to my sons.

Oh by the way my youngin enjoyed the cheerleaders he was sitting on the rale of the bleachers had front row seat just loving every minute I didn't realize it until we got home and he told my middle son and nephew all about the cheerleaders!

I would like to wish the Class of 1979 and their families the Happiest of Holidays, if God is willing, we will see each other in 2010, Peace and Joy to all.

Your classmate and friend for life
Pam

Tonya Thompson

Class of 79 I'm wishing you all a blessed, safe, prosperous, fulfilling, peaceful, joyful, amazing and loving New Year and the best decade yet!!

Rhonda Moore Holder

Happy New Year to the McKinley Tech Class of 1979. Wishing everyone a Blessed and less Stressed year.

Remember: P.O.R = Press on Regardless

Peace
Rhonda

Pamela Wheeless

Hi Charmaine,

I am very sorry to hear about Grace and Gladys Hollis losing their sister, Gwendolyn. I informed my sister Roslyn about it who was in the class of 77, and she was saddened by it as well. Please express my deepest condolences to them whenever you hear from them. Also, please wish them Happy Belated Birthday. We shared the same birthday on 12/23.

Thank all of you who wished me Happy Birthday.

Happy New Year to All!!!

Pam W.

Wesley Sturdivant

Hey Class of '79.....

Each New Year I realize how much I am THANKFUL and GRATEFUL for...... This New Year I can add that I am blessed to have reunited w/the Tech Class of '79. The memories, the friendships, the fellowship is so rewarding realizing what we've experienced over the last 30 years and what this generation is experiencing today.

I heard a definition for "prosperous" in 2009 that I want to share. If we have food, clothing and shelter... anything above that --- WE ARE PROSPEROUS!!! (Just a thought).

Wishing you ALL a BLESSED & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!!

WES

Pamela Wheeless

Hello Fellow Techites of '79 and guests,

My heart is really broken regarding the earthquake victims in Haiti. I ask that we pray for them, and give whatever we can for relief. It is encouraging to see how the world comes together in a time of need, but I am so sorry it has to take a tragedy to act like how God wanted us to act all along.

-Peace

Pam

Debra Dansby Smith

Amen to that Pam.

Pamela Nixon Nixon-Mckisset

I can understand a natural disaster more than a man made one, my outlook on life has change since last Tuesday, from that point on I have nothing to complain about even in the mist of my madness, I refuse to complain, to see our fellow brothers and sisters in Haiti suffering, they my be helpless now but their is hope for their future I truly beleive in the power of GOD. It hurt to see that they don't have water, I'm done, that's enough for me, I will contribute as much water and baby food as possible, and what ever else that I can.

Peace to all
Pam Nixon

Ronald "Ron" Thurston

Pre 50th birthday happy hour


Hello Mckinley Alumni, its another New Year that means its time to celebrate my 50th birthday.Come and join me before i take off for Negril, Jamaica to bring in 50 years of life, at the University Of Maryland Marriott Hotel bar the Oracle.Thursday January 28th 5pm until. Sorry about the week day but I will be leaving on Friday morning. My birthday is the 30th of January. Thanks and looking forward to seeing everyone.

Mr. Thomas Graham (Social Studies Teacher)

Dear Class of '79;

I regret to inform you of the death of Mr. McKinley Armstrong. If you remember, Mr. Armstrong taught Physical Education at Tech for years. He passed away on either Thursday, February 11th of Friday, February 12th. Please see the Washington Post next for funeral arrangements.

Thomas Graham

Charmaine Thrower Franklin

Classmates -

Please keep Christopher George and his family lifted in prayer. Chris lost his oldest brother, Joseph George (Class of 77) yesterday (heart attack).

The funeral will be Friday, February 19 at Mt. Horeb Baptist Church... It sits on Bladensburg Road, N.E., between South Dakota and Eastern Avenue. The viewing is at 10 a.m. and the funeral at 11.

If you can, please support Chris.

Much Love,

Charmaine

Darryl Austin

Hey Techites, Physical Education teacher Mckinley Armstrong passed away on February 11,2010. The veiwing will be at ST. Anthony Padua Catholic Church on Feb. 20 from 9am until the funeral at 10 am. The church is located on1029 Monroe ST. N. E. Wash. DC 20017. The obituary appeared in the Washingto Post on Feb. 13th.

Pamela Wheeless

I am very sorry to hear about Mr. Armstong's passing.

I never had any interaction with him, but my brother, Darrell Wheeless, who passed away going on three years ago remembered him because Darrell was on the football and soccer teams back in early mid 70's. I think Mr. Armstrong was his gym teacher, that's how I knew his name. My Father, the late Herbert H. Wheeless also knew him from North Carolina. I think they went to college together (North Carolina Central.) I have to confirm that with my sister.

Please send my condolences to his family.

Mr. Graham,

I read your profile, and You are so right about the schools in PG County.

My sister had to pull my nephew out of public school and place him in private school due to those crazy thugs. He was too serious minded and focused to deal with that nonsense, and the administration and teachers did not seem to be any better!!

So much for our tax dollars...

I understand how frustrating that was for you.

Thank God Marcus will be graduating this year, and he has many positive friends who have positive goals for their lives. We do have to pray for all of our children, even the ones who seem hopeless.

Pam

Donnella Briscoe Rucker

Please keep Denise and Toby in your prayers:

It is with great sadness that I advise you of the passing of Toby's Mom on 2/21/2010. The Home Going Services are to be held on Friday February 26, 2010. This will be at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home, 3401 Bladensburg Rd Brentwood, MD 20722. Viewing will be 10a - 11am, Services to start 11am. The Repast will be held immediately following the services at 2015 Monroe Street NE Washington DC 20018. Cards and expressions of sympathy can be sent to:

6825 Purple Lilac Ln
Clinton MD, 20735

Thank you,
Denise Powers-Thomas

Benita Elliott

Hey Classmates, I met a woman today visiting the exhibition I'm working who graduated from McKinley in 1969. Her name is Joyce Taylor Moten. She's the Executive Director at The City Of Refuge Church here in LA. This is also the church of Grace Jones' brother Bishop Noel Jones. Small world.