Michael and Tessa gazed at the Wall of Fame in their high school. Tessa asked, “Did you see Phillip Sheppard when he was on the TV show Survivor?”
“I did, and his pink underpants didn’t surprise my Aunt Sue a bit. She said he was thee character in her class. I wonder how much ribbing his brother James took as the Rochester Police Chief at the time. He probably felt like he was wading in deep water.”
“And Bill T. Jones was her student instructor in choir. Who knew at the time these three African-American students would become famous.”
Bill T. Jones the night he received Kennedy Center Honor – 2010
Cheif James Sheppard when in office
Note: I ate lunch with Bill T. Jones and other friends every day when I was in eighth grade at Wayland-Cohocton Central School. He is now a world-renowned modern dance choreographer and Kennedy Center Honors recipient. James and Phillip Sheppard were younger than me. I had the opportunity to have lunch with Phillip after his second appearance on Survivor. What a fun guy to hang out with. And no, we had no clue while in high school these classmates would become household names.
Written in response to Charli Mills June 11, 2020, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story deep waters. It can be literal or metaphorical. Think of a place and person and situation. Explore. Bathe. Renew. Go where the prompt leads!
06/13/2020 at 18:29
I’ve never watched Survivor so I missed the pink underpants, lol! But my daughter is a modern dancer and I am so excited that you went to school with THE Bill T. Jones, eating school lunches with him. Wow! He’s an amazing modern dancer and choreographer. Have you seen his new work? What Problem? https://newyorklivearts.org/repertory/what-problem/ A great way for art to express the complexities of confronting systemic racism. Thanks for sharing your famous classmates!
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06/13/2020 at 22:21
Thanks for the link. I have been listening to snippets of his 6-hour talks on Facebook.
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06/18/2020 at 02:04
He’s an amazing artist!
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06/13/2020 at 21:06
Nice!
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06/14/2020 at 07:55
You knew them before they were famous!
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06/14/2020 at 13:48
What a cool thing! I don’t think anyone from my high school has become famous yet, but maybe I’m wrong!
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