Cecilia de la Hoz and I met when we were 13 years old in 8th grade. Our dads were each working in France at the time and so our paths crossed while we were attending the American School of Paris. Cecilia is from Madrid, Spain and I am from Ft. Worth, Texas, but a fast friendship was formed and has lasted for 22 years (so far.)
The American School of Paris (ASP) is an international school and students from many different countries attend the school because their parents are in France for business, diplomatic reasons, etc. It has great academics but an excellent performing and visual arts program. My 8th grade art teacher, Mr. Kingsly, made an indelible impression on me and I can still hear his voice booming out encouragements over the class.
It was our first full day together in Paris and we set out to see our childhood homes and our old school.
This was my family’s home in Garches.
The Boulangerie/Patissierie by our home. The best baguettes and pastries in the WORLD!
We were met at ASP by Chris Chater the lower school music teacher and performing arts guru. He hasn’t changed a bit in 20 years….well except he has gray hair now instead of brown. This picture was taken in the classroom of Marie Wright, the mom of another of our good friends, Paloma.
In the middle school band room where Cecilia played clarinet and Paloma and I played flute. Our brothers were also in band at the same time, Houston on trumpet and Gonzalo on trombone. What a nice little ensemble we made.
By the old printing press at ASP, looking towards the gym and cafeteria. The upper school is on our right.
The softball diamond and soccer field and the old gym in the distance. It had been a great trip down memory lane. We looked at old year books and saw old teachers, friends and old crushes. We wondered what had happened to them all. We talked about how the school has endured bomb threats, a fire, and several floods. It was a joy to be there again twenty years later with one of the people who had made my experience there so memorable. Thanks Cecilia! The only thing missing was you Paloma!
I wish I could have been there with you guys.. And that boulangerie.. YUMMY ! I can almost smell the baguettes & croissants ! Glad to see you guys had an awesome time ! Did you see any other teachers ??
No, we didn’t see any other teachers, but we did talk about Mr. Mott our math teacher, Mr. Kingsly the art teacher, Mr. Miltenburg our 9th grade English teacher, and of course Mr. Moriarty the MS headmaster who passed away several years ago. Chris has kept up with many of the old teachers, but since it was summer there were very few staff members there.