I Remember When—

Greetings and a Huge WELCOME to this exciting new website for the Piner High School Foundation!

There could be many reasons as to why you are visiting this site today—your child could be currently attending this great school or there’s a possibility you will have a child attending Piner in the future. Or maybe you are a Prospector from a while back—like me! When you think about all the 18 year olds that have worn that Burgundy and Gold cap and gown over the past 30 years, there are a bunch of us out there! Whatever the reason—all of us have the same goal—to assist the teachers and students of Piner High School in offering and receiving the very best experience in education.

On the Home Page Alicia Bunce, the president of the foundation, explained just what the foundation is and what, as a dedicated group of volunteers, they will attempt to accomplish. The foundation’s importance, however, increases as our schools get fewer and fewer dollars to spend. The “extras” are a low priority when the “basics” are barely being covered. Won’t you please take a moment to join the foundation and whether you can donate money or time, it will all be greatly appreciated and will go to a school that holds a special place in our memories—or will soon! So check out that Home Page for all the details on how you can pitch in and help this worthwhile organization. Who knows—you may even reconnect with someone who shared their cinnamon roll with you!

My little part in this new and exciting venture is to offer up something on the funny side (I hope!), some light entertainment mixed in with, hopefully, your stories about Piner over the three decades it has proudly stood it’s ground on Fulton Road.

My four years there, from 1968 to 1971 were the years of Piner’s infancy. There were no stoplights after you left Coddingtown and the school was considered to be way out in the “hicks”. But it was thrilling to be a part of something so new and when you come right down to it—did we have a choice?

But change is a fact of life, and a school is no different. I’m certain the students have changed, teachers and administration; classes and curriculum have all edged into the 21st century. However, as I write this and muse about my Piner days and the schools of today—I am positive of one thing—football and the food have not changed one tiny bit! There is something comforting about that fact. The kids today are still “experiencing” the same offered menu and they are still wildly cheering on the young stars on the gridiron. It’s nice to know that some things never change.

But what exactly were those changes? What did the students in the Class of ’80 do for fun? What were the challenges of a freshman in 1992? Where are those now fiftysomethings from the very first graduation class? Do you have a story you’d like to share? About the food—about the teachers—about sports—about not being able to get your locker open? Whether it’s a page, a paragraph or a picture, send it to me and I will bring together these cherished memories and present them here on this website. I’ll compile all your recollections along with some humor and we can all take a moment and remember this great school we call—

Piner.