Chris Cross

Fred Cline (senior English). I did not do all that well in his class but I learned a lot about being prepared and to be organized. He was tough but fair.

What a year 2009 was for me and my family! We went through many ups and downs. First, I had surgery and have now lost 100 lbs from June 8th. I am under 200 lbs for the first time in 20 years and getting close to my graduation weight of 175. My health had become a big issue since I got sick with Human Parvo Virus in 2003. I had diabetes, chronic pain, muscle deterioation and other problems. I still battle daily with pain but my diabetes is gone and I do not take any medication with the exception of pain meds. My wife lost her job on the Friday before I was scheduled to have surgery. Fortunately, she was able to find another job in October. It was a rough summer but things are looking up as we head into the new year. I still write for the local paper and it has brought me some special memories in just under two years. I have been to a semi-state basketball game, covering the Pendleton Lady Arabians as they went up against South Bend Washington and Miss Basketball, Skylar Diggins. My boys and I got to walk on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium and watched the game from the press box as Pendleton played Rushville this past fall. I cover Lapel sports but I also step in for the Pendleton writer on occasion. Next up is a trip to Hinkle Fieldhouse to cover two Lady Bulldogs who played their high school ball at Pendleton and Lapel. My boys are in Cub Scouts, I am a Tiger Den Leader for Cam's den. It shows that they will let anyone be a leader... They play baseball and will be starting football next fall. They are in 4-H as well, we have several rabbits that we show, breed and sell. Jake and Cam will both show rabbits, sheep and a hog this summer and Cam will be showing a duck. Cam and I find time to go outside and play hockey as well. They got to go on the ice recently at the Coliseum to shoot a puck as members of the Scouts on Scout Night after an Ice game.
I enjoyed getting back in touch with David Rogers and Laura Higgins as well as reading updates on several friends this year. I ran into Eric Robertson at a football game in the fall. He is the AD at Eastern Hancock and Lapel faced them in the sectional round. It was fun to see a familiar face from the past.

I guess my name would be my school story. Everyday.
Going to England was probably the thing I remember most. Nearly throwing Andy Witham off of the London Bridge, drinking (legally) at the Hard Rock and being accosted by a Scottish beggar are the biggest memories.