I have wonderful, fun memories of acting in some of the plays put on by the thespians our senior year. I especially remember playing opposite the lovely Rita Ballard in the Senior Class production of 'You Can't Take It With You'. Some may remember that Rita and I actually had a romantic kissing scene in that production and it scared me to death! Rita had the poise and confidence of a veteran stage performer and I was an awkward, self-conscious kid dressed up like a grownup. I might as well have been on stage with Ann Margaret. As far as I was concerned, she was a goddess. I would not have been surprised at all if Rita had gone on to make it big in the real world of stage and cinema! You would not have to be a theater critic to recognize that she had real talent. She was a natural and gifted performer. Rita got me through a couple of unforgettable onstage kissing scenes and forever won a special place in my heart. We were never a real-life item, but I was deeply saddened to hear of her passing. I never saw Rita again after graduation, so she is still a beautiful, vivacious, young teenage girl in my memories and always will be.
Tom Harritt
I have wonderful, fun memories of acting in some of the plays put on by the thespians our senior year. I especially remember playing opposite the lovely Rita Ballard in the Senior Class production of 'You Can't Take It With You'. Some may remember that Rita and I actually had a romantic kissing scene in that production and it scared me to death! Rita had the poise and confidence of a veteran stage performer and I was an awkward, self-conscious kid dressed up like a grownup. I might as well have been on stage with Ann Margaret. As far as I was concerned, she was a goddess. I would not have been surprised at all if Rita had gone on to make it big in the real world of stage and cinema! You would not have to be a theater critic to recognize that she had real talent. She was a natural and gifted performer. Rita got me through a couple of unforgettable onstage kissing scenes and forever won a special place in my heart. We were never a real-life item, but I was deeply saddened to hear of her passing. I never saw Rita again after graduation, so she is still a beautiful, vivacious, young teenage girl in my memories and always will be.
Sincerly,
Tom Harritt