Favorite Memory of Kip Prenkert

Graduating from Bremen High School in 1988 means I am the exact age as Robby (Kip's son). So we played against each other in basketball and baseball during high school.

Then as choice would have it, He went on to play basketball at Bethel and I played at Grace. He was a very good shooter and typically I had the assignment of guarding him. That is for another post because it was not an easy task.

Then my first teaching job was at NorthWood High School from 1992 till 1998.

During those years I have lots of memories of 3 on 3 ball with Robby and Curt Flickinger(who i lived with before getting married) and our 4 th player was usually Greg Cripe. We even played in an adult basketball league in Nappanee held at the old middle school. Not that I am bragging but we rarely lost in that league and we won our fair share of 3 on 3 titles as well.... *SMILE*

Kip watched a lot and said very little.

Onto my favorite memory.

During either my first or second year, Kip, Tom Allen (another english teacher) and myself all shared a "prep" period together. At the time, due to lack of classroom space, we convened in a small office just off the South Surge area.

Anyway, during this time a popular comedian was Jeff Foxworthy. His, "you might be a redneck if..." act was true hilarity. Mostly clean and sometimes it "hit too close to home" as he would say.

You remember the kind, "you might be a redneck if.... "
"you mow your yard and find a car"
"you go to family reunions to pick up women"
etc..

So, one day, the three of us begin talking about this.... and the conversation leads to:
"you might be a redneck teacher if"....

Well I literally was crying from laughing so hard. Kip and Tom just had me rolling on the floor. They were so clever and witty. We even came up with our top "25" redneck teacher jokes... I wrote them down. I am sure I dont have them anymore but when I think about that day it makes me smile.

I enjoyed working with Kip. But I REALLY enjoyed that time with him. I definitely saw and appreciated a side of him like I never had before.

I have many other fond memories of Kip, from helping us out with "coat check" at basketball games to his quiet humor to his grading papers/reading a book during basketball games.

But that day..... in a tiny small office just off of the south surge and north of the auditorium...... I laughed as hard as I have ever laughed.....that is my favorite memory of Kip Prenkert which I will have forever.

Joe