Ontario High School Alumni
Mansfield, Ohio (OH)
Patty West (Patty Skryja)
Ontario High School
Class of 1983
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PATTY'S PROFILE
| First Name | Patty |
| Last Name | West |
| Maiden Name | Skryja |
| Graduation Year | Class of 1983 |
| Gender | Female |
| Current Location | Baltimore, MD |
| Relationship Status | Engaged |
| About Me | What do you write about yourself? When I sit quietly and think on this question the first thing that pops up is that I feel I am many people. So to write about one’s self may take pages and who wants to read all that? So I am going to try and simplify as best as I can, “Me”. My parents were raised in Nebraska and I find people from the mid-west in general, to have a kind of solidity, respect for others and self-reliance that I do not really feel in other places. I know this was passed on to me. I am not saying I am perfect. Far from it. But I really do strive to be a better person with others. I also suffer from “wanderlust”. Now did I get this from my ancestors who moved out West or from my travels around the globe while I was growing up? I do not know. I just know I love to “go” to places, get to know people from other cultures and see also how we are all alike. This just popped up in my head, another good reason for moving is that you get to start fresh all over again, you can in a way re-invent yourself. No one knows the faux pas you made in the past. However, conversely, I envy my friends who grew up for the most part in one place, with family and childhood friends still near them. I am the eldest of three girls. That alone can shape one for life, especially coupled with shyness. Yes, I am very shy, but most circumstances in the past did not allow for this. I had to be The Ice Breaker, The Teacher, The Caregiver, The Dragon Slayer, The Referee and was at times (not proud of it) The Bully. Now I have two best friends for life. We may not always agree or talk to one another, but I know they have my back. My sense of humor is very good, however I cannot tell a joke. I can never remember the punch line. I can admire the skill for wordplay and I do “get it” when a pun is made. I am not really fond of “slapstick”, but “I just peed my pants laughing” while watching Mel Brooks’ movies or smile when I hear a child laugh. I also see the humor in day to day life or at least most days I do. Like a toddler, I have a fascination with anything, everything and everyone around me. Do you remember that Twilight Zone episode where the man had a watch that could stop time or the movie Groundhog Day, where the man lived the same day over and over again? I wish now and then I could do this, so I could concentrate on just one thing for a while before moving onto the next. My creativity tends to come out in crochet, cooking and baking, music, etc. Then there are the Arts, Sciences, History, and Theology … so much out there so little time. I have suffered and felt loss. In a lot of ways, I do not care what happens to me, but when it happens to one I love, it truly tears me apart. I know people mean well when they say things like “God’s will”, “Angel looking down”, etc., but M'Lynn said it best in Steel Magnolias, “Well you go on ahead!! I'm sorry if I don't feel like it! I guess I'm a little selfish. I'd rather have her here.” In fact, the scene at the funeral was me. I said practically the same thing. But I still love that movie. I have found time does not heal these types of wounds. They always remain. You just learn to live with them. Now and then you take a peek to relieve the pressure. While visiting the different places I grew up in and live in now, there were people. Some of these people became friends who I will never forget, some opened my eyes to new ideas and skills, and some became both. All shaped me in some way. I shall conclude this with the questionnaire made famous by Bernard Pivot: 1. What is your favorite word? Effervescent 2. What is your least favorite word? C**** 3. What turns you on? Knowledge 4. What turns you off? Stupidity 5. What sound or noise do you love? Children laughing 6. What sound or noise do you hate? Nails on a chalkboard 7. What is your favorite curse word? M*F* 8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Balloon Pilot 9. What profession would you not like to do? Air Traffic Controller 10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive...(read more) |
Class of 1983 Alumni
→ Reunite with 58 class of 1983 alumni that have joined.
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Class of 1978
Jay Bookwalter
Class of 1975
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Class of 1970
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Class of 1975
Cindi Beck
Class of 1985
Jack Kitrenos
Class of 1969
Kyle Hull
Class of 1997
Matt Maurer
Class of 1989
Tammera Esto
Class of 1981
Jessie Brown
Class of 2010
Kim Nichols Smith
Class of 1987
Paula Evans
Class of 1971
Shane Wiltanger
Class of 1993
Evan Freer
Class of 2011
Veronica Russell
Class of 2001
Elizabeth Catron
Class of 2000
Anita Smith
Class of 1973
Phil Wilkins
Class of 1982
Recent Class of 1983 Reunions
Plan a Class of 1983 Reunion for Free
UPDATE!!! OHS "Group" Class Reunion ('71 - 40th)
Invited Classes: All Classes
Date: Jul 09, 2011
Description: THIS IS AN UPDATE AS OF MARCH 16th, 2011. 1971 ONTARIO HIGH SCHOOL 40TH CLASS REUNION **UPDATE** - Price adjustment for ...(read more)