'Lorie Peckarovski' went to my High School!

Rochelle Ottley was insanely talented. Beautiful,she grew up in the country club taking dancing lessons for years, a singer in every choir, lead in "Oklahoma!" and parts in every other musical. We all at Lakewood High School, CA knew she was destined for the big lights.

After graduation, she and her BFF Jenny Wolfe worked at May's dept store at the Lakewood Mall at the makeup counter. I was in there one day and glad to see them. Jenny happily announced that Rochelle got a lead part in the LA production of "Cats"! I was so happy for her.

I expected to see her name in lights, but not much panned out for her. She was in 2 movies, "The Cutting Edge" as Lorie Peckarovski and "The Wizard of Speed and Time" as a dancer.

Our High School had an amazing and much loved music teacher, Mr. Willard Schmidt. He knew talent when he saw it and he was an incredible director of both choirs and musicals. He had a fun, happy relaxed way of directing. When you looked in his eyes you could think, this man really likes me! We were all relaxed and very happy to give our all for him. Much beloved by many generations of students, he sadly passed a way in the early 80's from a heart attack. His memorial service was attended by many alumni of that high school. He is sorely missed, even today!!

I don't know much about what became of Rochelle, but I hear thru Facebook she is an interior designer. Whatever she's doing now, I'm sure it's with much talent.