ELHS Alumni Congratulate the Class of 2018: Gary Mescher

Above: Mescher pictured in an ELHS ’71 yearbook photo doing what he wanted to do when he grew up.

On June 10, about 300 high school seniors will march onward to join the ranks of Trojan Alumni who have graduated from East Lansing Public Schools over the last century.

East Lansing Info asked Trojan Alumni who live, work and retain ties in East Lansing to congratulate the Class of 2018. From now through early June, we'll feature their reflections and informal advice to the graduating class.

Thank you ELHS Alumni and congratulations to the Class of 2018.

Featured Alumnus

Gary Mescher

Class of 1971: “Generally acknowledged to be the greatest class in ELHS history.”

What is your occupation?

Development Director for the East Lansing Educational Foundation. My office is here at East Lansing High School. Kind of weird. Kind of cool.

Why did you make East Lansing home?

My wife and I moved back to East Lansing in 2016 after 30-plus years in Grand Rapids. We wanted to be closer to family here and to be part of this small and wonderful town.

Where did you grow up in East Lansing?

Near Marble

Where do you live now?

Near Marble

Do you have children in East Lansing schools?

Our two kids graduated from high school in Grand Rapids and then from MSU.

What are some funny or fond memories you have about high school?

Having steered clear of behavior that would have attracted the attention of ELPD at the time, my favorite memories from high school relate to my closest friends then, who remain my closest friends to this day. Three of us from ELHS ’71 have breakfast every Saturday morning and the conversation usually includes a recollection of something about our high school days that was funny at the time. Now we just shake our heads.

What was your favorite place in East Lansing when you attended high school? Why? Because me and food go way back, the long-gone Burger King on Grand River near the old Tastee-Freez was at the top of the list. That was due, in large part, because a fellow ELHS ’71 student employed there sometimes stuffed a free Whopper and fries into the bag to accompany my regular, small purchase. This was apparently a special promotional offer from Burger King that somehow was valid only on the days my friend worked there.

Above: Mescher today.

What path did you initially take when you graduated?

Worked in radio news in Lansing after graduating from MSU in ’75, then to Grand Rapids and Detroit. Realized in ’81 that arising daily at 2 a.m. and then driving along Eight Mile to arrive at the radio station by 3 a.m. was not a sustainable life proposition.

What do you think is different about high school today?

Diversity is the easy answer. Walking the halls here I see students of all types talking to one another and learning together. ELHS was a largely monochromatic world when I went here.

What do you think is the same?

The more things change, the more they stay the same. I notice long standing traditions still in place here and there around the life of ELHS. And seeing the words Charles Seim Media Center above the entrance to the study/library area reinforces that feeling.

What advice do you have for graduating seniors?

Brian Wilson and Mike Love said it best in ’63: “Be True To Your School.”