Another reason for Shaws to rejoice tomorrow...

We are so proud of our young friend Carlyn Reichel. 

Here's the article in this morning's Rome News-Tribune with a headline stretched all the way across the top of page one ...

Carlyn's service for America in the Biden-Harris administration.

Carlyn in flight with Vice President (now President) Biden

We always knew that Carlyn's heart, her brilliant mind, and her work ethic would take her far. We have been thrilled to see her work with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during President Obama's first administration and then with Vice President Biden during the second administration and after. She even occasionally wrote remarks for President Obama himself. Now I will sleep more soundly than I have in four years knowing, not only that we have a patriotic and serious president with a strong national security team, but that someone we know personally and trust implicitly is part of that team. Congratulations, Carlyn Reichel!

Carlyn has been a part of our lives since she and Brannon were cute little "birds" together in a production at Rome Little Theater and then fifth-grade classmates at Elm Street School. Several other RLT joint appearances followed. They remained close friends through elementary and middle schools and then many Rome High theatrical and choral performances right through their work on the "Howling" at the end of their senior year.  

Carlyn's Mom, Sharon, became our dear friend. She was also a teacher at Rome High School and a dedicated part of the Rome Symphony Chorus and then the Rome Festival Singers. A few years ago she moved to DC to be nearer her children and grandchildren. We miss her.

Carlin's late father Charles was beloved by all. After a career as a Lutheran pastor and college professor and administrator he was head of the National Creative Society here in Rome at the time of his sudden death in 2010. I remember that back in the 80s, when I taught in the program for gifted students in Floyd County Schools, Charles was a leader among the parents of the kids in that program.

Among those very gifted former students of mine are Carlyn's older siblings Cara and Carsten.

Cara is a wonderfully talented theatrical producer, director, writer, and actor. She and her husband Pete Mills have written and/or produced many wonderful musicals through their Prospect Theater Company in New York City. One of my thrills was singing with her company in a musical revue by Prospect at Rome Little Theatre. It was my first opportunity to perform "Lily's Eyes" the dramatic and soaring duet from The Secret Garden. (I later reprised that performance as Archibald Craven in a Sam Baltzer and Brian Sikes production of the full musical at Rome City Auditorium.)

Mischievous little Carsten has grown up to become a federal prosecutor with the Department of Justice in our nation's capital as well as a husband and daddy.

Here' is the most recent picture I could find this morning of Carlyn with Brannon and their mutual high school buddy, Rene Hickman, in 2016 at Brannon's wedding.

But we remember Carlyn as Brannon's precocious friend skating with her along the levee near our house, "trodding the boards" with her at Rome Little Theater, and growing with her into a beautiful and talented and caring young woman through their high school years.

Here are few pictures I found this morning:

Brannon and Carlyn performing in a play at Rome High.

Strapping on the inline skates...

Skating on the old levee Riverwalk. Notice the City Clock in the distance.

Do you remember when the Riverwalks were all at the base of the levees rather than the tops? This is behind our house upstream of the Turner-McCall bridge over the Oostanaula.

Heading back up the levee toward the house.

Our niece Lisette, Carlyn, and Brannon after their Rome High graduation ceremony.