We saw familiar faces at the check in table. Oscar Gomez, Becky Gramstrup, Suzanne Ebner, Scott Wandzilak, and Brent Watson gathered together for a picture.
After checking in, we walked out to the Grand Ballroom lobby. While I was sitting in a chair next to the ballroom entrance, a couple sat in nearby chairs. On a whim, I started talking to them. We met Colette and Glen Nagami. It was amazing to hear that Glen was a classmate of my sister-in-law Pearl Louie Chan in the USC Pharmacy School. Then also, Glen is the younger brother of our friends Ray and Suzanne Nagami, who sit with Trojan Candy at Monday Morning Quarterback. As we mentioned more Trojans we know, Glen and Colette knew several of them. Fight On, Glen! Fight On, Colette!
My husband Jim insisted on taking this picture of yours truly with Coach John Robinson and his wife Beverly.
At 5:30 pm the ballroom doors opened and Jim and I rushed in to get a "prime" seat to take pictures and videos. Upon entering the ballroom,Trojan Candy went right by Sam Darnold and Chimezie Metu.
After putting my stuff on two front row chairs, Trojan Candy headed to the back corner of the room to take a picture of Sam first.
Before ending the program, John Robinson introduced two USC Football alumni whom he coached at USC. Brad Budde and Fred Cornwell stood up to be recognized. The audience applauded them loudly.
As the audience were leaving, Trojan Candy walked briskly over to Brad Budde and took his picture. I asked him what he is doing now. Brad told me that he is a Physical Therapist. FIGHT ON, Brad!
I looked in the back of the room and saw Fred Cornwell. Trojan Candy walked back to introduce myself. Fred smiled at me as I approached him, and then he agreed to let me photograph him. Fred, a Civil Engineer, lives in Newport Beach. He and his wife have one son who attends M.I.T. Fred said that he attends a few USC football games a year. He also goes to U.C.I. basketball games when USC plays the Anteaters. Finally, Fred told me that he likes to drink wine and play golf. FIGHT ON, Fred!
My last picture of the evening is of Coach John Robinson and his wife Beverly with Fred Cornwell and Brad Budde.
What an exhilarating evening!