My husband says I'm crazy because I love my high school alma mater. It's one of those things he just doesn't get about me.

I'm proud to be a Frankfort Panther. I'm a member of "the long blue line" that also includes such notables as*:

-Mr. Elmer T. Lee, a 1936 graduate who would go on to become a Master Distiller and develop Blanton's, the 1st ever single barrel bourbon

-Marion Longmire, a 1929 graduate who invented and patented the power strip

-Glen Johnson, a 1954 graduate who was awarded the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal for his work in the field of human rights

-John Moynihan, a 1982 graduate and top bloodstock agent who recognized the talent of (and purchased) horses such as Charismatic, Curlin and Rachel Alexander

-Bob Custer, a 1917 graduate who moved to Hollywood and became a silent film cowboy star, appearing in over 50 films

-George C. Wolfe, a 1972 graduate and Tony award winning playwright

-Dudley Malone Watson, the 1936 graduate of Mayo-Underwood High School (which was in the same district and later merged with FHS) was a Tuskegee Airman and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Dear old FHS has been in the heart of Frankfort for 125 years and was recently named 12th on the US News and World Report rankings. It's long been the community school - where students living in the district are all within easy walking distance. Tradition has always been a big part of the Frankfort High culture. I remember our principal reading to us from a 1920s-era student newspaper regarding sportsmanship and school spirit. As students, we always felt a duty to uphold those traditions and enjoy them (like Senior Clap In on the first day of school and Senior Clap Out on the last day).

This year, a former teacher and her husband (an alum) are opening a "Traditions Center" where memorabilia of the past 125 years can mingle with afterschool tutoring programs for current students. News of this endeavor has been met with excitement and much reminiscing on the Center's Facebook page. I'm happy to be a small part of it, as it will be housed in my old house, just two doors away from the high school!

Yes, I can see my husband's point - it's a bit silly of me to get wrapped up in how my high school football team is doing when I have no children or even relatives in the school district, but at least I'm not still chanting all the cheers (out loud, anyway!).Once you're a part of that long blue line, you're always a part of it.

*Thanks to the Frankfort High Traditions Center's Facebook page for providing some of the trivia regarding alumni.