About this website...how we got here.
This website, McK79ers.org, was born from an idea that a McKinley '79 class member had been tossing around for several months, perhaps even a year. This class member had seen high school classes with sites on the internet from time to time. These sites seemed like they served a good purpose. Why not a website for the McKinley Class of 1979 -- a website that could be appropriate for our culture, traditions, and character and also go further and celebrate the South Baton Rouge Community. This person even had what they thought was a good name -- "McK79ers.org." Still, he realized this wasn't just about him and his idea -- he needed input and opinions from other people as well. In early June of 2008 this class member discussed the idea with another classmate. She thought it was an excellent idea -- she liked the concept. She encouraged him to "go for it" and to continue to discuss it with other class members as soon as possible.
He then decided to meet with yet another class member that was a successful business owner to see how the idea sounded to someone with a keen business eye. After assessing and evaluating the website concept from all sides, this other person also thought it was an excellent idea and could find no legitimate reason why a class and community-oriented website should not work. The two of them agreed that not only was it a good idea, but it also was a good time to pursue it. After so much favorable feedback from two different classmates, this person got busy. Very busy!
In only three days later, this person had researched, developed, registered, completely written, paid for, and launched the initial version of the website on line! It was June 6, 2008 -- McK79ers.org was born! The site was basic at first, but quickly grew and evolved. Over the years, newer and more professional versions of the site have been developed. Over time the site has incorporated ideas, concepts, and suggestions from various class members and is now the prime source for information and contacts between not only class members, but access to information about the community, 79er families, 79er businesses, presidential politics, the New Orleans Saints, South Side Trivia Game (a history lesson on the great South Baton Rouge), health and fitness information, and much more.
In early June of 2008, who could have known that when Craig Dunbar first bounced his idea off of Roslyn LaCour and later scrutinized it with Clyde Trim that it would materialize into a wonderful centerpiece of the success of the Class of '79. Indeed, McK79ers.org has become vital to the lifeblood of the McKinley Class of 1979. It has allowed us to communicate, maintain connections, promote and publicize class activities, track down lost classmates, pay homage to fallen classmates and extended family, be entertained, informed and most of all serve as a constant reminder of our great South Baton Rouge heritage. It also appears to have become a model to other similar websites. Look around the internet and you will see other class websites that suddenly are looking suspiciously like ours! Are other folks copying us? Who knows. If so, we are flattered. What we do know for a fact is that mck79ers.org is now one of the most visited websites of its type (school graduating classes) on the entire internet according to ALEXA web data and godaddy.com.
This wonderful website is actually created as a gift to the McKinley Senior High Class of 79. Since its inception in June of 2008, all costs, including web hosting fees and expenses, registration fees, operational and labor costs, etc., related to this website have been completely paid for (and continue to be paid) by Class President Craig Dunbar as his personal gift to the Class of 1979. He does this freely, quietly, and without any self-promotion or boasting. This is an example of the spirit of giving and sharing that makes the 79ers great. It is proof that "79 is doin' just fine!"
It is said that the first step of any journey is actually never made with the feet. It is instead made with an idea. The journey that was started by the idea for this website has brought the 79ers to what presently is a great place. The journey continues....moving mightily towards even greater things. 79ers, this is YOUR website. Please make good use of it. To contribute any items or content to this website simply send it to the webmaster. She is at webmaster@mck79ers.org . You can also submit material to suggestions@mck79ers.org or post@mck79ers.org
Mck79ers.org