"My dad went to high school with George Lucas. According to him, Lucas was a quiet guy and was always writing or drawing in a notebook he carried around. He doesn't blame the fact that Lucas doesn't really like Modesto. It's an awful place.

My sister was in high school musicals with Jeremy Renner. She never thought he'd be as famous as he is now, but she said he was one of the hardest working individuals she'd ever seen. Once again, this was in Modesto, and she doesn't blame Jeremy for hating our horrible city.

Unfortunately, the only marginally famous person I went to high school with was the lead singer of Deafheaven, George Clarke. You may know them from the album Sunbather, and the incredibly polarizing view they have among metal fans. I think George would not like my saying this, but he was heavily involved in musical theater at the time. It's strange hearing his screaming vocals and reminiscing about the fact that he was the lead role in *Bye Bye Birdie*. To his credit though, he played the most amazing villain in *Arsenic and Old Lace*. And, of course, he also hates Modesto."