It was at Baker High, a school that no longer exists in an auditorium that was taken down by a wrecking ball.
She was Vicki Morales, a self-professed Army brat who could sing, dance and play the piano. Her father, Mario, played trumpet in the Fort Benning band and her mother, Ruby, sold real estate. Together, they had dreams.
Those dreams ended Saturday.
That little girl from the southside of Columbus died in New York City. Her stage name was Victoria Mallory. Her married name was Victoria Lambert. But back home, she was always Vicki Morales.
Her death came 25 days after her mother's unexpected death and 19 days after the feisty redhead was laid to rest at the Main Post Cemetery.
They would have been proud to read Vicki's final reviews. She was praised on websites devoted to Broadway and on ones that cover soap operas.
She was a working actress most of her adult life. She won nine Tony Awards, was an Emmy nominee and at the age of 64 she was remembered by her peers.
Friends also remember.
Betty Auten was musical director of "The Fantasticks" in 1963. Parts were cast, Except for one. Charles Jones, the director of the Columbus Little Theater, asked Bryan Grant, who taught French and directed the chorus at Baker High, if he knew someone who might sing that important role.
"Indeed he did. He sent 13-year-old Vicki and we were speechless," said Auten, a friend of more than 50 years.
Raymond Campbell taught her English at Baker and was in that play at the Columbus Museum.
"She was extremely talented even then," says Campbell, a veteran of the Springer theater stage. "She had a gorgeous voice with a special timber. I remember us celebrating her 14th birthday during the play."
Vicki and her singing partner, Kurt Peterson, came home to the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts last year to present a show they intended to take on the road.
Health interfered. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July and chose not to undergo typical treatments.
Friends in New York remember her for her work in Stephen Sondheim musicals and TV viewers remember her six years on "The Young and the Restless," a long-running soap opera on CBS.
Memories here go deeper.
"She was a special person," Campbell says. "She never thought she was more talented than anyone else."
Broadway diva Betty Buckley would disagree.
"When I saw her in 'Little Night Music,' hearing her and seeing her sing changed my life. I had never seen anyone sing with such effortless ease and grace. … I loved Vicki so very much. She was an angel person."
-- Richard Hyatt is an independent correspondent. Reach him at hyatt319067@knology.net.
Carolyn Turley (Marsh) (1966)
My thoughts and prayers to Vicky's family. She was so sweet and full of talent.
Marlene Carr (Lantzer) (1975)
Sending my sincere condolences to the families, friends and classamtes. Victoria will defintiely be missed. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Marlene
Sharon Claudette Morris (Sellers-Smith) (1966)
Vicki and I shared homeroom together for four years. She sat in front of me and we would chat every morning. I'll never forget the secret she shared about how she got her hair up in that beautiful bun. She always had a smile and was a model to us all how dedication and commitment are so important for reaching any of our personal goals.
I, too, watched her on tv and marveled at her talents and felt so privileged to know her, "a star", and my homeroom buddy.
Thoughts and prayers for her family.
Emily Louise Harwell (Hutchens) (1966)
I remember Vicki well from our years together at Baker. I even worked on some of her costumes with Mrs. Griner for her plays at Baker. She was always so very friendly and nice to everyone, a real professional even then. I am not surprised at all by the success she had in her career, her talent was evident even in high school. Norma Giles Mixon and I saw her at the Rivercenter in Columbus just last year. It was marvelous to just watch her performance. My sincere sympaties to her family and friends.
Steve Thomas (1967)
Although I did not know Victoria, nor ever saw her on stage, I do remember her bouncy, energetic walk in the Baker halls. It was like she was on her own mission. I guess she was.I am sure that those who knew her well feel like they lost a treasure.
Nancy Woodall (Guess) (1966)
I was friends with Vicki from Faith School, at least 6th grade. I always cherished our friendship, she was a great person. I was saddened to hear of her passing.
Suzanne Marie McNally (1966)
I haven't been on the site in quite awhile and missed the notification of Vicki's death. Living in Va 25 out of the last 30 yrs I always hoped we would see each other or I would catch one of her plays. As we know, life doesn't always work out like we plan. I am in shock - the last time we saw each other we had both just lost our fathers within 3 days of each other only to find they were buried next to each other at Bennington. I will miss her smiling face, friendship and incredible talant, along with the many good times she, Nan and I had together. The world has lost an angelic soul. My prayers are with her family.
Russell Mildner (1966)
Sad to loose another Lion, she is missed. Prayers to the family.
Roger Delffs (1966)
Some things are certain. One certainty we all understood; Victoria would be a star. Like a snow flake she was unique in a wonderful way. Bright, talented. friendly, and a natural talent. We marveled at her inate musical ability and thespian skills. As the final curtain desends, I wish her family joy and peace.
John J Klish (1966)
I absolutely adored and admired Vicki at Baker High. She was the genuine article...thought of others over herself, so beautiful but not taken with herself, and she had the most perfect posture. She caused me to sit up straight where my Mom could not.
Rest in Peace, sweet angel.