My name is Anthony Payne, Ben Davis Class of 2001, and my wife is Stephani (Giveans) Payne, Class of 2003. While we both attended Ben Davis, our story actually began through church. That first connection eventually led to us starting to date in August of 1999, and from that point on, Ben Davis became the backdrop for some of the most meaningful years of our lives together.

Looking back now, Ben Davis feels like a different world in the best possible way. We spent those years figuring out who we were, not just individually, but as a couple. I still remember walking Stephani to class between bells, navigating crowded hallways, and finding any excuse to steal a few extra minutes together. Leaving campus for lunch together during my senior year felt like the ultimate freedom at the time. The school itself was changing too, going through a massive remodel that seemed to last forever, so the sounds of construction, rerouted hallways, and temporary classrooms are all forever tied to those memories.

Those were special years to be a Giant. The football teams were incredible, and the energy around the school on game nights was something you could feel everywhere. There was a deep sense of pride and community during that era, and being part of it left a lasting impression on both of us.

We were married in December of 2003, shortly after Stephani graduated, and what began as a high school relationship has now grown into more than 20 years of marriage. We’re incredibly proud parents to three amazing kids: Aubri (17), Cruz (13), and Landry (9). Watching them grow has a way of bringing those old Ben Davis memories rushing back and reminding us just how quickly time passes.

Today, we live in Lebanon, Indiana. I work for Lebanon School Corporation, where I eventually became the Operations Manager for the school transportation department. Stephani has owned and operated Stephani Payne Photography for the past 16 years, and her work has been featured in numerous magazines and publications over the years. Life looks very different now than it did in the late ’90s and early 2000s, but so much of what we’ve built started during those Ben Davis days.

Ben Davis will always be more than just a high school to us. It’s where our story truly took shape, where everyday moments quietly turned into lifelong memories, and where a young couple began a journey that’s still unfolding all these years later. We’re incredibly grateful for that time and for the role Ben Davis played in our love story.