A familiar ring

A social media post plus a little sleuthing has resulted in a former West Orange Warrior getting back the class ring he lost shortly after graduating 24 years ago.

Brian Sibley, now living in Oklahoma, received a Facebook message last week saying someone was trying to find him to return his class ring.

The finder had posted information about the ring, another person shared it, and still another person was tagged.

A classmate contacted Jennifer Harvey, a Winter Garden resident who graduated from WOHS with Sibley but had not spoken to him since high school.

“I messaged Brian (on Facebook) to see if I could put them in touch with each other because I thought it was a cool thing!” Harvey said. “I think it is great that he is getting his ring back! … Pretty cool stuff.”

A HIDDEN GEM

Mark Clark, of Ocoee, was sorting through jewelry belonging to his mother, Dorothy Clark, following her death March 2 when he came across the WOHS class ring.

“We aren't sure how or where she found the ring, but she did work for U.S. Rentals in Winter Garden,” said Starlyne Clark, Mark’s wife. “Mark seems to remember her saying that she found it there. I don't know if it was in a storage unit that she was checking or just on the property there.”

The ring contained a few hints as to its owner — the name Brian on one side and the Pisces zodiac sign on the other. Inside were the initials BMS.

Starlyne Clark searched on the Internet to locate a 1993 West Orange yearbook. When she found it, she discovered one person matched the initials and first name: Brian Sibley.

She posted a message on Facebook and also sent a private message to a Brian Sibley in hopes that it was him.

Meanwhile, other WOHS Class of 1993 graduates who saw the post were reaching out to him, as well.

REUNITING

Sibley was an active student at West Orange, participating in Student Council, Interact Club and JROTC. Currently a general manager for Papa John’s in Tulsa, he also worked for a decade as an electrician in Washington, D.C., and was a chef for a small restaurant for eight years in Naples.

He said he recalls his class ring getting misplaced when his family moved after high school.

It holds great sentimental attachment because his grandfather bought it as a graduation gift for Sibley.

“(I’m) definitely looking forward to getting it back since it would be the only thing I have from my grandfather,” he said.

The Clarks have mailed the ring to its owner.

“In talking with Brian, through Facebook, we found out that his birthday was on March 2, and that was the day Mom Clark passed away,” Starlyne Clark said. “Those coincidences just don't happen. Being able to find him and return the ring has brought us joy during our grief. I know Mom Clark would've wanted him to have the ring back, and I'm so glad we could do that.”

As Sibley wrote in a message to Harvey, “Awesomeness happens everywhere every day.”

Contact Amy Quesinberry at [email protected].