As the class went on, we started to talk to her, get to know her a bit, and she was a real sweetheart. She would often say things to Becky and I like “I just don’t know how you guys can do this. I just CANNOT get up there and give a speech.”

Well, she did. She did a good job too, although she hated it! Anyway, after this class was done, I never really saw her again. But once, I did hear that there was this girl named Adrienne, who worked at the Pier 1 store in Mankato, who met Billie Joe Armstrong up at First Ave, and was now dating him.

I just knew it had to be her! I gave a description of the Adrienne I thought it might be, and sure enough, it was her. Many years later, I was watching a VH1 episode of “Behind the Music,” and it was about Green Day.

I watched, and it told the band’s story, and toward the end told of how Billie Joe Armstrong met his wife, and there she was ... no dread locks or Doc Martens. Rather, the wife of a super star and a mother.

I knew for sure that Adrienne was my claim to fame. And, yes, I do tell people often that I had speech class with Billie Joe Armstrong’s wife.

— Staci Murphy

Piercing Pagoda sweetheart
If I remember right, Adrienne worked at the jewelry kiosk (Piercing Pagoda) in the River Hills Mall right outside the Disc Jockey Music store. Eric and I both worked at Disc Jockey for several years.

Although I didn’t really know Adrienne, I often stopped to check out the jewelry and exchanged occasional conversations with her. I always appreciated Adrienne’s sincerely sweet personality and her style. I vividly remember that all of my co-workers at Disc Jockey appreciated her personality and thought she was so nice.

Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to see any of the local Green Day performances. I heard about them from friends and co-workers, often thinking today it must have been a Mankato music scene urban legend.

— Krista Ahlers