CLASS OF 1978 - WALTER PANAS HIGH SCHOOL

Celebrating 30+ Years

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Fri 11/28/08: Turkey Bowl

Fri 11/28/08: Pre-Party

Sat 11/29/08: The Reunion

Sun 11/30/08: After-Party

Wha' Happened?

There and Back Again

The Last Thirty Years...

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Life doesn't imitate art, it imitates bad television. 
Woody Allen

 
Karen Boyle
Barney Molloy
Salutation
Eddie Sambrana and Robert Robles
Cheryl Gross, Kristie Hearle, Hubbies, Baby
Nina Abrevaya
Jimmy "Keegs" Keegan
Lisa Cozolino
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OK - I'll be brave here... (see how things change?)

It definitely doesn't feel like it's been 30 years - I still feel like I'm in my early 20's - ok, that's pushing it but, it could be because my daughter is 21 now and I just look at her in total awe. Although her dad and I split, she's the best thing that ever happened to me.

I pretty much stayed local most of the time - I tried Houston for a while since my parents moved down there back in '82. The natives didn't care much for "Yankees" so I came back home.

I've been with Pepsi since 1985. I never thought I'd stay 5 years let alone 23. Most of that time I was taking care of benefits, compensation, and stock options. Now I work for 3 ex-secret service guys who were hired after 9/11. One of which was Clinton's bodyguard and actually looks like him. You can imagine the stories I hear!! I have 6 more years (and counting!!!) until I can retire and move on to something else.

Can't wait to see everybody in November!!!


Lisa Donnelley
September 19, 2008


Lisa D. and baby Lindsay ("Lins")
Lindsay and Uncle Roy
 
 
Here is my little abreviated life story !!
 
For 28 of the last 30 years I have been married to my soul mate Randy !  Living here in Florida for 33 years now, how the times does fly !! 
We have 2 daughters, Amy who is 25, a pastry chef living in High point NC.  Erin who is 24, married to Chris, both chefs living in the Asheville NC area.
We enjoy visiting with them, but love our "empty nest" :)
 
After 8 years in the banking indusrty, then owning and running my own business for 8 years I am currently what I like to call "semi-retired".  Randy is a partner in a construction company and hopes to retire in another 5-7 years.  We are currently building our retirement home in North Florida in the Gainesville area. 
 
All in all, life is good!  Enjoying reconnecting with old friends and really looking forward to seeing everyone in November !

Cheryl Gross
October 1, 2008

Chris, Randy (back row); Erin, Cheryl & Amy August 2007
Cheryl & Randy December 2007
Randy, Amy, Cheryl, Erin: Erin's Wedding Day
 
 
Well, I have been married to my best friend (Fern) for the last 23 years. We have two kids, Bethany 17, and Justin is 12.
Fern is a teacher in Yorktown and we own an RV Service Center in Gardiner NY.
We have lived in Hyde Park, NY for the last 21 years.
We are avid RVers and travel as often as possible.  We are roller coaster addicts and NASCAR nuts as well.
Still can't believe that 30 years has gone by!
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion!

Rich Michel
October 28, 2008 
Len-Rich RV 
PO Box 242
Gardiner  N.Y. 12525
www.len-richrv.net

Bethany, Fern and Justin: Camping Trip, Tennessee
Justin: Martinsville
Bethany: NASCAR Race Park, Tennessee
 
 

How to sum up the last 30 years? 

It’s hard to believe this much time has gone by.

 

I’ve been married for the last 21 to my husband Ed and have two sons, Ari 18 and Daniel 12.  We’ve lived in Princeton, New Jersey for 19 years and love the area and our involvement in the community.

 

I’ve been working as an occupational therapist with children since I graduated from college in 1982.  I have spent many years developing programs and teaching in a variety of organizations in our community. 

My husband and I bought a local business a few years ago and I have found myself in the role of hiring and managing our employees. 

 

Life has had its share of ups and downs as I am sure it has for all of us.

Having the chance to work on this reunion has been one of the ups.  It’s been really wonderful finding old friends and classmates and corresponding with many of you.   I look forward to seeing you at the reunion and to staying in touch through this exceptional website.  Thank you to Richie and John and to everyone who has contributed; and to the technology for making it possible for us to click onto these amazing photos and memories.

Lori (Starkman) Simon
October 29, 2008

Daniel and Lori
Ed, Ari, and Lori
Ed and Lori
 
 
 
As I sit here reflecting what has happened over the past 30 years in my life I can't help but remember all the people from Elementary school through High School who influenced how I look at life and who helped prepare me for the great things this world has to offer. 

After High School I went to Albany State and graduated with a degree in Computer Science.   Having loved spring breaking in Ft. Lauderdale, upon graduation I packed my bags and moved to the Sunshine state (where I still am today)!  I found a job at American Express, which offered great growth opportunities.  I took full advantage and ended up with my Masters Degree and as Sr. VP of Technologies supporting Computer Ops Worldwide.
  
At 27 I married my first husband and had three wonderful children with him.  I am now married to my second husband (Pat) who rocks my world!  In 2004 I got burnt out with corporate America (too much travel & headaches!) so my husband & I started a Marine Construction business and we have been going strong ever since.  (anyone need a dock??)  I wish I had become an entrepreneur right out of college but you live and you learn!!  Our passions are our children, family, friends and travel.  
 
I have a stepson Dustin (22) who works for our company, a daughter Kaitlyn (20) attending Western Carolina University, a son Robert (19) attending Palm Beach College and my youngest Eric (17) in his Sr. year of high school. 

I am really looking forward to partying with all of you and rocking to all the tunes from our high school years.  Bring it on!

Donna (Duchene) Isham
November 4, 2008


Donna & brother Howard
Cruise 2008: Donna, son Eric, daughter Kaitlyn, son Robert
Donna & husband Pat September 2008
 
 
My husband Bill and I moved to Redmond, Washington in 1995.  Our son Shane is 14 years old, and our daughter Andrea is 10.  I am truly blessed with a wonderful family. 

We love living in the Northwest.  Before we left New York, I worked as an illustrator for a package/advertising design studio in White Plains for about ten years.  I stopped working to raise our two children, and now I am painting again - mostly watercolors and acrylics.  I just launched my website:  
www.susanderrick.com. 

I am sorry to miss our reunion.  I've enjoyed looking at all the now and then photos - a great trip down memory lane.

My warmest wishes to all.  Thank you!  Have a great time at the reunion. 

Susan (Olson) Derrick
November 17, 2008


Susan and husband Bill: Disneyworld 2005
Sue, Shane and Andrea
 
 

After working in Manhattan for two years I decided to move West and settled into Southern California.  I joined a company called the Capital Group, which is the parent company for a mutual fund family called The American Funds.  I've been with them for 23 years. 

The best part of my decision to move west was that I met the woman of my dreams, Anita.  It was love at first site, at least for me, she needed a bit of persuasion.  We have been married for twenty years and have two terrific children, Madelyn is 14 and is into fashion design and movie making.  Olivia is 12 and is a super soccer player and protector of all living creatures, especially turtles. 

My career took us to Geneva, Switzerland for two years where the travel bug bit us.  We thoroughly enjoy our family time traveling, skiing, and watching movies.  With the exception of our time in Europe we have lived in Virginia Beach since 1992 .  Keep us in mind if you ever head this way.

Andy Ward
November 18, 2008


Andy, Olivia, Anita and Madelyn: Great Pyramids, Egypt
Andy, Madelyn, and Olivia: Arches National Park, UT
Andy and Anita: Papa Bears, Peekskill...just kidding
 
 
Wow.. my daughter and I were sitting around this afternoon and we started talking about my days back in high school when she decided to see if there was a Walter Panas Class of 1978 website.  We were pleased to find this site...and on the day of the 30th reunion!  
 
Hope all is well with you.  I have been quite busy over the past 30 years to say the least.  I married Greg Edwards (Class of 1976) in 1982.  We moved from Peekskill to Wappingers Falls in 1985.  In 1986 our daughter Kari Anne was born.   In 1990 we moved to Easley, SC and in 2004 we moved to Lake Lure, NC and have spent the last 2 years in Rutherfordton, NC.     We come back to visit NY from time to time,  but over the years many of our family members have moved out of the area.
 
It was fun going through the class website and brought back a lot of memories.   I hope all have enjoyed the reunion and I look forward to visiting the website from time to time to keep up with classmates and events over the next 30 years!
 
Happy Holidays!
 
Annette (Presutti) Edwards
November 29, 2008
Annette.Edwards@Qwest.com

Annette and daughter Kari
 
 
 
Next?
Class...? Class...? Class...?
Bueller....? Bueller....? Bueller....?
Anyone....? Anyone....? Anyone...?

 
 
 
 
 
The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.
Mark Twain

 
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