Southwestern Academy

ALLISON JAHNKE (2005) writes: I have finished my first semester at Pasadena City College. I passed all my classes with “A’s” and “B”, which is really good. I have already entered the Education Department at PCC and have decided to go in to their blending teaching program. I'm not going to be taking any classes for the winter semester. For the Spring semester I'm going to be taking English 100 Math 402 Education 30. Along with going to PCC full time I'm also working 20-30 hours a week at Equinox Health Club in the Paseo.

From BENNY FRASIER (2005): I wanted to take this opportunity to update you a little on what's going on with me and where I am. I will be spending the next 4 years of my college career at Texas A&M University in College Station as the Proudest Member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Class of ’09! AAAAAAAAAAAAAA (you have to throw your arms up in the air as you yell it)! I originally came to the University anticipating to major in Biomedical studies, but since I joined I have changed my direction entirely to majoring in Political Science with a minor in Business. My hope is to continue my education after receiving my bachelors by attending the University of Texas Law School. I am active in many different clubs and organizations including LEAGALS, Hospitality, and many other diversity oriented programs. I am having a great year so far, and I wish yall an even better year at Southwestern.

THOMAS MAIMONE (2005) dropped us a line: I am proud to report that everything is going great. My first semester at Chapman has been very positive with dorm life and academics. I have a great roommate, and the dorm life is as fun as I imagined, but not to the extent of Hollywood’s perception (which is probably a good thing). My grades, of course remain strong, in despite of some professors I had to work with. I have to admit, however, that my professors
were a disappointment. Compared to some of PCC’s professors, the professors at Chapman seem to be unorganized, not direct with class expectations and just uninteresting. I am certain that these few sour apples do not represent Chapman’s entire staff qualities and next semester will offer a different outlook. But, overall Chapman is serving me well and I am very proud to be student of this university.

Furthermore, I am happy to say that my goal of becoming a Sheriff reserve is underway. I am in the recruiting process at this moment; with background investigation and future attendance at the police academy in September. I am very excited to start training and hope to become an actual Sheriff
Deputy by spring of next year.

From JEKABS SLIEDE (2004), from Latvia: I am going to USC now. After Southwestern, I spent one semester back home at Stockholm School of Economics in Riga. Then, in January 2005, I finally came to USC. I like this school. My classes are going well—last semester my GPA was 3.85. However, this semester my classes are a bit harder. Also, I am throwing hammer here, which is a new sport for me, and, therefore, quite a challenge. Please say hi to everyone from me. You can email me at: sliede@usc.edu.

JEAN-EZRA YEUNG (2004) writes: It’s been a few year since I left Southwestern. I'm currently at New York University. Last year, I was at Whittier College, where I had a scholarship and played soccer for them. I gave those both up to transfer to New York University, because I wanted a change and I also thought NYU would prepare me better for my future. At Whittier College, I was going to major in Psychology, but by the end of the year I decided to major in Philosophy. Now that I'm in New York, I've decided to major in Philosophy and Economics. I hope these majors will keep my career options open, as I could become a lawyer, businessman or professor. Anyways, I really miss Southwestern sports and the coaches, that is basketball, soccer and volleyball. I also miss all the teachers who taught me and my dorm fathers. So, I wanted to shout out to all of them. Hopefully, I'll be able to visit and see all of you. If anyone has any questions about my life or the university I'm going to, just anything, just email me at jey223@nyu.edu.

EVA KLEINOVA (2003) of Margecany, Slovakia, and an Honor Graduate, writes: I just came back from the ISC (International Student Club), where I do some volunteering work and I couldn't help writing you. As I was organizing (or
rather throwing out) old college prospecti today, I came across the thin colorful SWA catalogue. I didn't understand why it was there, as it is quite irrelevant to university students, but it felt really good anyway.

I hope you and the rest of the school are doing fine. I checked your website to see what's going on, and it looks like not much has changed. It is still the same SWA family. Although it felt really good to see some familiar names there (of both students and teachers)

I am fine. Quite busy now but I like it. I started working in AIESEC, which is an international organization run by students. We try to organize work exchanges with other countries for students. Soon after I joined them, there was a national weekend conference taking place somewhere in the north of the Czech Rep so I went there. 4 days after I came back, I left for Wroclaw, Poland, where another conference was taking place. It was a 9 days event aimed at promoting intercultural understanding and (most importantly) funded by the EU. There were mostly students from Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Greece. It was really worth it. There were workshops every day and we also got to see the city. I really loved it - just like I love Krakow and all the other historical cities. Actually, I think I fell in love with Poland.

Please give my best regards to the SWA family. Eva can be reached at eva84sk@yahoo.co.uk.

RENEE KEITH (2003) Renee graduated May 2007 from the University of Puget Sound with a BA earned in Business, with a minor in Chemistry. She sent her graduation announcement and a picture of herself among springtime tulips at UPS, but no news on her upcoming plans. Write her and ask: 1411 Montecito Drive, Los Angeles, California 90031.

ESTHER CHO (2003) Esther graduates with high honors from Occidental College in June 2007 with a double major of Economics and Diplomacy/World Affairs. Southwestern's student body president and outstanding student in 2002-2003 continued superb academics, earning a Phi Beta Kappa key at graduation, particularly rare at Oxy. She has several job offers in the Los Angeles area to consider before heading to grad school in a couple of years. Her email address is youngyeecho@gmail.com.

EVA KLEINOVA (2003) reports: I'm in my third year at university now, so I'm in the middle of my studies. I'm doing fine. I spent summer holidays in Brno and worked but I managed to do some hiking in the Czech and Slovak mountains, too. I also went to a spa in Slovakia for three weeks. I am spending Christmas with my sister and her family in London. I'm leaving in the afternoon—well, I hope I'm leaving. A number of flights to London have been canceled because of fog (like if there is no fog another time :-) ) so I hope I will not have to spend Christmas at the airport or in an empty flat. I am considering Work & Travel USA for the summer. And if I do and I will travel through the west coast I might just stop by and say hello.

PAUL MCINTOSH (2003) writes: I wanted to give you a few updates I thought you would enjoy. It's been almost 4 years now and I am going to receive my Bachelor of Science in Economics from Texas Christian University (TCU).
I am planning to continue my education in graduate school when I am finished. Everything is looking up. I wanted to say thank you for everything while I was a student at SWA. While I did not always agree with every situation we encountered, I do admit that I learned something new everyday. My education from your classes and Southwestern left me more than prepared to face the challenges of college and the world.

ALEKSANDER SEDZIELARDZ (2002) has some news: Just had a look at the alumni news page and figured I would send an email filling you in on what I have been up to. I am currently in Taiwan studying Chinese language and literature at National Chengchi University on an abroad program through Occidental College, where I am a junior. This summer I will be conducting a research project with a partner in Mexico City and on the U.S.-Mexico border. Our project will focus on contemporary women's art as means for political activism. I would like to hear from my Southwestern classmates if they are currently in either of these places. You may contact him at asedzie@yahoo.com.

TARA MITTAL (2001) Student Body President and graduate that year, received a bachelor of business administration with an international business minor from Loyola Marymount University at LMU’s commencement May 7, 2005. Tara is choosing between two major international travel companies to begin work while continuing studying toward a MBA degree.

MARIANA PRATA (2000) Brazilian Mariana discovered she was eligible to receive an MA in biology at Harvard, so she applied for and received one. Now she is working on her Ph.D. and enjoying Harvard life. Mariana hopes to get a few class members together for a “poetry night” sometime in the near future, remembering those days with Alan Pierpoint at Southwestern. She did not send an address—Mariana, please do.

SYLVIA BANDERAS (2000) After graduating from Columbia, Sylvia has stayed as a Manhattan career woman, working with several fashion magazines. She was awarded a fellowship to Stanford in summer 2007, sponsored by the Magazine Publishers of America. Sylvia says she missed academia and is looking forward to some time on campus at Stanford.

DRENUSHA KUSARI (2000) is visiting her home town in Kosova for the first time since she fled the war there to attend Southwestern. Drenusha finds general conditions better, but “still no stable government, and as a result no international investment is coming to help businesses here.” Drenusha will be on an exchange from her Occidental College to South Africa, then to the United Nations.

MAX SUBBOTIN (1999) has but six units to finish before graduation from UBC in Vancouver, British Columbia, where his family moved from Ukraine after Max left Southwestern. He writes that he “can't wait 'till I get back to California—please tell ‘HI’ to everybody who knows me and even those who don’t. When you get a minute, let me know about your life: m_subbotin@hotmail.com.”

IRMA AGGUIRE (1998) earned her degree and credentials as a nurse in 2005, and is living in Bellevue, Nebraska, on the banks of the Missouri River south of Omaha. Irma writes that she has "three wonderful children - two boys and a little girl. I am going home to Guatemala for a visit this month. I haven't been there for eight years, so I am very excited."

JENNIFER NOSS (1998) sent us an update: Just writing to let you know I have changed addresses: jennifermnoss@hotmail.com. I do not live in Clarkdale anymore. I am currently living in Cottonwood, AZ (10 minutes from Clarkdale). I still work for Verde Valley Newspapers in the Advertising/ Data Entry Dept. and have been there about 3 years. I would be very interested in hearing from students from the Beaver Creek Campus that attended between 1994-1998 and have received interest from others in those classes for a reunion of sorts. I would love to do it. I just need people to contact me to get the ball rolling. Call me anytime!

OSIE SURIANINGRAT (1998) is studying at Bond University on the Gold Coast of Australia, in business and marketing. She’s pleased with recent news of better business and political conditions in her home country of Indonesia.

ZAVEN YEKIAZARIAN (1998) joined his parents and sisters in Shanghai this summer, and on a tour with them in Armenia and Russia. Zaven returns for his last year at the University of Arizona after some sailing with his Navy ROTC group out of San Diego.

DIANE BOLTON (1998) opened her own marketing firm, Platinum Marketing, near her Portland home, and it's thriving. She visited campus last month, asking friends to email her: pm3marketing@aol.com.

WIEBKE BREUSTEDT (1998) is in Melbourne, Australia, on an internship this summer, returning to her home in Germany “all too soon. I really love the Australians!” Wiebke writes.

ALEX de BONREPOS (1997) is looking for his classmates. After leaving Southwestern, Alex was living on the island of Malta. He enrolled at Santa Monica College, but was scouted by a modeling agency while working at Abercrombie & Fitch. He spent time in Milan, doing runway shows for Calvin Klein, D&G, and many other clothing companies, then continued modeling in Paris. He's back in California now, studying in the IGETC program, with plans to become an investment banker.

HERNANI STIAWATI (1996) was a student of Southwestern Academy for School year 1995-1996. Since she graduated from Southwestern Academy, she has earned her Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California . Hernani currently lives in Indonesia .

TOFIQ “PAPPU” KAHN (1996) from Bangladesh is assistant professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Clemson University in South Carolina. Pappu earned his Ph.D. on a path from Occidental to Caltech to USC, and joined Clemson's faculty a year ago. He's excited to have bought a home of his own, too—the house is about 1450 square feet with three bedrooms and both front and back yard, about five miles from Clemson. Please give my sincere regards and warm greetings to the faculty and everyone else. We are very grateful to have such great friends at Southwestern! Please come visit us any time. His new address is: 506 Willow Branch Lane, Seneca, SC 29672; or email kahn@clemson.edu.

JAMES FAY (1995) is in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, where he's "working on a plan to get filthy rich. Lots of wonderful and amazing things. I'm happily divorced and I have two beautiful kids and a beautiful girlfriend ... Steve de la Luz moved from California to New Mexico to live with me. I'm trying to find Keisuke Shima, Misaki Inoe, Poin Hou, Marc Bunel - get them to email me at crabbycancer1977@yahoo.com please."

JOSHUA KONRAD (1995) earned his bachelor's at the University of Mississippi in history and sociology, then an MS in Education from National University and a multiple subject teaching credential through Cal State. He is studying public policy towards another master's at San Francisco state. Josh works at Oakland Unified School District as a teacher training teachers. He's living in Alameda; his email is jskonrad28@yahoo.com.

MILAN STRAKA (1995) writes: I occassionally visit the SWA webpage and try to see what's new—the new design is very nice! You can take a look at some of my photos—for folks who only take pictures for the fun of it rather than for money—at http://public.fotki.com/McMailen/. Since April 2006, I have been working for Ernst & Young Slovakia as a translator/interpreter. Do I like it? I suppose I do. Can't complain, although things could always be better. I have recently made it through more than 13 months of screening and exams to be listed on the European Union's reserve list of assistant translators. So at the moment, whenever I get a new e-mail I am hoping it is a job offer from Brussels or Luxembourg. Unfortunately, no luck so far. :-) No marriage, yet, although I finally proposed in late August after nearly 8 years of relationship. Our tentative plans say the wedding could take place in the fall of 2007. Please give my regards to everyone at SWA and have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

MILAN STRAKA (1995) graduated with honors with a master’s of arts at Bratislava University in Slovakia. He is completing his required military service as a librarian for the Slovakian army. Milan headed the search for Southwestern's 13th “Arrow Scholar” from the Czech and Slovakian Republics, and Eva Kleinova will enter our class of 2004. Milan happened to be visiting the San Marino Campus on September 11th, 2001, a difficult day for all the world.

WEDDING IN INDONESIA—on September 14th and 15th, 2002, LIA SURIANINGRAT (1994) married Nara Suryadarma in Jakarta. The wedding was attended by 2,000 people, including Southwestern alumni Hendy Agusta, Junita Astrini, Herlina Dole Sandra Djohan and Gariand Djemat. Lou Pulgencio, Charles Craig and Lynn Yekiazarian traveled half-way across the world to witness the event (see picture below).

CHRISTIAN HOPKINS (1994) is an infantry sergeant in the U.S. Army stationed at Ft. Hood. He’s been in the Army for seven years and has completed tours of duty in Kuwait and Bosnia. Christian is married to Kellie and has a beautiful daughter named Shannon.

JENNIFER TSENG (1994) After earning a degree in theater at CSUN, Jennifer opened “Artistic Playground” in West Los Angeles—now celebrating her tenth anniversary of teaching dance and theater to children and teens. She’s also done commercials for Honday, T. J. Maxx, KFC, AT&T, and others, and toured in shows at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Disneyland, in the King and I, and The Whiz. Jennifer's work can be seen—and she can be written at www.artisticplayground.com.

VANESSA STORER (1994) writes: Hi there! Just wanted to update you all on what i've been up to. I attended BCRC in 1993 and 1994 . I just received my associates degree in Arts and one in Science. i am currently attending ASU and I am engaged to a wonderful man by the name of Steven Harmeyer. We don't have a date just yet, but we do have our first little one on the way! I am 3 1/2 months pregnant currently. We live down in Tempe, AZ, and plan on moving to Scottsdale or North Phoneix soon. I also DJ at various valley nightclubs under the moniker DJ Ness. That is how I met my fiancee, who is also a local DJ. I also work at a local health food store Gentle Strenght Cooperative in Tempe (www.gentlestrength.com).

FRANK CUTRONE (who works with his dad at their silk-screening company), MARK HAMILTON running his coffee shop at the Von's center in Pasadena at California and Pasadena Blvds near Old Town), NICK GLENN (writing what Paco calls “surprising good movie scripts”), and RYAN WELLS (who moved to New Orleans recently to experiment with the Creole lifestyle), but would like to hear from others of the great class of ’94.

PATRICK RUSSELL (1993) writes: I relocated from Pasadena, California to Plano, Texas in July 2001. In the three and a half years since my move, I have been working at Insight for Living, the Bible teaching radio ministry of Chuck Swindoll in the IT department as a Customer Service and Network Operations Specialist. When I'm not working, I play lead guitar for a regionally successful band called Next 6 Exits. On Labor Day Weekend, 2004, I got married to the love of my life, Raquel. We now live in the growing community of Frisco, which neighbors Plano and are enjoying married life. We have a web site where you can keep in touch with our lives and view pictures from our wedding and honeymoon trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It was a lovely time. Check the site out at www.patrickandraquel.com. I hope everyone is well. Feel free to drop a note to say hi, patrick@patrickandraquel.com.

KEIICHI AOYAMA (1993) writes: It has been more than ten years since I graduated. I missed everybody from Southwestern so much and couldn’t help from writing you! And, I am very sorry not to have contacted you at all. The wonderful time in Southwester still lives in my memories. Well, I should talk about what I am doing right now. After coming back to Japan, I started Ballroom dance. And surprisingly, I could pass a test to become a professional dancer and have been teaching Ballroom dance in Tokyo. I am writing from my dance school since I do not have a computer. Well I need to go back to work. If there are anybody who know about me, please do not hesitate to contact me: ishiharadance@ybb.ne.jp.

TOM HUSTON (1993) sent us an update—nowadays he’s working as a translator/interpreter and marketing specialist for Capcom Entertainment. He spends a lot of time bouncing back and forth between Japan, the U.S., and Europe. Tom is currently in the U.K. working on a new video game; spending lots of time with his beautiful wife and 18 month year old son, Nicolas. He would love to hear from someone from class of ’93: hustonthomas@hotmail.com.

SANDRA DJOHAN (1992) got married 2002, and has her own business in the hotels industry and as a product branding specialist. She’s doing extremely well and would like to hear more news from alumni. Email: innovation@liquidindonesia.com.

KOSUKE HONDA (1990) is a computer network engineer for ToysRUS in Tokyo, “passing very busy days.” Kosuke is married and has two kids.

THOMAS HUSTON (1988) writes from Mussoorie, “a little town at the foothills of the Indian Himalayas—very nice here—having finished my time teaching in Japan. I’m sitting for the US Foreign Service Exams in New Delhi next month, so I am busy re-reading Mr. Veronda’s American History class notes and dissecting the Constitution line by line.”

PAUL GONZALES (1986) is director of the Farmington Boys and Girls Club in New Mexico. He sends his "Reader's Digest version of life after Southwestern. I went to CSU Kern, and on graduation entered the U.S. Marines to participate in various global events for five years. By then I was married to my beautiful wife Jen, and a proud Papa of my first son, Austin. I started working for Sears Roebuck fresh out of the service, and stayed there until 2006 when I moved to New Mexico. I love the work here! We have three children - Austin, now 13, Alex, 11, and Gabriella, age 2." Paul's email is: paulg@bgcfarmington.org.

RAMI TARIQ AL-SHEDI (1985) has been a banker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, "for a long time, fourteen years now, but I am moving to telecom and starting my own trucking business soon. The education I received at southwestern helped me a lot in achieving my goals in life. I have three girls and one boy who arrived last month." About other Southwestern alumni in Riyadh, Rami writes that "KHALID AL-ATHEL (1984) is enjoying his life and working with the government, AMIR KHAFAJI (1985) earned his Master's degree and is in business, and my brother BANDAR AL-SHEDI (1988) earned his Master's also".

JEANETTE RICHEY(1983) - Jeanette earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English at San Jose State University after leaving Southwestern. She currently lives in Santa Cruz and welcomed twins into her family just a little over a year ago. She can be contacted at smichey@sbcglobal.net.

KEITH JUDKINS (1982) wrote us recently: Its been a few years since I contacted the Alumni. I retired from the United States Air Force in March 2006 after serving 20 years and have settled in North Charleston South Carolina. I continue to work for the Air Force in the Civil Service as a Supply Technician. I look forward to hearing from others of the Class of 1982 Rimrock campus. Take care, I hope to get back to an Alumni week soon.

MASASHI TSURUTA (1982) is working with Ogilvy & Mather Japan, a major advertising firm in Tokyo, as an account director. He’d welcome notes from his Southwestern friends: 6-18-21-502 Shadujiidai, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 177-0045.

JOHNNY SHAW (1980) currently resides in the state of Kansas; served in the military after High School at Ft Hood, TX. Met and married a Kansas girl. Moved to Kansas 1986 and stayed. Four kids later and 17 years in law enforcement Johnny finished college in Kansas and is currently serving as a Sergeant and instructor in DARE and Street Survival/Self Defense. David Mayer and him are still very close and see each other often (some things never change). Johnny would love to get some of ’79 and ’80 people together as it’s coming up on 25 years...contact him at shawj@clearwaterks.org.

MARK STEVENSON lives near Tyler, Texas, where he has a healthcare career as an administrator. He earned his bachelor's from the University of Phoenix, and a MBA at Ashford University. Married twice, Mark has four children. He'd like to locate Andy Fischer. Mark's email is mts8559@hotmail.com.

HOSSEIN RAZAVI TAHVILDARI (1979) visited the Ranch Campus with his wife to check out his old place. He’s a real estate loan consultant with Granite Financial Corp. in Cupertino, California.

MEG WHEELER (1979) contacted us recently, looking for some alumni from her time at the school. If that’s you, let her know what you're up to—she can be reached at 88 El Nido #9, Pasadena, CA 91107 or at megv@margecarson.com.

BILL STURGEON (1978) stopped by the Beaver Creek Campus with his border collie Boo on his way to Bullhead City. Bill is a general contractor in Mammoth Lakes, California, doing kitchen and bath remodels. Bill is still unmarried and would be a handsome catch for a skiier.

TIM ASHCRAFT (1974-1977), is an electrical contractor in Ventura County, married with 2 stepsons and trying for a girl. His wife, Debbie, is an executive with Verizon. He hopes to get in touch with some of his schoolmates, so if anyone would like to contact Tim, they can do so by e-mailing bullclancy@aol.com.

RONALD HASLER (1975) traces his life from his Southwestern years: I graduated from Cal-State LA in 1982 with a BA in Art, apprenticed in a few small boutique design studios, then became a climbing bum for a couple of years living on a shoestring in Mammoth Lakes and Tuolumne Meadows. Fun times. From 1985-1993 I was rooming with those scoundrels Kyle Curran (1977) and John Johnson (1979) in Mount Washington, working as a freelance graphic artist for the Art Center Design Office and Toyota. My parents moved South to Oceanside from Monterey Park in 1988, my Dad passing away only two years later. After his passing a colleague recommended me for a permanent design position at Walt Disney Home Video, and I moved into a wonderful Arts & Crafts bungalow in Highland Park. I started collecting Mission furniture and art pottery and going to a lot of swap meets with my good friend, fellow designer and landlady, Charlotte Simpson.

I left Disney in 1998 because of job dissatisfaction and hung out my freelance shingle again where it remains to this day. Ironically my biggest client for the first two years was my former employer!

In April of 2001 I met the woman who was eventually going to be my wife, Vikki Meadows. We were married last year. Our one-year wedding anniversary was yesterday, May 7th. We live in Pasadena now, however, change is in the wind. My wife and I are moving to Seattle this summer to take advantage of a career opportunity offered to her.... besides, we like the rain, we really do :- )

TITO DELGADO (1971) from Ecuador is now living in California. He sends his new address, but no news—yet. You can write to ask: 2329 Shawn Court, Carlsbad, CA 92008—and ask him to let his school know what he’s about too.

THOMAS “TAD” ANDREW DUNN (1971) lost his difficult struggle with liver cancer, dying at age 49. Tad's bubbling personality won him many friends from his first days in Southwestern's junior high in 1966 through graduation and a career in health care services. Pat and Tad just moved last winter to a new home in Laguna Woods, and were very enthusiastic about the wonderful setting. We'll miss Tad's sparkling eyes and many interests in Southwestern activities. His beautiful spouse, Patricia Spencer, is living at 3044B Via Serena South, Laguna Woods, California 92653, and Pat would be pleased to hear from Tad's friends.

KEN SUNDWALL (1970) writes: I went to Southwestern during the 1969-1970 school year. Although I was there only one year, Southwestern made a great impression on me. I would be interested in staying in contact with other alumnus, especially those with whom I went to school. My email address is: ken_sundwall@centurytel.net.

DON LAUGHLIN (1966) is a purchasing manager with Riverside Resort in Laughlin, stopped by the campus to bask in the glow of nostalgia. He attended BCRC for 7 weeks during the summer of 1966 and spent 1 semester at San Marino during that year. He was impressed with the campus and mentioned that his grandchildren may want to come out when they are of age. He especially remembers a hike to the “crack” and the great times he had at BCRC.

JIM OLSON (1965) The following is a lovely letter we received from Jim recently: Here is a Sunday afternoon. I just wanted to drop a note to whoever may still be around. I graduated in 1965…looking back a very good year. Went on to finish high school at Eagle Rock High and then Pasadena CC to study architecture, got bored and went on the California Institute of the Arts to study more creative design and worked for a summer with Palo Solari, a very cutting edge architect, in Tempe. Got bored with all that joined the navy did my time in Viet Nam came home confused, got married, had two wonderful children, and spent a good number of years as a mechanical contractor is Pasadena and joined the Pasadena Tournament of Roses for 24 years and then divorced. Again feeling life was not great so I took a position in San Francisco working for Pacific Gas & Electric promoting energy conservation in new construction for national supermarkets and industrial processes. Lived downtown in a flat loved the great food the quant restaurants and sailing and snow skiing. What a great life. Got married, had a beautiful daughter, moved back to Pasadena for very good position, got divorced moved back to San Francisco. Met a wonderful woman who is truly a sole mate become a second father to her two daughter she to my son and two daughters. Then the job went away with deregulation of the utilities. We wound up coming to Carson City, built a new home lots of land great views, all to build a new production facility for my employer but they went bust. So now its back to square one. I have spent the past three years trying to get an energy business off the ground. After a number of stumbles I believe PureEnergy is the ticket. Oh while all this was going on I finished by BSBA and got my MBA from the University of Phoenix. Big breath...so that is my crazy life in a nut shell. My wife keeps telling me life has never been dull with me every day is an adventure. I guess I will always be a dreamer looking to improve my self and my children. To pass on the knowledge to help them have a step up higher than I did and not waste a moment.

Throughout all this my family has been the key. I never let my family down, thank God, even though some people thought I was nuts for doing things like driving from San Francisco to LA just to see my children for the day. I may have not been the best as selecting a wife and partner but I finally got it right this time. Hey, its just a statistical fact your going to win sometime.

I spent most of my education in military schools. Southwestern was one of them and proved a memorable experience. The esprit de corps was a good as it gets. I will always look back wondering where they all are now.

It would be wonderful if we could get everyone together just to share where we went what we did and how we got there and what impact Southwestern had on our lives and values. Email Jim at: captnron2@sbcglobal.net.

JEFF RENFROW (1964) sends a long report from Spokane, Washington, where he lives with his wife, close to their son, daughter, and two grandsons. Jeff was in the pioneer group to attend Beaver Creek Campus when it opened in 1963. He majored in music at Gonzaga University, then worked in his father’s iron foundry, taking the business over shortly before his father passed away in 1981. He realized that American foundries can no longer compete with overseas businesses, so closed the company in 1987, investing in properties that he manages. He completed another degree in “commercial music and jazz studies” in 1990 with the intent of becoming a music teacher, but was exposed to the thrill of flight and became a flight instructor. In 1995 Jeff was part of 132 private aircraft pilots who set the World Record for the “Largest General Aviation Formation Flight.” He writes his pride that “I have given nearly 300 youngsters between the ages of 8 and 17 their first airplane ride as part of a program called Young Eagles,” which is sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association (www.youngeagles.com).

DAN LAUGHLIN (1964), below on the right, is purchasing manager for the Riverside Resort and Casino in the town of Laughlin that was founded by Dan's father while he was at Southwestern. The Nevada desert was barren then, but it filled with hotels over the forty years since Laughlin was established. Meanwhile Dan and his family continue to live across the Colorado River on the Arizona side in Bullhead City. KEN KVAMMEN (1943), below on the left, compared Southwestern experiences with Dan over coffee at the resort. You can chat with Dan by email: DLaughlin@RiversideResort.com.

MIKE DWYER (1963) (below, left) and HARLAN UPDEGRAFF (1963) (below, right) met again after many years—they can be contacted at Jmdwyer32@aol.com and harlanuu@sbcglobal.net, respectively.

WALTHER BETHEL (1950) is professor emeritus at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and has published articles about the history of California transportation in California History and Southern California Quarterly. He lives in Arroyo Grande with his wife, Susan, and visits frequently with son Daniel and daughters Diane and Denise. He is pleased to hear that the portraits of Washington and Lincoln that his father created so many years ago still hang in Lincoln Hall, and looks forward to pointing them out to his son when they visit.

HUGH GLENN (1954) Hugh is “The Doctor Speaks” in his column in the Orange County Register and in syndication nationally. If you see his column, he'd sure like to know if anyone is listening! Hugh's updated emails are: DoctorGlenn@RoadRunner.com or DrGlennIs@GMail.com. He’d like to hear from those who remember him at Southwestern as student body president, Al Jolsen imitator, and an honors student.

LEE MARTIN (1950) took early retirement ten years ago from teaching computer science and math. Since that time Lee and his wife have been living and traveling in a small trailer, out of the range of cell phones, he says. He’s organizing the 50 year reunion of his class—including HARVEY McHENRY, who lives in Reno, and WILL DURANT in Long Beach. See “Alumni Connections” to reach Lee regarding the golden reunion.

EDDIE CHASE (1948) Eddie’s daughter, Kathleeen Chase Thompson, reports her father's death in 1974. Eddie was active with all sports while at Southwestern, and a leader in the school’s Stamp Club from 1944 through his graduation in 1948. He followed his father and grandfather into the radio business. All three had spun records on “American Bandstand” from the 1930s into the 1970s on stations nationwide.

CHET SHELDEN (1948) writes: As one of the graduating class of 1948, I would like to get in touch with those of us still around. I lost track of Larry Lyman about ten years ago. He was in the bay area at that time. Gary Meredith was in Seattle 20 years ago or so and I don't know whether Dale Morehouse is still connected with his Morehouse Mustard company. The others I lost track of in the early 50's.
My present position as a traveling classroom music teacher in the San Juan Unified School District in Sacramento will be ending this year probably. I retired from the regular classroom work in 1989 and am now only teaching 3 days a week. His e-mail address is: candd56@sbcglobal.net.

LARRY LYMAN (1948) His wife, Marilyn, passed away in 2005. He lives in the San Bernardino mountains, Post Office Box 2184 in Crestline, California 92325; his phone is 909-338-3997, and his email is lyman9147@msn.com.

CHESTER SHELDON (1948) retired from teaching in Montague, California, and now lives at 5349 Bramble Way, Sacramento 95849. Chet’s phone is 916-344-1301.

PETE McCLOSKEY (1943) Former Congressman and Silver-Star recipient from the Korean War, Pete McCloskey opposed Nixon and VIetnam in 1968 and 1972. Pete retired from his Palo Alto law practice ten years ago to live as a rancher near Woodland in Northern California. Pete's not retired from the world, however. He continues to stir up national politics with his straight talk, running for Congress again in 2006 as a platform to oppose the current Iraq War and the falsehoods he feels are coming from the Bush White House. Pete recently visited with classmates KEN KVAMMEN, DICK BECKWITH, and DOUG REEVES.

KEN KVAMMEN (1943) What a great way to celebrate one’s 80th year! Take a look at these pictures of his birthday sky-dive. Ken is also celebrating grandson Eric’s upcoming senior year at Southwestern.

PRESTON L. HILL (1938) Word came recently of Preston Hill’s death in October 2006. Following Southwestern and the V-12 program in college, Preston had entered the U.S. Army as an engineer, involved in meterological predictions for major battles including the Normandy landings on D-Day 1944. Retiring as a Colonel, Preston worked in aerospace many years with Boeing and Aerojet. He lost his wife of many years in 2000, and found a new partner with whom to travel and enjoy retirement, including a bicycle trip around Europe in summer 2006, developing leukemia that fall and passing away peacefully with family gathered around him after only a few days of illness.

PAUL “PETE” McCLOSKEY (1938) may be retired from Congress and his law practice in Palo Alto, but he’s not silent. Pete's strongly-worded argument against our engagement in Iraq was published by both New York and Los Angeles Times and reprinted in many other papers nation-wide in March. His op-ed pieces and appearances on NBC and CNN drew as much verbal fire as the bullets he had experienced earning a Silver Star in Korea, but this doesn't disturb Pete when he feels right that our nation has no business going alone without UN support. Perhaps President Bush will recall with respect how then-congressman Pete took on President Nixon in the Republican primaries of 1968, with Pete strongly opposed to our continued involvement in Vietnam—and our current president may want to read Pete's keen reasoning against this year's war.

CARRIE HART-JACKSON, FRANK CUTRONE, MONA CHENG, and MARK HAMILTON (below) met up in Las Vegas for a mini-reunion and catch up session.

MIO MARIN writes: I am married with a six month old son, and we are currently living in Cancun. It is my first marriage, and, my first child, too. We are happy in Mexico, however, I have several business interests in the Los angeles area, and am getting a little tired of “the commute.” I have a coffeehouse, a bar, and am currently opening a live concert-venue, adjacent to Cal-Poly Pomona. We are planning to return to the United States, and possibly take up residence in the Palm Desert area, at the end of this year. This will allow me to work closer to home, and spend more time with my family. I have driven by the school so many times, and I have often thought about stopping by. My mother just recently sold her home in the Los Feliz area, and, when I am in town, have stayed with friends in Pasadena. I will definitely be paying a visit the next time I am there, probably in April. You may contact Mio at camilotmarin@yahoo.com.

JENNIFER LEE is keeping in touch with Lynn Yekiazarian (who currently lives in China). Jennifer offered to help us with promoting the school in Taiwan...she was a bridesmaid at her best friend's wedding not too long ago (see picture below).

KRISTIN S. RELYEA, who attended Southwestern Academy (BCR CAMPUS) both her freshman and sophomore years of high school found out about our website from her good friend Jennifer Noss (see below) and wanted to share tidbits of her life as well. She is currently working for an international financial services corporation as a contracts analyst. Kristin has been with the company for three and a half years, and she is concurrently working towards a degree in international business. Kristin enjoys her life in San Diego amidst the beautiful beaches and warm weather—please write to her if you attended Southwestern together, she would love to hear from any and all of you.

Here is my current contact information
10353 San Diego Mission Road, C330, San Diego, CA 92108
619-846-4335, aznvixen81@hotmail.com