Curt Kidder

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Occupation: Administrative Manager-Lowe's

Hometown: Rockford, Illinois

Marital Status: Married

Spouse/Occupation: Julie, She is a Special Education Teacher in the Rockford Public Schools

Children: daughter, Karli 1 1/2 years old

Pets: Black lab, Chesney

Best thing about being in my late 20's: It is the best time of my life. I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter

Significant events in the last 10 years:
• 1997-1998 Attended Rock Valley College
• 1998 Started working for Lowe's
• June 28, 2003 Julie and I got married
• November 2004 We bought our first house
• February 1, 2006 Our daughter Karli was born

More Reunion Picts

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Tommy Carpenter

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Occupation : Automotive Technician for the City of Rockford, been there 5 years

Hometown : Loves Park

Spouse : Chrissy (BHS class of 98), employed at Target

Children : Cohen is 2 and Kylee is 10 months

Pets : Abby 3 year old Peek-a-Poo

Significant Events :
• 1999 Graduated from UTI
• 2002 Started working for City of Rockford
• July 2003 Got married
• April 2004 Purchased 1st house
• March 12, 2005 son Cohen was born
• January 5, 2007 daughter Kylee was born

Yes, I will be attending the reunion.

Carissa (Schumacher) Williams

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Occupation: Vet Assistant

Hometown: Belvidere, IL

Marital Staus: Married

Spouse's Name: Tony Williams (class of BHS 1998)

Spouse's Occupation: Maintenance mechanic for St. Anthony Hospital and Diesel Mechanic for Liebovich Brothers

Children: Emerson Faith was born on September 24, 2004 and Mason Taylor was born on Februaury 27, 2007

Pets:
• my new puppy Raney who is a golden retriever/lab mix.
• we also have four indoor cats (Katie, Annie, Molly, Shadow)
• And then we have two outside/stray cats (Tiggs and Jax)
• And we can't forget the geckos (Mickey and Minnie)
• We kinda have a full house!

What has changed about me:
• Well I think alot has changed.....I am much more outgoing and opinionated now. In high school I was very shy and just went along with the crowd. I am also a proud mommy which I never thought I would be, but I just love it! And I look different than I did ten years ago, but having kids will do that to you!

What hasn't changed:
• Obviously my passion for animals has not went away! I am still very family orientated and love spending time with my friends.

Best or Worst Thing about being in late 20's:
• The worst thing is that my body does not move the way it used to and that is hard to understand. I have to work twice as hard for any results. I'm still two years away from 30 so I am not to worried yet :)

Significant Events in the last 10 Years:
• 1997-went to RVC and studied pretty much everything since I could not decide on a career path.
• 1998-got engaged to Tony. My parents seperated after 25 years of marriage. They sprang this news on me as I was planning their 25th anniversary
• 2000-graduated with an associates in arts from RVC.
• 2001-my fiance enlisted with the United States Navy
• 2002-got married January 19th to my high school sweetheart, In February moved to Virginia Beach, VA for the Navy.
• 2003-my husband goes on a 6 month deployment. I got pregnant the moment he returned!
• 2004-I had my daughter in September via C-Section at a Navy hospital (worst place to have a kid)
• 2005-My husband got honorable discharge from the Navy and we moved back to Illinois so our daughter could grow up surrounded by her family. I got pregnant again--big surprise this time!
• 2006-I had my son Mason via C-Section at RMH (this was a much better experience!) Very stressful year for me. My kids are 17 months apart and I was going crazy!
• 2007-Has been a pretty good year. The kids are now 3 and 20 months. Emerson is starting to take 'care' of Mason and be a good big sister to him.

I did attend the reunion and had a great time. Thanks to all who put it together. It was so nice to see everyone again.

Photos from the Reunion!

Here are some photos from the night of the reunion! I will tell you now that I am in WAY TOO MANY of these photos - but I wasn't thinking while I was taking them that I would post them...oops! I just thought it would be fun for those of you who couldn't make it to see some of the people who came. If you attended the reunion and have some picture without me in them!!! and with other people I didn't get pictures of - please send them to me at miriamegreen@gmail.com and I will post them here for you.

Pamela (Watt) Hansen

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Occupation:  High School Teacher: Biology, Anatomy/Physiology, Bio-Ecology, & Applied Science (forensics type stuff)

Hometown: La Crosse, Wisconsin

Marital status:  Married (about 4 1/2 years now)

Spouse's name & occupation:  Matt Hansen, graphic designer

Children:  Lucas Hansen (we call him Luke) 14 months; a walking-talking little hurricane!

Pets: 2 miniature weiner dogs,  Howie (boy) & Fudge (girl)

What has changed about you, what hasn't?
• What a tough question to answer!!  I really struggled with this one.  Basicly, I'm sure I'm the same person, I've just worked to become the kind of person I always envisioned myself being.  I have lightened up, let go of so many of my insecurities, and have become a very confident, self-assured person.  I don't worry as much about all the little things, and I'm not as shy & quiet as I was in high school.  I think the way I look has changed quite a bit, I don't look much like I did in high school... I like to change things up pretty often. 

Best/Worst thing about being in late 20s:
• The best is that I've never been happier, or more fulfilled.  College was the absolute most fun of my life, but this time period has shown me a whole new kind of fun, much more fulfilling.  I truly love my life!!  No complaints!!  Well, being independently wealthy and not having to work would be nice... but how boring!

• Worst is that finding time to run & workout is getting tougher and tougher with a little one running around!  Also, 30 is quietly knocking on my door (I'm younger than I think everyone in our class... not 28 until January!!!), and that means you have no more excuses for being young & dumb!  I also think I'm beginning to spot some wrinkles... time to buy some anti-aging products!!

Significant events in the last 10 years:
• 1997:  invited to walk-on to Western Illinois University's Women's soccer team.  Played for 3 seasons before hanging up my cleats
• 1997 - 2002: loved every single minute of college life!!  Grew up, blossomed as a person, made life-long friends that I consider family, spent a lot of time & money at drinking establishments, attended classes 98% of the time, took 2 crazy spring break trips, lost some family members that meant a lot to me, learned some tough lessons, learned how to be a pseudo-responsible "adult"... etc. etc.  Best times ever.
• 2002: graduated from Western with a B.S. in Biology, emphasis in education
• July 12, 2003: married Matt Hansen, my college sweetheart & best friend.
• July 13, 2003: moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin
• 2005: began teaching full-time in Whitehall, Wisconsin (an hour drive away!)
• August 23, 2006: gave birth to Lucas Hansen, 8 lbs, 7.5 oz.; fell in love at first sight!
• 2007s been pretty quiet... other than the little tornado running around our house with 2 weiner dogs. 

Will you be attending the reunion?  Yep! 
• Can't wait to see everyone! 

Cassie (Sloan) McDonald

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Occupation: Spanish teacher and Student Council Advisor at Dubuque Senior High School in Dubuque, IA

Hometown: Dubuque, Iowa

Marital Status: Married (December 28, 2002)

Spouse's Name & Occupation: Jamie McDonald, certified financial planner

Children: (Names & Ages) I'm six months pregnant and due January 30 with our first baby.

Pets: 2 cats, Minnie and Parker

What has changed about you? What hasn't?
• I definitely really enjoyed my college years as I got to experience what life was like not living under the same roof as a principal and teacher. As far as things that haven't changed, I'm still involved in student council, only now as the advisor of 31 high school students.

Best (or Worst) thing about being in your late 20's.
• I'm enjoying my late 20s. It's good to be established in my career, happily married, and ready to start a family. It's a little more stressful than the early 20s, but also an exciting time.

Significant events for you in the last 10 years:
• 2001 Graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, IA with BAs in Spanish, English, and Education
• 2001-2005 Lived in Milwaukee, WI and taught high school English at Delavan-Darien HS
• 2002 Married Jamie McDonald, whom I met at Loras
• 2005 Moved back to Dubuque with Jamie and started teaching Spanish
• 2006 Spent the summer in Spain working on my Master's in Spanish and then traveled to Spain, Italy, and Switzerland with Jamie
• 2007 Spent the summer in Mexico traveling with students and then continuing work on my Master's
• 2008 Eagerly awaiting the arrival of our first child

Will you be attending the reunion: Yes

Melissa Thorne-Smith

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Occupation: Program Coordinator for adults with developmental disabilites AND a full time student working on my doctorate in counseling.

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Marital Status: Married (On May 11, 2007)

Spouse's Name & Occupation: Eric Smith, CPAP Specialist with American Home Patient

Children: (Names & Ages) Sadly none yet but I cant wait!!

Pets: 5 cats (I know thats a lot right!?!) BooBoo, Bailey, Bodie, Abbey & Mumble

What has changed about you? What hasn't?
• I lost 145 pounds which is like a whole freaking person! I went blonde. I look a lot different now than I did in high school.

Best (or Worst) thing about being in your late 20's.
• It means the thirtys are rapidly approaching! Really though, my twentys have been a wonderful experience filled with character building events that will impact me for the rest of my lifetime.

Significant events for you in the last 10 years:
• 1999 went to Greece & Italy
• 2000 went on tour with a music group and sang all over the country for 3 months
• 2001 graduated with my BA in Psychology from Judson College and went to Egypt & Israel
• 2001 my mom died right after college graduation and I moved to Nashville for a new start
• 2002 Bought my first house
• 2007 Graduated with my Masters in Counseling
• 2007 Got married on May 11 to my wonderful husband, Eric
• 2007 Started working on my Doctorate in Counseling

Will you be attending the reunion: Unfortunately not :(

Tommy Carpenter

Occupation : Automotive Technician for the City of Rockford, been there 5 years

Hometown : Loves Park

Spouse : Chrissy (BHS class of 98), employed at Target

Children : Cohen is 2 and Kylee is 10 months

Pets : Abby 3 year old Peek-a-Poo

Significant Events :
• 1999 Graduated from UTI
• 2002 Started working for City of Rockford
• July 2003 Got married
• April 2004 Purchased 1st house
• March 12, 2005 son Cohen was born
• January 5, 2007 daughter Kylee was born

Yes, I will be attending the reunion.

Allison (Osterberg) Walker

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Occupation: Human Resources Director; Target Corporation

Hometown: DeKalb, IL

Marital Status: Married

Spouse's Name & Occupation: Jon Walker; Owner / Walker Construction

Children: (Names & Ages) Madelyn Reagan Walker; 3 yrs. on November 19th

Pets: Two cats Tego and Pandora; Madelyn's Gerbil Peanut Butter; yellow lab Libby (Madelyn earned her for potty training like a champ!) Good thing we have a cleaning lady and a Kirby. :)

Best (or Worst) thing about being in your late 20's.
• The best thing is being here to be able to enjoy what matters in life.

What hasn't changed:
• My family is still the best. I am so proud to be a mother, an aunt (three times over), and I truly appreciate seeing my Dad and Mom. My best friends Brooke and Sarah. I don't get see them as much as I would like, but they are always close and there when it really matters.

What has changed:
• I really appreciate my life, and what I have been so fortunate to be blessed with.

Significant events for you in the last 10 years:
• 1999-2000: Interned for the late State Representative David Wirsing
• May 2001: Graduated Cum Laude from NIU with two degrees in four years
• September 2001: Began my career with Target
• May 2002: Got married!
• November 19, 2004: Gave birth to Madelyn; the best day in our lives
• March 15, 2004: Built a home on a golf course and moved in!
• March 16, 2004: Decided I needed to take up golf
• May 2005: Diagnosed with a rare brain degeneration disease; spinocerebellar episodic ataxia; became a case study for Loyola Medical Research Hospital
• 2006: Kind of a boring year, but I did make par twice. :)
• May 2007: 5 year wedding anniversary; 2 years episode free (my neurologist is Top 10 in the US)
• August 2007: Third internal promotion with Target; extremely excited to work primarily from home
• October 2007: I finished the Chicago Marathon (yes, I really finished the whole 26.2 miles; I made it before the race was cancelled and finished in 5:56) and raised $600 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; I can't wait for next year

Will you be attending the reunion: No.
• We are hosting an event that evening. Best wishes to all!

Natasha Bishop

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Occupation: I work for a company called Withoutabox developing an online ticketing solution for film festivals around the world.

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Marital Status: Single

Pets: A border terrier, Parker and a cairn terrier, Coltrane.

What has changed about you? What hasn't?
• My personality has not changed much, however, I am a lifetime away from the person I was 10 years ago.

Best thing about being in your late 20's.
• My 20's have been amazing! Now that I'm staring 30 in the face, I'm starting to realize how exhausted I am from my 20's. The last 10 years have been a time of discovery, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, where I wanted to live and plant my roots, meeting new people and understanding what it really means to be a responsible adult. Every experience was a new experience. Now that I'm in my late 20's I feel more grounded and I'm starting to understand who I am and who I want to become. I'm excited for my 30's to begin!

Worst Thing: I have to work out three times as hard to stay in shape! Not cool!!!!

Significant events for you in the last 10 years:
• 1997 I moved to Boston, MA to attend Berklee College of Music
• 1999 purchased my condo in Boston, MA and adopted my little puppy Parker
• 2001 graduated from college, moved to Los Angeles, CA and began working at a music management company, my dream job!
• 2002 accomplished some major career goals; attended the Grammy Awards with one of our clients who was nominated that year, received my first platinum and gold records for albums I worked on, worked with some amazing artists on various projects
• 2003 purchased a condo in Los Angeles, CA and adopted my other little puppy Coltrane
• 2004 left my job to start my own booking agency and music consulting company
• 2005 one of my consulting projects (Dave Koz, Saxophonic) was nominated for a Grammy
• 2007 got out of the music industry and started a new job in festival ticketing
• 2008 going back to college to work on my MBA

Will you be attending the reunion: Yes, I can't wait!!
• It's been almost 10 years since I've been back!

Danielle Sandsmark

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Occupation: M.D./Ph.D. student, Washington University in St. Louis

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Marital Status: Boyfriend, Jeff Rahman

Pets: Our 2 dogs, Indy and Gracie. They are both total characters and a constant source of entertainment!

What has changed about you? What hasn't?
• I'm still in school!! (will graduate in May 2008). I don't really think too much has changed about me. I'm still running and try to compete when I can. I'm probably a little bit more relaxed, which I definitely think is a good thing!

Best (or Worst) thing about being in your late 20's.
• Most of my friends are scattered across the country now....makes for many great excuses to travel! Because our schedules have been so crazy for the past few years, I think we all better appreciate how much of an effort it takes to keep in touch and we all try to make an extra effort to get together when we can.

Significant events for you in the last 10 years:
• Spending a semester doing research at the Mayo Clinic (2000-2001)
• Graduating from college (Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA), buying my first home in St. Louis, and starting medical school....all in a 3 week time span! (2001)
• My parents' move to Minnesota (May 2006)....I definitely miss visiting them in B-town and running into old friends.
• Finishing my Ph.D. in neuroscience (December 2006)
• Traveling abroad several times
• I'm now finishing all of my rotations in the hospital and am currently applying to residency programs to start next July.....I don't know where I'm headed, but it's definitely an exciting year for me!

Will you be attending the reunion: I hope so! (I'm on rotations in the hospital....I'm at the mercy of the schedulers!)