Happy holidays, classmates. I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays with their nearest and dearest. As for me, Amy Countryman Stavely, I was looking forward to celebrating with my newly expanded family. My daughter Elizabeth Claire Stavely was born July 8, 2012. With her birth also came a life change for me as I went from working full time outside the home to being a stay-at-home-mom! My oldest, Alexander, is 9 years old and has been a huge help when we are not busy with cub scouts and basketball practice. So far, being home has been a wild ride; but, I am loving every minute of it! I am also excited to be participating in yet another year of the Hood moms secret sis exchange, just like we did at Hood! If you are a mom and would like to join the Hoodmoms group, you can find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/HoodCollegeHoodMoms/. It is a closed group so you will need to be approved, but that will happen quickly! And now, news from the rest of our classmates.

Nectaria Kordan earned her master of business administration degree from Northeastern Univ., where she was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honor society for business. She has accepted a role at State Street and is looking forward to making an impact in her new career. Heather Howell wrote, “I plan to graduate from Northwestern Univ. with a doctorate in microbial pathogenesis and immunology in December 2012. I will be starting a new job and moving to Seattle, Wash., in the beginning of 2013 and will be working at the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) in their TB Drug Discovery group.” On Dec. 1, 2012, Angel Venable married Simon Jones from Wales, U.K., during a small ceremony held in Portland, Ore. Angel and Si will continue to live in Portland.

Lori Spiering Fowlkes moved with her husband Dan and five children to Fredericksburg, Va., at the end of 2011. Lori serves on the Board of Mary’s Shelter, a homeless shelter for pregnant women and their children (www.marysshelterva.org). In addition to serving on the board of directors, Lori also donates her photography services to the shelter. The Fowlkes family is currently homeschooling grades pre-K to 6! Her son Xander’s First Lego team recently won first place for their research in this year’s “Senior Solutions” competition. Her daughter Molly enjoys participating in American Heritage Troop 0128 where fellow Hoodlum Heidi Bonnett Adams ’03 is the troop leader! Lori was looking forward to Easter 2013 when her middle son Maximilian Kolbe will receive his first communion at St. Mary’s of the Immaculate Conception. You can keep up with Lori via Facebook or at www.lorielizabethphotography.com.

Amy Dittrich “Ditty” Cooley is living in central New York with her husband and three boys. She works as a CT technologist at St. Luke’s Hospital and working on going back to teach at the local radiography school. Kelli Jessum Rokita reported that things are the same for her. She is still living in Gilbertsville, Pa., and working as an elementary school teacher. Her children turned 3 years old this past September. Until next time.

Class Reporter: