1999
Amy Countryman Stavely
amy@stavely.org
Lisa Anne Schivley Hendrix graduated from Salem College in December 2013 with her master of arts in teaching degree in secondary mathematics education. Ruth Edmunds Rossi and her husband Chris had a baby boy, Elijah Sherman, on Feb. 13, 2014.
1998
Blythe Chambers
blythe.chambers@gmail.com
Greetings Nuns! This time of year reminds me of when we received our very first assignment from Hood College during the summer of 1994, right after we graduated high school: we were to read Diane Ackerman’s, A Natural History of the Senses. I remember it being the most delectable book I had ever been assigned to read after four years of high school exposure to English literature’s finest selection of books on paranoia, such as Clockwork Orange, Macbeth, A Brave New World, 1984, The Metamorphosis and The Lord of the Flies. The lush book cover alone was enough to begin a brand new journey on the most optimistic of feet. Piled into the auditorium to listen to Ms. Ackerman speak those first couple of days of orientation, our friendships marked only by timid greetings and pre-determined roommate situations, the space smelled and creaked of old wood and history. The air in the auditorium was thick with the sense that the next four years were going to be nothing short of awesome! The magical world of the Hood College campus left imprints on all our senses: snow touching skin while running through the pergola on frigid night; decadent desserts served abundantly in Memorial; Handel’s lyrics “His yolk is easy, his burden is light! His burden, his burden is light” ringing in our ears like sleigh-bells; emotional bonds of friendships forged forever. Now, unbelievably nearly two decades later, I do not know about you but I still wear the same ragged Hood College heather-grey sweatshirt I wore back then: every stain a memory, every frayed edge a moment. It is somewhere around here. I would wear it now just to write the class column if it were not so darn hot in Texas! So, let us wait no more for what we came here for: the news! Jennifer Massagli became engaged to Timothy Morgenthaler in December. Her wedding will be in Sykesville, Md., Messiah weekend. Jamie Szocinski Gillette, M.S. ’01, C’02 and Erin Janney Kanner ’00, Jennifer’s “little sister,” are bridesmaids. Shannon Mack ’99 is the wedding planner. Sally Schaeffer is the director of public policy for Girl Scouts of the USA. As the president of the Women’s Congressional Golf Association, Sally presented a First Tee of Greater Washington, D.C. LPGA/USGA Girls Golf $1,500 college scholarship to Attiyah Jenkins ’18 who will attend Hood College in the fall. Renee Endia Hargrove , mother to an active 23-month-old son, became the director of business administration/chief financial officer and family engagement chair for the Cristo Rey Network of Schools. She is in the executive education program at the Kellogg School of Management and hopes to bring innovation to pre-school and secondary education institutions. Stephanie Gordy Clark recently enjoyed three weeks traveling to Japan and South Korea, visiting with friends and touring solo. She recently met with Hoodlums Sally Schaeffer and Allison Bell Barrett ’99. Stephanie completed the Dirty Girl Mud Run and looked forward to her annual trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Ann Frances Price-Davis became president of the Ladies Auxiliary Maryland State Firemen’s Association in June 2014 for a one-year term that takes 13 years to achieve. Becky Turner Finberg attended the ceremony. Danielle Adgerson Clarke became a licensed minister in October 2012. Fellow Hoodlums Tami Brasfield Smith ’99, Vanessa Voundy Hawkins ’00, Venette Voundy ’00, and Melinda Miller Wright ’00 were in attendance. Danielle founded The Sister Network, a nonprofit, and is joined by Hoodlum Dzauya “Dizzy” Nkuchwayo ’99 on the board of directors. As for me, Blythe Chambers, I am the happy single-mother of an amazing 4-year-old whose summer 2014 will be known as the summer he went camping with his mommy for the first time, learned to fish and attended nearly every Vacation Bible School in San Antonio, Texas. In my independent consulting practice I serve as the editor and director for the Marcus & Millichap publication, Mobile Quarterly, and in other advisory capacities for multiple clients in various fields. And with that, fellow nuns, I bid you adieu a final time. This will be my last class update for the Hood Magazine as your dutiful and faithful class reporter for more than a decade. I am now passing the torch to the lovely Pamela Wilson Colaluca who will be contacting you all for the next issue. Thank you for letting me into your lives for the past decade-plus! Cheers to your successes, hugs for your struggles, smiles for your Hood memories. Be well and God bless. Onward! “We are the nuns, nuns, nuns of Hood College!”
1995
Jacki Resop Amato
jresop@yahoo.com
20th reunion, June 5-7, 2015
Hi Hoodlums! Can you believe our 20-year reunion is next year? Where has the time gone? Crazy! Julie Clark, a Frederick resident, has started her own business, Hello Baby Breastfeeding. She is working as an internationally board certified lactation consultant as well as a librarian in the local public library. She is busy raising two children and involved with a handful of community activities. Her husband is grateful to be distracted by their new German Shepherd Izzy. Heather Hamilton said, “After two years sailing the U.S. and Caribbean on our 40-foot sailboat, my husband and I spent a year in Thailand where I worked with UNICEF. I now work in London and have a new job as a senior adviser and interim global coordinator of Girls Not Brides: the Global Partnership to End Child Marriage. If anyone is passing through London I would love to say hi!” Please feel free to email me or Facebook me anytime throughout the year. I would love to hear from ya! See you in June!
1994
Lucy Song Gilbart
lucygilbart@yahoo.com
Hello, this is Lucy Song Gilbart, your class reporter. I hope everyone is having a good summer so far. If anyone is interested to help out with class news, please join me. I hope to hear more news from you in the upcoming year and hope all of you live well and prosper.
1992
Michelle Annette Barr
mraynesford@rocketmail.com
Sally Altland Mason
masons@rlasd.net
Nancy Gregg Poss ’92 lives in Seaside Park, N.J. Her girls are ages 19, 10 and 8 and her oldest is entering her junior year of college. She works for SICA Industries. I, Michelle Annette Barr, am engaged to a great guy Richard Inman and currently working several jobs. My oldest son Justin will be a freshman at the Univ. of Kansas and my middle son Neil will be in the eighth grade. My daughter Marrissa will be in the sixth grade. I hope all is well with my classmates!
1989
Carole Smith Neal
hoodnews1989@gmail.com
The class of ’89 had a great time at the recent Hood Reunion. Approximately 25 people showed up to share in the fun and friendship. Avery Beeson did a great job twisting arms, I mean encouraging alums to attend and it was so good to see everyone. The campus is as beautiful as ever and alums enjoyed everything from strolls around the grounds to the festivities in downtown Frederick and even a wine tour. Stacey Collins and RaeAnn Butler hosted a fantastic happy hour Saturday afternoon and then we all met at the dining hall to dance the night away to some of our favorite tunes including hits from the 80s. One of the highlights was a sweet elderly couple who danced every chance they could and truly “showed us how it was done” as well as connecting with other classes. Special thanks to all the alums who attended. If you are a 1989 graduate you can join our Hood College 1989 Reunion Facebook group to see the photos.
1988
Susan Boebel Alis
susanalis@yahoo.com
Julie Brinkman continues to get together with Tibetha Owen ’90, Melissa Hubbard-Allen ’90, Eileen Lednum Downey ’91, MBA ’09 and Kim Tordoff Sexton ’89 for lunch. She attended reunion weekend this year and it was nice to see Tammie Nicodemus Kincaid, B.A. ’91, M.S. ’97, at the alumni luncheon. Julie attended the Hood concert series this summer. Eunice Dubuque-Aronson sent me a quick email and was proud to say that her niece Kristen Annika Brattstrom ’14 graduated from Hood this May with a degree in psychology. She said it was an honor to attend the graduation with her two sons Wyatt, 10, and Sebastian, 8. Sherri Lieske LaMonica is still living in Rising Sun, Md. Sherri is now a cashier and cash office assistant for Lowe’s, a homeschool mom, 4H mom and church volunteer. Their son Lucas graduated high school and is studying at Cecil College. Their daughter Morgan will be a junior in high school in the fall. Four- years ago they adopted a little boy Anthony. He is now 6 years old and will be a first grader in the fall! Sherri keeps in touch with Eve Ryba Rothenberg but would love to hear from others in our class. Susanna Schaeffer Smith, P’16 sent me a lovely long email! She is excited to announce that she and Greg will be married 23 years in October. “Our oldest Anna Kate Smith ’16 is a rising junior at Hood,” said Susanna. Susanna said she loves everything about it! She said, “Life does not get much smaller or better when Anna Kate announced she had a wonderful roommate Catherine Traini ’16 (mom is Christine Fricke Traini ’87, P’16).” Susanna said that the greatest moment came when her daughter revealed who her fabulous Introduction to Law professor was, Teresa Rivera Bean J.D. ,’87 who is running for State’s Attorney in Frederick. Susanna mentioned how her Hood world is so very different yet filled with many of the same traditions! Their son Daniel will enter his senior year of high school and loves his life with a lifeguard job and college applications. Susanna said that she and Greg have their busy work lives with Greg’s international travel as the chief technology officer with ASCD in Arlington, Va., and accomplished author who travels the world addressing Internet safety. Susanna serves as an educational consultant to schools and private industry and an adjunct faculty position. Bambi Volatile-Goebel wrote in to announce that they have moved into a new house. They moved in June to a new place that she and her husband built in a gated golf course community. They needed to upsize as their blended family is larger than their first house could hold comfortably! Her new address is 11711 Royal Tee Circle, Cape Coral, FL 33991 and would love to have visitors. Bambi did meet up with Daphne Finch Colangelo while visiting Las Vegas in May at a conference for her husband’s company. They had a great time walking and talking for two days! Debra Lee Megill DeMine resides in Las Cruces, N.M. She is drawing her pension from the State of Maryland where she was in law enforcement for 18 years after four years of private police work. She now works for General Dynamics. “My husband and I are awaiting our first grandchild to middle child, Lance Cpl. Alex DeMine,” said Debra. Their daughter Megan is attending New Mexico State Univ. and son Kevin is working as a supervisor for a security alarm monitoring call center in Northern Virginia. Kevin was also awarded Best Sound for a Musical by Washington Area Theatre Community Honors this past March. I, Susan Boebel Alis, continue to teach second grade with the Williamsburg James City County Schools in Virginia. I had the pleasure to be nominated by my peers for the Williamsburg Area Reading Council Reading Teacher of the Year for this past school year. What an honor. Although I did not win, it was awesome to be recognized for all my hard work over the years in the field of education. Mackenzie will be a senior this fall so we will be busy with school, college visits, applications, basketball and Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums. Roman’s mom moved closer to us to be in an assisted living facility so it is nice to see her almost every weekend.
1987
Marcie Kendall Gibboney
mkgibboney@gmail.com
Greetings Class of 1987! Thanks to everyone who sent news. It is so great to hear from everyone! Doug White, M.S. ’94, has been busy at work and celebrated 25 years working at National Institute of Standards and Technology. The project he runs was recently honored with a National Digital Stewardship Alliance Innovation Award. Check it out at http://www.nist.gov/forensics/nsrl-award.cfm. Many classmates had kids graduating this past spring. Lisa Thomas Pfuhl’s son Christian graduated from Queens Univ. of Charlotte in May. Her daughter Jacklyn will be a sophomore there this fall and plays on the tennis team. Lisa and her husband Fred are checking off a bucket list item and moving to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Pamela Barres Fusco returned from San Diego where her son Robby graduated from the Univ. of California, San Diego with a degree in chemical engineering. He will head back to New Hampshire to live. She had all of her children in one place for the first time in many years! Her daughter, Stephanie, 24, is in Indiana and works in the banking field; her daughter Molly, 20, attends American Univ. in Washington, D.C., and is a political science major. Her daughter Emily, 19, attends the Univ. of New Hampshire and is an economics major. Her son Sam, 8, is going into third grade in the fall. Annie Wakimoto Patterson’s daughter Ali Sue graduated from the Univ. of Virginia in May with two bachelor’s degrees, biology and environmental science. In June her son Nate graduated from T.C. Williams high school in Virginia (Remember the Titans!) with an advanced diploma. Ali Sue spent two weeks in Europe and both kids went on a church mission trip to Harlan, Ky., where they will help refurbish homes with Appalachia Service Project. Annie started a new job with the Medical Identity Fraud Alliance and works from her home in Alexandria, Va. Lynn Herzog Parker celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary with husband Bob! Their son Grant will attend the Univ. of Virginia in the fall. So excited to hear from first-time news provider Julie Ann Christman, now Julie A. Cook! She is currently a financial and legal administrator for Guardian Properties, LLC. Her job responsibilities include appearing at District Court proceedings and keeping updated on landlord tenant laws and overseeing clients’ financial accounting. She uses all of her Hood education, especially political negotiation skills, with all of the various personalities she encounters. Julie lives in Rohrersville, Md., with her husband Gordon and spends her time training and showing Arabian horses! They recently championed in western horsemanship and western trial at the Region 15 show in Lexington, Ky. Jill Kramer Hermes celebrated her one-year anniversary as the career center and office of service learning director at Hood College. She loves working with Hood students in all academic disciplines and guiding them in career development. She lives in Ijamsville, Md., with her husband, son and beloved golden retriever. Congratulations go to Stacy Lund Levy for competing in the Ironman Ceour d’Alene! While there she vacationed and visited Idaho, Montana and Washington with her family. On the home front in Baltimore, she is growing her art business at Lund Art Studios. She keeps in touch with Anna Leventis and encourages everyone to go to her restaurant, Sobo Cafe (http://sobocafe.net/). The food is outstanding! Teresa Rivera Bean is running for the office of State’s Attorney for Frederick County. In a recent interview, she credited Hood College for preparing her for the position. “I attended Hood as an all-women’s college and my education at Hood provided me with mentors, networking, leadership, sisterhood, knowledge, experience and confidence to run for this office,” said Teresa. She wrote that she recently ran into Dixie Miller ’72, M.A. ’77, P’76, on the day of the primary election and “she told me, ‘Dr. Lewis would be so proud of you.’ Thank you, Dr. Virginia Emerson Lewis for your inspiration. Guide me on to victory Nov. 4, 2014!” said Teresa. She would love to have additional campaign volunteers, please email her if you can help at teresabeanforstatesattorney@gmail.com. Good luck Teresa and keep us posted! Thanks to everyone for providing updates and if you have anything to report in the meantime please send me an email and I can post it on the blog! Send pictures of any summer adventures you may be having with our classmates or your family! Until next time.
1985
Sue Povich DelConte
ahoodlumof85@hotmail.com
30th reunion, Jun 5-7, 2015
Chris Santrizos Chagaris wrote, “We are planning to visit Portugal and the Azores in July. Last year, we visited Hawaii and Pearl Harbor and drove up a 10K foot volcano in Maui, Mount Haleakala.” Meg Toia Robinson started a job in November as marketing director at Neustar, based in Tyson’s Corner. “I enjoy not having to travel to London for work so frequently and looking forward to vacation soon!” said Meg. Janice Peacock Spiegel and Howard Spiegel ’86 had a lovely ski trip with Debbie Hall Webber, husband Jeff and Wendy Kimball Murray in Colorado this winter. While in Colorado, Wendy visited with Harry Hill III. Janice and Howard dined with Cathy Diem and her son while they were in Frederick visiting Hood. Howard started a new job and Janice is busy with volunteer work. They have two children, one in graduate school and one a sophomore in college. Betsy Bond Brennen reported, “I am CEO of a wealth management firm, Harbor Investment Advisory. My daughters are students in Chicago, one attends the Univ. of Chicago and the other is at Northwestern Univ. My husband Bob and I celebrate 23 years of marriage in September. I see Susan Bond Kearney frequently! She was named assistant head of school for St. Paul’s School in Brooklandville, Md. She has been with St. Paul’s for 19 years. Emma is starting her sophomore year at Colorado College and her son Tom is a rising junior at St. Paul’s. Susan celebrated 28 years of marriage to Mitch in June.” Karen Elm Wirth wrote, “I am working for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the office of water’s WaterSense Program as the marketing and outreach coordinator promoting water efficient products and practices. I get to see Gail Griffith-Roch ’84 every few months and Heather Moncrieff Shackley, P’16 every month!” Susan Lascelle wrote, “I finished my 27th year of teaching and will venture to a new school in my district as a reading specialist. My son Ryan is a senior airman in the U.S. Air Force stationed in England. My other son Hunter is a petty officer 2nd class in the U.S. Navy and returned home in May for a month after being in Japan as a structural mechanic on F-18 Super Hornets. He is stationed in California. My daughter Alix graduated high school in June and will attend college in the fall.” Lin Caywood lives in Frederick and wrote, “I am engaged to Carlo Cilliers. My son Alex and wife had a son Jude who is 18 months old. My first grandchild loves going to the airport to hang out with us. I finished a two-year term as director for The Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots. I completed my fourth air race and had a film crew during the race for a documentary that will air on PBS. I work for Freddie Mac as a servicing account director.” Diane King Widmann returned from two weeks in the Netherlands and Belgium. “Both sons are in college. Hans lives at home and loves to cook! Martin is in the Honors College at Towson Univ. and preparing for his junior year abroad in Grenoble, France.” Amanda Ward Grace and family celebrated their final year of homeschool with a trip to Italy. “Graduating three kids at once has been a challenge. Two will head off to college and the third will run the farm with me. Cedarland Farm will continue with sheep for my fiber arts business and grass-fed lamb. Alan flies for Southwest Airlines and we are enjoying the travel benefits. I am growing my business as a wellness advocate with DoTerra essential oils.” Amie Jamison Sweren reported, “We have traveled in the last few years; in 2012 we went on an African safari and to London. Last year, we went on a cruise of the Greek Isles and a week in Turkey. This summer we plan to visit Mexico. The kids are ready to drive and involved with music. Scott is fine; we are working hard and playing hard. I almost did not want to say it out loud, but life is good and we are very appreciative.” I, Sue Povich DelConte, am finishing 25 years of teaching and starting to add up the numbers for retirement! We have traveled to Amsterdam and Florida with plans to land in London in a few weeks. Martha Church, H’95 responded, “I volunteer at the Ringling Museum of Art two days a week and write a Sunday Spotlight on Mission for my Presbyterian Church’s Bulletin. I am a member of the legacy planning committee and very happy and very busy!”
1984
Ellen-Marie Samsen Knehans, P’18
emknehans@mchsi.com
Susan Flanders Kleinschmidt, M.S. ’92
susankle@comcast.net
sflanders@zeusscientific.com
What a treat it was for me to see all of you at reunion. Thanks to all of you for chatting with my son Jon Knehans ’18. Those of you unable to come, we missed you. Please update emails, check the Class of ’84 Facebook page and send your news to Susan Flanders Kleinschmidt, M.S. ’92 at susankle@comcast.net or to me, Ellen-Marie Samsen Knehans, P’18 at emknehans@mchsi.com. Claudia Nichols Nealley wrote, “Hi gals, I wish I could see all of you at reunion, but Stars Lacrosse will keep us busy.” Maria Prezioso Beyer, M.A. ’97 and Olga Mary Hopkins Murray reported, “Nice to be back with faces that make you smile.” Vince Coates wrote, “I have had a great time at the reunion! Hood College is still a big part of my life. I have been working with interns from Hood for the last six years.” Claire Sullivan Peterson wrote, “Hi all and great to be with you.” Linda Rudy Daugherty said, “Great to see everyone and visit. Hood looks great!” Cynthia Webb, M.S. ’02 wrote, “It was wonderful to see everyone! Congratulations on celebrating 30 years.” Karen Curtis-Craney, M.A. ’93, said, “It was fun to be here celebrating our 30th! It was great to see so many Coblentz friends!” Carol Whynot Neill wrote, “My daughter Caitlin graduated with her master’s degree in social work from Univ. of Baltimore in 2013. She married Matt McGuire in September 2013. Janice Hogg was in attendance and my mother attended, but passed in October. I live in Gaithersburg, Md., with husband George and son Spencer. Daughter Emily lives close by. I have worked for the government for 28 years.” Daphne Byrd Gabb said, “I cannot believe it has been 30 years! I live in Middletown, Md. My son Matthew finished his second year at the Univ. of Maryland. My daughter Alexis graduated from Middletown High and will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. I hit 31 years in my job at Lockheed Martin.” Susan Youry Kenney wrote, “I have not been to Hood since our 10th reunion. I am glad I came this year for our 30th. I live in Lumberton, N.J., with my husband Robbie and two sons Bobby and Shaun. Shaun plans to attend Lehigh Univ. I still teach first grade in the same elementary school.” Kim Neidhold Michie wrote, “I love reunion time, it is a great excuse for Kellie Ragland Zych to visit! I earned my registered nurse degree and I work in a pediatrics office in Annapolis. Son Tres graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in May 2013. Daughter Ashlyn graduated from Archbishop Spalding High School and is headed to the Univ. of Mississippi.” Evelyn Hoban reported, “Glad to be back for our 30th; my son Joseph came along. I am working for the Prince George’s County Health Department.” Marybeth Eaves said, “I was happy to be back and see the campus. I am with my boyfriend Michael as he completes his 100th-and-a-half ironman triathlon in Colorado. This reunion and the chance to see everyone has been a highlight.” Jamie Draper said, “I am so happy to see the changes on campus and thrilled to reconnect with everyone. I am living in New York and doing software consulting for not-for-profit organizations.” Joyce Harris Steedman wrote, “So great to be at reunion! I am living in Maryland with my husband and 9-year-old and work for Skinceuticals, a medical skincare company.” Natasha Keyian said, “I love living in Florida! I am teaching middle school language arts. It was good to see everyone!” Terry Rappoldt Stickles wrote, “It was great to be here and see everyone. Long live Coblentz. I stay busy volunteering as the local Special Olympics program manager.” Tammy Snyder Rall said, “I had a great time at our 30th class reunion. It was good to catch up with everyone. I am an MRI tech in Fredericksburg, Va. Two of my four boys were married in 2013.” Barbara Reade Hawkins, Ruthann Kluth O’Connell and Jodi Bell O’Connell wrote, “To our besties that did not make it to reunion, we missed you. It was “raining men” and no Old Milwaukee, just Yuengling. We had a great time and hope we see you next time.” Mindy Brown said, “I had a great time; it was great to see everyone.” Amy Connor Asman, P’16, said, “It was great catching up with old friends and reconnecting.” The Shriner shiners were here: Kim Caswell-Stephan, M.S.’98 , Carol Waldron, Amy Gilson Corbin, Julia Driscoll Morgan, Ronie Larmore Shackelford, Marion Pfanz Ake and Sue Flink.