1996

Jewel K. Smith
703-969-0050
jewelsmith@hotmail.com

Please keep Dawn Mertz Day and her family in your prayers – she lost her grandfather, William C. Mertz on April 17, 2016 at the age of 96. After 16 years in ministry in the Myersville area, Tracy Wiser is now in the “bivocational” ministry working full time as the Night Supervisor at Engage USA in Frederick (a direct mail company) and part-time pastor at Monocacy Church of the Brethren in Rocky Ridge, MD. Tracy and her family still live in Frederick, near Hood; and currently, her middle son is a sophomore at Lee University in Tennessee. Colleen Gabriel Nestor is excited to announce that that her son, Derek Nestor, will be an incoming freshman at Hood this fall and joining the Class of 2020! Our 20^th Reunion ended up being a beautiful weekend in Frederick! Over the course of the weekend, I was able to catch up with Reena Amin Borwankar, Ninett Amaya–Coaxum, Stephanie Sheck Bahr, Alesia Gallego Brand, Tabitha Groh, and Liana Robinson Martino. Other alums from the 90’s were a welcome addition at our table during the lunch on Saturday (special shout out to Jacki Resop Amato ’95 and her lovely daughter, Julianna, for joining us). Alesia Gallego Brand earned her M.A. in Professional Counseling on May 14, 2016 from Liberty University. She also started a new position as Therapist at Board of Child Care in Falling Waters, WV. In honor of our 20^th Reunion, we would like to purchase a 6” x 9” Blazer Brick for $700. If you are interested in contributing, please email me and I can provide details on how to make your contribution. As for me, I am back in Old Town Alexandria, thrilled to be able to walk, and cut down on my commute into DC every day. There is no place like home!

1995

Jacki Resop Amato
jresop@yahoo.com

Hello Hoodlums!  I had a great day at the 2016 Reunion Weekend Luncheon on June 11th.  My girls Jewel Smith ’96, Stephanie Sheck Bahr ’96 and Alesia Gallego Brand ’96 let my daughter Julianna (Class of 2030) and I crash their table. We shared Hood memories and caught up with new ones of our families. The weather was perfect and being back on campus is always fun! Please feel free to e-mail me anytime with your updates and news at jresop@yahoo.com! And find me on Facebook under Jacki Resop Amato!

1994

Sanya Cleary Wolstenholme
215-338-8627
lilmackvic@comcast.net

Hi! I have tried to reach out to our class through letters, email, and Facebook. Unfortunately, not much news has been shared with me! I see a lot of good news but need you to tell me that you would like to have it in print! As my own daughter begins her college search this summer I am reminded how special the years at Hood were to me. I can only hope she finds what she is looking for, makes friends for life and memories that never fade.  Life is crazy most of the time but please take the time to send me a quick email… Remember, we were born to stand out- let me tell the world what you are up to.

1992

Sally Altland Mason
717-741-5664
masons@rlasd.net

Michelle Barr Inman
785-639-1813
mraynesford@rocketmail.com

I (Michelle Barr Inman) am finishing up my masters in special education. I just need to pass the last class, student teach and pass Praxis! Yahooo!

1988

Susan Boebel Alis
757-229-8541″
susanalis@yahoo.com

Charlotte “Bambi” Volatile-Goebel reported, “Hi Susan, I’m writing you in the middle of day 2 of freshman orientation for my daughter. Marjorie graduated from high school here in Florida in June with honors. She has also been accepted into Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) where she will start in August. Some may remember that my oldest are twins and my son, Christian also graduated from high school but in Maryland. He has plans to go to Howard Community College and get an apartment with friends to stay in the Columbia area. Christian spent some time after graduation with me in Florida and was able to find his first car. So what does a mother do but have a mother/son road trip back to Maryland! We drove his new car (2 days) from Cape Coral, FL to Columbia, Md. Nice quality time with my son. The final “graduation” that I had this June was for my youngest. Patricia is moving onto middle school next year and like all elementary school kids, this comes with mixed emotions. She is excited to take on the next challenge in school but doesn’t want to leave all of her friends and teachers from her elementary school. Patricia is also active in synchronized swimming and her team participated in their first event in Sarasota. The team participated in 3 events: team, trio, and solo. She was in the team and trio groups. The team placed 2nd for the 11-12 age group. The trio placed 5th for the 11-12 age group. The girl in the solo (not Trish) placed 7th for the 9-10 age group. It feels like there was more but I think this is enough! Hope you are doing well.” I, Susan Boebel Alis, “Finished up another academic teaching year with the close of the school year. This year marked 21 years in education. Roman and I became empty nesters last August when Mackenzie headed off to the University of Mary Washington as a freshman. We enjoyed out time together exploring Williamsburg and getting to know our state better with lots of weekend trips and time with family and friends. This summer will be spent catching up on reading, professional development and family. Classmates: It is time for me to step down as class reporter. If you are interested in taking on the volunteer position, please contact Ashley Nick Wilson ’08, C’14 at wilsona@hood.edu.”

1984

Ellen-Marie Samsen Knehans, P’18
760-371-2353
emknehans@mchsi.com

Susan Flanders Kleinschmidt, M.S.’92
609-771-0642
susankle@comcast.net
sflanders@zeusscientific.com

Greeting Class of ’84! Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!  We have heard from the following alumni!  Sue Sutton Bartolotto reports that they have moved to Rochester, New York.  Sue is working in the Fairport Central School District.  Daughter Sara, 28 was married in July, 2015.  Daughter Emily, 22 is finishing up her degree in hospitality and event planning at Monroe Community College.  She will be working this summer on an internship with the Rochester Rattlers. Daughter Hannah, 18 also will be attending Monroe Community College in the fall while son John, 14 will be in 9^th grade and playing lacrosse.  Sue sends a shout-out to all the Hood alums! Claire Sullivan Peterson checked in from Lusaka, Zambia where she is visiting daughter Amy who is stationed there with the CDC/Public Health Service. They are all living in a tree house while on safari at a Flat Dog camp.  Claire also visited daughter Lisa who attended a rowing camp in Sabaudia, Italy where she toured Rome, Naples and Sorento.  Claires’s son Douglas is stationed by the Navy in Naples as well so she is looking forward to many trips there to visit grandchildren Maeve and Fionn.

1983

Mary Townley
804-307-3608
hoodmlt@aol.com

Hello Class of 1983!  Here we are again reflecting on all we are doing in our AMAZING lives!  I first wish to apologize for missing the last edition. All I can say is, life got in the way.  I am involved with starting a new non-profit organization here in Richmond, VA that supports young adults with disabilities, and it can be overwhelming at times. Our website is www.thenextmoveprogram.com.  We are always looking for support so please check us out. Beyond that, I have news from several classmates to share. First off, news from Joyce Rhinecker Gillich, P’08. Joyce reports, “I will be celebrating 34 years of marriage this June with my husband Daniel. Our daughter Heather Gillich ’08, will be celebrating her 30th birthday in June, and we will be traveling to Missouri to help her celebrate.  My husband and I are trying to figure out where time has gone, and how we got this old so fast!!  Our son Matthew married Jovanni Mahonez ’08 in October. Matthew and Jovanni live and work in DC.  I recently celebrated 3 years as a partner in a screen printing and embroidery business in Martinsburg, WV.  Love the work, and the customers.  Business is great, life is good.”  Sue Bridgers reports, “Hello to fellow Hoodlums! I’m happy to report that I finally received my Master’s in Library Science in 2014, concentrating in special librarianship. I now work remotely for a medical library, a super sweet arrangement. Since I can live anywhere, I chose to relocate from Chapel Hill to Asheville, NC last July and now view the glorious Smokey Mountains from my desk window.  My daughter lives nearby and we thoroughly enjoy the vibrant offerings of this growing town and its surrounds.  I’ve found great community to go along with the views here. Let’s hear from our other classmates, big sisters, little sisters, roommates, and hall mates.” Shelley Wagar Sabo says, “I am very happy to report that my daughter, Courtney, just finished her first year at Coastal Carolina. She graduated from Northern Virginia Community College last year and began at CCU last year. She made Dean’s list and loves living in the South. She is also engaged and getting married in September 2017. Sadly, my father died on Valentine’s Day this past February. I was able to be with him and he had been fighting kidney and heart failure since last Fall. My work is good, my partner in crime, David, is wonderful and I feel blessed to have wonderful family and friends every day!” Carolyn Inch Marriott reports in May 2016, “I am having my first grandchild today, at the hospital now, so little Jacob will be here today! This is my eldest daughter, Kellie who will be 30 this month. My younger daughter, Amy will have her first in July!” Congratulations, Carolyn!! Jacque Witt Lyons reports, “My husband Ed and I relocated to North Port, Florida in October 2014.” From Pam Stamey Inskeep, “Good news! Since June 2013, I have been working part-time as a CSW II (Community Service Worker II) Library Circulation Aide at my local library, and, last month, I was offered the position of Book Group Leader, which I happily accepted. I also tutor students on a part-time basis .Even better news! My daughter was recruited by Freire Charter School in Wilmington, DE, as Director of their Special Education Dept. She also teaches two classes at the school.  Her career is moving at a fast pace, and we are very happy for her. On a sad note, my uncle, John H. Guy, passed away on December 8, 2015, at home, from congestive heart failure.  Then, his dog died a couple of weeks ago. My mom took care of them both and is finding it hard to cope with the loss of her older brother and his pet. Thank you to everyone for reporting their news!  Carol and I are thrilled to report that our daughter, Emily, graduated from Monacan High School, here near Richmond, Virginia, l with many honors this past June (proud Moms) and will be attending Roanoke College this fall.  Empty nest is official!  Starting to pack care packages already! Please stay in touch!  Love to all.  Mary

1982

Elizabeth Bastian Chapin
610-670-9152
busybethc@aol.com

Hello Class of 1982! Summer 2016 is here! In just one year we will be celebrating our 35th reunion year. Let’s hope everyone can make it a priority to attend. As always, it is great to hear from you. Marcea Horton Cotter announced the birth of her third grandson, Jacob Jaden Cotter, in January. Ellen Yodzis Patton’s family continues to grow. A new grandson, Cullen, was born in March; her oldest son and wife are expecting they’re third child in the Fall. Ellen dined with Bambi Maitland Grundwerg, husband and sons a few months ago. She and Marcea Horton Cotter also watched her grandson not too long ago. Ellen and husband Mark recently attended a fund raising event where they ran into Christine Belisle Fitzgerald. Ellen’s store is doing well and every now and then she runs into a customer with a Hood connection-like Caroline Wentz Gerwien’s mom! Amy Blades Steward lost her father on June 15th at the age of 83. She reminisces that in his final days they talked about dancing together again one day as they did at the Hood Dad & Daughter weekends. He never missed one of them while Amy attended Hood from 1978 to 1982.  Joy Miller Beveridge, Liz Bastian Chapin and Gretchen Steinmetz Keith joined forces to purchase a Hood brick. Joy encourages all Class of 1982 alums to purchase one. Joy and Liz visited multiple times during the past year in PA and Frederick. Joy attended this year’s reunion activities, including the Friday cookout and the Saturday luncheon. Saturday was a great celebration of the recognized classes, including 1981. Hopefully the Class of 1982 will have great representation next year! Joy writes how Labor Day is an annual treat when Joy and Liz get together with Elizabeth LePatourel Powell ’50. She and Liz’s mom, Mary Hendershot Bastian ’50, P’82 were great pals at Hood! Joy and Liz hope to continue celebrating when we are in our 80’s! Joy’s husband Don retired a year ago. The vegetable and flower gardens have never looked better. They frequently donate produce to community outreach. Daughter Kendall is still in CA working for Facebook and son Danny remains in Frederick working for State Farm. Joy is still with Leidos Biomed and is nowhere near retirement. She is planning and looking forward to a girls’ trip to Paris in August-her first trip abroad! Liz and Gretchen Steinmetz Keith see one another on a regular basis in Reading. Gretchen’s two sons married last year and her oldest daughter ties the knot on June 25, 2016! Gretchen enjoys spending time with her 18 month old grandson Dalton. Her husband Rich recently accepted a new position in Milwaukee.  He’ll reside in the midwest and travel home periodically. Liz keeps in touch with Lisa Shakespeare Whedbee via Facebook. She and husband traveled to Alaska earlier this year to help move her daughter’s family back to Virginia. Liz and family recently moved her father into assisted living. Liz is still working full time in the travel industry. She spent a week in Antigua in May and looking forward to some time in New Mexico this Fall. Wishing everyone a terrific summer!

1981

Lynn Marzulli White
indianawhitehouse1@gmail.com

I, Lynn Marzulli White, was not able to attend our reunion this year but it was great to see all the pictures on Facebook. It’s been a busy year on my end. My youngest daughter got married in the Fall and I am expecting my fourth grandson the end of the summer. It is a blessing to live close enough to enjoy the girls and their families, there is always something going on. Maureen McDonnell-Weschler attended our reunion.  She had a great time and visit with her old roommate Maggie Parks and other classmates.  She especially liked Strawberry Breakfast as the food and décor were great. She has been traveling a lot. Her eldest son, who is a captain in the Army, is currently stationed on a secret and dangerous assignment overseas so prayers would be appreciated. She just celebrated her 36th wedding anniversary. Congratulations to Tyanna Yonkers who earned a Ph.D. in Spirituality from The Catholic University of America in 2014. She was promoted to full professor at the University of Mount Olive in 2015. Her interest in and experience with theatre prompted the President of her institution to appoint her to begin work on the development of a new drama program. She was granted a semester sabbatical this past Spring during which time she explored Contemplative Studies Programs with an eye on incorporating some type of program of this nature at UMO and engage in research at her institution on the impact of contemplative studies on students. Corrine Esher Durdock, P’81, G’16 was at Hodson Gallery in April for the opening reception for her granddaughter Rebecca Rieser’s ’16 Spring Senior Seminar. Rebecca’s art project titled Peaceful Propaganda was exhibited. Karen Robinson Curtis was sorry she missed our reunion but had just traveled to MD to celebrate her daughter Jessica’s Wedding in May. Her eldest son Dale is engaged to be married next spring.  Karen and Mark have both just retired this year. Karen retired from teaching kindergarten for 27 year and Mark from his engineering position in CA.   They just moved to Dallas. Their youngest son Kevin stayed in CA to work at Universal. They are busy settling in and reconnecting with friends and hope to travel more in retirement. Mary Thompson Calhoun had a great time in Frederick with the other class of 1981 Hoodalums, and is looking forward to our 40th class reunion in five years.  She got to visit with her former political science professor, Marge Elfin, who was on campus on for a trustees’ meeting. Mary is staying busy working in the yard and repainting the exterior of the house. She is also volunteering with the Asheville NAACP’s Get Out The Vote voter registration initiative. When she’s not doing that, she is driving up the mountain to see her better half, who is well, and will soon be interviewed by phone for his annual memory assessment with the New England Centenarian Study/Boston University. He is not really looking forward to that interview–he thinks they should come to him, and not be calling him on the phone! Mary had a visit with her Hood roommate, Laura Schauer ’83, who lives in Wilmington, NC and is now a proud grandmother. She is looking forward to hiking around the NC Arboretum in July with Maggie Park who teaches at Converse College. If anyone is heading down south and will be in western North Carolina, they are invited to stop by and see Mary. Things are going well for Stephanie Constantino Chisolm.  Her youngest graduated from George Mason this past December.  She is still in Columbia but now works at the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network. She sees Lisa Kondylas every once in a while. She took a trip into Frederick recently and was impressed by the changes in town and on campus. Leigh Moomaw McBride has been enjoying time with her grandchildren. Her daughter Caity and her family live right on a cove in CT and she loves the opportunity to kayak and do stand-up paddle boarding when she visits them. Her son Christopher and his family are moving this summer to a new home in York, PA., which is close enough that she will babysit her grandsons two days a week.  Leigh and Pat had a magical trip to Paris in April to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary. Luther Jett shared that his short collection, “Not Quite: Poems Written in Search of my Father,” was published last fall (2015) by Finishing Line Press.

1979

Trina Clickner
727-366-1424
trinaclickner@gmail.com

Bess Muir:  It’s moving time again!  I just moved to Kent Island, near Annapolis.  I am still traveling with Dad: this year it’s Austria, Germany, and The Netherlands.   I just completed a Master’s in Aging Services Management from USC and am enjoying grandkids – they are my new best friends! Gini Allen Natter: The time has come to say goodbye to Northrop Grumman and hello to our new home in Atlantic Beach, Florida.  I am retiring at the end of July and our new house is under construction.  I look forward to spending time with family and friends, at the beach, and on the golf course.  We have purchased a condo in Annapolis so that we can still enjoy time in this beautiful sailing town.  Joyce Lavado Soucy:  Daughter #1, Maura, is happily married and living in Annapolis.  She is working for a non-governmental organization doing global healthcare and traveling to remote and exotic places for work.  Daughter #2, Beth, moved to Seattle to work remotely as an industrial design consultant and to be with her boyfriend.  We recently sold our Connecticut home of 29 years and get to “live the dream” of 6 months in RI and 6 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. We’re so excited to say adios to winter!  My husband, Paul, is not retired.  He was given the opportunity to work from the Jupiter office for months at a time so we thought we’d start making the transition to Florida. Katt Sherman Hancher:  I’ve happily have been able to spend time with a few of my favorite Hoodies. Our daughter Kelsey married in January at Old South Mountain Inn and both Meg Forbes Mendoza and Susan Bartlett Dunbar attended. Meg was back east recently for, unfortunately, her brother Charlie’s Memorial Service, and we had some good catch-up time. The Mendoza’s are planning on moving to Florida sometime next year, so at least they’ll be on the east coast! Hank and I are working away, and taking some time for house renovations between weddings. My younger brother and his wife moved from Arizona to Frederick not too long ago so we’ve been spending quite a bit of time there and love it now more than EVER. Looking forward to Homecoming this Fall.  See you there? Linda Itell-Thomas:  It’s hard to believe that I have been in Sarasota for 4 years.  Still enjoying Florida life – flip-flops and T-shirts whenever possible!  I am still working for SSA, a Division of Reliance Steel and I am planning to work at least until Jan 2016 so I can celebrate 40 years in the metals business. If I still am healthy and able, I plan to work until I am 65 then will consider retirement life so I can focus on my golf game. I have become addicted to the sport and try to play as much as possible in my “spare” time.  We celebrated my son’s graduation from college and he is on his way to becoming a police officer.  My daughter is in her senior year of nursing and will be graduating at the end of this year with her BSN.  She plans to stay in the Fort Myers area for the short term.  She is looking at various schools to continue her education to secure her DNP.  All in all, life is good.  If any of the Hood people from our class are in the area, let me know.  E-mail is lkitellthomas@gmail.com – I’d love to see you! Malia Harrison Anderson:  I’m getting a new right hip!  I have to be able to dance at my son Marty’s wedding on August 6 in Nashville, TN! Steven Grigas:  Apart from missing the good old days at Hood, I’ve been busy with my second career as an partner/attorney with the law firm of Akerman LLP.  My clients include numerous HMOs, and one of the nation’s largest hospital systems.   I have recently been recognized as one of the Best Attorneys in America 2016 for the area of health law.  I am on the editorial board of the online news service Law360, and am the incoming chairman of the Florida Bar’s Health Law Section for 2016-17.  My son finished his freshman year at the University of Florida. My wife retired from teaching elementary school and my two puppies, Penny Lane and George Parker, are teething and send greetings.  Life is good. Trina Clickner:  I am still fiddling incessantly and looking after my Aunt with dementia.  I recently moved her from Anacortes, WA back to Rochester NY.  A-D-V-E-N-T-U-R-E.