Mystery Classmate 025

Congratulations to Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes, Rich Reschoff, Joe Caprara, Barbara Bender Pietro, Paula Recchio Joseph, and Mary Bender Knight, all of whom correctly identified Steve Landay ('85) as Mystery Classmate 025 and are listed in the order that their responses were received. As pictured, Steve is playing "Fascination" by The Human League.

In case you were wondering, Steve writes, "Working for Comcast (formerly AT&T Broadband) in the Regional Network Operations Center (RNOC) and in the Digital Telephony division for the past 4 years... Participated in the local/regional music scene since 1993, has had regional success with several groups here, PUSH, Sleeping Giants including radio play on both WDVE & WXDX, and has opened with the likes of Dave Matthews, Steely Dan, Blues Traveler, Jimmy Buffett, Violent Femmes, The Clarks, Gathering Field, etc etc etc blah blah blah....people can visit BEAM www.beaminfo.com for more music info and what I'm currently up to. Recently did a show with The Wailers, Bob Marley's band this summer! Lived in Reno NV, Santa Clara CA, and find Pgh to be most warm, friendly, and culturally diverse. Still hate the weather though. Father of Zachary who'll be turning 5 in November. Recently read the UnaBomber Manifesto and found it to be quite stimulating. But have NO PLANS whatsoever to reunite C.L.O.T. and do NOT want a Voyager reunion until I find parachute pants. No longer listen to RUSH, love sushi, hate almost everything on television (even though I work for the cable company), and recently got back into cycling on the Montour Trail. When not out gigging on the weekends, you can find me finding new ways to feed his insatiable GEAR BUYING habit online at EBAY. Or, playing Thomas the Tank Engine with Zach. Can't wait to hear all the wonderful stories, comments, and memories people will have of me from the school days."

Many of you had nice things to say about Steve.

Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes: "The Galactic Bass Monster! He's a complete maniac! Actually, he and I have been talking about rockin' the house in the studio one of these days. A possible VOYAGER reunion tour is in the works, too, with Rich Reschoff and I sharing the vocals. We may go out on a small club tour with The 1984 Chamber Choir."

Rich Reschoff: "The great bassist/song writer/founding member of Voyager!"

Paula Recchio Joseph: "Cute as ever, my high school beau, Steve Landay! :)"

Milton Koutavas guessed Robert Smith. Paul Rodgers guessed Joe Piscopo.

Mystery Classmate 024

Congratulations to Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes, Amy Chufo Prezelski, Mike Williams, Emily DePaul Gil, Joe Caprara, Erin Burgard DiPerna, Kristin Burgard, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, Paul Rodgers, and Scott Silverman, all of whom correctly identified Steve and Ria Callas ('86) as Mystery Classmates 024 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Steve works for one of the Pittsburgh television stations, while Ria and her husband Alex Kartsonas are the proud parents of two-year-old Jimmy. Aunt Georgina and Uncle Jim are doing fine too.

Meanwhile, Michael Bernstein and Joe Caprara didn't guess incorrectly; but each identified only one of the Mystery Classmates.

Claudia Recchio couldn't quite pull it. Paula Recchio Joseph wrote, "Claudia said that it is a brother/sister team... she thought Maria, and an Italian last name, but that was as close as she could get. I must have had my eyes closed through most of 1981-1985."

Many of you had nice things to say about Steve and Ria.

Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes: "They've always been exceptionlly polite, pleasant and fun to talk to. Judging from the picture, they're as inseparable as ever and I admire them for that."

Amy Chufo Prezelski: "Ria and I played volleyball and softball together and Stevie was always her #1 fan! Their mom is a hoot!"

Emily DePaul Gil: "Ria was a ball of fire! She and brother Steve don't look a minute different from HS. Steve was always such a kindhearted soul, always willing to listen, and always had a smile for everyone!"

Erin Burgard DiPerna: "It's AMAZING how much Ria looks like her mom!"

Mike Williams: "Go Blue Team!"

The photo was submitted by Milton Koutavas, who noted that the Callas family is of Greek descent.

Mystery Classmate 023

Congratulations to Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, Scott Silverman, Milton Koutavas, Chuck Zimmerman, Jamie Kracsun McBride, Jack Horner, Barbara Bender Pietro, Paula Recchio Joseph, Joe Caprara, Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes, Carrie Schadle, Bill Stout, Kristin Burgard, Amy Chufo Prezelski, and Paul Rodgers, all of whom correctly identified Bruce Kothmann ('85) as Mystery Classmate 023 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Bruce is an engineer with the Boeing Rotorcraft Division in Philadelphia as well as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Drexel University. He earned his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University after receiving his MS at Penn State and BS at the University of Virginia, where he served as President of the Virginia Men's Glee Club. Bruce is pictured with his son Lewis. His family also includes wife Andrea and daughter Julia.

Many of you had nice things to say about Bruce. Paula Recchio Joseph, Milton Koutavas and Bill Stout all noted that Bruce's appearance has not changed much. Scott Silverman remembered that Bruce lived on Stevendale Drive, and Paul Rodgers said that Bruce was Scott's favorite neighbor. Barbara Bender Pietro thought that Bruce's son is cute, and Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes said that by the looks of the photo, fatherhood has been good to Bruce.

Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli reminisced about their prom night together.

Jerry Koutavas guessed former Arizona governor and US Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt.

Mystery Classmate 022

Congratulations to Jim Davliakos, who correctly identified George Zanic ('85) as Mystery Classmate 022, noting that George is of Greek descent.

In case you were wondering, George Zanic is the head Baseball Coach at Juniata College. Under George's leadership, the Eagles have gone 38-35-1 over the past two seasons. (A tie in baseball?!) George, a 1989 Juniata graduate, was a four year letterman and three year starter at second base, compiling a .318 career batting average. As a senior, George captained the 1989 squad which won the Middle Atlantic Northern Division title and he was named the team's most valuable player, hitting .367 with 24 RBI. George graduated from Widener University School of Law in 1992 and is a partner in the law firm of Bierbach, McDowell, McMinn & Zanic. He lives in Huntingdon with his wife Lori and children Savannah and Nicholas.

Milton Koutavas sent the picture of George, also noting that he is of Greek descent, while pointing out the technicality that George actually graduated from Swissvale, although he played on the Churchill soccer team.