Mystery Classmate 036

Congratulations to Angharad Grimes Stock, who correctly identified Andrew "Bearsy" Plack ('82) as Mystery Classmate 036.

In case you were wondering, Bearsy has been in the Navy for about 15 years. He is pictured with his wife Carol.

Rich Reschoff guessed Jeff Dargay. Bill Stout guessed Doug Mackay. Paul Rodgers guessed Len Rinchiuso and even spelled Len's name correctly. Jim Davliakos guessed Mark Liggett.

Mystery Classmate 035

Congratulations to Rich Reschoff and Bill Stout, who correctly identified Karen LaFace ('84) as Mystery Classmate 035 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Karen is entering her third season as the men's and women's diving coach at Ithaca University. She was a member of the 1992 Olympic team at Barcelona, where she placed ninth in the three-meter springboard. Karen was also a member of the U.S. Diving team for 10 years, a four-time high school all-American, a six time NCAA all-American and a three time Big Ten diving champion. The 1987 NCAA Division I champion and Diver of the Year, Karen was a gold medalist at the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana, Cuba. She was inducted into Ohio State's Athletic Hall of Fame and was chosen as the 1992 Pittsburgh Amateur Athlete of the Year.

Her coaching experience includes instructing divers of all ages and levels while at Ohio State, an instructor with the Fort Lauderdale Diving Team and coaching high school divers locally. Since retiring from diving Laface has completed medical school at the University of Pennsylvania and a residency in family practice at Brown University. She is currently employed at the Guthrie Medical Group, and her husband Andrew Getzin is Ithaca's team physician.

Joe Caprara guessed Angel Billings. Mike Williams guessed Shannon Boyle. Rich Reschoff considered Missy Dunkelman before deciding to guess Karen. Paul Rodgers guessed Julie Smith.

Ron Levick fished for a hint, asking, "Did she make any pottery with Mr. Raith?" Ron, who didn't?

Mystery Classmate 034

Congratulations to Milton Koutavas, Dan Talbert, Jeff Buchanan, Erin Burgard DiPerna, and Kristin Burgard, all of whom correctly identified Mike Williams ('86) as Mystery Classmate 034 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Mike reports that he is "sadly, not doing the Baywatch gig as the picture might imply. I'm working on Wall Street as Director of European Equities at Westdeutsche Landesbank, where I've been for eight years selling our trading ideas to US pension funds and mutual funds. I finally succumbed to marriage last May and now live with my wife Shauna and teenage stepdaughter Sarah in the upper west side of Manhattan. If anyone is visiting the area, just give us a shout - we'd love to see ya!"

Several classmates took issue with the previous week's claim that Gretchen Grindle and Geoff Camphire are the only prom couple in Churchill history ever to marry. Megan Mahoney and Margaret Fleming Rintamaa report that the Class of 1986 can claim at least two, and possibly as many as four married prom couples, all of whom remain together today. These include Crissy Fiano and Gary Cervi; Megan Mahoney and Jim Thompson; Kim Delserone and Jeff Mauro; and Denise Kavo and Jim Nese. (I was happy to hear this, although it was my understanding that at least one of those girls had married Ben Williams.)

In addition, David Kortyna and Melissa (Mahoney) Kortyna report that Mark Ferguson and Sue Bentz from the Class of 1981 were prom dates who later married and also remain together. Congratulations to all!

Joe Caprara guessed Bill Blake, or Meredith Berg.

Mystery Classmate 033

Congratulations to Jamie Kracsun McBride and Jack Horner, both of whom correctly identified Geoff Camphire ('85) as Mystery Classmate 033 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Geoff runs his own firm, Geoff Camphire Communications. He has written about education issues for more than 10 years and his articles have frequently appeared in the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory's SEDL Letter, the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory's Learning Point, and other publications.

Geoff also serves as Co-Vice President for Publications for the Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington. He lives in Burke, Virginia with his wife and classmate Gretchen Grindle (who claims that she and Geoff are the only prom couple in Churchill history ever to marry) and their two sons.

Jack Horner noted that Geoff is not technically a Churchill or Woodland Hills grad. I did not know this. I also did not know that you could be expelled if your mum was a teacher.

However, I will point out that Geoff is not the first Mystery Classmate to have failed to graduate from our school. This distinction has previously been achieved by Jim Faiella (MC #10), George Zanic (MC #22) and Milton Koutavas (MC #32).

Paul Rodgers guessed Paul Keane. Pam Van Cara Collis and Ken Van Cara collaborated to guess Dave Grejda.

Scott Silverman guessed "the Russian exchange student Bad Rizolushin. He always had a way of making mischief, but never being recognized. I always thought that he had ties to the KGB."

Geoff Camphire wrote, "That ugly bastard can only be Bob 'Bob' Burt. Lord have mercy on his soul."

Mystery Classmate 032

Congratulations to Ken Van Cara, Mike Williams, Bill Stout, Paul Rodgers, and Jerry Koutavas, all of whom correctly identified Milton Koutavas ('87) and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Milt is a commodity manager for XO Communications, a full-service provider of communications services for small and growing businesses, larger enterprises and carriers. He lives near the Pennsylvania border in Walkersville, MD with his wife Sandie and young daughter Madison. In his spare time, Milt coaches youth basketball at Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Frederick.

Many of you had nice things to say about Milton. Paul Rodgers remembered Milt from Janet Neely's Spanish class. Ken Van Cara said he looks exactly the same, adding, "Everyone knows Uncle Milty!"

Milton's brother Jerry shared some precious memories:

"Milt was the soft-spoken one that my mom still adores but he also was the catalyst for many strange accidents growing up. Here are the top ones I can remember (most of the others I have blocked out):

1) Getting his thumb stuck in a bowling ball during a Cub Scout tournament at Sunset Lanes; the owner had to chisel through the ball to release him;

2) Spiking a ball so hard during a church volleyball tournament that he broke the thumb on an opponent who tried to block it;

3) Throwing a snowball at my brother (Denny's) face while he was sledding down our street; rendering my brother temporarily blind and unfortunately causing his two front teeth to act like skis on the cement (thanks to Dr. Calega for the emergency root canal!);

4) Throwing a rock at Pete Tsudis' head during a family get-together, unfortunately to this day Pete still has a decent size welt from the incident and probably can hold a half-cup of liquid on his head without spilling."

Joe Caprara and Paula Recchio Joseph guessed Dennis Koutavas. Ted Showers guessed "A Koutavas", presumably referring to Ann Koutavas, mum of the three boys.

Mystery Classmate 031

Mystery Classmate 031 may have been too difficult for anyone to identify, although in the contestants' defense, he is wearing a theatrical costume and makeup. He is Scott Sambuco ('83).

In case you were wondering, Scott is an actor and dancer who appeared as reformed con-man Marcellus Washburn in West Virginia Public Theatre's 2002 production of The Music Man; had a variety of small parts last year in the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera's "A Musical Christmas Carol;" traveled to Monaca to choreograph Center High School's 2003 musical; and is a regular member of the dance company at Pittsburgh Musical Theater, where he recently appeared in Fantasticks, as shown below.

Milton Koutavas guessed John Seidensticker. Joe Caprara guessed Dave Kotler. Bruce Kothmann and Ted Showers both guessed Tom Busa, Bruce noting that Tom is tough to recognize without his drum-major staff.

Mary Bender Knight guessed Myles McCray. Laura Urbanic guessed Larry McAfoos. Jim Davliakos guessed Jorge Rebelo.

Paula Recchio Joseph said she couldn't view the picture, but guessed Ken Van Cara. Upon review, Paula thought that Scott resembled Adam Karsten, but remembered that Adam previously appeared as Mystery Classmate #19. Bill Stout also thought that Scott looked like Adam Karsten, but went "against the odds" to select Paul Keane.

Carrie Schadle didn't venture a guess, but wondered why anybody would choose to appear that way today.

Mystery Classmate 030

Congratulations to Jack Horner, Pam Van Cara Collis, Ken Van Cara, Jamie Kracsun McBride, Coleman "Cool Man" Brennan, Lauren Hoener Nace, Bill Stout, Rich Reschoff, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, Carrie Schadle, Joe Caprara, and Beth Chufo Nichols, all of whom correctly identified Paula Recchio ('85) as Mystery Classmate 030 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Paula Recchio Joseph moved to Fredericksburg, VA in 1990 to teach and is currently teaching sixth graders history, reading and language arts. She and her husband Tony, a museum display designer/visualization specialist, have been married since 1998. Paula's favorite job is being mom to Max and Sophie. She also attends grad school at Longwood University and is in the Library Media Specialist program.

Many of you had nice things to say about Paula. Lauren Hoener Nace wrote that Paula looks just like she did in high school, and Carrie Schadle agreed. Beth Chufo Nichols said that Paula looks YOUNGER than she did in high school, and wondered if it was her sister Claudia.

Rich Reschoff testified that Paula was looking good at the ten year reunion. Jack Horner noted that Paula seems to have gotten Snoopy drunk.

Jim Davliakos guessed Veronica "Veg" West.

Mystery Classmate 029

Congratulations to Mary Bender Knight, Barbara Bender Pietro, and Scott Silverman, all of whom correctly identified Jerry Koutavas ('84) as Mystery Classmate 029 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Jerry is National Sales Manager for the ASCII Group, the nation's largest group of independent computer value added resellers and independent computer solution providers, with over $11 billion in end-user sales in 2002. He lives in bucolic Mount Airy, MD, with wife Shannon, son Noah, daughter Sierra, and little dog Kernel. Jerry maintains his physical condition by eating pie.

Many of you had nice things to say about Jerry. Scott Silverman noted Jerry's reputation as an "accomplished drinkologist." He added, "The names of some of his drink inventions escape me though -- something about Nerds (the candy) and warts (the kind doctors remove)."

Later, Bill Stout apologized for not guessing Jerry. He wrote, "I thought it was Bill Blake disguised as Jerry. I'm always wrong!" Bill added, "Come to think of it, Edgewood Country Club might be the only establishment in western PA that can legally sell Jerry K masks and costumes."

Mary Bender Knight noted that Jerry is of Greek descent.

Paula Recchio Joseph came very close with her guess of Dennis Koutavas.

Mystery Classmate 028

Congratulations to Paula Recchio Joseph, Jamie Kracsun McBride, Milton Koutavas, Mary Bender Knight, Emily DePaul Gil, Larry McAfoos, Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes, Beth Chufo Nichols, Gretchen Grindle, Jack Horner, Mike Williams, Carrie Schadle, Barbara Bender Pietro, Rich Reschoff, Joe Caprara, Ann Broadberry, Lisa Bizon, Bill Stout, Erin Burgard DiPerna, Laura Fleming Schulte, Kristin Burgard, Bruce Kothmann, Paul Rodgers, and Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, all of whom correctly identified Heather Karsten ('85) as Mystery Classmate 028 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Heather is the Assistant Professor of Crop Production and Ecology at Penn State University, where her responsibilities include teaching, advising, and developing courses for the Agroecosystems Science Major. Heather is interested in examining the ecological and physiological processes of cropping systems with the objective of improving the sustainability of agroecosystems, and her research has focused on forage and pasture plant ecology and physiology, with the objective of identifying how to improve pasture plant persistence and productivity, and advancing pasture management. Whew!

Many of you had nice things to say about Heather. Many of the ladies marveled at Heather's youthful appearance:

Lisa Bizon: "She looks the same as I remember her in middle school."

Ann Broadberry: "She's so pretty and hasn't changed a bit!"

Beth Chufo Nichols: "She looks GREAT and, except for the shorter 'do, about the same as in high school."

Emily DePaul Gil: "She hasn't changed a bit!"

Gretchen Grindle: "She apparently has not aged a day!"

Paula Recchio Joseph: "Boy, she looks as young as she did in 1985! I can't wait to hear what she is up to!"

Carrie Schadle: "She looks just as lovely as she did in high school!"

Some of the gentlemen wondered where they might see Heather onstage:

Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes: "Is she still acting and singing? I remember how talented she was and how much she used to laugh at Adam. Great to see she's still smiling! Wow, she looks incredible!"

Rich Reschoff: "(Heather and Adam) were total opposites, yet both were amazing in 'Carousel.' Do you know if they both are still acting?"

No official incorrect guesses this week, although Scott Silverman was at my house last Sunday and wondered aloud, quite wistfully, if it was Kathy Begg.

Mystery Classmate 027

Congratulations to Jeff Buchanan, who correctly identified Ted Showers ('87) as
Mystery Classmate 027. It must be noted that Jeff wasn't entirely sure of his guess, and wondered if it might have been Tom Green.

In case you were wondering, Ted lives in Forest Hills in a basement reportedly filled with empty beer cans and Vincent's Pizza crusts. He writes, "In my defense, I don't really look like that. That was during a (drunken) weekend camping trip 10 years ago, and I was way fat and hairy! I did, however, score a goal on that rush up ice."

Many of you had nice things to say about Ted, albeit at a later date. Ann Broadberry noted, "He always had me rolling. Funny, great guy."

Jim Davliakos guessed Bill Blake.

Mystery Classmate 026

Congratulations to Jerry Koutavas, Emily DePaul Gil, Mike Williams, Mary Bender Knight, Ted Showers, Jeff Buchanan, Kristin Burgard, Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes, and Barbara Bender Pietro, all of whom correctly identifed Scott Silverman ('86) as Mystery Classmate 026 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Scott has been in the Washington, DC area for more than ten years and is the Executive Director of Shop.org, the online group of the National Retail Association. Scott lives in Falls Church, VA with his wife Maxine (NOT pictured), son Jonathan, daughter Sophie, and dog Caspar. He recently retired from playing pickup basketball on Tuesday nights and watches the Steeler game each Sunday while drinking an Iron City Beer.

Many of you had nice things to say about Scott. Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes wrote, "Man, he used to have some KA-ILLER parties back in the day!!!!!!"

Others were confused by the individual to Scott's left. Jerry Koutavas guessed Siegfried, of Siegfried & Roy fame. Mike Williams and Mary Bender Knight wondered who the "dude" and "guy" was, respectively. Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes asked about the "hottie" next to Scott, while Ted Showers and Joe Caprara correctly identified Joan Rivers. Ted added, "Class of '32."

Bruce Kothmann guessed Stu Cohen. Bruce wrote, "Interesting anecdote: Jamie Kracsun crashed into Stu's house (that big red one at the intersection of Greensburg Pike with Marion Drive) while learning to drive. Unfortunately for Jamie, she didn't even have her learner's permit at the time, so her mom had to take the fall. Stu was unharmed."

In her defense, Jamie Kracsun McBride replied, "Just wanted to comment on Bruce's remarks about that unfortunate high school memory. Just for the record, I did have my learner's permit and I LEARNED a lot from that experience! My mom did not have to 'take the fall'. We were all glad that the Cohen family was unharmed. I would like to report that I continue to be an upstanding citizen and have not had an accident, speeding ticket, or moving violation in the last twenty years!"