Mystery Classmate 048

Congratulations to Jim Davliakos, who correctly identified Mark Blotzer ('84) as Mystery Classmate 048. Although Mark did not complete his education at Churchill or Woodland Hills, he was a classmate of many of us at Churchill Elementary and other schools.

In case you were wondering, Mark lives in Rochester, New York, where he collects antique advertising and plays golf. Mark won First Place, B Division in the 2002 Greater Rochester Deaf Golfers Association League and is pictured donning the traditional plaid jacket.

Frank Battaglia guessed Louie Countouris. Scott Silverman guessed Jeff Dargay. Jerry Koutavas guessed Ed Knapp.

Joe Caprara guessed Ken Van Cara. Bill Stout guessed Bill Blake.

Ted Showers guessed WKRP’s Herb Tarlek. Megan Mahoney guessed that the gentleman on the right is The Shield’s Michael Chiklis.

Mystery Classmate 047

Congratulations to Paula Recchio Joseph, Coleman Brennan, Milton Koutavas, Barbara Bender Pietro, Dan Talbert, Bob Smith, Paul Rodgers, Maribeth Mahoney Misitis, Tina Schadle Dover, Ted Showers, Jamie Kracsun McBride, Kristin Burgard, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, Ken Van Cara, and Stu Cohen, all of whom correctly identified Amy Chufo ('87) as Mystery Classmate 047 and are listed in the order that their responses were received. Thanks to Beth Chufo Nichols for sending the pic.

In case you were wondering, Amy Chufo Prezelski is a physical education instructor and athletic coach at the prestigious Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Wheaton, Maryland. She is a 1992 graduate of Ohio University and received a master of education degree from Bowie State University in 2002. Like Jerry Koutavas, Amy resides with her family in bucolic Mt. Airy, Maryland. She is pictured with her two girls, Leya (3) and Juliana (7).

Several classmates had fond memories of Amy. Paula Recchio Joseph wrote, “I remember sweating out on the tarmac at Band Camp with Amy making me crack up…. She used to say ‘They pelted me with rocks and garbage’ but I can’t remember what it’s from!”

Coleman Brennan expects that “Everyone knows that’s Amy Chufo.” Bob Smith noted that Amy looks happy with her kids.

Mike Williams guessed Beth Chufo. Jim Thompson guessed “one of the Chufos. The younger one, but I don’t know her name.”

Megan Mahoney knew both names, but couldn’t remember which Chufo was younger, and guessed Beth.

Brandon “Brandon B” Holmes wrote, “Those eyes, that smile, she’s unforgettable. Beth Chufo, all the way! We sat next to one another in English class our senior year and she’d totally slay me with her sense of humor. She’s the best!”

Lori Haas Baccari guessed Bridget Killen. Jim Davliakos guessed Traci Kavo.

Mystery Classmate 046

Congratulations to Coleman Brennan, Carrie Schadle, Mike Williams, Lauren Hoener Nace, David Kortyna, and Jamie Kracsun McBride, who correctly identified Tim Wojtaszek ('81) as Mystery Classmate 046 and are listed in the order that their responses were received. Thanks to Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli for sending the pic.

In case you were wondering, Tim lives in Penn Hills with his wife Debbie and his kids Lindsay and Matthew. He works for Liberty Check Company selling checks and checking services to credit unions in the tri-state area. Although his swimming is limited to recreation, both kids are members of the Penn Hills Dolphins and Tim helps coach the team. Tim is shown with his daughter Lindsay and cousin Amanda.

Several classmates had fond memories of Tim. David Kortyna asked, "Can you resend the picture with Tim in just a Speedo? I still have many fond memories from those days of high school swimming. EMULSIFY!"

Lauren Hoener Nace wrote, "Tim was best man in my brother Jeff's wedding a few years ago. He looks exactly like he did in high school. It's not fair that he hasn't gained an ounce or at least gotten a few gray hairs."

Carrie Schadle wrote, "For some reason we used to think Tim looked like one of those worms we cut up in biology class for the benefit of watching it grow back, but time and tide has erased the reason for that memory from my mind."

Frank Battaglia guessed Jonathan Siegel. Ellen Broadberry Gallagher guessed Larry McAfoos. Jim Davliakos guessed Greg Tomasic.

Bill Stout couldn't come up with a name, but thought that Tim was from the Class of '83 and appeared in several musicals.

Chuck Zimmerman wrote, "I'm pretty sure that's Mr. Piper's Pub himself, Mike Topping! Even if I'm wrong, Piper's has great food, and even more importantly, a great beer selection! Mike's brother Andy is an owner as well."

Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes had no idea but thought that Tim looked like Will Farrell.

Mystery Classmate 045

Congratulations to Paula Recchio Joseph, Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes, Mike Williams, Scott Silverman, Joe Caprara, Paul Rodgers, and Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, who correctly identified Dennis Koutavas ('85) as Mystery Classmate 045 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Denny is the Washington, DC area sales manager for Dove Data Products, a technology company headquartered in Florence, SC. He lives in scenic Frederick, MD with his wife Juliana and their menagerie of pets, and is active in recreational volleyball and in the Greek Orthodox church.

Barbara Bender Pietro, Stu Cohen, and Bruce Kothmann guessed Milton Koutavas. Steve Landay guessed Jerry Koutavas. Pam Van Cara Collis and Chuck Zimmerman guessed "A Koutavas", presumably referring to Ann Koutavas, mother of the three.

Ken Van Cara guessed Joe Caprara. Dan Talbert wrote a little story about Paul Rodgers which won't be repeated here, although Dan may post to the comments if he wishes...

Mystery Classmate 044

Congratulations to Melissa Mahoney Kortyna, who correctly identified Annette Merlino ('82) as Mystery Classmate 044. Annette appears with her mother in this photo.

In case you were wondering, Annette practices Gentle Family Dentistry in Leechburg and Delmont, PA. In addition, she is the school dentist for Kiski Area School District and the dentist on call at the William Penn Care Center in Export. She graduated from Geneva College ('85) with a BS in Biology, and from the University of Pittsburgh Dental School in 1988.

Annette traveled to Honduras and Belize in August 2000 with a mission team to provide physical aid and dentistry to citizens there. Since 1988 she has made mission trips to Kenya, China, Zaire, and Peru. Annette was selected for Rotary International's Young Professional Exchange and spent a month in Japan visiting businesses and speaking (in Japanese) about the Western Pennsylvania region.

Annette has served as president of the Vandergrift Kiwaniis Club and the Westmoreland County Dental Society, is a past Chairman of Missions and now works with youth at her church, and was named the Women's Business Network Woman of the Year in 2000. She lives in Delmont with her husband Thomas Felmley and her cat, Commando.

Gary Lehman guessed Marie Aquino. Ellen Broadberry Gallagher guessed Aarti Gurnani. Paula Recchio Joseph guessed someone named Marion, who worked at the radio station with her. Jim Davliakos guessed Connie Davliakos, noting that Connie is of Greek descent. Paul Rodgers guessed that Annette's mom was Janet Neely.