Congratulations to Helene Palmer Bour, Ellen Broadberry Gallagher, Pam Van Cara Collis, Donna Andreas Copley, Colleen O’Connor Casey, Mike Bernstein, Karen Bonvalot Torres, Tracy Schneider Rogers, Greg Markantone, Leslie Rush Cuda, Linda Wolff, Kelly Sauer Mazon, Celesta Van Sickel Bjornson, Karen Maderas Turner, Joann Kassalen Reisch, Amy Baer Davie, Melissa Blagovich Miller, Ellen Lin, Karen Campbell Ricci, Lori Haas Baccari, John Plack, Katherine Burkett Curry, and Lynn Abt LeBlanc, all of whom correctly identified Michele Sherer (’84) as Mystery Classmate #97 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.
In case you were wondering, Michele Sherer Ancheta moved to Los Angeles following graduation from the University of Michigan in 1988. After working in television production and development for six years, she went to Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Michele is a union-side labor law attorney who is currently playing the role of stay-at-home mom to her two children, Ella, 5 and Jeremy, 2. She has been married for 10 years to Bernie Ancheta (also pictured), a television writer, and lives in Pasadena, California.
Several classmates had fond memories of Michele. No fewer than 15 of you remarked that she looks exactly the same and/or great. Pam Van Cara Collis admired Michele’s dress, while Lynn Abt LeBlanc remembered that Michele always had a great smile.
Celesta Van Sickel Bjornson wrote, “I probably should not be allowed to guess this one since Michele is a close friend, but I can not believe how little she has changed since high school!”
Linda Wolff added, “I really like Michele and her family. Her kids are really beautiful. I hope to see Michele and her family soon.”
Amy Baer Davie says “hi!”
Leann Impavido Mendenhall was tempted to guess Sue Coyne, but then decided that she (Michele) must be from a younger class.
Some classmates couldn’t resist the temptation to guess on Michele’s husband. Donna Andreas Copley thought he looked like her brother’s brother-in-law, Howard Shear. Paul Rodgers guessed Greg Gumbel. Mark Koutavas guessed Donnie Iris.
Congratulations to Donna Andreas Copley, Greg Markantone, Amy Gongaware Senkow, and Karen Campbell Ricci, all of whom correctly identified Rick “Kitch” Senkow (’81) as Mystery Classmate #96 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.
In case you were wondering, Rick and his wife and Classmate Amy Gongaware Senkow are the parents of three children - Matt 9, Julie 6, and Tim 2 1/2. Two summers ago the Senkows moved to Penn Trafford to live with Amy's aunt on the family homestead on Gongaware Road. Wife Amy reports that Rick “has been the best Mr. Mom, which is now his full time job. He is clearing the land to build a house - a dream of his.
“He still likes to hunt and fish, but complains about how much it costs. He hangs out at Tugboats from time to time or the BH fire hall. Other than that, he is still cheap, eats only pizza and plain McDonald's hamburgers, and gives everyone a hard time.”
Karen Campbell Ricci added, “Rick can fix just about anything. As you know he is kind of indescribable to anyone that doesn't know him. I could go on for hours - I will just leave it that he is a wonderful guy!”
Rick is pictured with Jerry Copley, husband of Donna Andreas Copley. The truck is Jerry’s and although several Classmates have inquired it is not for sale.
Linda Wolff didn’t guess, but wondered why it is so easy for guys to stay thin. Linda, it's easy - we eat nothing but pizza and McDonald's hamburgers.
Gary Lehman guessed Dennis “Goose” Antonisio. Ted Smith guessed Craig Davis. Milton Koutavas guessed Eric “Walnuts” Kostic.
Scott Silverman guessed Michael Bachman. Mark Koutavas guessed John Bosak and Marty Miller.
Congratulations to Milton Koutavas, Paula Recchio Joseph, Mike Williams, Amy Petrina Tarantini, Beth Chufo Nichols, Erin Burgard DiPerna, Amy Chufo Prezelski, Ann Broadberry Johnson, Maribeth Mahoney Misitis, Scott Silverman, Greg Markantone, Paul Rodgers, Tommy West, Bill Stout, Betsy Raible Ford, Jim Thompson, Megan Mahoney, Ellen Broadberry Gallagher, Karen “Scottie” Campbell Ricci, and Jeff Buchanan, all of whom correctly identified Barbara Bender (’87) as Mystery Classmate #95 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.
In case you were wondering, Barbara Bender Pietro lives in Columbus, Ohio and has been married to her husband Joe for seven years. She holds a Ph.D. from Ohio University, was previously Director of the Teaching and Learning Center at Franklin University (Home of the Fightin’ Clock Towers), left that post to have her twin sons Nick (l) and Alex (r), and is now an adjunct professor at Franklin teaching Global Cultures.
Thanks to Mary Bender Knight for taking the photo.
Many classmates had fond memories and nice comments about Barbara.
Amy Petrina Tarantini wrote that Barbara is very nice and her babies are cute. Lori Haas Baccari didn’t recognize Barbara but thought that the babies were absolutely beautiful. Maribeth Mahoney Misitis, Ellen Broadberry Gallagher, Ann Broadberry Johnson, and Karen “Scottie” Campbell Ricci all agreed that her twins are adorable.
Mike Williams disagreed, writing, “Wow! Those boys are Benders through and through.”
Amy Chufo Prezelski wrote, “I loved getting Barbara to laugh (which was usually very easy to do) and she would often get to the point of tears!! That was hysterical.”
Jim Thompson remembered that Barbara always used to wear her cardigan sweaters backwards. Jim added, “She probably doesn't do that anymore.”
Ann Broadberry Johnson wrote, “Barbara was one of my very first friends -- we grew up just a few streets away and our moms were in the Bryn Mawr Mothers’ Club together. When we were about 9, I brought her a souvenir bracelet back from a beach vacation engraved with her name. The engraver was probably a hungover college student. Much to my dismay, it looked like it read "Barfra." I gave it to her anyway, after all, it's the thought that counts. I don't believe she ever wore it.”
Megan Mahoney shared a poignant story: “When we were still at Woodside Barbara’s mom and mine were our Brownie Troop leaders. We went to an overnight camp somewhere and it was my very first time sleeping anywhere but at home. I was very frightened and began to cry lying there in the dark. Barb, who was in the cot directly across from mine, heard me so she went and got her mom. She came and sat on the edge of my bed and stroked my back and talked to me until I fell asleep. It was mortifying and comforting at the same time. Nobody said anything to me about it the next morning as I recall, and I was so relieved. Now almost 30 years later I'm not sure if I ever thanked Mrs. Bender, but still count it as one of my most vivid Woodside School memories. So, be sure to forward this to her with my very belated thank you!”
Donna Andreas Copley guessed Karen Bonvalot. Jennifer Buchanan Machovec guessed Mary Comtois. Mark Koutavas guessed Stephanie Kartsonas, noting that she is of Greek descent.
Stu Cohen didn’t remember Barbara, nor did he remember Suhail Baloch for that matter, and isn’t sure where he went to high school.
Congratulations to Karen Campbell Ricci and Lisa Smith, both of whom correctly identified Suhail Baloch (’83) as Mystery Classmate #94 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.
In case you were wondering, Suhail is the Technology Coordinator for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and/or Thomas Jefferson High School, he used to work at Winchester Thurston School, and coached cross-country at Sewickley Academy. He an avid member of the Three Rivers Paddling Club and has an interesting sense of humor.
Lisa Smith noted, “I know Suhail as a fellow whitewater kayaker, not as a Churchill graduate. He and I have paddled on the lower Yough together. Suhail is a great paddler and loves to dance...the girls love to watch him on the dance floor!!!”
Scott Silverman complained about water on the lens and guessed Dennis Koutavas. Donna “Spaz” Andreas Copley guessed John Minnaji, whom she knows from St. Maurice Church. Leann Impavido Mendenhall guessed Greg Markantone. Mark Koutavas guessed George Kountouris, noting that he looks of Greek descent.
Congratulations to Beth Chufo Nichols, Leann Impavido Mendenhall, and Tabitha Husted Riggio, all of whom correctly identified John Hsu (’84) as Mystery Classmate #93 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.
In case you were wondering, John is the Managing Partner, Technical Direction, Product Management for SurfMerchants, a Boston-based company which develops custom web systems for independent businesses. John’s bio on the SurfMerchants website reveals a few of his attributes, which include:
Super Powers: Product Strategy, PHP/MySQL database programming, Interface Design, and the ability to communicate telepathically with my pug dogs (all they ever say is "Daddy, you RULE!!").
Dark Secret: While attending medical school, I dissected a human cadaver and can attest to the fact that NOTHING in there looks anything like what you saw in your high school bio books.
A Few of My Favorite Things: Edward Scissorhands, Blade Runner, Prince, Lyle Lovett, Pedro Martinez, creme brulee, Slate.com, seeing corporate weasels go to the slammer and watching my baby daughter Neva play guitar (with her feet, mostly).Official
Motto: "Our life is our art" - John Lennon
Several classmates had fond memories of John. Tabitha Husted Riggio thought that John was an easy guess, noting that “I have albums of pictures of him. He is my first love, pen pal, and best friend.”
Beth Chufo Nichols remembered that John “was in all my Academic classes and he was really smart.”
Leann Impavido Mendenhall exclaimed, “That's also who was missing from Tabitha (Husted)'s party (as pictured in Mystery Classmate #92) - he attended last year with his wife and baby, Geneva!” Leann added, “Thank you IMMENSELY to Colleen O'Connor Casey for the guess of me being Georgette Reisch! I found some recent pictures of her and think she's just gorgeous! Bill Stout - you can certainly BORROW my kids if you ain't up to claiming them!”
Greg Markantone guessed Chad Scott. Pam Van Cara Collis guessed Kai Lin. Mark Koutavas guessed Wayne Wu, or Alan Seid.
Paul Rodgers guessed ring announcer Michael Buffer.
Congratulations to Helene Palmer Bour, Ellen Broadberry Gallagher, Pam Van Cara Collis, Donna Andreas Copley, Colleen O’Connor Casey, Mike Bernstein, Karen Bonvalot Torres, Tracy Schneider Rogers, Greg Markantone, Leslie Rush Cuda, Linda Wolff, Kelly Sauer Mazon, Celesta Van Sickel Bjornson, Karen Maderas Turner, Joann Kassalen Reisch, Amy Baer Davie, Melissa Blagovich Miller, Ellen Lin, Karen Campbell Ricci, Lori Haas Baccari, John Plack, Katherine Burkett Curry, and Lynn Abt LeBlanc, all of whom correctly identified Michele Sherer (’84) as Mystery Classmate #97 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.
Posts
