Mystery Classmate 062

Mystery Classmate #62 may have been a little too difficult for anyone to identify. He is Alexandre “Sasha” Polozoff (’82).

In case you were wondering, Sasha works for IBM and lives in Chicago with his wife Sandra and children Stephen and Kristie. He hates Pittsburgh! You can read his life story on his website, to which you can find a link in the right hand column of this page.

Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli guessed Rosario Collucci. Jerry Koutavas guessed Ron “Spanky” Kirkpatrick. Mary Bender Knight guessed Sam Kinison.

Mystery Classmate 061

Congratulations to Stu Cohen, Gary Cervi, Rich Reschoff, Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes, and Lori Haas Baccari, all of whom correctly identified Michael Bernstein ('85) as Mystery Classmate #61 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Mike lives in Pittsburgh, has been married to wife Amy for 10 years, and has three kids plus another on the way in November. Mike just returned from Japan where he spent four days with Douglas Schafer (who would've been class of '85 if he hadn't switched to Sewickley Academy) and Doug's family, along with Mike's oldest son Max. Mike says, "Hello to all of my old classmates and would love to hear from anybody who is willing to contact me, at mbernstein@leedsworld.com." Mike also noted that Jack Horner is a dead man.

Several classmates shared fond recollections of Mike. Stu Cohen noted that "Mike was one of the coolest guys in our class. Creative, smart and just fun to be around."

Gary Cervi noted that Mike "is the CEO of Leed's (the company I work for). And for that reason, I will not make any smart remarks!

Brian "S.D." Stevenson guessed Ron Levick. Jack McDonough and Tracey Lucchino McDonough collaborated to guess Rich Mich. Chad Calabria guessed Ron Lippock.

Mystery Classmate 060

Congratulations to Coleman Brennan, Lauren Hoener Nace, Leslie Rush Cuda, Jack Horner, Donna Andreas Copley, and Ellen Broadberry Gallagher, all of whom correctly identified Lori Haas ('84) as Mystery Classmate #60 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Lori Haas Baccari has for the past few years been the senior administrative assistant at Jack Horner Communications (Jack is Class of '85). Their office is located in the former Westinghouse Communications Center in Forest Hills across from WTAE.

Lori is married to a computer whiz at UPMC (Dale) and is pictured with her son, Lucca (2 1/2). Lori lives in Gilmore Acres and spends her leisure time collecting Thomas the Tank characters for Lucca, house-hunting for her next mansion, and trading in her car every 11 months due to Cheerios and Kool-Aid Jammers depreciation.

Ellen Broadberry Gallagher shared her fond recollections of Lori, noting that “she worked in my building at my former job and went to Robert Morris University as well as myself. Lori was always a very nice person to talk to.”

Mike Williams guessed Ann Broadberry.

Mystery Classmate 059

Congratulations to Coleman Brennan, Chuck Zimmerman, Beth Chufo Nichols, Ken Van Cara, Sharon Wasko Skoff, Carrie Schadle, Pam Van Cara Collis, Jennifer Machovec Buchanan, Bill Stout, Ellen Broadberry Gallagher, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, and Stu Cohen, all of whom correctly identified Alice Lin ('85) as Mystery Classmate #59 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Dr. Alice Lin Welch is a 2000 graduate of the cellular and molecular physiology program of the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences at Tufts University and is now completing her postdoctoral fellowship at the American Red Cross in Bethesda, MD.

Many of you had fond recollections of Alice. Stu Cohen remembered Alice as a leader and a great musician. Bill Stout remarked that Alice was so talented that she and Bill didn't have any classes together. Pam Van Cara Collis wrote that she never knew anyone nicer than the Lin sisters. Chuck Zimmerman reported that the Lins moved to Barton Drive in 1982.

Others weren't done talking about Mystery Classmate #58, Dan Talbert. Amy Chufo Prezelski said that Dan and Johnny Shoop used to chase her during recess in elementary school, when they weren't playing kickball or Star Wars. Beth Chufo Nichols denied that she and Dan ever worked together, but surmised that Dan was visiting her office for academic advising.

Donna Andreas Copley guessed Alice's sister Ellen, or Alice herself, but couldn't remember Alice's name. Although she knew it was wrong, Karen Campbell Ricci guessed Cissy Kabbert.

Mystery Classmate 058

Congratulations to Beth Chufo Nichols, Jim Esplen, Ted Showers, Paul Rodgers, and Tom Mezyk, all of whom correctly identified Dan Talbert ('87) as Mystery Classmate #58 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Dan is the Head Coach of the University of Pittsburgh rugby team and also serves as College Coordinator of the Allegheny Rugby Union. He is a founder of the Pitt Rugby Alumni Association and is the recruiting coordinator and a player for the Pittsburgh Rugby Football Club. He also has a place for rent, for $500 per month.

Joe Caprara guessed Ron Levick. Donna Andreas Copley guessed Bobby Scott, and wondered where Bob is today.

Mystery Classmate 057

Congratulations to Frank Battaglia, Paula Recchio Joseph, Matt McKeever, Melissa Mahoney Kortyna, and Joanna Patterson, all of whom correctly identified Dean Novotny ('82) as Mystery Classmate #57 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Dean Novotny was an original member of the Black Lips Performance Cult in New York City's East Village, appearing in productions of The Transvestite's Twelve Stations of the Cross, The Candy Darling Story (about the late Warhol superstar), The Ascension of Marsh P. Johnson (about the transvestite that threw the first brick at the Stonewall riots), and The Birth of Anne Frank.

The character of Sissy Fit, as whom Dean appears here, was born from his experimentation with gender roles and perceptions in the traditional theater genre. "It was fun. It behooved me to have that splashy name," Dean says. "But I am a serious actor, not a drag queen. I decided it was time to start losing the circusy name. I wanted to be taken seriously."

Since his return to Pittsburgh six years ago, Dean has produced numerous performance art pieces along similar lines, and has enjoyed a two-year cabaret run in the East End. His adaptation of the Tennessee Williams novella, The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone, was performed in December 1999 at The Lester Hamburg Studio Theatre at City Theatre, with Dean in the title role originated on the silver screen by Vivien Leigh.

Dean returned to City Theatre in 2001 with his original musical, The Balladof Captain Star Hollow and the Rings of Freedom, about a once handsome and dangerous corporate fleet captain who chucks a promising corporate career to sell illegal beauty products to the oppressed transgendered peoples of the galaxy.

Donna Andreas Copley guessed Brad Drago. Carrie Schadle (whom Bill Stout guessed last week) asserted that she does not look anything like Mystery Classmate #56 Karen Bonvalot, and guessed Bill Stout.

Mystery Classmate 056

Congratulations to Pam Van Cara Collis and Lauren Hoener Nace, both of whom correctly identified Karen Bonvalot ('84) as Mystery Classmate 056 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Karen Bonvalot Torres, Esq., works with the litigation practice group at Klett Rooney Lieber & Schorling in Pittsburgh. She graduated magna cum laude from Pitt and magna cum laude from Duquesne University School of Law. Karen was recognized as a National Association of Women Lawyers Outstanding Law Graduate and is included in Strathmore's Who's Who. In addition to her practice, Karen serves as a Hearing Committee Member of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and for two years has coached the mock trial team at Woodland Hills High School, working with Rich Stanczak.

Bill Stout wrote, "It's almost like I didn't go to school with any of these people. This week I'm guessing Carrie Schadle. Sorry, no clever anecdotes, because it's likely not even her."

Joe Caprara guessed Laura Urbanic. Jim Davliakos guessed Traci Kavo.

Mystery Classmate 055

Congratulations to Milton Koutavas, who correctly identified John Davliakos ('81) as Mystery Classmate 055.

In case you were wondering, John Davliakos, DMD is one of implant dentistry's most respected practitioners. With a broad base of expertise in both the surgical and prosthetic aspects of dental implants, he maintains an active private practice in Annapolis, MD.

John also serves as Staff Prosthodontist at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, and is an Assistant Professor in Prosthodontics at the University of Maryland. He lectures internationally on all aspects of implants and is a knowledgeable resource for new doctors entering the field.

John also helps coach the Under-9 KIYSL Krushers of the Mid-Atlantic Soccer League.

Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli came very close in guessing Jim Davliakos. Jerry Koutavas guessed George Tsudis, and noted that George is of Greek descent.

Joe Caprara guessed Bill Blake, or Ken Van Cara.

Mystery Classmate 054

Congratulations to Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli and Joe Caprara, who correctly identified Karla Isenberg ('83) as Mystery Classmate 054 and are listed in the order that their responses were received. Karla appears in the center in the photo below.

In case you were wondering, Karla Isenberg-Bothe is a member of the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble, which will perform at this weekend's commencement ceremonies in the Carrier Dome. The Brass Ensemble is composed of 38 members of the Syracuse University faculty and staff, the SUNY-Upstate Medical University faculty and staff, and accomplished musicians from surrounding communities. The ensemble is a year-round organization which presents approximately 10 performances yearly including recitals on the Syracuse University Campus and several performances in the surrounding communities. The repertoire of the ensemble includes music from all major musical periods. For additional information and to purchase recordings, check out www.subrass.com.

Bob Smith, Paul Rodgers and Jennifer Buchanan Machovec guessed Rebecca Canobbio. Joe Caprara considered Beth Shaffer before settling on Karla.

Jim Davliakos guessed Maureen Mahoney, and incorrectly identified the gentlemen pictured as (left to right) Burris Esplen, Matt "The Hawaiian Hammer" Husak, Tom Busa and Jack Glunt.

Mystery Classmate 053

Congratulations to Carrie Schadle, Stu Cohen, Amy Chufo Prezelski, Paula Recchio Joseph, Mike Bernstein, Jamie Kracsun McBride, Jennifer Buchanan Machovec, Pam Van Cara Collis, Beth Chufo Nichols, Megan Mahoney, Bill Stout, Ron Levick, Laura Fleming Schulte, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, and Colleen O'Connor Casey, all of whom correctly identified Jack Horner ('85) as Mystery Classmate #053 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Jack is the founder and president of Forest Hills-based Jack Horner Communications, which develops and implements marketing strategies and media relations programs for clients representing a wide range of issues, products and services. He was a 2002 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and was named the 1999 Public Relations Agency Executive of the Year by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Business Marketing Association. Jack is a Penn State graduate who previously was an account executive with Ketchum and a PR assistant for Chambers Development Company. He and his wife Meg are the proud parents of Fergus, 5, and Griffin, 4.

Paul Rodgers guessed Brian Mack. Jim Davliakos guessed Denny Boyle. Ted Showers guessed Conan O'Brien.