Amanda Paulauskas Gets Through Life's Hurdles With Style

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Hey everyone! Let's just say I had a blast in high school and college, but I've having even more fun now! After high school, I continued on to Boise State. I ran track and cross country there. Let me tell you the 400 hurdles really hurt! And don't get me started on the steeplechase! I also joined the bowling team there and was president of the club for a year. I graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology with a health and coaching endorsements. I am currently working on my math endorsement. In April 2002, I joined the LDS church. I met my husband Travis after I joined so there wasn't any "flirt to convert" thing going on. We were married a year to the date we met, so on July 26, 2003 we were sealed in the Boise Temple. We have one son Cody who just turned 2 1/2. He looks older than he really is. I used to think that I would be a mom and work full time, but I love being a stay at home mom. I wouldn't change being a mom for the life of me. It is just SO rewarding! Anyway, let's see...jobs...I worked for 9 1/2 years at Target while doing all the schooling (hs and college), I worked full time at Borah High as a paraprofessional. I subbed on occasion after I left teaching to have a child, I have been coaching track and cross country there and still currently am. We just won our 3rd straight girls and 4th straight boys track titles. I like having that on my resume. I am the assistant in XC and the hurdle coach in track. Travis and I are expecting our 2nd child this November. We are expecting a little girl, Hailey. We are very excited. I am sorry that I missed the reunion, but I definitely plan on making the 20th. If anyone wants to get in touch or get together for lunch or something just email me. Paulauskas@juno.com

Amanda

Scott Montgomery Update!

As luck would have it I’m working and living in Washington DC and won’t be able to attend our reunion unfortunately due to work conflicts. But I thought a little update from the last few years
wouldn’t hurt.
Following graduation I fulfilled a life long dream of going to the former Soviet Union. I had the opportunity to serve a mission for my church in eastern Ukraine where I learned and spoke Russian. I gained a new appreciation for Russian mafia and lived at one time, next to one of the former largest nuclear missile plants in the former Soviet Union.

I returned home and attended BYU where I began studying Russian and Political Science. After changing my major numerous times I finally graduated in 2005 with a BA in Theater Media Arts, with an emphasis in directing and producing for stage, television and film.

Over the last 7 years I’ve been involved in a variety of interesting ventures and projects. I began performing in regional stage productions in Utah and eventually gravitated towards producing and directing. In early 2000 I produced and directed a regional touring production of the musical EVITA. Dan Clark and his wife toured with us in this production, and of course with Dan there was never a dull moment. I continued directing regional theater for a few more years including a production of Jekyll and Hyde.
During college I toured the country with a dance company from New Jersey providing event photography support, where I worked with Christina Aguilera’s Genie in a bottle Choreographer and many other interesting people. The professional dance world is an interesting or perhaps an eclectic place.

While attending BYU I found myself working in television with the local PBS station KBYU. I worked as a producer and writer on the Emmy nominated television series Living Essentials and assistant produced a few documentaries.

In 2006 KSL 5 TV the Salt Lake City NBC affiliate approached me and offered me a position as Executive Producer and creator of a new television series. After 4 months of ridiculous pre-production we launched a daily live entertainment talk show called Studio 5. Upon reaching burn out, I had to find some sanity and normalcy in my life, having had my fill of Martha Stewart/housewife television. I left television, incredible as it was, to work with my brother in real estate investment, which I had been doing previously. Because that would be less stressful, I thought. Actually I love the investment world of real estate and have been doing it since.
Currently I’m working in the Washington DC area temporarily in the marketing field and will be returning to Utah in the fall to continue real estate investment. I’m still single and living up the bachelor life and enjoying it while it lasts. Hopefully I’ll be able to join you all at our next reunion.

Keri Hallmark (Oldroyd)

I was not able to make it to the Reunion, so I wanted to get an update out. It sounds like a lot of fun; sorry we missed out.

First, I have been married for 11 years now. I married Brian Oldroyd on July 12, 1996 in Boise, Idaho. On January 30, 1997 our daughter was born and passed away 2 weeks later on February 13, 1997. Brian and I were 18 years old and were confused, sad and hurt of course, but 10 years down the road we have 3 healthy children and are happier then ever! Sometimes we go through trials, and wonder why is this happening to me…but it made me stronger and more appreciative towards life. My son Bryce is 9 years old and is into the wii, game cube and sports. My daughter Mackenzie is 7 years old and followed her mom’s foot steps with dancing. She is my All American. It’s hard to find a soccer player, baseball player and Ballerina all in one. She does it all! Austin is my 2^nd boy and he is 4 and he loves swimming. He finally learned how to jump off our boat and swim in the lake with out being scared.

In 2001 we moved up to Moscow, Idaho so my husband could go to school. We stayed there for 6 months and moved to Pullman, Washington. Pullman is 7 miles away so Brian still attends the U of I and is going on his last year. He is graduating in Accounting. I stayed home with my children until 2004; I was offered a teaching position at a dance studio. I taught Ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap and Cheerleading. It was so nice to be dancing again. On May 1^st 2007 I decided to go all the way towards my dreams and start up my own Dance Studio. We opened the doors a month later and are doing great! My studio is called Rising Stars Dance Studio www.risingstarsstudio.com , go check out my site and if anyone moves to the area with little future dancers I’ll hook you up… Dancing has always been a huge part of my life and always will be.

In the past year my husband and I have traveled to the Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico, and Cayman Islands. There is nothing like the turquoise Ocean. We enjoyed all the snorkeling, cater man sails and of course our time alone. Every parent needs a vacation to get their Batteries re charged! Usually you’ll find us camping and boating with our children and friends. You can check out my myspace for all updates. www.myspace.com/kerdance21

I miss everyone from Centennial. We all had some good times. We did dumb things of course, but it’s fun to laugh about them now. Have fun at the Reunion! It’s been fun reading everyone’s updates.

Take Care, Keri Oldroyd

Phil moves to Seattle and becomes Pip

The last year or two I was living in Boise, people kept asking me if I was from Seattle. So I decided to check it out. Moving to Seattle felt like moving home. I'd like to live a couple years in New York, and a couple years abroad. But I'd always plan on moving back to Seattle.

Just before leaving, some co-workers nick named me Pip. When I got to Seattle, I introduced myself as Pip. It'll be odd to be called "Phil".

It was in Seattle I met my dearest love: Michelle Molina. When we met, she had Fight Club (the book) sitting next to Ender's Game on her book shelf. That was just over 6 years ago.

Before leaving Boise I did some tech support for HP products. In Seattle I studied Computer Science and History in college before dropping out. I got a job doing tech support for the Seattle University help desk. Left the University to do some tech support for Speakeasy, a local ISP. Then worked a short stint (3 months) as a Microsoft Contractor in the MSN Service Operations Center rebooting hotmail all day long. Left them and landed at my current company Pure Networks.

Pure Networks makes some software you might have heard of, and if you have a D-Link router, you might have called "Network Magic". I started as a Tier 1 support agent, and eventually someone put me in charge. Now I have 5 minions to do my bidding. I have tons of tech support experience and my team is a top notch crew.

Recreationally I drink, play video games, play ping pong, yoyo, contact juggle, I have a strange collection of pets and plants, and read the internet.

As one or two of you may know, I drank mostly vodka in high school. I went through a big whiskey streak, and now mostly drink bourbon. I'm about to embark upon an exploration of tequila.

Beer wise, I most always like Belgians, ambers, and heffs. I'll try most anything. I'm occasionally in the mood for a crisp lager, or a heavy chocolate stout.

Wine I'm all red. I can tell the difference between a $5 bottle and a $50 bottle, but not much more than that.

{video-game-jargon} I play a lot of video games. I still have connected an 8-bit NES, a SNES, a N-64, and a gamecube. I play the SNES almost as much as the 8-bit. 64 and the cube aren't even close. I'll also play any PC RTS I can get my hands on, and I'll try most any turn-based strategy, but I have no interest in MMORPG's or FPS's. {/video-game-jargon}

I might be the best ping pong player in my company (where the ping pong table is) but its up for "debate" (with lots of mandatory shit-talking). On the ladder I'm know as -- Pip "Skullshank" Johnson.

I got a thing for skill-toys; I have a yoyo. You'll see. How I wish I could wow all your kids on Friday at the park, but alas, I'll be attending my cousin's wedding and flying into Boise Saturday morning (as my retarded replied-to-all-when-I-ment-to-reply-spam might have clued you into).

I have a pet Tarantula, 6 hermit crabs, a tank full of sea-monkeys, 1 cat, and my pair of Emperor Scorpions just had babies. I also keep a collection of carnivorous plants.

But more than anything, I read the internet. The best blog in the world is http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/ (or as I still prefer to refer to it as "27bstroke6:). Followed by http://www.boingboing.net.

I watch the snipits of Congressional testimony when I can. I read supreme court decisions that I'm interested in. I follow anything related to DMCA, the CSA, and definitely the Patriot Act.

Holy crap do I love me some science. One of the things I'm looking forward to the most is to find out who from my high school has some super fancy-pants-high-tech job. "Do we have any rocket scientists in the room?" Doing something with NSA or some sick nasty aerospace company? Or with genetics or some other nifty bio-tech? If there are any CHS '97 grads working for Google, I'm going to burn with jealousy. Who ended up a lawyer? Who's a doctor? How many people are actually going to show up? How many people did we graduate with?

I've kept in close contact with the Mikes (Cron, Comstock and Rolig) and Jack Christianson. I see Chris Hoen every time I'm in Boise. But most of the rest of y'all are a mystery.

Last weekend I got drunk and jumped naked into a river. Then sat around a camp fire and sang the National Anthem.

-pip

Blogs Continue! Happy Holdaways!

Ryan Holdaway Says:

I spent one year attending Snow College, before serving in the Des Moines, Iowa Mission. Within a week of my return, I was reintroduced to a wonderful gal and was engaged a month later. I married Angela Christensen (class of ’99) in the Boise Temple in February 2001. During my first year at Boise State, our first child was born. We were told that we were to expect a boy. However, on April Fool’s Day of 2002, our beautiful daughter, Ryanna, was born!

For the next while, I kept trudging through my classes, served as President of the Pre-Law Society, and was blessed to work at the Idaho Attorney General’s Office. In September of 2004, our first son, Dawson, was born.

After suffering through, and enduring the LSAT, I graduated from BSU in May 2006 with my Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Administration. Last summer, we moved to Moscow, Idaho so I could start law school at the University of Idaho. Class of 2009, baby! I just finished working down at City Hall, with the Moscow City Attorney. As if that wasn’t fun enough, our family expanded by one more and Carter was born on June 22^nd, 2007.

I am happy with life, as I have a terrific wife and wonderful children. Ryanna (five) is starting Kindergarten next week, Dawson (three next month) is such a fun little guy and Carter (6 weeks) is learning about how to sleep through the night. Being here in Vandal Country is fun, but I wear my Bronco colors proudly...

Hope you all are well. Take care! Ryan Holdaway
P.S. Angela maintains a blog on our family: www. happyholdaways.blogspot.com.

Post Reunion Pictures and Party Afterthoughts

Word everyone, word. I have to say that going into the the reunion I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. At the moment that I was leaving to get married on August 3rd, we still only had about 50 tickets sold and I was going to be out of town for 2 weeks. I have to say I was worried. But of course 1997 came through and so many of you bought tickets and just showed up. We had about 160 people in attendance - with at least half or more of those being graduates. It took each and every one of us to make the reunion fun and worthwhile, so thanks for showing up!

Pip did some good work at taking pictures and getting links up for us.

All of Pips pictures - CLICK HERE

Just for fun, he scanned the Senior section of the 1997 yearbook. CLICK HERE You can leave comments and link to different people's pictures and stuff. You'll definitely want to check it out. Here is an example of Pip's (click here and here).

If anyone else took pictures or video of the event, send them to me or do what Pip did, and I'll get them up.

Additionally, we'll be keeping the blog going. I have about 15-20 posts to do since many people waited until the last moment when I was on my honeymoon to send their updates. Keep coming back for more!!!

Thanks for everyone making the reunion a success!

Centennial Reunion Email - Ultimate Reunion Details (AKA read!)

Everyone,

See you tonight! Just wanted to remind you of the details of the reunion...see below!!!! The dress code is whatever you want it to be. We are at a club, so you might at least want to pimp yourself out more than you do when you hit a BSU football game. I don't think I'll be wearing a tie...but I hear Mikey is wearing a 3 piece Gucci suit.

Okay, here are the details of the reunion:

Where: The Reef (105 South 6th Street, Boise)
Map: CLICK HERE FOR MAP and then click on the link that says "map"
Parking: There is no specific parking for The Reef - however, there are several self-pay parking garages in the very near vicinity or if you're lucky you might find a spot on the street.
When: Doors open at 6pm/dinner starts at 6:30pm.
What: Reunion party includes program, party, dinner, dancing, and from what I have heard like several grand in DOOR PRIZES. This includes such things as spa packages, white water rafting trips, Burton gear, etc, etc, etc!!! So the prizes might more than make up for your tickets! We will have The Reef privately until 9pm at which point the doors will be open to the general public for a performance by the band Amadan. We are all welcome to stay and enjoy the band, keep talking/drinking, etc. Or you can take off and as I strongly encourage - get some after parties started all over town!
Band description: Amadán is an Irish-Gaelic colloquialism for fool or idiot, and a Pacific Northwestern colloquialism for the Irish punkrock institution that attacks the senses from all six sides and routinely orchestrates chaos out of throngs of expectant fans. This band exists for each other and for these people—a crew as integral to the phenomenon as the rogues' gallery of musicianship itself. So climb aboard, batten the hatches, hold onto your pint, and watch this ship of fools rock the boat. Fists in the air and backs against the wall! undefined undefined undefined undefined

For anyone who has purchased tickets - we will have a list at the door with your name on it as well as how many tickets you purchased. If for some reason you can't find your name, make sure you try your maiden and married names, or spouses name. It should be no problem though. For those of you who have not purchased tickets - buy tickets stat! They are $35 and you can use your credit card through the paypal link that is right here on this blog. If you do not purchase them by Saturday at 12pm, then you will need to buy them at the door for $40. Obviously buying the tickets on the blog is a better option. As you can see by the door prize...it could be worth you while if not just to see all us old friends and school mates.

LAST CHANCE NOON TOMORROW

Okay everyone - the paypal ticket link on this blog will be available until noon on Saturday, at which point we will have to take it off and then tickets must be purchased at the door. This is a chance to save $5 on your tickets, so go there now! The event is panning out awesomely...so don't delay. You can still buy tickets for $40 at the door tomorrow.

See you tomorrow night!

P.S. If you have sent me a post in the last week, I won't be able to post it until after the reunion. We will maintain the blog afterwards.

Picnic Last Minute

Hey everyone -

If you haven't heard, some people have put together a quick opportunity to go hang out tomorrow night with your families in a park if you are interested. Here are the details:

A Family Picnic
Friday August 17
7:00 PM
Demeyer Park (In Demeyer Park Subdivision across from Centennial High School)
Bring Dinner for your own family
Bring your own chairs or blankets (whatever you would prefer to sit on)
This is just a chance to get families together and get reacquainted! The big event obviously is on Saturday night at The Reef. We are so excited and our ticket sales have doubled since last week!!!

Last minute Scott Henneman Update

Well, Jeff has been bugging me nonstop to write an update for myself (well, ok, he said something once), so since I’m on a plane right now, and completely forgot any books, portable game systems, or Transformers, I suppose finally putting out this update is my only other option.

Since I’m sure pretty much all of you read my blog every day, I don’t need to tell you that it only chronicles my life from April 2006 on. So, some recap is in order.

College:
I went to BYU for a semester, roomed with Jeff, assumed school there would be on the same difficulty level as high school. Ended up being wrong.

Japan:
For those of you who have known me since the Joplin Elementary years, you’ll be pleased to know that my life-long dream of training to be a commando ninja nearly came true when I was called to go on a two-year mission to Japan. Turns out, actually, that a mission was something different.

College, Part 2:
I returned to BYU after Japan, then decided to study biochemistry. I really can’t remember why I made that decision, biochemistry not generally being noted for its opportunities to make explosives and other amusements; that would be the Other Chemstry. I also decided to get a minor in Japanese, primarily because I had already taken the majority of the classes before in Japan, when they were called the You Are An Idiot Every Time You Open Your Mouth series.
Anyway, I probably liked chemistry somewhat (see Explosives, Potential to Make, above), but wanted to learn the “bio” end of it because I was going to try to go to med school.
Oh, that’s another thing. I signed up as a pre-med student, mainly to impress the ladies. And then come senior year, it ended up being too late to think of something else, so I applied to medical school.

Romantic Interlude:
Much to the dismay of a great deal of both female organizations and individuals, I started dating a girl seriously. Her name was (and still is) Ellen, she is a lovely person, and I actually did not end up paying her nearly as much for the privilege of being seen with her as I had previously been doing for others. This prompted me soon to ask her to marry me, before my fortune changed too dramatically. My offer was apparently generous enough that she accepted. I thus left the bachelor market in August of 2002.

Jeff Mulcock, jealous of my success with the ladies.

Medical School:
Through much intrigue and a series of well-placed bribes, I was accepted at Columbia Medical School. This being in New York City, I was forced to pack up my clothes, my memorabilia, and my friend’s Playstation and move with Ellen to a small apartment that cost only about $12,000 a month. Great deal, you say? Well, it is in a bad neighborhood, so there you go.

Here is a short white coat that will designate me as a medical student, the lowest of the low, in hospital hierarchy. If you were to play the game “scum” with a hospital theme, I would be the scum.

I made it through first and second year just fine. Toward the end of third year, things got rough – mainly because I had to make a couple decisions. I had been operating pretty much decision free since I moved, and thus I was caught quite off guard. First, what specialty did I want to go into? Well, this one was actually easy for me. I chose radiology, mainly because this is the specialty that requires the least amount of moving around. The second was: do you want to do fourth year now, or do a year of research first? Well, the thought of getting an actual job at the end of med school frightened me, so I opted to do the research thing (the joke was on me, though, because the research was an actual job with a salary and everything.)

Child:
Ellen told me that she was going to have a baby in October 2006 (meaning the baby was due in October, not that she told me in October. She actually told me at the end of August). When she (the baby) was born, we named her Sonja, a name she retains to this day. If you have been to my blog, you know much of this already. In fact, you may have seen pictures. In fact, you may be sick of pictures of Sonja even. This is too bad for you.

Plotting together.

Still in Med School:
I finished up my research year (which focused on the fruitless pursuit of measuring body temperature with MRI) and started up fourth year. I now spend much of my time in dark rooms, looking over the shoulders of others, and asking stupid questions about X-Rays and CAT scans and MRIs. I will soon apply to radiology residency programs all over the country and hope one of them thinks I’m cute enough to accept me when decision time (March 2008) comes around.

Luckily my school schedule lightened up enough (and United decided to have a cheap deal) that I was able to make it to Boise the week of the reunion. I have really enjoyed reading all of your updates and such. If you can’t come to the reunion and are dying to get in touch with me, you can do so by sending an email to scotthenneman AT gmail.com. I often reply, so give it a try!

You are assaulted with cuteness.

Darcy Atkinson Update

After graduating, I continued my work for IEC Group (TPA) through the summer and telecommuted for them through my freshman year which I attended at BYU in Provo, Utah. I attempted the brave world of computer graphic design only to find out that it would take me about six years to graduate, not to mention another year just to apply to get into the program. So after the first year of fun, friends and boys, I decided to take the less expensive and quicker route to that cap and gown and attend BSU. Was I crazy? Well perhaps, since I attempted to get my Bachelors in Computer Information Systems in 3 years. I would have accomplished this task but a boy distracted me.


I was set up on a blind date by a good friend of mine. It was a crazy date, one that included about 20 people going to a movie and ended with Devin and I walking the Eagle Hills Golf Course until odd hours of the morning. It was pretty much over after that although I did put up a good fight. He was by far the superior at this game, especially when he brought White Chocolate Mouse from TCBY into the deal. So I happily succumbed and agreed to marry him Oct. 23, 1999. (Which was in the middle of my 19 credit semester, I might add) Needless to say my schooling took a bit longer, one year longer be exact. I graduated with my BBA in CIS May 2001. I left IEC and worked in various other computer related jobs.


After being blissfully married for 3 years and settled in Star, Idaho (in our cute little home), we decided our family wasn't quiet big enough. We decided to acquire additions in triplicate. We adopted a sibling group of 3. (The story is fasinating but long so I refrain from relaying it here.) They were 3, 4 and 5 years of age at the time. All with April birthdays, literally they are all a year apart. The oldest, Alex (female) is spunky, fun and sometimes very emotional. The middle child, Nick (male) is the peacemaker of the family and then there is Makay (female) who is carefree, fun-loving and interested in everything. So as you can see we have all the bases covered, Alex is like myself, Nick is exactly like Devin (down to the wearing of shorts at all times of the year) and Makay is a mixture of us. It was quite a change of going from zero to three but we love it. We know it was what was suppose to happen. We were able to have them sealed to us this last December in the Boise, Idaho Temple. It was a wonderful experience and has solidified us as a family.



We now live in Middleton on 3 acres. The kids love climbing trees, exploring the various pastures around us and riding their bikes to their friends house a few miles away. I work as the Computer Lab Supervisor at the local elementary school since all my children are in school now. I love being a wife, mother and now a teacher.


I have fulfilled my dream of becoming a mother through the most unorthodox of ways. I hope to see you at the reunion next month.

Tami Brannan (Olsen) Loves Kids!

Well, it has been an eventful 10 years! I stayed in Boise, and I love it. I got married 1 year after we all graduated, then in 2000 and 2002 I had my kiddos. Anders will be 7 this August and Hannah just turned 5. My husband works for the Idaho Statesman (where to show you what a small world it is, he worked with Tyler Miller). As for me, I found out that I adore kids! So I opened my own childcare and have been having a blast doing that. Other than working, I also spend a lot of time scrap booking, knitting and being the PTO President at our kids school. I am looking forward to seeing you all at the reunion and catching up on the last 10 years!

Thomas Foster a Family Man

Wow! Has it really been ten years? Well, here is a brief update on the last ten years. Six weeks after graduation I left to serve a mission in east Texas (Texas Houston East Mission) for two years. I had many great times and learned a bit of red neck language as well as some good Cajun and BBQ recipes. After returning to Idaho in the summer of 1999 I enrolled at BSU for a semester with plans to transfer to ISU. Two months after returning from Texas I met my future wife, Melissa Roundy, while delivering cinnamon rolls to the new neighbors. I learned later it was all a setup of course but hey marrying the girl next door isn’t at all bad (I also learned that Melissa was Valerie Bells cousin, what a coincidence). Needless to say I never made it to ISU and after a few months found myself engaged to my best friend. I married my new sweetheart in March of 2000 in the Boise, Idaho Temple and life has really been nearly perfect since.

I continued attending BSU for another semester while working for Sherwin William’s Paint Company. In 2001 we were expecting our first child and decided to purchase a home in Meridian where we have lived ever since. Rose, our first daughter, was born on June 13, 2001 and by some luck and a little prodding from the doctor now shares a birthday with her dad. What better of a birthday present could a new father ask for! Rose is definitely all girl and often show cases as a mini diva. She loves clothes, dressing up and all that girls are. She is currently taking dances lessons and will be attending an arts and leadership charter school starting this fall. She also likes to spend time teasing dad and will on occasion let on that she is really a daddy’s girl.

Soon after Rose was born I changed jobs and worked for a networking company for a time. In 2003 I started a career in restaurant management and took a position with Apple Grove Restaurants in Boise. Our next child was born during this time and on April 27, 2004, two weeks early; my son Caleb came to us. He is definitely daddy’s mini me and, even though he looks more like his mom, loves to do everything dad does. Caleb loves the outdoors, big trucks, 4 wheelers and shares his dad’s love for fishing. Last May at age three he caught his first three fish all by himself on fishing trip with dad. Now if I can just teach him how to cast his own fishing pole.

I decided to make a change in 2005 and went back to school to finish up a degree. I am currently working on a dual bachelors degree in Business Management and in Marketing and will be finishing up soon. In 2006, tired of managing in hot kitchens, I took a great job opportunity as a Sales Representative with the Kelly Moore Paint Company. I work mostly in the Boise Valley but every month or two get to spend some time in Seattle or San Francisco for meetings. Our second daughter (third child) was born last fall on October 2, 2006. We named her Grace and she has been a joyful addition and a great play mate for her siblings. Grace is showing early signs of talking and walking and I suspect will be much like her older sister.

Melissa spends the days being a great mom in the home and taking care of our family. She often takes the kids on excursions to the park, the library, and of course the grandparents homes. Melissa also enjoys scrap booking and finding creative ways to entertain the kids. Most of my spare time is spent fishing with my brothers or taking Rose or Caleb out to the kid ponds. I also learned how to do taxidermy and have even made a few extra dollars on a few projects I have done for people. Our family likes to take trips to places all over the northwest. We often camp when we know there will be good weather so we can enjoy the outdoors together. The Oregon coast is probably our most favorite place with lots of shopping for Melissa and the girls fishing for me. Our most recent trips have included Yellow Stone, Seattle, Salt Lake, Oregon Coast, and Soda Springs Idaho for some family pioneer heritage education.

Eagle High Gets Started

Hey, if anyone is interested, Eagle High just got their blog up and running. You can check it out at http://eaglehigh97.blogspot.com/ I know several of them have enjoyed reading up on all of you an what you are up to.

I have added it as a link to the right as well...way to be Eagle.

Not An Act, But Real Life Sarah Rutan

So unfortunately I will not be able to attend the reunion. That weekend, I have shows as well as the Festival's 20th Annual AIDS Benefit. However, I did think it was about time to spend an update.

After high school I headed out to the beautiful state of Montana, to attend Carroll College in Helena. I spent three wonderful years there, going to school and performing in the summers at the Montana Shakespeare Company. Sorry to say I did not end up graduating from that lovely institution. I ended up transferring my my senior to the University of Idaho because the opportunities for theater majors were better. One opportunity in particular, the Rex Rabold Fellowship. This is a fellowship offered to one graduating student from the University of Idaho, it is a one year non-union acting contract at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. If you know anything about theater, you know that the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is one of the best regional theaters in the nation. I transferred to the university for the chance to apply for this fellowship.

After graduating in 2002, I was lucky enough to receive the Rex Rabold Fellowship and therefore, January of 2003....I moved to Ashland, Oregon.

Fast forward to 2007. I am still here! I am currently a union actor in my fifth season here at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. So far I have performed in 11 plays with over 600 performances combined. This season I am currently playing Phebe in As You Like It and Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew. Some of the other productions have included: The Diary of Anne Frank, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Napoli Millionaria, Love's Labours Lost and others.
I am excited to report that I have recently been offered an acting contract here for the 2008 season under our brand new artistic director Bill Rauch. I will be playing Desdemona in Othello and performing in Our Town.
I feel so blessed to be making a living doing what I have always wanted to do. I work full-time as a professional actor in an absolutely beautiful town. I guess dreams do come true. ( Sorry to sound corny but I have to pinch myself sometimes to believe that I am really doing this as a job!)
The festival runs from Feb.- Nov. so summer is one of our busiest times as you can imagine. I am terribly sorry that I will not be able to attend the reunion. I have included some production photos and the link to the website, if you are interested. I would love to see any of you if you feel like you want to come and see some really great theater in the beautiful town of Ashland, OR.
www.osfashland.org

I love getting caught up with everyone on the blog!

Josh Jensen's Wild Ride

Well, here's my update:

I've been playing a bit of geographical hopscotch, exploring over the past 9 years the cities of Austin, TX, NYC, and presently, DC. I'm a professional web geek, amateur musician, and a human lint collector.

attached are photos of me being scandalous with another man's fiancée, riding a tiny horse, and looking glam with the most colorful bits of my record collection.

I won't be making it to the reunion, but, hiyas to everybody!

Remember Kasey Gates? Think Eagle...

Hey, Centennial class of '97! This is Kasey Gates! I'm not really in your class since I was transferred to Eagle High after my Sophomore year, but we would have all graduated together if not for the transfer. Jeff was nice enough to let me post on the site because I know so many of you and remember you with so much fondness. I'm hoping to be able to talk to some of you through e-mail or whatever. So here's a little of what I've been up to... I have missed everyone in high school so much since leaving, but such is life. I have been in college, doing well, for a loooooong time because I kept having to transfer due to family issues. I received an associates degree in interpersonal communication at Ricks college, studied writing at the Metropolitan State college of Denver (almost finished, then had to leave), and English at BYU (once again, almost finished, had to leave...UGH!!!). I certified as an aerobics instructor in high school and have been working in that field on and off for many years. I still enjoy composing music and writing, but I don't have much time to do anything between the diaper changings, soothings, playtimes, and teaching times of my two little ones. I was told a couple weeks after being married that I had a condition that could cause me to be unable to have children. I went through some icky treatment, then decided to try to get pregnant. I was so excited when we actually found out I was expecting! Then, to our great sadness, I lost my baby. It was pretty much like a nightmare. But we got through it, tried again, and to my joy I became pregnant again. I had a rough pregnancy and a challenging natural childbirth, something I had always wanted to do, and had the most beautiful baby girl. We named her Kassidy. Well, then fate decided to step in with a sense of humor. I was still recovering from Kassidy's birth when I became pregnant AGAIN (and AGAIN had a natural childbirth with no drugs at all even though she was turned with her skull on my spine...no, I'm not crazy...). Don't get me wrong...what a blessing...but the timing? Well, let's just say I guess in this life you are taught the lesson of patience more times than you can count. I gave birth twice in a year and eight days!! I had another difficult pregnancy while trying to care for an infant, and it still makes me dizzy trying to entertain two babies in two different stages of development....it's like having twins but people have told me it is more difficult because they are on different levels, so you have to come up with double the activities, different dinners, etc. They are the most beautiful baby girls!! I am very blessed but they are high-maintenance blessings for sure!! I don't have many opportunities to sing anymore, and I don't own a piano. That has been a little sad for me, but I try to remember that there are seasons to life, and in this season I am trying to enjoy every ounce of baby dimples and giggles that I can. They grow up so fast. I am so excited to see what everyone is up to. I'm glad I found this site!!
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Me with my girls
Kassidy, Baby #2

Kaylee, Baby #3

Marcia Benton (Warden)

Well, I thought that it was finally my turn to update everyone on myself. It’s amazing how many people have moved away. For years I have thought, “we had such a big class, you’d think I’d run into some of them.” But in 10 years of staying in Boise, I have only come across a handful of you.

I was able to graduate early, left in Jan and I’m sure you all know that I was immediately married in Feb. And I’m pleased to say, we are still happily married today, growing and learning everyday. And I have not left Boise, nor do I see myself leaving anytime soon.

Throughout the years I have done a variety of thing. I just didn’t have the desire to go to school, so I immediately started working and was able to be a secretary for a copier sales company for two years, then we were surprised with our 1^st child, Morgan. Since then, I have done odd jobs from candle sales, working as a barista at Starbucks, waitressing to finally something that I really enjoy, sales. My goal has always been to have a flexible schedule and keep my wonderful girls out of day care, which I have happily been able to do. We now have two great children, Morgan, 8, and Jasmine, 4, and they keep me very busy with their activities.

For the last two years I have finally found something to do that I love to do and gives me the flexibility that I need. I help people with health insurance, which is interesting, and recently I started working with a telecom company that is absolutely amazing.

We’ve had many learning experiences through the years which is how one grows. We also have been able to do some traveling, which I look forward to doing more. The future only looks brighter. I look forward to seeing everyone in a month and anyone who would like to contact me can, though my website, www.teambenton.acnrep.com.

BIG NEWS, BIG CHANGE, BIG SAVINGS!

As you all know - Dawn Stewart jumped in about a month ago and offered us her professional services in event planning. She has done more than make good on her word and has found a way to not only make this event even more exciting and quality, but she has also found a way for us to lower the price!!! Here are the details:

Previously we had planned on The Big Easy, which was definitely going to be fun and a great venue. Dawn had worked with a newer club called The Reef which she felt she could get us at a significant cost decrease because they are newer and more competitive for business. Additionally, she checked with several people who confirm that the food is even better (read a review here). So we decided to make the switch! The event will now be held on the same day, but at The Reef! There will be a band, DJ, tons of food, AMAZING DOOR PRIZES, an outdoor patio for chillin', a program, decorations, etc!

Now you are all interested in the price, aren't you? Well, we are now able to drop the price to $35 per person instead of $45!!!! We are talking a 32% decrease in cost for even more awesomeness. Dawn rules!!! For those of you who have already paid the $45, you would receive a refund for the additional money at the door. Click on the link to the right and purchase your tickets ASAP...the Reef has requested that we give them an estimated head count so it would be great to know who more of you will be coming. We also really want to have as much money in advance as possible to be able to afford all the fun stuff - so do us a favor and don't fight it, just join us!

The last extremely exciting news is that our old Vice Principal - yes, Mr. Jerry Curin himself - will be joining us for the reunion! He was quoted in his conversation with Mikey Smith as saying that our year was the best and most fun year of his professional career. He wouldn't miss catching up with us for anything...even amongst his world travels and retired bliss!

So seriously, join us. It is going to be amazing. BUY TICKETS NOW!

Valerie Bell Dramatizes A Day In The Life...

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In a low, dramatic, TV announcer voice…

This week on "Life with the Johnsons", prepare yourself for dirty diapers, messy meals, and candy kisses! Hold on to your seat as Valerie cooks dinner, Nathan balances the Flower Shop's finances, and the girls run willy nilly with strawberry yogurt on their faces. This weeks episode will blow your mind as the mystery of where Lizzy got the permanent marker unfolds- and how will Sammy ever get over not eating fruit snacks before dinner! Find out if Rachel can make it through 20 diapers in a single day. This time, drama is for real…

(Okay, okay, so it’s not all that exciting, but it’s reality and we make the best of it!) Hello from Heatville! This is the Valerie formerly known as “Bell”. I have since taken on the surname “Johnson” and am sweltering in sunny Mesa, AZ. It’s been so fun reading about everyone’s lives! And since I won’t be attending the reunion, would love to hear from more of you!

Here’s a recap of the past decade… After high school I worked at Boise City Hall and then went to Ricks- which was a wonderful life-changing experience. I did the Disney World college program thing- that was fun. I then received my Associates degree in Premed in 2000 and left on a mission that year to Mississippi- that was fun. I came home and a mission companion introduced me to a friend of hers. He and I were married March 18th, 2003- that was and is tons of fun!

I became a CNA to see if I wanted to take the RN route. I was top of the class scholastically, but alas- the clinicals did me in. I found out I have a hard time seeing people in pain. So, I stopped working and had a baby. Samantha Jane (Sammy) was born fall of 2004. She’s our thinker/talker and is her father’s daughter.

We enjoyed her so much, and I babysat her cousin Joseph so often- I thought- hey, we can have two kids close together. So we decided we should have another. Elizabeth Joy (Lizzy) was born fall of 2005. She is a wonderful ball of energy and a lot of work, so we decided to wait a few years for the next child.

Meanwhile, Nathan finished up a degree at ASU in Business Finance. He took the GMAT (entrance exam for grad school) and did so well, we’re still getting info from schools all over the country- even some ivy-leaguers. So, we may wait a few more years so he can take the GMAT again and actually STUDY this time so he could get some serious scholarship offers. That’s the hope. We’re also dabbling in real estate investing a bit. We don’t own anything in AZ, but we do in Idaho- go figure. I have also been doing Irish clogging and taking piano between pregnancies, and spend most days taking the girls on outings.

The whole “wait a few years to have the next child” thing failed to happen when to our surprise I was expecting once again. Rachel Annaliese was born June 18th- yes last month. She’s such a good baby!

As for now, Nathan works at the family business- which also happens to be where we live! It’s a cushy setup. No commute, and the girls see their papa all the time. I love it! Nathan and his brother are taking over the business- “Watson Flowers”. This year is the 80th anniversary of the flower shop and it’s always been in the family! (Support your local mom and pop shops!) So, if you find yourself in Arizona and need anything- look us up. We won’t be going anywhere for a while!(Pictured below is my father-in-law with his beloved, fuel efficient, Scion delivery vehicles.)