Northshore High School Class of 87 Reunion

Congratulations NHS

2008-02-11T18:47:00.000-05:00

Some of you may already know that our Northshore High was selected by "U.S. News and World Report" as "one of America's Best High Schools."

The St. Tammany Parish School Board will honor NHS at this week's full board meeting, starting at 7:00 p.m., this Thursday evening, Feb. 14th. If you are local, this will probably be shown on channel 13 at sometime after the meeting.

Congratulations to all who have made this school such a success.

And One Time At Band Camp

2007-08-31T13:52:00.000-04:00

Hoping everyone enjoyed their summer and is getting back in to the swing of school. I know I just love the schedule that the school year brings................a "real" bedtime!!

Marie Wade has passed on some information that a few of you may be interested in:

Anyone interested in owning a piece of Northshore High band history is invited to a used uniform sale on Saturday, September 1, 2007 from 9am to Noon in the band room at NHS. For the first time since the Northshore High School Panther Pride marching band formed over 20 years ago, members have new uniforms. The NHS Band Boosters will sell the jacket, pants, and hat for a $50 donation. All proceeds will go to the general band fund. After the sale, all remaining uniforms will be donated to charity.

By the way, the new uniforms look VERY nice and modern! They will be displayed publicly for the first time this Friday during halftime when the band plays at the first home football game this year against Salmen, 7pm. GO PANTHERS!!!

Marie Wade

I apologize for it getting posted the day before the actual event. I don't check this email as often as I use to. Send emails to me at my regular ramiparker at yahoo.com account. I check those about everyday or so.

Make sure you check out the Jr.'s blog, the Sophomore's blog and the Freshmen's blog.......links in the right hand margin. They are fancy, fancy with their blogs. I was always afraid to upgrade our blog in fear of deleting what was already posted. KUDOS to the under classman!!!

BBQ, Burgers, Drinks and Swimming, ANYONE?

2007-07-16T11:36:00.000-04:00

Hey....the reuniting isn't over yet. Let's get together again for some BBQ ribs, burgers, hot dogs, etoufee, cherry chocolate bread pudding, drinks and swimming at Winnie Robertson Rispolli's house.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Bring a side dish or a dessert

Bring the kids (there MAY be a bounce house???)

Winnie will be sending out an email to those of you who we have email addresses for. If your not on our email list...........DON'T miss out on this fun. Email nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com or Susan Streets at sstreets@charter.net

Once a Panther, Always a Panther

2007-06-28T16:21:00.000-04:00

I am sure a lot of you, like myself, will be sad if the blog ends. I would love to see it continue, and it can as long as I have info to post. Our most recent update comes from Sarah Trattler Clifton.

Sarah writes:

Once a panther always a panther...I attended college in Boca Raton,Fl. and graduate school in Miami where I was once again, a panther alumni. I taught mathematics at a few colleges in the S. Florida area until the fateful weekend of our ten year reunion. Two days after our champagne brunch at the House of Blues, I visited a college campus close to New Orleans (HINT: green & gold). I immediately accepted a teaching position...I'm not sure if this decision was a result of inebriation or inspiration! Nevertheless, I moved from Ft. Lauderdale back to Louisiana within two weeks of our ten year reunion. Additionally, I have been teaching aerobics for the past 20 years and currently reside in Mandeville with my twelve year old daughter. I love Louisiana but must admit I really do miss the South Florida area and visit it regularly.

The pic attached is from our first trip w/the dance team to Disney World for UDA national competition. We have accompanied the team twice yet, my daughter still shows absolutely no interest in dance. I think the recent reunion pics will clearly show this does not come from my side of the family!

Sarah Trattler Clifton Please keep your updates coming. Even now that the reunion is over, we still want to know all about you. I know we have many faithful readers who have not sent in updates. You know I know who you are!!!!!!!

Hope you all received your reunion surprise by now. Be sure to view it and enjoy!

Reunion Keepsakes

2007-06-24T14:20:00.000-04:00

One of the reunion keepsakes is a directory/program with addresses, updates, and photos of the classmates that submitted current information. Kathi worked long hours on this and it showed.....it is a wonderful colored program. Robert Gunn designed the cover using the yearbooks of our four years at NHS.....very cleaver!!

Kathi is going to have this available on John Lee's ftp site for you. If you have not heard from Kathi via email on how to view it, please email her at kenelms@bellsouth.net for directions.

Also, if you received a CD (another treasure) from the reunion and have not yet viewed it, DO SO NOW! It is a slide show that Jason Scarabin worked on of our time at NHS. He also worked long hours on this and did a GREAT job. But be aware, you will laugh as well as cry if you have not done so already.

This weekend I put in the mail (for all those that attended the reunion) another special keepsake surprise. You should be receiving it within the week or two depending where you are. I hope you will enjoy it.

SHS had their reunion this weekend. I had the pleasure of checking them in at the door along with Colleen Holmes Neeley and Melissa Williams Coullier(sp??) both SHS of 86. It was great seeing all of our SHS friends. Look for reunion updates on their site..........linked in the right hand margin. I saw a lot of your friends from Clearwood those you who went to Clearwood. They enjoyed seeing you on our slide shows.

Also check out NHS Class of 1988 blog site linked in the right margin. The best of luck to them with their planning. It looks like they are off to a great start!

A Favorite

2007-06-21T23:22:00.000-04:00

I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite photos. It missed the blog slide show. Speaking of slide show..........check out the slide show links in the right margin. No need to scroll through the blog for a quick peek at the slide shows.

No need for the blog to fizzle out just yet! Send your update!!! I know that there are many of you that we want to know.......... "what is up with you????"

John's 2007 Courage Classic Ride

2007-06-20T19:47:00.000-04:00

John Lee's 2007 Courage Classic Ride......

John writes:
In an effort to try and keep in touch more and to help raise funds for a REALLY worthwhile cause, I'd like to let everyone know about a charity ride I will be doing next month. This year's Courage Classic is from July 21 to July 23. This will be my 3rd year in a row riding in this AWESOME charity ride for Denver's Children's Hospital. 3 days, 4 passes and 157 miles all in the name of a great cause. If you want a good laugh at the thought of me wearing spandex and asking "Are we there yet?" just click on the donation link below. I'll do the hard work of riding up all those passes, all you have to do is donate. =)

So c'mon folks, do your karma some good and help out the kids of Children's Hospital. It is an amazing thing to think that every dollar you donate goes directly towards helping kids and their families. It's even more amazing when you see them out on bikes riding along as the result of the great work they do. Thank you in advance for any donations.

If you would like to donate online, just click on the link below:
http://www.couragetours.com/2007/johnlee

If you would like to see more pics and videos from last year's ride, click on the link below:http://129.19.4.57/website/2006CourageClassic.htm

===Thanks for doing this!
-John

I am not sure there is a better cause than helping sick children. Kenny and I count our blessings everyday that we have three healthy children. My older sister loss a baby to a genetic disorder, and we have seen some family friends go through pure heartache due to the loss of a child.

Please join me in supporting John in his ride for this awesome cause. Even if you donate the cost of two drinks in the French Quarter.....every amount counts.

Still Up to Their Funny Business After All These Years

2007-06-19T16:26:00.000-04:00

If you knew these two in school you know they were always doing funny and wild things together. Well Beth (on the right) moved away our Freshman year and then our Junior year, Becky (left) moved away. I don't think they have even been in touch with each other since Beth moved. But as you can see below, they picked up right were they left off..............I am surprised the psychic did not run right out Jackson Square into the St. Louis Cathedral when she had these two in her chair. Kinda make you wonder if she is really a psychic??????? Just kidding!! They were always having fun where ever they went and it was great to see that great things never change.

I think I am having a vision. I am! It is you sending us your testament............ nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

The Next One

2007-06-18T22:04:00.000-04:00

Here are more recent photos of Michelle Fields Pierce and her family. She wrote to us last summer (click here) and wanted to share newer pictures with us. I heard from Michelle at the beginning of last week. She already had the skinny on the weekend from Monica Lloyd Maggio.

I don't think Michelle will be missing the next one!!!! We missed you, Michelle!!! I know Lauren and I were both asked where you were???????

The next one will be in FIVE years....ten is too far away. Just think how old our kids will be if we were to wait ten years. Reed would be 18! Ryan 16! Hallie 11 and out of diapers! I may be too old and broke to have fun.

I think everyone is enjoying the slide show...........not that they have all posted a testament about their fun weekend. Everyone can see it in our faces. If you have not seen the slide shows, you don't want to miss them.

Friday Night's Slide Show and Saturday Night's Slide Show That is only a fraction of the pictures that were taken!!! We can't share everything!!

I have some more photos to post to the blog so check back often. I am staying EXTREMELY busy during every free minute working on something for those who attended. I can't wait to share it with you! .....................Kenny can't wait either. God Bless him!

"Take a Ride on a Riverboat..."

2007-06-14T01:30:00.001-04:00

Gotta minute?

Here is a glimpse into our Saturday Night. This is only a few of the photos that I had and have collected from you. I tried naming all spouses........by memory! So excuse the mistakes. I also wanted to put captions on each slide, but that became very overwhelming at 12:30 a.m. So fill in the blanks. It is also making me nuts that it is not in order of the night....oh well! However, I have more in the works for you.........be patient!!!

I want to thank Robert Gunn for the brilliant graphic design for the program cover and Kathi for the program!!! Jean Ingram Hoover for the website shop for T-shirts and others stuff along with the name tags. Jean will be taking the website off of the Internet at the end of the month. If you want to shop for NHS reunion items click here. Susan for the name tages and the great cups (and for hanging on to them.) Jason Scarabin for the teary-eyed CD slide show. And Kathi and Susan for putting up with my fear that no one was going to show up. I am ready to help plan the next one if y'all will let me!!! Opps...I am forgetting Kenny, my husband, for going along for the ride! I believe he had a good time!!!!

Over the past year, I kept hearing from Kenny that high school was just a chapter in the book that was over. He kept on and on about it. I finally learned to ignore him. I think now he realizes that like most good classics, us reuniting was a chapter that was meant to be reread. And I would reread it again and again.............I enjoyed all of the characters.

Don't think this is the end of the blog!!! I still want your updates and photos and testaments of the reunion. Let's tell everyone what a great time we had!

Slide Show Info

2007-06-13T00:39:00.000-04:00

I am working on Saturday night's slide show...........now sliding 111 pictures. I know I am impatient like you and want you to see the fun just as badly as you want to see it; however, I am calling it a night. As you can see by the time on the post, I am doing this after hours....not to mention I am parenting solo until the end of the week. I am surprised my three don't have me tied up and gagged by now.

Please continue to view "Friday Night's Kick Off " slide show. Could one ever get tired of looking at all of that fun??

Also scroll down for an update. It is not too late to send the blog an update...........Steve and Jennifer!!!!!!

Send updates and pictures to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com or ramiparker@yahoo.com

Send your reunion photos too, and I'll add them to the slide show.

Gumbo

2007-06-12T23:32:00.000-04:00

This post is a little like Gumbo.........a little mixture of pictures (Peezie's and Lisa's), an update and a reunion weekend testamaent from Peezie Leininger Allred.

Peezie writes:

First of all, the reunion was a BLAST!!! Thanks to everyone that made it happen...ya'll did a GREAT job! It was sooo good to see everyone. And I have to say I was amazed at how much everyone looks as if they haven't changed!! I do wish we could all get together more often!

Well, after graduation I went to LSU for one semester and then transferred to USL. Walt and I were married in 1992. Finished with a Master's in Audiology from USL in 94 and stayed in Lafayette. I started working for ACI Hearing & Balance Center and we purchased the company in 2002. In 1995, I had a kidney transplant (my mom donated one of her kidneys) and knock on wood, everything has been great since.

We have 2 children, Dylan 10/16/02 and Isabelle 3/10/06. They are both very active kids and absolutely hysterical! Dylan is involved in tons of sports and Isabelle wants to do everything her brother does!! In 2000, I decided to go back to school for my Doctoral degree in Audiology, and graduated in 2002...not going back to school EVER again!! That was surely enough!

Walt and I have been living in Broussard (about 5 miles outside of Lafayette, and Thursday before the reunion, we closed on a new house in Youngsville (about 3 miles outside of Lafayette). So, the weekend after the reunion...we will be moving! Walt has been with the Lafayette Police Department since 1994 and is currently in their Detective Department. Whenever we find time, we both still love to fish, water sports, snow ski, travel, hunting (well, only Walt), etc. Anything we can do!! Our kids are TOTALLY outside kids, so of course, they love it all too!

My parents still live in Slidell. They finally got back into their house 15 months after Katrina, and are still working on it, like everyone else! My brother, Jake, moved to Lafayette to go to school, is married to a wonderful person (couldn't ask for a better sister-in-law) and they have 1 child, Ren 3/29/05, who looks JUST LIKE Jake!! They moved to Slidell in March 2007 because Jake works out of New Orleans and Lafayette with EDG, but mostly in the NO area because of Katrina, so they decided to move closer.

I will send a picture of Dylan and Isabelle. Isabelle's is a little out of date..she's due for new pictures now ;)

Thanks again to everyone. We really had a good time this weekend!!
Peezie

I am also adding Lisa Manley Bellagamba's pictures. Click here to read her update.

Friday Night Kick Off at Pat O's and Cats Meow

2007-06-11T23:43:00.001-04:00

They say a picture is worth a thousand words........I hope these photos tell you how much fun we had. It surpassed anything I imagined. If you were there and agree, hit comment to send me your testament or shoot me an email to post. nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com.
I am still accepting updates. I will be working on one for Peezie Leininger Allred. Check back soon for the updates and Saturday nights slide show.

You may also send photos to me at nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com , and I will either post them or work them into the slide show.

VIEWERS' DISCRETION ADVISED!

NOT FOR VIEWERS UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE!

Hmmm!

2007-06-10T23:49:00.000-04:00

I am still trying to find just the right words to describe this past weekend. I can't get beyond.......................

"What happens in New Orleans, stays in New Orleans!"

Just One More for the Road and I'm Off.........

2007-06-08T16:27:00.000-04:00

Here is one last quick update before I log off for the weekend. It is from Lisa Manley.
Lisa writes:
Twenty years... my children's babysitter isn't even twenty! Here is > what I have been up to the past twenty years...> > After high school I went to LSU. I had a good time for two years then > moved to Maryland and got serious about school (better late than > never). I got my degree in Early Childhood and a Master's of > Education as well. In between the degrees I moved back home to > Louisiana and I was a Child Life therapist at Tulane Medical (just a > lowly intern). Moved back to Maryland and worked at a hospital for a > short time before I realized I wanted to witness a more happy side of > childhood. I taught elementary school for ten years. I loved it!! One > of the highlights of teaching was meeting my husband. I met Tony in > 1998 through my "class room mother". Got married in 2000 and then we > moved to New Jersey... it is not as bad as the movies and tv make it > out!! So after three years in north Jersey (close to NYC) we moved to > south Jersey outside Philadelphia and I left teaching first grade, > had my first child... Joseph and began teaching graduate students one > night a week at St. Joseph's University. Who would have ever thought > I would teach anybody anything?> > My son Joseph (two and a half) and my new daughter Phoebe (3 months) > keep me very busy!! But I love every minute with them!! I wouldn't > trade being a stay at home mother for anything!!> > My parents moved from Slidell a few months after Katrina so I have > not been back down to Slidell since they moved. I miss Louisiana so > much and am bummed that I won't be at the reunion. But with a husband > who travels and two small children I just cannot manage it right now. > Especially since I don't have family in LA anymore. I am sure that I > will miss out on a really great time!!> > I sent a couple of pictures of my children and one of my family. I > don't think that I have changed too much... although I finally grew.> > Hopefully I will see you all at the next reunion!> Lisa Manley

I'll fix the arrows later!!!
Lisa if you read this, the photos that you sent Kathi did not forward to me. Please send them nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

The next post will be of the reunion. Sorry some of you could not make it........Gloria and Andy, Lisa, and Chuck M. It was nice to get your last minute emails. We will miss you!!!

OUT.................

One for the Road

2007-06-08T01:06:00.000-04:00

Most of you will be heading towards N.O. today. If you happen to take one more quick peek at the blog, you'll catch up on Amy Dickman Nyberg.

Amy writes:

After graduation, I got married to Ricky Nyberg, SHS '86. We just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary on May 30th. We have two wonderful children, Sarah - 19 and Jason - 16. Since graduation we have done many things. We moved to LSU and lived in married housing where Rick got interested in home brewing beer. We eventually started a brewery called Rikenjaks in Jackson, Louisiana. We moved back to Slidell in 96 and opened and closed a brewpub in Slidell called Laughing Pines. After that we ended up in Lake Charles Louisiana where we have been for the last 8 years. Rick is now a professor at McNeese State University where he works in the Engineering and Technology Department. I stayed in the restaurant business for a while and finally realized I needed a life! I am the Marketing Assistant at Cameron State Bank. My job has great hours and gives me a chance to be creative. My daughter Sarah just completed her 1st year of collage and now has her own apartment. It was very hard to cut the cord! My son Jason is going to be a junior and works at Putt Putt.

Not hard to figure out which one Amy is..........she has not change. 20 years with Ricky and two teenage children looks great on her. CONGRATULATIONS and Happy Anniversary.

( If you are wondering who the other two girls are.....???? I snatched the photo off of SHS 86's blog!!! )

CHEERS!!! It's Pat O's night!!! I have not been there in about 15 years. I am not even sure I could sip a Hurricane????? We shall see!

Oh.........the "One for the Road" was the update, not the hurricane!!! Those of you driving into N.O. and then driving back home, please remember to drink responsibly and/or have a designated driver.

Keep Them Coming

2007-06-07T16:14:00.000-04:00

I love it.......everytime I check my email I have something new to post.

Here is a family photo of Tom Taylor. Sadly, he won't be joining us this weekend. If you remember from last summer in his post (click here), his children are all one year apart (I was really wanting to meet his wife. She is more WOMAN than me to have had those children so close) and they play ball. He coaches so this weekend is booked. You can imagine what his schedule must be like with three playing ball.

We'll miss you!

Lisa's update and a photo of Kaylea....Heather's daughter

2007-06-07T15:58:00.000-04:00

As I told you I'd be posting the update of Lisa and here it is.

Lisa writes:

I must say, that I'm a bit nervous attending the reunion. I moved to Slidell in the summer of 1983 from Kodiak, AK, (and thought I'd entered the pit of hell experiencing a LA summer for the first time), but I adjusted rather well and I'm still in Slidell 24 years later. In 1993 I married Glenn Cappel (SHS class of 85), and we've been happily married for 14 years. We have 1 daughter, Lauren, who will be 10 in July. Glenn and I are both self employed, Glenn having an excavation company, and I have a Landscape Design company. I'm incredibly excited about seeing so many of you: Shawnna, (I've missed you to pieces, and I'll never forget our 1st semester at SLU as long as I live). I don't have an exciting 20 year story to tell because after moving constantly (Coast Guard brat) before moving to Slidell, I am quite content with the roots I've finally established, and having a very large family around all of the time. I can't wait until tomorrow night and seeing all of you!!!

Click here to see her family photos in the post below.

I have also received a picture of Kaylea, Heather's daughter. I was right.........as beautiful as the rest. Click here to read Heather's update and see the rest of the photos.

I see Heather in girls and the boys too.

So Many Updates.....So Little Time

2007-06-07T13:30:00.000-04:00

I have 2 1/2 updates for you today. So many updates in such little time before we meet tomorrow. I wanted you to have them before you depart from home. TOMORROW is just the beginning of our fun reunion weekend.

Lisa Madden Cappel has sent pictures and is working on getting me her update.

Presenting..........Lisa and Glenn (Glenn Cappel is Julie Cappel Richardson's brother....Julie was SHS Class of 87. I am sure some of you remember "ole Jules". I am sure some of you guys had crushes on her.......Tom and Chad???? I know I have dance pictures of y'all with Julie.) This is Lisa with her daughter Lauren (10) and her brother Jimmy's (remember him NHS class of 85) boys. I think this was Alaska???
Lisa, Lauren and Glenn in Alaska
This is Glenn, Lisa, Lauren and Julie's little girl, Annabel.

I'll be adding her update when I receive it........check back.

Until then continue on to Barry Anderson and Heather Mittenzwei Bechnel................

So on........

2007-06-07T13:02:00.001-04:00

Barry Anderson

Barry writes:

As for what I've been up to...left Slidell in 1990 and headed to Montgomery, AL. Graduated from Auburn University at Montgomery with a Physical Education degree, however, after coaching and working several local gyms decided on a career change. I now work with Brinks Armored Car as supervisor handling day to day operations. While in Montgomery, I met my wife Wendy who is also a graduate of Auburn University at Montgomery with an Early Childhood & Elementary Education Degree. Like me though, she chose to for go the Education field and has been with a local credit union for 13 years and is a Member Service Manager over their call center and 2 branches. We met in 1991, and after 7 yrs, I got smart and popped the question, we got married in 1998. Kids? We have 2 very furry four legged labs that we adore named Millie and Boots, they are our kids. As I mentioned above, my mom and dad still live in Slidell. I don't talk with anyone from school accept for Erik Lumetta, we are still great friends and see each other often. He is now married with a new baby boy named Jordan. Well that's the gist of my life since Northshore. i would really like to see everyone again.

Barry

continue to the next update, Heather...............

.......And So On!

2007-06-07T12:50:00.000-04:00

Heather Mittenzwie Bechnel

Heather writes:

Wow...has it been...I cant even say it...that many years!?! My sister Michelle ran into Lauren Schriefer in Slidell who told her I am evidently on the "missing list"! Well, mystery solved! My last name is now Becnel and I am living in Prairieville (Ascension Parish) with my husband and FOUR KIDS! I still work in Baton Rouge as a Consultant for Computer Aided Design and Drafting Software for Datec. I am also the Operations Manager for the Baton Rouge office of Datec.

Since the last reunion, I divorced in 1999 and married my new husband, Brandon Becnel who is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments.

Brandon and Hunter

The kids are Chelsea 16 (and now driving), Kaylea 14 (my cheerleader!), Hunter 10 (mean defensive end....8 sacks in one game last year!) and the baby Luke who just made 3! Talk about starting over!!! Heather and Luke

Chelsea
Other then work, I run kids around constantly...they play every sport you can imagine! We do a good bit of traveling as well which we enjoy a lot! Which is why, unfortuneatley, I will not be able to attend the reunion. We will be getting ready to leave for St. Thomas for a week!

Hawaii

I really enjoy the pics and updates I've seen on the website. If the Pat O's thing is still on for that night, prior to the cruise, please let me know! I may be able to make that....PLUS....my husband's cousin owns Pat O's so might be able to ask for a family favor there!

I am sending some pics of my family. Ya'll please send some of yours to share!
Hope everyone has fun & I will miss seeing yall. (Oh but please let me know if anyone is planning on going to Pat O's)!

Heather Mittenzwei Becnel

WE'LL BE THERE!!!! PAT O's at 9:00.......let's meet at the cathedral between 8:30 and 9:00 for those who may be solo, you won't have to walk to Pat O's alone!!

There was not a picture of Kaylea, but I am sure she is just as beautiful as the rest of them!

Getting Closer Everyday

2007-06-06T11:47:00.000-04:00

Here is a list of those attending the reunion Friday night and/or Saturday night. Take out those old yearbooks and refresh your memory. I think everyone is going to pretty much look the same. It will be a matured version of everyone. I think if you browse the yearbook you will recognize everyone. FUN, FUN.....

Chris Abney
John Alberstadt
Alyssa Baker Gautreau
Clay Burgess
Alan Colby
Sandra Culpepper D'Angelo
Tony D'Angelo
Emily De Maria Nicola
Amy Dickman Nyberg
Stefanie Duley Miller
Kathi Easter Nelms
Michael Ergas
LeGrande Ferguson
Camilla Franck
Paul Gelpi
Renee Gilley McKnight
Nancy Grimwood Gonzalez
Theresa Gros Sones
Rachel Guidry McLellan
Bobby Gunn
Sean Hansen
Monty Hoover
Jean Ingram Hoover
Mary Jacobs Kelly
John Lee
Peezie Leininger Allred
Monica Lloyd Maggio
Mike Mangiaracina
Michele McCann Steele
Rob McDowell
Matt Mire
Heather Mittenzwei Bechnel
Robert Moore
Nancy Orr Kelly
Shannah Portanova Martin
Robert Posegay
Brooke Prather Horadam
Susan Ramke Streets
Pam Raymond
Paula Raymond Stamp
Winnie Robertson Rispoli
Jimmy Rogers
Shawnna Ryder
Jason Scarabin
Lauren Schrieffer Tracey
Celeste Selby Tydingco
Mike Shaw
Beth Shipley Hays
Ferlin Smith
Rami Stein Parker
Doug Streets
Sarah Trattler Clifton
Becky Vallaire Runnels
Marie Wade
Sam Yeates
Brenda Zabreznik Sumrall
Steve Zackary

Here are a few more photos that Beth Shipley Hays has sent to me. I think some of these may go back to the Boyet days of school. None the less, they are fun to look at and giggle at the fashion........although some may be the style now????

This last photo is one I had of Brian Huddleston, Stefanie Stone, Mitch Reynolds, and his date.

It's getting closer everyday!!!! 3/4 more days..........CAN YOU BELIEVE?? Holy Moly! Just think, about 20 years ago around this time we were returning from senior trips; spending the last of our summer weeks together before we started on the adventures and journeys we now call "The Past Twenty Years"!

Stay tuned in for tomorrow's post on Heather Mittenzwei Bechnel.

High School Pictures

2007-06-05T09:30:00.000-04:00

Here are just a few more photos from high school. This was at a pep rally prior to the NHS v's SHS football game.
Life in the "Commons Area"

How many people can you make out? I hope I am able to recognize as many of you at the reunion as I can those of you in this photo. I even know who the backs of heads belong to.

One of those "What were our parents thinking letting us go to

New Orleans as teenagers?" nights. This was during Mardi Gras

Another one of those nights..........and shame on us. The two unfamiliar faces are of Christians trying to save those who at the time look like they needed to be saved. Miss Songy's class..........That is Jodi Fujko Rotolo (NHS 88) on the right hugging Miss Songy with Stephanie Duley Miller. Jodi and I still keep in touch on a regular bases. She just had her third child. She is still just as sweet as she was in school.

4/5 more days

Senior Trip

2007-06-04T16:48:00.000-04:00

What was our parents thinking?????? As a parent I look and think there is no way in HELL my kids are going on a "Senior Trip"! And these are only a few of the photos I have.......Holy Moly! We went with a cases of beer........traveling with cases of beer???? At least I see we had good taste in beer back then. That is a Michelob Light I have in my hand. I NEVER drink beer these days. As a matter of fact, I don't even drink. One sip and I think I'd be buzzed (it took me a minute to even think of what that word was...buzzed)

Malcolm.........the last I saw he looked the same, girls!! However, I think he is recently married and has a baby?????

Kelli S. just had a birthday if I remember correctly........Happy Birthday!! She was 18 at the time of Senior Trip.

Kelly C. had on her bathing suit. She is not necked.........(I know not a real word!!) I think Shawnna was hung over from the 6 seconds it would take her to shock-gun a beer. We must have had her demonstrate that talent to everyone we knew in FL.

The guys that we hung around were Senior Tripping it in Panama City. I guess Scott and Matt rode over to visit. Once our time in Ft. Walton was over, we headed over to Panama City to visit them...........stayed a few days. Where did we get the money?????? I am sure it was not cheap! I guess I ran out of film because I don't have pictures of our time there......or I could not see straight to take any pictures.

F.Y.I.

2007-06-04T11:36:00.000-04:00

A.G. Crowe is running for Senator, you can check out his website at www.agcroweforsenate.com. Also if you look under "Gallery", on the left hand side of the page, under "Media Events" you will see "How laws are made in Louisiana" presented by Northshore High & A.G. Crowe. Northshore Students worked with A.G. Crowe to enact how a law is passed in Louisiana.

Thanks, Jean

I have never personally met A.G. Crowe, but for years now he will host a party for SLU Alumni in the Slidell area...........that is pretty nice of him!!! I get the invite and don't know why I have never attended????????

Are you getting excited???? Only 5/6 more days until reunion time!!! Please feel free to send me any last minute photos to post. I am going to try to upload some from back in the days.......we now have a working scanner.

It's not WHAT You Know, But WHO You Know....

2007-06-01T16:02:00.000-04:00

I have always been a big believer in "It's not what you know, but who you know." Politics!?!?

You will be glad to know that Jean Ingram Hoover had lunch or was somewhere chatting with A.G. Crowe, Louisiana State Representative for District 76. He told her that our class needed to go back to our high school to visit. She explained how, Monty (her husband and our classmate), had inquired about us doing that. She went on to explain how Monty was given the run-around about security and yada, yada, yada. Mr. Crowe then told Jean to call the principal at NHS and mention his name. Well, yada, yada, yada.............................
WE ARE IN !!!! ......... WAY TO GO, JEAN!!

So if you are interested in touring NHS..............

Saturday, June 9, 2007

11:30 am - 2:00 pm

Mr. Peterson, the principal, will try to have the cafeteria opened if you'd like to bring a bag lunch for a picnic, you may do so.

Thanks, Jean!!

Counting

2007-06-01T13:18:00.000-04:00

Maybe I am counting wrong????? I included today in my counting so I am at "9" days until the riverboat cruise.

REMEMBER...........We must sail promptly at 7:30. Does this mean you can board at 7:30......NO! We will be meeting at the Aquarium of the Americas Dock at 6:00 to hand out name tags. Plan to be there then. We will hand out name tags until 6:45 when we board. I don't know about Kathi, Susan and Jean, but I don't want to spend my time aboard the boat handing out name tags during 6:45-7:30 when we sail. I am sure I speak for all four of us when I say we want to start having fun like you!! It has been a fun past year planning so let's all enjoy.

If you are driving in, plan to leave your place of departure in plenty of time to find parking. I believe there is parking at the aquarium/Jax Brewery. (I can never pronounce brewery correctly...so I hope I spelled it correctly........I am retarded!)

Remember, it's June in New Orleans.........no need to spend too much time primping in the mirror. We are going to be on a boat on the river........HUMIDITY CITY!!!!! Prepare yourself. I can't wait.

The One and Only..........Ferlin Smith

2007-05-30T12:32:00.000-04:00

As I did a few searches for missing classmates, I discovered that so many shared the same name; however, when I typed in Ferlin Smith his recent address and phone number popped right up. When we spoke, I told him how easy he was to find. He laughed and said, "No one else has the name Ferlin Smith!" I guess I should have figured with a name Rami Stein that a few of our names are unique. Here is a quick note from Ferlin Smith.

Ferlin writes:

Just wanted to drop a few lines and say HI!!!!!! to all of my Classmates back at Northshore High. I am sending a few pics of myself and some old Army guys and some of my current co-workers. I am also sending some pics of my lovely wife, Sarah, my daughter Dana 9, my son Brandon 15 and my oldest son Christopher 20. I hope you enjoy the pics, and I look forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.

If my memory serves me correctly, Ferlin is writing us from Texas....near WACO??

I have been forgetting to mention to those of you interested in taking a tour of the school. Mr. Percy is no longer the principal at NHS............he went back to his tiger stripes at SHS. And with so many security changes taking place in the schools, we will be unable to schedule an inside tour of the campus. They would have to pay someone to let us in and pay for security. SORRY!! I will try to get over there within the week and take a few shots of the campus from my car and post them on the blog.

Big THANKS to Monty Hoover for checking in to the tour for us. We appreciate you doing that.

10 more days!!!

Lookin' Good!!

2007-05-30T11:44:00.000-04:00

I mentioned in Nancy Orr Kelly's update that she had sent me a photo of her, Brooke Prather Horadam and Shannah Portanova Martin, and that the picture was blurry and did not do them justice at all.

In the meanwhile, Shannah has sent two very clear photos.

And I was correct.......they all are

"Lookin' Good!" The little girl is Brooke's daughter, Sofia............she is as beautiful as her name.
I have to say I love your dress, Nancy!

11 days and counting!!! I know a lot of you are getting excited! It should be fun!

I received an email from one of those old friends I speak about from another school, Chris Bell (SHS 86). He says hello to all of his panther friends (he even married a NHS girl, Jolie) and wishes us the fun he had at his reunion last summer. It was his class' blog that inspired these other Slidell area schools' blogs. I want to tell him THANKS for thinking of us and to keep checking us out for all those fun photos we will be sharing after the reunion.

I will be working on a post with photos for tomorrow..........Ferlin Smith. Don't miss it!

Life has been a BLESSING.......

2007-05-29T11:23:00.000-04:00

I hope you are enjoying the influx of updates. I know I am especially enjoying them along with the recent photos of you and your families........even the dogs. I am hoping the recent photos help me recognize most of you. I am finding that most of you look the same. It is so interesting to me to read about the different places you are in your lives. (Alaska, Iraq, no kids, four kids, going to school, sending kids off to college, sending them off to Kindergarten)

Michele McCann Steele is our next update. A lot of us go way back to Boyet with Michele. It was nice to hear from her.
Michele writes:

Hello Everyone,
It has been a long time. It is still hard for me to believe that it has been twenty years already! WOW! Time has really flown. I had to come to the realization that it had been twenty years when my younger brother Joshua, who will be senior at Northshore next year informed me he would be graduating and wanted my help to make his college prep plans...HMM..

Let's see, where should I start. Right after I graduated from Northshore, I attended Southern University at New Orleans for 2 years pursuing a degree Social Work and Urban Studies. Going into my junior year a SUNO in 1989, my father passed away that Christmas leaving behind mother, myself being the oldest and my other 4 siblings (the youngest being my brother Joshua who was not a year old). At that point I dropped out of college for a little while worked, traveled and helped support my mom and siblings. During this time I did a lot of soul searching that led me on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. My experiences helped me to comprehend where I had come from and where I needed to go. I found in my travels and life experiences, that my fulfillment came from one-on-one contact with people. So while trying to heal myself and learning to love me, I found that I had a "GREAT LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR PEOPLE."

Soon after this I returned to college and shortly after met my soon to be husband Michael. I graduated from Nunez Community College with an AA in Early Childhood Education in 1994. After graduating I got married and became Mrs. Michele Steele and then a mom.
My life totally changed! At this point I decided to take some time off to enjoy my son. Then in 2001 my daughter was born. During my child rearing times I was still a part time student. I later continued my education and got my BA in Sociology with a minor in African American Studies in 2004 from UNO. My husband Michael and I have been married now for 14 years and have two wonderfully expensive children. Christopher, 13 and Kaylin who is 6.

My family and I currently reside in Lake Charles, Louisiana. I currently work for Dubuis Health Systems as a Clinical Liason (Patient Advocate) and YES still a student. I am currently enrolled in LAMAR State University, pursuing my MA in Social Work and my husband is the General Manager for several of the Waffle House's in SW Louisiana.

Overall life has been a BLESSING. I look forward to seeing everyone again...Be Blessed...
Bye for now...

You look so good with long hair. As long as I have known you through school, your hair was always short.

Yesterday was a year ago that I started the blog.........what a difference a year makes?? I want to thank all of you who have kept up reading and sending in emails. Over the past year, I have received quite a few emails from friends and acquaintances from other schools and under class men from NHS. I recently received one from a NHS under class man, Jill Johnson Meaux (Class of 89).

LOOK http://nhsclassof89.blogspot.com/ She said that I inspired her. BUT I must say.......it was not "me" that inspired her. It was you. Without all of you wonderful participants, there would not have been a blog. Thanks for sharing you're past twenty years with us. Without you, I would have had no reason to keep up the blog. I would have had no excuse to avoid my house work.

NOW, let's go have a party!!! The count down is on............12 more days.

Mr. Right

2007-05-27T17:30:00.000-04:00

The count down has begun!!! Just two more weeks until the reunion. It is never too late to have your update posted. Recent photos of you add a little treat to the updates too. We get both from Nancy Orr Kelly. If I remember correctly a few updates back, I mentioned she was a newlywed, and she shares a peek of her special day with us

Nancy writes:

Hi everyone,

Well I finally got married! I waited 37 years for Mr. Right. We were married on February 25, 2007. It was great to have all of my friends and family together again. It was especially fantastic that Shannah Portanova and Brooke Horadam were able to be there with me! Brooke's beautiful daughter, Sofia, was my flower girl. No children for me, yet. We have 2 great dogs, Clara and Stella. I am the general manager of a restaurant/bar and Josh is a chef and punk rock record producer. We reside in the lovely Pacific Northwest. I can't wait to see everyone at the reunion. Thanks Rami and Kathy, et al for doing such a great job!

Nancy Orr Kelly

p.s. Sean Hansen I hope you win queen of the reunion this time and Sherry Wilkerson if you talk to me about that dog I will kill you! :)

CONGRATULATIONS, Nancy and Josh

She had a picture of Shannah, her, Brooke and Sofia, but you could not make them out.... blurry. I have requested another one Hopefully, she has one and I can post it.

Tonight is the night.....................YOU MUST RSVP BY TONIGHT!!!!!! May 27, 2007 I will be calling the riverboat in the morning with the grand total of those coming. YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT!!! It will be fun. Come on.........What are you waiting for????

kenelms@bellsouth.net or nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com or sstreets@charter.net

60* ? A HEATWAVE???

2007-05-23T09:56:00.000-04:00

I am afraid our next update will be in for more of a shock coming back to Louisiana than she was when she found herself in a 60* heatwave in Alaska. I think you will really enjoy reading about Celeste Selby's past twenty years.

Celeste writes:

Hello Classmates!

Well, it is difficult to know where to start. So much has happened in the last twenty years! After graduation I went to school in Arkansas and studied biology. When I finished, I decided a break was in order. So, I made arrangements to go to Alaska for six months to see how in the world people could live up there.Wow! Was I in for a surprise! I couldn't believe that sixty degrees was a heat wave! What? I need to keep my sleeping bag in the trunk to keep from becoming hypothermic if my car breaks down? What is hypothermic???

Then I met a tall, dark, and very handsome man at church that flew airplanes and worked with salmon. I was hooked! Next thing I knew, I was in ground school, learning how to wet-fly fish for reds (sockeye salmon) and wearing hip-waders (not a fashion statement anywhere else in the world, I am sure!) - having the time of my life! We were married in 1995 and have lived all over the state in pursuit of those salmon!Somewhere in there, we both managed to pursue advanced degrees. I attended University of Washington Medical School and am now a pediatric occupational therapist with a specialty in neurological disorders. Yep, I really was a nerd; it was not your imagination…Currently we live on a little island in the North Pacific. Our town has fourteen miles of main road and the largest harbor system in the state of Alaska! Even larger than the ones you see on Deadliest Catch! We have traded in our wings for a boat: much better for getting to the hot springs and subsistence fishing grounds.Keeping busy is not difficult in a small town! I have a private clinic that tricks those kiddos every time – they think they are coming to play with me. They never suspect I have an ulterior motive. Our church is like a home away from home. We both volunteer with the local fire department. I currently am running with the ambulance and working with our teenage emergency trauma technicians. So fun! I am excited to catch up with everyone at the reunion! Although, I am a little nervous because, sixty degrees is shorts and tank top weather for me now… I guess that will make it easy to spot me, the girl that is acting as if she were in the oven! Just kidding. Looking forward to reconnecting!

Your friend and classmate,

M. Celeste (Selby) Tydingco

I must say it is so interesting to me the different places our classmates now call home. And a little reminder for those of you "Kelly Picklers" out there..........the "l " is silent when pronouncing salmon. So don't slip up and say it wrong.

Only FIVE more days to let us know is you're coming. Not only will I need to let the boat know the exact count on Monday, we will have to pay!

It is not too late to come.........You have until MIDNIGHT, SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007.

RSVP to Kathi at kenelms@bellsouth.net

Send updates to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

2007-05-22T22:19:00.000-04:00

After about a week of trying.......I did it! Monica's pictures are uploaded. Look how precious her son is and you will understand why I have been so persistant about getting them posted.

This cutie has got some eyes!!!! Kind of makes you wonder what he is thinking........like most males!!! Click here to read her update.

Also, the blog is getting some actions these days. The past months have been very lonely. Check daily for new updates, thoughts and info. Scroll through to make sure you have not missed a thing.

Deep Thoughts....... by Susan Streets

2007-05-22T14:41:00.000-04:00

Your thoughts are always welcome to post on our blog. When you can't sleep and the anxiety of our upcoming "FUN" weekend getaway has you reminiscing in the late night-early morning hours, share you thoughts with us. Susan Ramke Streets did..................

Susan writes:

I was at my niece’s graduation this past weekend. Twenty years after us, she was graduating - from Northshore. Sitting in my seat at SLU, I was drawn back - back to the gym at NHS. It wasn’t my niece’s class down there, it was us. I could see it as if it were yesterday. There we were, young men and women, ready to take on the world. I could see Mitch making his speech (obviously, I couldn’t hear him, even in my mind - at this age, my detailed memory is a thing of the past). These days I find that my hair is graying, my bones are starting to groan and I’m more nostalgic than ever. Even if it’s just for a weekend, I want to go back to that easier time. I want to pretend that I’m still a kid (knowing what I know now, of course). I want to reacquaint myself with old friends that I’ve lost touch with and become friends with some old acquaintances. I want the opportunity for the people who helped shape me to see who I really was, who I really am. I was a rather quiet student. Very few people got to see the me (I really haven‘t changed that much) that I’m quite comfortable with now. I want to laugh at memories of the senior class play, incredibly late nights and very early mornings (thank goodness for vivarin). I want to reminisce about the senior picnic, senior skip days, sunburns from long hours on the beach and, of course, the Calcutta Beach Republic. I know there are a lot of closet lurkers out there. Come out of the closet, come play with us. I want to know that you remember it too. I want to know where you find yourself today and if you ever expected to be there. I’ve gotten to know Rami and Kathi better than I ever did in high school. I want to the opportunity to get to know all of you. The past shapes us, but we still have the chance to shape the future. You’ve got until May 27th to let us know that you’ll be there. I want you to be there - I miss you.

Susan and I really have known each other since 3rd grade (thirty years). I would say that over the past year, we've gotten to know each other more than we did the 10 years spent together in school, and we even rode the bus together until we drove to school. Now, we have boys in the 3rd grade. We both have sons named Reed. We probably have just as much in common as we probably have not in common. I think now as adults, we appreciate what makes us all who we are. It must be maturity!!! And THANK the LORD for it!

SO, Come................Laissez Le Bon Temps Roule

RSVP......Kathi at kenelms@bellsouth.net

Updates for blog to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Sweet Home Alabama

2007-05-21T11:04:00.000-04:00

I know you will be excited like I was to get another update for the blog. With the reunion just three weeks away, the updates on the blog get us reacquainted. Teri Nicholson Ryder is not sure if she can make it, but was nice to send us her update.

Teri writes:

After I graduated from Northshore, I attended LSU and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History, with a minor in Political Science. I attended law school at Cumberland School of Law, Samford University. I graduated from law school in 1994, and have practiced law in Huntsville, Alabama since I graduated. My former husband and I started a law firm, and practiced law together for 10 years. Unfortunately, that did not work out; however, I have beautiful six (6) year old son - Drew - as a result. I am currently working as a corporate lawyer for DeltaCom, Inc., and still living in Huntsville, Alabama.

We hope to see you there, Teri.

REMEMBER................YOU HAVE UNTIL THIS SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 TO RSVP. WE WILL BE UNABLE TO ACCEPT MONEY AT THE DOOR.

ATTIRE: Are you wondering what you will wear? Our thoughts in planning the reunion were to keep it more on the casual side of things. We thought everyone would feel more comfortable.

Dress as you'd like for Friday night.

Saturday night we thought more of a dressy casual.... sundresses, nice capris or cropped pants, nice shorts (men and ladies) Use your own judgement....... You know not to wear cut off shorts or "Daisy Dukes".

Please leave your cocktail attire at home!!! NO ties, NO fancy dress...........NO NEED! It is the summer ........."Down in New Orleans"

ABSOLUTE LAST DAY

2007-05-20T15:27:00.000-04:00

THREE WEEKS............that is it!! I can't believe a year has flown by so fast since I began this blog. I guess I should believe it because look how fast the past 20 have gone by.

First, I need to apologize to Monica for not being able to post her photos. Not sure what the problem is. I will keep trying!!!!!

We need to give the boat the exact number of classmates attending by May 28th. I will be calling that morning. Once I make that phone call, that will be it! So, if you are coming and have yet sent Kathi your money or at least not responded with I am coming....my money is in the mail, YOU HAVE UNTIL SUNDAY TO DO SO.

SUNDAY, MAY 27 TH

WILL BE THE ABSOLUTE LAST DAY YOU CAN RSVP.

It should be lots of fun. If you are still on the fence about whether or not you want to come........COME!!! Twenty years has been a long time. If you have any ill feelings towards school, let go of them. We have been out of school longer than it took us to reach our senior year. NO ONE was mature then. Don't let those feelings dictate your fun. Come on! Pat O's, a riverboat cruise, beignets...........what else could you want in one weekend!

Send your RSVP to Kathi at kenelms@bellsouth.net

updates to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Reunion info....................... click on the link in the right margin

It's Been a Long Time

2007-05-14T09:58:00.000-04:00

I have not received emails lately that are updates for the blog. So getting an email with the subject "It's Been a Long Time" had me relieved. This update has been a long time coming. Monica Lloyd Maggio was one of our first finds thanks to the SHS 1986 Blog..........remember Jim, her brother? He married an 86 Tiger. Gail was a big help in leading us to Monica.

Monica writes:

After graduating from High School, I attended Southeastern and graduated with a B.A. in Sociology. I stayed close to home in Louisiana for many years, worked for the state, disaster relief, spent several years working in long term care with the elderly, and was a mental health specialist working with disadvantaged kids. My husband and I met in 1999, we got married in 2000, and lived in Covington , then it was off to Houston … six months later…

We have lived in Houston , TX , six years now. My husband Adam and I have been married for 7 years, we have one child – Nathaniel – 3yrs. old, what a precious, joyful blessing God has given us. My husband is from New Orleans , graduated from UNO, he is an Engineer for Shell. We stay busy keeping up with our son Nathaniel, he loves the outdoors, sports, and playing in the water…We try to make it home to LA & MS whenever we can, due to us getting homesick, and our son begging to see Grammy & Granddaddy, etc...I am currently a stay home mom…a.k.a. multi task specialist…before becoming a mom I was a multi-task specialist (acct./legal work) for a maritime law firm, working in the New Orleans and Houston offices… hopefully one of these days I’ll get to finish those paralegal classes I was taking when my husband and I met…Houston has become home for us now, hopefully we’ll get the chance to move back home closer to our families one day…We are looking forward to the reunion, I have enjoyed reading the blog and catching up with everyone.

We are all thankful for a new update!!!! Something new to read!!

Monica also sent us photos. I am working on getting those uploaded. I am not sure what the problem is????? Check back for those!

In the meantime, if you have not sent your reunion payment to Kathi ( kenelms@bellsouth.net) please do so. Tomorrow is the deadline!!! We need to let the riverboat know how many will be attending. We will be unable to accept payment at the door.

Send updates to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Hotel........Motel.......Holiday Inn

2007-05-07T14:01:00.000-04:00

ONLY.......1(one) more day to make your reservations at the

HOTEL MONTELEONE

to get the NHS Reunion special room rate.

Don't hesitate! Do it now!!!!!!

Call 1-800-535-9595 to make your reservation. Be sure to mention the reunion!!!!

And only one more week to get your money to Kathi.

Email her at kenelms@bellsouth.net for her mailing address.

Only 70.00 per person!!

Picture PERFECT!!

2007-04-16T11:31:00.000-04:00

I am always so thrilled to get updated pictures of your families.

I enjoy looking at the children. We have a class full of precious kids.

Here are Stash and Libby's family as promised.

A big THANKS to Libby for taking a minute ( or two) to send it.

I know as moms, dads, wives, husbands, and employees that our lives are consumed with daily events that leave us little time for personal emailing. HOWEVER, if you can find a little time when you read this to hit one of the following email links to let us know YES, I am planning on sending my money for the reunion or NO...can't make it, we would be so grateful. We have a lot of little details to work on and that information could help us out a lot!!!

Kathi Easter Nelms kenelms@bellsouth.net
Susan Ramke Streets sstreets@charter.net
Rami Stein Parker nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Need more information on the reunion?? CLICK HERE

An Update and a Reminder

2007-04-10T15:11:00.000-04:00

Well, I guess you can tell by the creative title that I am having brain dysfunction. I feel bad too. I am cheating our next update out of an eye catching title.

Our next update comes from two classmates who have been together since school. I know since at least our Junior year. I had American History with Coach Doyle with these love birds. We were three of about 7 in the class. The class was in the band room. We had it after lunch. I'll never forget this class. It was in this class that we first heard of the Space Shuttle blowing up. Where were you when you remember hearing the news? I was with Stash Veller and Libby Detwiller.

Libby writes:

Stäsh and I live in Keller, Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex) and have been here for about 3 years now, prior to this we were living in Baton Rouge. Stäsh is a branch manager for Charles Schwab and I am a physical therapist. We have 3 kids: Brandon (11), Maddie (8), and Ryan (6). We absolutely love it here, but we do miss Louisiana seafood and L.S.U. football games - if it's not a Texas team, they don't show it! We would like to make it to the reunion, but may have a baseball conflict.( Brandon) We have enjoyed reading the blog and catching up on everyone - thanks!

Libby Veller

She added that she'd send pictures. I told her I'd hold her to it or I'd be forced to use the only picture I have of them which is from a dance. The back drop was of a small wooden well down in the pit???? Not a nice backdrop at all!!! I guess she remembers that my scanner is shot to hell because I have not received recent photos yet. I am waiting!!!

Reminder..........

April 15 is not only the deadline to file your taxes, but it is also the deadline to pay the $60.00 per person fee for the reunion. It then becomes $70.00. Don't wait...send your payment now!!!

Questions? Contact: Kathi at kenelms@bellsouth.net Susan at sstreets@charter.net or Rami at nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Information on the reunion can be found at the reunion link located in the right margin of the blog.

REALITY!

2007-03-28T11:09:00.000-04:00

WOW!!! I was definitely surprised this morning when there were two new updates in the emailbox.

Our first update has me empathizing with Marie on the cold hard truth aka "REALITY"!

Marie writes:

Hello Everyone,

It's the "shy" one - Marie Wade. Looking forward to another GREAT time at another GREAT reunion! My life right now is consumed with extremely active, world traveling, and expensive offspring who keep me and the calendar working overtime. They are pretty well adjusted despite their parentage - LOL!!! My daughter Cody is a graduating senior at NHS this year. Thank You Lord! My son Chris is a sophomore.

WOW! 20 years! Where has the time gone? With the rapid increase of gray hairs and an unforgiving births, I have finally accepted the reality that my supermodel days are over. It has taken lots of unprofessional counseling and trips to just about every daiquiri shop in SE Louisiana but I have conceded to the truth. I am still gorgeous though!

I plan on having fun with everyone and renewing friendships and acquaintances. I can't wait!!

She still has a sense of humor. I think she also summed it up well in that in spite of "Mother Nature/genes, birth of children and McDonald's drive thrus (speaking for myself now!)" she plans on having fun with everyone and renewing friendships and acquaintances. Shouldn't that be what reuniting is all about? ............Click if you need a little more convincing.

Information on the reunion can be found here: REUNION INFORMATION

Send updates to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com
Contact information to Kathi at kenelms@bellsouth.net or Susan at sstreets@charter.net

Coming Soon to this blog:

An update on high school sweethearts

Can you guess which ones???

A HERO Among Us....a very modest one at that

2007-03-24T15:13:00.000-04:00

This is just another classmate of ours that I searched for, for weeks before I reached him. However, it wasn’t long into my search before I found him. Like most of my searches, I began by Googling his name and like many of you, Jason Yeates has a popular name. ( I guess with a name like Rami Stein, I am surprised to see how many people share the same name.)

Anyway......one link caught my eye. It referred to a Maj. Jason Yeates in Iraq. Hearing from Sam Yeates that Jason could be in Iraq, I quickly clicked on it. This is what I saw...

Not being able to recognize “Jason’s” face in the photo, I looked at the soilder standing in the background. And I thought I recognized the stand?? I first shared it with Kathi, who was as surprised like me. I continued my search for an email address or anything else on a Jason Yeates 37/38. Finally, I found where a Jason Yeates posted a comment on a message board to someone who was doing a little geneology searching on his family. It provided an email address for this Jason Yeates. I emailed it and waited patiently. That same night I, received a phone call from LeGrande, my partner in many of my searches, who I quickly shared what I found on Jason. He studied the stand too, and then said “Hell, I’ll just call Jason’s dad. He still lives here in Slidell.”

LeGrande and I hung up the phone, I checked my emails to find a response from Jason, and LeGrande called Jason’s dad. Jason was found!! Little did I know it could have been as easy as a phone call!! But if it would have been that easy I would have never known that there was a HERO among us because Jason is very modest about it. I know he will want to kill me for posting this because he looks at it as he was just doing his job, and that it was not a big deal. But to me that is BIG!! I want to thank him, Becky and any other classmate that serve our Country so selflessly each day. THANK YOU!

Jason wrote:

Rami, glad to hear from you...Yep, you have the correct Jason Yeates.
Also, yes that was me in Iraq - we were hit by a car bomb and that
kid was wounded and trapped in a burning building. My driver and I
pulled out a couple of wounded civilians. I served 12 months over
there, stationed in Baghdad in a Infantry unit. Glad to make it home
safe though.

Anyway, things are going well for me. After I got back from Iraq in
Sep 2005, I stayed on active duty another year helping Louisiana out
with the whole Katrina/Rita mess. Got off of active duty at the end of
Oct 2006 and started back with my civilian employer, a division of
Baker Hughes. I'm presently married to my wife Jill, formerly Jill
Duncan and have been residing in Lafayette, LA for the past 9 1/2
years. We have an 8 year old son, Grant, and a 7 month old Garrett.
Life is good.

What a beautiful family. I know he is proud!

Jason thinks he will be heading back to Iraq in 2008 or 2009, and that our troups will be there for a while.

Jason, keep us updated on that and we'll keep you in our prayers.

Again, thanks to all reading who serve our Country!

For reunion information, see the REUNION INFORMATION link in the right margin of the blog. Send update infomration for the blog to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Questions concerning the reunion? Contact: kathi at kenelms@bellsouth.net, susan at sstreets@charter.net, or rami at ramiparker@yahoo.com

Congratulations.... Mrs. Roy McFarlane

2007-03-22T13:33:00.000-04:00

I believe we have several newlyweds among us.....pictured here is Mrs. Roy McFarlane aka Becky Lowe McFarlane. For weeks now I searched for a few of those still on the missing list. LeGrande was helping me too. We never imagined there were so many Rebecca L Lowes in the world or Rebecca McFarlanes. Then one day I received an email from a former panther that moved after our sophmore year, Edie Schwaab. Edie had found the blog and was kind enough to send me information she had on Nicole Holtcamp, Shannon Cutrer Morgan, and Becky. As you see, I got lucky with Becky. Thank you, Edie!!

Becky writes:
I moved to Missouri after graduation with my dad. I was not ready for college so what did I do? I joined the Army and went to Germany. I got married and had my daughter, Jacqueline, who is now 15 going on 18. It is scary to me cause of the things she knows about now I did not know when I was 17. I got out of the Army and went to college to be a teacher, moved to TX, then Boise, ID and had my son Troy James now 6. Then I moved to Olympia, WA. I joined the Army Reserve after 9/11, and I was mobilized for two years at Fort Lewis, WA where I met the love of my life. Saying I would NEVER get married again--we got married on 10 June 2006. So now I am Mrs. Roy McFarlane and have a stepson--son--Ryal 12. I am Unit Administrator. I take care of 140 Soldiers in my Bn, pay-promotions-training-whatever they throw at me and still in the Army Reserve.

We are season ticket holders for the Seahawks--GO HAWKS!!! But I still like the Saints--WHO DAT? I thought of Slidell after Katrina and was shocked at what I saw on TV. Amazing. I am so glad to be in touch with Class of 87. Every time I hear Never Say Goodbye, I laugh: Prom night, homecoming, the Super Bowl Shuffle, Keywanettes, the crazy drama teacher, Lisa Lipps Madden (I don't remember why I called her that), Michelle Fields, Sarah (I think of you every Sep 25), Amis and Carolyn, Pezzie, when Shannon and I were yelling at each other in the McDonalds parking lot, "Becky is getting in a fight", track meets, football games, our hair cuts and lots of other memories.

Thank you for the blog. It is great.

Thank you Becky for your update. Without updates like yours the blog would be nothing.....like it has been for months. Just think how great it would be if ALL YOU SECRET READERS would send in an update.

Funny story.... A wife of a SHS tiger from 87 writes to Kim and Heidi to tell them that her husband is on the missing list and doesn't want to be found. However, she finds the SHS blog bookmarked in his favorites. LOLOLOLOL!! What a good wife... she kept her husband's identity a secret. It just makes me wonder..... How many of you are closet readers?

Nicole and Shannon, I am still trying. There are a lot of Shannon Cutrers too and even more Shannon Morgans. I found one other Nicole Holtcamp.....age 67.

Send your updates to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com
Haven't received an invitation to the reunion yet??? Check with Kathi Easter Nelms at kenelms@bellsouth.net to make sure she has your latest address.

Click here for the reunion information.

Oh....I don't want to sign off before "CONGRATULATING" our other newlywed, Nancy Orr...Congratulation!!!!!

And LeGrande Ferguson on his recent engagement.....Congratulation!! Remember for my invitation, my name is spelled with only an "i"........no "e" like the cotton!

And Congratulations to Jeanne Beinvenu, a SHS Class of 87 friend featured here on our blog in many photos, on her recent marriage.

Love is surely in the air!!!

Reunion Weekend Important Information

2007-03-18T10:52:00.000-04:00

The first set of invitations have been sent. At the last hour we needed more so if you have not received it and we have your mailing address, please be looking for it soon.

In the meantime, this post can fill you in on the important details of the weekend..........

Reunion's Main Event
Hotel Accommodations
Friday Night's Meet and Greet
Sunday Morning's Coffee and Beignets
Deadlines and Fees

John James Audubon Riverboat
Saturday, June 9, 2007

The reunion’s main event will be aboard the John James Audubon Riverboat for a two hour cruise on the “Mighty Mississippi River”. So put on your dressy-casual summer attire, grab a cool summer drink and meet us on the Aquarium Dock. (located at Canal Street and the River)

· Registration/check in for boarding pass and name tag to board the boat will begin at 6:00 pm at the Aquarium Dock. It is very important that you prepay by the deadlines if you are attending. We will be unable to accept payment on the boat.

· Boarding will begin at 6:45. At this time everyone attending must have their boarding pass. The cost is $60.00 per person prior to April 15, 2007. You must pre pay!! Money can not be accepted at the door.

· Boat will sail promptly at 7:30 with a Cash Bar, New Orleans Style Dinner Buffet, and the Best of the 80’s Music.

· More information on the Riverboat and parking at the Aquarium log on to....
http://www.steamboatnatchez.com

· For those staying in the French Quarter, it is in walking distance.

Hotel Accommodations
Hotel Monteleone 214 Royal Street French Quarter

Call 1-800-535-9595 to reserve your room today. Only 25 rooms guaranteed at this rate. Room rates apply to reservation made prior to May 8, 2007.

· $119.00 per night with a two night minimum stay for this rate (Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday)

· Plus 13% tax and a $2.00 occupancy fee

· Covered valet parking is available at $27.00 a night for cars and $32.00 a night for SUV’s

· Reference Northshore High School Reunion when making reservations. Please contact us at nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com if you have any trouble getting the rate prior to cut off date, May 8, 2007.

· Airport Shuttle available at airport for $12/$13 a person

· All events in walking distance from hotel

Check out the hotel at www.hotelmonteleone.com for a tour of the hotel

Pat O’Brien’s 718 St. Peter Street French Quarter
Friday, June 8, 2007

Let’s start with the weekend out with a casual, fun filled night at New Orleans Historical Landmark, Pat O’Brien’s.
Plan to meet in Jackson Square in front of the St. Louis Cathedral between 8:30 and 9:00. (Look for the NHS signs.)
At 9:00, we can all stroll down to Pat O’Brien’s for a night of singing in the piano bar or lots of chit chat in the courtyard by the famous fountain.
Can’t wait to “Have Fun!”
· No cover charge
· Cash bar
· Group photos available for purchase .......

Coffee and Beignets @ Café du Monde Decatur Street
Sunday, June 10 2007

Café du Monde
for
Coffee and Beignets
Sunday, June 10, 2007
9:00 am
Located on Decatur Street
at the
French Market

Deadline & Fees:
MUST PRE PAY!!!!

Now—April 15,2007:
· $60.00 per person for Reunion
April 16 - May 15,2007:
· $70.00 per person for reunion
May 8, 2007:
$119.00 Special Hotel Room rate

Please contact Kathi Easter Nelms for her mailing address to send your reunion fees prior to the deadlines. We still have not made the minimum number of people required , but feel confident that the responses and money will start rolling in now!!! You are responsible for making your own hotel reservations..........do that now!!! Don't wait or they will be booked.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

Kathi Easter Nelms kenelms@bellsouth.net

Susan Ramke Streets sstreets@charter.net

Rami Stein Parker ramiparker@yahoo.com

Send all blog updates for posting to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

We look forward to seeing you in June. We have worked hard to plan a very casual fun weekend for all of us to get together and have some fun... don't miss it!!

Reunion Reminder and Missing List

2007-02-26T12:20:00.000-05:00

We are working hard on getting the invitations out to you.
Please remember that the date is still tentative based on getting the deposit and reaching the minimum number required to rent the boat. I know some of you may be hesitant to send your money in now before receiving the invitation and information in the mail, but we need your help!!!

Please contact Kathi Easter Nelms for her address to send your money for the reunion... kenelms@bellsouth.net

It is 60.00 per person! Check out the last post for a little more details. More details to come!

The 60.00 deadline will be April 9th. It will be 70.00 between April 9th and May 8th.

Help us find these missing classmates!! Send us ANY information you may have on them.
nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com kenelms@bellsouth.net sstreets@charter.net

Rahim Al-Naziat
Randall Arroyo*
Daryl Atchley
Leslie Barteau
Laura Blanchard
Scott Bourlet
John Bowie
Kristie Bradham Lucky
Nancy Cadenhead
Bruce Carey
David Carrere
Kelly Cartwright
Sonny Chauvin
Michael Conniff
Shannon Cutrer Morgan
Helene Dahl
Chris de la Cruz
Emily DeMaria
Joe Derigo
Libby Detwiler Veller
John Donahue
Mike Faciane
Camilla Franck (Caron)
Peter Geraae
Derek Goff
Lee Ginn
Warren Gray
Richard Griego
Derek Grimm
Julie Guidry
Rachel Guidry
Sergio Gutierrez
Todd Hartranft
Kelly Hebbler
Darlene Henderson
Al Henriquez
Chris Henkhaus*
Marit Herder
Candi Hershberger
Chris Hill
Don Hill
Glen Hillis
Dawn Hingle
Mark Holt
Nicole Holtcamp
Beth King Tuck
Michaela Klinski
Sean Knight
Rachel LeBlanc
Rhonda Leveque
Sandra Linder
Becky Lowe
Erik Lumetta
Mark Maehler
Tammy Manskie Leong
Ken Manskie
Lateachia Martin
Leigh Matheney
Michelle McCann
Kate McKenzie Akers
Shelley Meadows Phillips
Tracy Melancon
Steve Messina
Tamara Miller
Heather Mittenzwei Magee
Chrissy Moore Darsam
Doug Moore
Trey Morris
Dawayne Orleans*
Russell Parkin
Tommy Pearson
Pam Pecou
Danny Phelps
Beth Pichon
Shannah Portanova Martin
Richard Reed
Robin Reed
Mitch Reynolds
Angela Roberts Hartzler
Bryan Rorex*
Jimmy Rogers
Lisa Salles LeBlanc*
Angie Satterfield
Robert Sciacca
Celeste Selby
Jackie Seward
Tina Smith
Tracy Smith
Stacy Smith
Doug Soons
Matt Spraggins
Lori Steiner Moore
Rodney Stovall
Stash Veller
Blanca Walker
Stacy Weckwerth
Eric Wilson
Dawn Wolkens
Jason Yeates*
Brenda Zabreznik
Mike Zerger

SAVE THE DATE!

2007-01-26T11:17:00.000-05:00

Save the Date for Our 20 Year Reunion

June 9, 2007

aboard the John James Audubon

New Orleans, Louisiana

A "BIG" THANK YOU to all who took a minute to respond to the blog and/or Kathi's email regarding our request for your input on a reunion location.

You were very helpful!

We are sure you will be very pleased with the location.

We are working hard on details for the weekend such as a time of tour at NHS (for those who are interested), a possible Sunday brunch at the House of Blues (for those who are interested) and hotel room rates. Once we have the details an official invitation and agenda will be mailed to you as well as posted on the blog.

I am sure you know and understand that to plan such a function and to reserve a place deposits and a minimum number of people are required. If you know that you will definitely be attending our reunion, please let us know and how many. If, at this time, you could also contribute your money for our reunion event, you would be helping us even more.

The cost is $60.00 per person for our Saturday event

(in addition to a cash bar on the boat and an additional cost for a possible Sunday brunch will be separate/optional as well as your travel and hotel expenses).

Please contact Kathi Easter Nelms at kenelms@bellsouth.net for a mailing address.

The date and place is tentative until we can make the deposit and know that we will meet the minimum number required.

A few of you have moved recently; please make sure Kathi has your new addresses. We’ll also try to post a “Still Missing” list of our classmates that we’ve not been in contact with. Please view it to see if you see an old friend that you would like to try to find. I want to think we have not hit a dead end.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support and patients as we plan our 20 year reunion.

kenelsm@bellsouth.net
sstreets@charter.net

nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Your Thoughts???

2007-01-08T16:09:00.000-05:00

Since I started the blog last May/June, I have been gathering information on venues throughout Slidell as well as New Orleans and the Gulf Coast for the upcoming reunion.

Slidell was already limited to such places prior to Katrina and places are even more limited since the storm. And I am sticker shocked for what they have to offer in Slidell.

What are your thoughts about having the reunion on the Gulf Coast? (Gulfport/Biloxi area)

We could get more for our money!!

Most of you will be coming from out of town........Biloxi has an airport (flights there use to be cheaper than N.O.???). A lot of casinos and hotels have reopened. It is just a 40 - 45 minute drive to/from Slidell. There is a water park off of Hwy 49 as well as outlet mall shopping.

Please send your thoughts to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com by Jan. 19th. A simple yes or no will let us know where we should go. We'll be trying to plan a meeting soon.

Happy New Year....2007

2007-01-05T12:09:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year from my family to yours!!
It is official........2007. Twenty years since high school.

Please take a minute to let us know you're out there and are interested in a reunion.

I realize we are all busy and our free minutes are far and few between, but even if it is only your address you send....we'll take it!

kathi easter.... kenelms@bellsouth.net

susan ramke......... sstreets@charter.net

rami stein .......... nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

FYI

I had 12 emails since I checked weeks ago........ 10 from classmates.com, 1 from Tom Taylor and 1 from Dan Martin... a SHS tiger friend. Thanks guys!

Oh and one more thing to update you on.......I have heard from LeGrande!!

SO were is your update, LeGrande?????

Falalalala....lalalala

2006-12-13T14:16:00.000-05:00

Well, it has been about two months since I have posted a post on the blog. I have received 3 (three) emails requesting a new post. THREE!!! Sad, but true!

I use to check the email box several times a day. After finding nothing for days...week after week, I have now resorted to checking it once a month. Still nothing!!! I guess the blog has reached all that it is going to reach. The saddest part of this to me is that I know that all of you who have been found have at least gone to the blog once if not twice if not on a regular bases. And only a small portion of you have submitted updates.

Just wanted to let those three know that I am still here! Checking! Hoping that someone will feel "Merry and Bright" and submit an update.

Merry Christmas to all!

Pre-Game Party

2006-10-24T09:56:00.000-04:00

A big THANKS to Susan and Doug Streets for hosting the pre-game party at their home. They are recovering from the damage from the hurricane, but it did not stop them from opening up their doors and welcoming us in for a little food and fun!

Seen here is Jean Ingram Hoover, Sam Yeates, and Kathi Easter Nelms.
Here is Karen Kahl, Susan Ramke Renee, Ted McKnight (standing in the back ) and Mike Mangiaracina.

Here is Mike, Susan, Monty Hoover. (sofa) Kathi, Sarah Trattler, Renee Gilly McKnight, Sam, Jean, Me and Karen. (behind sofa)

Looking for Doug? He was tending to their sons' busy after school activities.

Good for you Doug!!!

After the party we went to the game where we met up with more '87 Panthers.

Stay tuned for the game pics.

Since we have more viewers than actual participants in the blog, I want to give you something to come back and see.

Send me something GOOD!! I am thinking about making up some updates!!!!

nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Game Cost

2006-10-20T10:11:00.000-04:00

NHS Homecoming Game

$6.00 per PERSON

(adults, children, ALL)

Sleepless Nights for One '87 Panther

2006-10-17T10:46:00.000-04:00

Congratulations Brian and Family

IT'S A GIRL!

Brian writes:

In my first update I mentioned that my wife and I were expecting our fourth child in October. Lauren Elizabeth Huddleston arrived on October 5 weighing in at 8 lbs. 15 oz. Mom and Lauren are doing great, and the whole family is very excited to finally have her here. Pictured with Lauren are Ben age 10, Alison age 8, and Claire age 2.5. Lucky for them they look a lot like their beautiful mother. Lauren will be the last addition to our family, I already feel my sanity slipping away and it's just been a week. If your up at 2:00 am send me an e-mail I'll probably be awake.

Brian Huddleston

I think I see a little of Dad in Claire!!!

Precious family! Thanks for sharing. Wishing you a night's sleep soon.

RSVP for Homecoming Tailgating Party

2006-10-17T10:36:00.000-04:00

Homecoming is Friday, October 20, 2006

Tailgating Party

prior to game at the Streets' house

Let us know if you will show

(RSVP)

The chef needs a head count!

Kathi @ kenelms@bellsouth.net

Susan @ sstreets@charter.net

Blog @ nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Don't forget to bring your favorite chicken, sides and drinks!

NHS Reunion T-shirts on SALE NOW!

2006-10-08T17:00:00.000-04:00

Order your "20 year Reunion" T-shirts NOW...

in time for our

Homecoming Game and Tailgating Party.

Let's all wear them to show them

we "STILL" have spirit

20 years later

Two prints to choose from

PLUS

A variety of styles and other items to choose from

Click here to order or visit http://www.cafepress.com/tsncrackers

A big THANKS to Jean Ingram Hoover for designing the T's and the online store front.

GREAT job, Jean!!

Visit Jean's business website at www.techcraftindustries.com

As you may remember from Jean's post that her husband and our former class of 87 classmate, Monty, formed a world wide motorcylce club. Susan Ramke Streets is the president of the Slidell Chapter for the Mudpuppies Motorcycle Club.

Check them out at http://www.mudpuppies-mc.com/

Remember to send your update to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com and contact info to Kathi at kenelms@bellsouth.net or Susan at sstreets@charter.net

With a Little Help from Our Friends

2006-10-01T12:40:00.000-04:00

With a little help from our friends.....the "Juniors", we are able to take one more off of the lost list. Look who has been found, Pat O'Flynn.

Pat writes:

Where to start? Well, first of all, I am living in Indianapolis, Indiana. I've been living here since 1990. I am married and have four beautiful children. They are: Shawn age 10, Andrew age 9, Kara age 7, and Sarah age 20 months. My wife's name is Karleen. I met her a couple of years after I moved here. They are my life and I adore them.

Dawn Wilkinson(class of 88) emailed me with the link to this sight. She saw the sight and let me know I was in the lost list. My parents still live in Slidell and I come down once or twice a year. I'll have to get some pictures of the family together to send, now that I know about this site. My mom is friends with Legrande Ferguson's mom. I can get his whereabouts if you need it. Feel free to drop a line. My Email address is poflynn1@sbcglobal.net.

Take care,
Patrick O'Flynn

Thanks Dawn! Any more reading Jr.'s? We appreciate you spreading the word and helping us find our classmates. When it comes time for you to plan yours, we'll be sure to return the favor.

Click here or scroll down for the Homecoming Tailgating Party plans

Homecoming

2006-09-29T16:14:00.000-04:00

Homecoming....................

TAILGAITING PARTY

October 20, 2006

at the home of

Doug and Susan Streets

Between 4:30 and 5:00

(or when you can get there)

Children welcome!

Game starts at 7:00 NHS Staduim

Northshore v's Covington

Susan will be cooking Crawfish Etoufee. You are asked to bring a bucket of your favorite chicken, sides and drinks for your family. Please keep in mind that alcohol will not be permitted on the campus of NHS.

Kathi will be sending out an announcement of the event to your email addresses. She will include directions. Also please feel free to email Susan or the blog for them and to RSVP. nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com Susan at sstreets@charter.net and Kathi at kenelms@bellsouth.net

We are also in the process of possibly getting T-shirts for you to order. We'll keep you informed if that works out.

"Now Showing"

2006-09-29T10:15:00.000-04:00

This update is really a two for one. As I think back 20 years and try to remember our NHS Class of 87's married couples of today, I only remember a few of them being together in high school. Some of them fell in love outside the halls of high school.....like Jean Ingram and Monty Hoover.

Jean writes:

Wow. 20 Years. I'll be the first to admit that High School was just something I had to do before I could get on with the rest of my life :). I don't know about you but I was in a big hurry to grow up and get out there. Now, with children of my own, I just want them to take their time, savor, and enjoy the moments. It seems like time has just fast forwarded and here we are.

Thanks Rami for taking the time to create the blog and for trying to bring us together. Susan sent me the link and I've been hooked. It is really wonderful to be able to read about everyone and find out how they are doing.

I've been fortunate enough to stay in Slidell since school. I accepted a job working for O'Neil Theatres Corporate Office as the Secretary and over the next 17 years worked my way up to Director of Office Operations. I resigned in February 2005 to stay home with my children. I was unemployed for a day and PrintTixUSA offered me the Business Development Director position that allows me to work from the house and be there for my family. I also run a Web Solutions Company called TechCraft Industries So If you need web hosting or design solutions, drop me a line or give me a call! (Yes, I know it's a shameless plug for the business LOL!)

I count myself very blessed in that I am married to the man of my dreams, another NHS Graduate, Montgomery Hoover. Our daughters Victoria (7 years)and Tegan (2 1/2 years) keep us busy. Monty joined the military after school and traveled the world. He has started a Military and Law Enforcement based Motorcycle Club that is now worldwide and he works for Lockheed Martin as a Security Inspector for NASA.

Monty and I would love to hear from you and WAYNE if you read this, let us know how you are doing! You can email Jean at jean@techcraftindustries.com and Monty at merlin@mudpuppies-mc.com

See You all at the Party!!
Jean Ingram Hoover

Thanks Jean for the update.

I love the photos with the updates. I am not sure why they are uploading so small. I am investigating it!!

It is funny. I can go days, even weeks, without an update and then when I get one ~ another one follows. So stay tuned for the next update.

Want it to be yours? Do you come to the blog every few days to check it out? If you don't send it, there will be nothing to read. What are you waiting for? Do you think we would not want to read it? Inquiring minds want to know........don't you enjoy reading the updates? Go on send it in! nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Also send in your contact info to Kathi at kenelms@bellsouth.net or Susan at sstreets@charter.net

Spreading the Word Around the World

2006-09-26T13:45:00.000-04:00

All it takes is for you to tell one person. Then for them to tell one person and so on and so on..... Before you know it our classmates across the land and around the world have heard the news.
Look at where the latest post comes from.............Jeff Palmer in Scotland.

Jeff writes:

Well I was directed to the blog by an email I received from Brennan McCurley, so thank you Brennan.

I never really thought of it as being almost twenty years until I started reading some of the postings. Now I really feel old!

Since leaving NHS I have lived somewhat of a nomadic life. I first trekked off to Houston Texas and attended the University of Houston where I, to the amazement of many, graduated with a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management. After starting my career within the hotel industry I have moved, moved, and moved again. I have been with Marriott Hotels from just over 16 years now and my travels have taken this route; Houston, Washington DC, Orlando, San Francisco, Denver, Houston and now Glasgow Scotland. I am currently the Director of Operations at the Glasgow Marriott and this job keeps me BUSY. Even though I have moved quite a bit, I have been fortunate enough to live in some pretty cool places.

The down side to this is that you do lose touch with many people over time. I have kept in touch with Mike Shaw and he is currently living in Houston Texas.

I am currently married with one child. My wife's name is Grit and our son is Yonas. My wife is actually from Berlin Germany and we met in Houston. Our son is 3 years old and thank God he got his mom's looks and hopefully her intelligence as well.

So I guess I should get back to work now. Yes it's true hospitality hours are horrible, I am working on a Saturday night! I do hope to hear from some old friends. My email is jeffrey.palmer@marriotthotels.com,

Take care
Jeffrey A. Palmer

Our lost list just got a little smaller by two!! (Jeff and Mike) Thanks for spreading the word, Brennan.

Don't miss any of the post. They date back to May of 2006. Click on the months under Archives (right hand margin) and scroll through the month to read all previously posted updates. Don't see yours??? Send it to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

"Houston, We Have an Update!"

2006-09-22T18:32:00.000-04:00

After what seems like "20" years without an update, we have a new one.......Mike Shaw. Thanks, Mike, for sending us something new to view.

Mike writes:

Jeff Palmer (currently in Scotland managing a Marriott hotel) mentioned the blog to me and I thought I'd touch base. I've attached a recent picture of my daughter (first day of kindergarten) and also a picture of my wife and son with her (we've finally gotten rid of the pacifier!!). My wife and I have been married for 9 years and our daughter (Emma) is 5 and our son (Connor) is 3. I'm currently in Houston with the law firm of Andrews Kurth (been here since attending law school in Houston from 94-97) and would love to come to the reunion, so please keep me in the loop. Thanks for taking the time to do this and please let me know if there is anything I can do to help out.
Michael R. Shaw

Thanks, Jeff Palmer, for spreading the word from across the world. Stay tuned to the blog for Jeff's update!

Speaking of "JEFF"...........Did any of you guess that "Coach Who" was no other than Jeff Panks? Coach Panks is still at NHS. Hopefully we'll get a chance to see him during our upcoming year of reunion events.

Send all blog updates/contact information to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com or contact information to Kathi at kenelms@bellsouth.net or Susan at sstreets@charter.net

Coach Who?

2006-09-20T11:12:00.000-04:00

With homecoming plans in the making, this is a face you just may see at a NHS football game.

Do you know which coach this is?

His daughters may give him away.

I did not recognize this man two years ago when I ran into him.......almost literally ran into him. I think if I had a clue that he was once my drivers ed teacher and certainly if he was with his girls, I would have known. But without the clue, without the girls, I passed him right up without a hello. I don't want you to do the same. His wife recognized me and me her, so I did get the chance to talk with him.

Coach who??? Stay tuned and I'll let you know soon.

The blog is in need of a new update. If you have not sent yours and you're reading, it is time you take a minute to do so...... nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com Send me your guesses of Coach Who?

Send contact information to Kathi at kenelms@bellsouth.net or Susan at sstreets@charter.net

Mini Me's

2006-09-07T10:36:00.000-04:00

If you don't see mom and dad in these two beautiful faces, pull out the yearbook before going any further to look for these faces as two 87 graduates.

Mom and dad are both NHS Class of 87 graduates. Mom has contacted us, and she is Shelli Dollison Oulliber.

Shelli writes:

Hello everyone...I just had the strangest thing happen tonight: I was driving home after a night of soccer,dinner out, and Academy, when I had a sudden urge tolook at my old Boyet year books. Imagine how shocked I was when I turned on my computer, opened my e:mail and saw a message from classmates leading me to the NHS class of 87 blog! It was great to read about everyone and "YES!" count me in to help out with the reunion! I would love to help plan it!

Here is what has been going on with me: As you all probably remember from 10 years ago, after school I went to UNO then onto LSUMC and graduated Nursing school in 1991. Paul and I were married shortly there after (2 days) and I started work as a Emergency room nurse. We had our 1st child, Tyler, in 1996 and then our 2nd, Emily in 1998. ( Some call them mini Shelli and mini Paul). That was also about the time that Paul and I realized we were just really good friends and decided to get divorced. Today, I am employeed at The Folger Coffee company as the Health Systems Leader, but work most my hours as Tyler and Emily's Mom. Paul is remarried to his wife Suzie and they live in Franklinton. He is still with theLouisiana State Police and hopefully none of you have"bumped" into him :) (So you can take him off the"lost" list)

I would love to hear from you all and can be reached at moulliber@yahoo.com

Thanks Rami and Kathi for taking the time to start the planning!

Take care,

Shelli Dollison Oulliber

As if her mental telepathy story isn't weird enough................ yesterday as she was probably thinking about her Boyet yearbooks, I (being the room mom coordinator for Honey Island Elementary) received a list of room mom from Ms. Bartholomew (who by the way use to be Miss Harrison the 4th grade Soc. Studies teacher at Boyet that many of us had) and there was Shelli's name and number listed as one of the room moms. One of our classmates name and number had just fallen into my hands and the very next day her update fell into the nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com email box. Isn't that weird when things like this happen??

Paul we want to hear from you too!

Robert Gunn sent us some more good news........He ran into Kurt Richard as they were both bringing their daughters to gymnastics. Slidell is getting smaller as our eyes are getting bigger!!! Have we always been in the same places with our classmates and never noticed???? We will be waiting to hear from you, Kurt!!

Next time you run into someone or have a mental telepathy moment, we want to know about it at nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Send your info to the above email address for a blog posting or send your contact information to Kathi at kenelms@bellsouth.net or Susan at sstreets@charter.net

SAVE THE DATE!

2006-09-06T13:37:00.000-04:00

Save the date and don't be late

for the Class of 87 Panthers are ready to Tailgate!

Oct. 20, 2006 is the Homecoming game

Northshore v's Covington

7:00 NHS Stadium

Tailgating party prior to game

Details TBA

stay tune to the blog for more info

Lost and Found

2006-09-02T13:53:00.000-04:00

The first planning meeting was held a few weeks back. If you've been reading the blog, you should remember the details!! Here are the picutres of us as we compiled the "Lost and Found " list of our classmates.

Here is the "Lost" well Missing list compiled at the meeting. A few have contacted us since so if you see your name on the lost list, please contact Kathi to make sure she has your info. I know some of you are "secret viewers" who have not sent us your contact information so if that is you or if you see someone else's name on the list please contact us with the information. Also if you remember someone that should be on the list and is not, contact us. I know there are some that finished up during the Summer of 87 so we may not have them on the list, but want them to be part of the reunion.

The "Lost"

Rahim Al-Naziat
Randall Arroyo*
Daryl Atchley
Leslie Barteau
Leslie Blanchard
Scott Bourlet
John Bowie
Kristie Bradham Lucky
Julie Brown Hendrix*
Nancy Cadenhead
Bruce Carey
David Carrere
Kelly Cartwright
Sonny Chauvin
Chad Clark*
Michael Conniff
Shannon Cutrer Morgan
Helene Dahl
Gwen Dean Garner
Chris de la Cruz
Joe Derigo
Libby Detwiler Veller
John Donahue
Dwight Evans
Mike Faciane
LeGrande Ferguson*
Camilla Franck (Caron)
Peter Geraae
Derek Goff
Lee Ginn
Warren Gray
Derek Grimm
Julie Guidry
Rachel Guidry
Sergio Gutierrez
Susan Haley
Sean Hansen
Todd Hartranft
Kelly Hebbler
Darlene Henderson
Ricky Henderson
Leon Hendrix*
Al Henriquez
Chris Henkhaus*
Marit Herder
Allison Herrmann Torres*
Candi Hershberger
Chris Hill
Don Hill
Glen Hillis
Dawn Hingle
Mark Holt
Nicole Holtcamp
Mary Jacobs
Karen Kahl
Jackie Kelly
Cyrus Khedouri
Heidi Kill
Beth King Tuck
Michaela Klinski
Sean Knight
Rachel LeBlanc
Rhonda Leveque
Sandra Linder
Becky Lowe
Erik Lumetta
Mark Maehler
Tammy Manskie Leong
Ken Manskie
Lateachia Martin
Leigh Matheney
Michelle McCann
Kate McKenzie Akers
Shelli Meadows Phillips
Tracy Melancon
Steve Messina
Tamara Miller
Heather Mittenzwei Magee
Chrissy Moore Darsam*
Doug Moore
Trey Morris
Teri Nicholson
Pat O'Flynn
Dawayne Orleans
Glen Orleans
Nancy Orr
Paul Oulliber*
Jeff Palmer
Russell Parkin
Tommy Pearson
Pam Pecou
Danny Phelps
Beth Pichon
Vicky Pichon Moore
Shannah Portanova Martin
Pam Raymond
Paula Raymond
Richard Reed
Robin Reed
Mitch Reynolds
Angela Roberts Hartzler
Winnie Robertson Rispoli (We know you've spread the word, but where are you??)
Bryan Rorex*
Jimmy Rogers
Lisa Salles LeBlanc*
Angie Satterfield
Robert Sciacca
Celeste Selby
Jackie Seward
Mike Shaw
Tina Smith
Tracy Smith
Stacy Smith
Maggie Snowden
Doug Soons
Matt Spraggins
Lori Steiner Moore
Rodney Stovall
Stash Veller
Blanca Walker
Stacy Weckwerth
Eric Wilson
Dawn Wolkens
Jeff Wood*
Jason Yeates*
Brenda Zabreznik
Mike Zerger

Those with astriks are those who we think we know where they are???????? Contact us anyway if you see your name has an astrick or if you know the where abouts of someone with an astrik.

The "Found" list or at least we know how to find them.

Chris Abney
John Alberstadt
Barry Anderson
Will Argeanton
Alyssa Baker Gautreau
Bonnie Berrigan St. Andre
Chip Beshenich
Bill Boarder
Bridget Brister St. Andre
Clay Burgess
Alan Colby
Charlie Cosentino
Sandra Culpepper D'Angelo
Pam Daley
Scott Dees
Amy Dickman Nyberg
April DiFrabrizio Riley
Shelly Dollison Ouliber
Stefanie Duley Miller
Kathi Easter Nelms
Eric Epperson
Michael Ergas
Laura Ethridge Litolff
Brian Everett
Michelle Fields Pierce
Gloria Foster Thurman
Paul Gelpi
Renee Gilley McKnight
Nancy Grimwood Gonzalez
Theresa Gros Sones
Robert Gunn
Brian Hardee
Monty Hoover
Laura Howard Whitty
Brian Huddleston
Jean Ingram Hoover
Jennifer Jarrell
Ashton (Billy) Jung
Galen Karriker
Nancy Knezevich Bonnaffons
Chris Kughn
John Lee
Peezie Leininger Allred
Christy Livingston Tate
Monica Lloyd Maggio
Lisa Madden Cappel
Mike Mangiaracina
Lisa Manley Bellagamba
Caroly Mauffray Crockett
Rob McDowell
Matt Miller
Matt Mire
Robert Moore
Jim Moring
Chuck Murray
Jamie Nevitt Moring
Robert Posegay
Brooke Prather Horadam
Susan Ramke Streets
Kurt Richard
Carolyn Robertson Carr
Holly Rosen Martin
Shawnna Ryder
John Savage
Jason Scarabin
Lauren Schrieffer Tracey
Beth Shipley Hays
Ferlin Smith
Rami Stein Parker
Kelli Stewart Cherry
Stefanie Stone Humphrey
Doug Streets
Tom Taylor
Mike Tesch
Teri Theriot
Andy Thurman
Alicia Trabona Headrick
Sarah Trattler Clifton
Mike Trompeter
Becky Vallaire Runnels
Marie Wade
Sherry Wilkerson Spurgeon
Teri Wilkerson Richardson
Sam Yeates
Steve Zackary

Kathi Easter Nelms is working hard on our database. Send your contact information to kenelms@bellsouth.net. Susan Ramke Streets is also taking contact information for Kathi at sstreets@charter.net And as always you can send contact information, update information, and photos (past and present) to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

True Confessions

2006-08-30T16:55:00.000-04:00

I love it when readers confess reading the blog for a while before they actually contact it. I know there' s a lot of you out there who probably sit down each morning with your cup of coffee and boot-up to see if there is any new news. I am glad you do it even if it is your secret for the moment. I hope one day you, too, will take a minute to send a brief update. Without the updates the blog would be boring and empty. The latest confession and update comes from Mike Tesch as he trys to reconnect with old friends.

Mike writes:

Hello fellow Panthers! I only have time for a quick note right now, but I wanted to say that I have been lurking this blog ever since I got the email that said we are approaching our 20th reunion. Say it isn't so! We are still so young!

Anyway, as I read everyones awesome letters to the class, I realized that there were so many people that touched my life during that wonderful time. I have so many great memories, and I can't wait to reconnect with my old friends!

I was stationed overseas in the army during our 10 year reunion, so I can't wait for this one! Since I mentioned that I was in the army, I guess I should fill you guys in on what I am up to now -- I joined the army as a Military Intelligence linguist in 1992 because being the Assistant Produce Manager at the Delchamps on Brownswitch Road while trying to go to college was going nowhere.

The army sent me to Monterrey California to learn Arabic. California was great, butArabic class was really tough. After graduation, and after a brief stint in the 24th Infantry Division in Georgia, I found myself attached to the NSA.

After 9 years in the army, I came to a point where I needed to decide whether or not to make it a career. I asked my boss what she thought my chances were about getting hired at the agency, and she said she would write a request to make sure I was hired. I entered on duty at the NSA, and then 9-11 happened. I have been busy ever since.

I met my wife, Jen, here at NSA headquarters, and we have been married for three years. We don't have any children, but we have two silly Golden Retrievers, Roscoe (4) and Sophie (5 months).

Okay, this wasn't the quick note I had intended...I started typing, and couldn't stop! There are so many gaps, and I apologize for that. I was typing so fast. I think I've said enough that you guys get the picture.

Please feel free to contact me:
mjtesch@gmail.com

Warmest regards,
Mike Tesch

I am so glad you had a minute to give us your "quick " update, Mike! It is just really nice to know you're well and intouch. I hope more decide to start typing and never stop!!!

Remember to send your info/photos to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com or contact information to:
Kathi....... kenelms@bellsouth.net or
Susan....... sstreets@charter.net

Second Generation Panther??

2006-08-29T13:38:00.000-04:00

I received an email from Jamie Nevitt Moring (married 87 classmate Jim Moring). She sent an update, and as you'll read they have been very busy the past 20 years raising second generation panthers....

Jamie writes:

Jim and I have been together since October of 1987 and we have three children. Our oldest, Ryan, is going to graduate this May 2007 (20 years after us) He is 17 years old. Jordan is 14 years old and our only daughter Ashlee is 12 years old. I run a home based daycare out of our house. It is a job that I love and it has enabled me to still be home for my own children. Jim has been working for Home Depot for the past 18 years where he is now an assistant manager.

Isn't that neat how Ryan is going to graduate 20 years after his parents and from NHS I am assuming according to their address? If so..........Ryan is the first - second generation NHS graduate that we are aware of so far. I wonder if he followed in Dad's footsteps and played ball?? I bet the boys leave Ashlee alone with two older brothers!

If memory serves me correctly , Jim's sister is married to Jeff Wood. Hopefully we will hear from Jeff soon so we can scratch him from the list. Speaking of list.......I am working on the post now.

Stay tune!

Send info to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com
Kathi Easter Nelms kenelms@bellsouth.net
Susan Ramke Streets sstreets@charter.net

Mother and Daughters.....Trio

2006-08-25T13:04:00.000-04:00

Here's mother and daughters...................can you guess who??? We've read the update in weeks past. Mom did not mention if both girls are hers, but I think it is safe to guess the one on the left is surely hers. As a matter of fact, you may not recognize mom in the mom's photo, but you should see mom in the daughter. Too cute!

Give up??

It is Sherry Wilkerson and her daughters. Sherry, fill us in on the girls. All we know is that there are three kiddos. I am guessing these are the 8 and 6 year olds???????
BTY............ Love the hair this color.

Remember to send your photos, updates, etc... to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com and contact information to Kathi Easter Nelms kenelms@bellsouth.net or Susan Ramke Streets sstreets@charter.net

Sharing Memories

2006-08-25T10:47:00.000-04:00

This is a photo that needs to be shared with SHS. As you may notice some familiar faces from our class, SHS will recognize a few from their class. This is a photo taken at Boyet in Science class.........Mr Smith's class possibly?? That would be Renee Smith. The Godfather, Mr. Smith, in the photo is of the late Lane Smith. You will also see his picture posted on

SHS's "Safety Dance" post.

Lane past away shortly after graduating from SHS in 1987. I know those of you who knew Lane will think of him often over the next year as we all prepare for our reunions.
Another Boyet photo with Panthers and Tigers.

Emily DeMaria is shown in this one. She is standing next to Amy D. - behind Beth P. and Donna B. If any of you know where Emily can be found or perhaps know her married last name, please let us know. She has been asked about a lot.

Last we know she was in the Washington D.C. area.
Ahhhh.........the Common's Area aka The Pit

Anyone know where Becky Lowe is??? We know where Jason S. and Legrande are, but need your help in finding Becky.

Technical Difficulties

2006-08-24T11:05:00.000-04:00

I have several pictures to post to the blog. I have been trying for days without any luck. I see SHS has posted photos successfully over the past few days. It seems that when I can not upload pictures they can and when they can't, I can??????

In the meantime, why don't you send an update to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com or send your contact information to Kathi Easter Nelms kenelms@bellsouth.net or Susan Ramke Streets sstreets@charter.net

Thinking of YOU

2006-08-22T11:29:00.000-04:00

There are people out there still thinking about you!

I wasn’t going to participate in the reunion, and it had nothing to do with whether or not someone did something to me or even what I look like. My hesitation was more; I didn’t accomplish what I had hoped after leaving high school. My goal was to be an elementary teacher. Well that hasn’t happen, working full time and a full class load is not a good combination, and for awhile I was made to feel embarrassed that I didn’t have a “career”. I didn’t think I had much to offer, I was wrong. I’m proud of the jobs I’ve held and the fact that I get to stay home with my kids. Most importantly I’m happy with my life. To be perfectly honest, I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up! I hope those of you that feel like you didn’t accomplish what you set out to do will still let everyone know where you are and how you’re doing.

Because I posted something about myself I have been contacted by people I haven’t heard from in years. People I didn’t think would remember me. This blog has helped me find friends I forgot I had. I know there are a few people I’d still love to hear from: Ricky R., Robin R., Sonny (I lost your email-computer crash), Mike, and Michelle M.! Just know that there is someone out there thinking about you and wondering if you’re happy.

Renee Gilley McKnight

"My Name is EARL"

2006-08-21T10:06:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was the first of the reunion planning meetings. It was a real nice meeting and one that I found to be extremely informative. I have photos of those of us who attended to post (thanks to Susan Ramke Streets), but once again I am having trouble uploading them to the blog. I will have to post them later and link them to this post.

Those who were there........Kathi Easter Nelms, Chris Abney, Lauren Schreiffer Tracey, Sandra Culpepper D'Angelo, Tony D'Angelo, Robert "Bobby" Gunn, Jean Ingram Hoover, Susan Ramke Streets, Renee Gilley McKnight, Carolyn Mauffray Crockett, John Alberstadt, and myself.

The main focus of the meeting was putting together a list of those who are considered "missing". These classmates either have not contacted us or we have been unable to contact them. The contact list was generated from our senior yearbook and the graduation program. I will post the list of the missing classmates soon. Please go through it to help us find these people. Also if you see someone who is not on the list and you think they should be, please let us know. I know not everyone's picture made the yearbook, and there are some who may not have walked the night of graduation. It is important that we try to find everyone.

We are also working on a date, venues, activities etc.............. I will keep you posted as to plans as they are made.

I commented earlier on how informative the meeting was to me! It was brought to my attention at the meeting that I am the reason that some of our classmates want nothing to do with a reunion.

"OUCH!"

I do realize that once I entered high school and over the four years there, I left my title of "Friendliest" behind at Boyet. However, I was unaware that I (ALONE??) was so cruel and tormenting to some of you that it will be influencing your decision of attending a 20th reunion.

The fifteen year old in me wants to tell you to put on your big girl/boy pants and get over it, but the thirty-seven year old mom and former teacher in me realizes that twenty + years is a long time for you to have had carried these hurt feelings. (That is longer than half of our lives.)

So I would like to take this opportunity to say "I'm SORRY!"

I, of course, apologize for my actions and on the behalf of any others who may have hurt/offended/embarrassed you. (If there were others??) I also apologize to my friends that were at the meeting to have put them in a very awkward position. I appreciate the laughs and support I felt from all of you after the 20 year old news flash, but I mostly appreciate Jean for sharing the information with me.

Please don't let a few bad memories from high school keep you home. I think if you attend the reunion, you just might be surprised that you're not going to find the same people (who were nothing more than children) you left in high school. (Click here to read more) And remember that it is not "MY" reunion but "OUR" reunion. Hopefully with your help, your friends will be there too and will miss you if you're not there. However, if you plan to come with bitter feelings and a chip on your shoulder, it is probably best that you stay home.

I also want to take this opportunity to tell those who weren't always so nice to me that I harbor no ill feelings towards you. I realize that it was high school and sometimes that is just what happens in school. I have not turned in to an angry adult because of it. And sadly enough "ugly" still happens in schools today.

So......... if you are ready to see old friends, make new ones, or just to have a great time at your reunion, send your contact information to Kathi Easter Nelms kenelms@bellsouth.net or Susan Ramke Streets sstreets@charter.net If you want to post updates, photos, or fond memories on the blog, send your information to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Sweethearts

2006-08-14T16:04:00.000-04:00

I am glad to have the blog working in full service so that you can get caught up on this married Class of 87 couple: Tony D'Angelo and Sandra Culpepper

Tony writes:

Wow, it is great to read all the letters from every one. I like most of the classmates that have sent in blogs can remember parts of highschool like they were yesterday. And then there are times as I read the blogs I cannot recall names or faces. That is why I am so excited about the reunion. I really want to see old friends and reunite with ones that I have been missing. I felt lucky to be part of many of the clicks our school had. Reading the blogs has been a wonderful trip down memory lane. Keep up the work and if you need any help for the reunion I would love to assist you guys.

I will start with the basic info that every one is giving. After high school I joined the Navy Reserve thinking how good it would be to get paid while I go to college and such. First I attended SLU for a year and then switched to USM still not really knowing what to do for a career. Little did I know that the Gulf War would happen and that I would be pulled out of USM and have to spend way to much time in Saudi. I know it sounds terrible!!! Actually it was probably the best thing that could have happened. When I returned home I was much more focused and ready for adulthood (I changed majors, graduated, and got married).
I am married to a NHS 1987 graduate, Sandra Culpepper(She will post her blog next). We have three children Alyssa 11, TJ 10 and Jacob 7.

Alyssa is just like her mom; smart, beautiful and loves her daddy. TJ is our control freak; the boss and the smartest of the bunch. Jacob is my boy; all he wants is to be like his dad. What else could a father want. They are our world and keep us quite busy with dance and sports. We are both nurses and live in Slidell. Yes we are still in Slidell. We have recently built our dream home. It was one of the hardest things we have done but it is worth it. It is us inside and out. I work in New Orleans and Sandra works in Slidell. As we read the blogs we are amazed at all the great things our class mates have done. We both have had the same jobs since the 10 year reunion and little else career wise has changed. We are very comfortable and content but also jealous of the things are classmates have done. One day when the kids are in college we will get to travel the world. At least that is what I need to keep telling myself (HA-HA).

Sandra's post....

Okay, Tony's had his say, now it's my turn. After high school I attended SLU for a semester then quit to work for my parents business. In 1989 I was hired as a pharmacy tech at Slidell Memorial Hospital and continued to work while going to USM in Hattiesburg, MS. I graduated in 1993 and Tony and I got married in November the same year. I continued (and still do) work as a nurse at SMH and also part time for a physician's office here in Slidell. Our biggest job is our three kids. They are into soccer, volleyball, dance, karate, and various school activities. Needless to say, we are constantly running. Whenever we pull out old pictures or yearbooks from school, we tell the kids all the stories of the things we did. They are excited because if we live here for their high school years, they will be second generation NHS graduates! Anyway, we are excited about seeing everyone at the 20 year reunion. We had a great time at the 10 year reunion. We will keep our eyes out for any other classmates and let them know about the blog and that there is a 20 year reunion in the making. Please let us know if you need any assistance. We would be thrilled to help.

We are very excited about the reunion and hope that most of the class can attend. We were lucky enough to be at the 10 year reunion and had a great time. By the way has any one heard from Barry Anderson or Stash Veller? It would be great to hear from any of our class mates.

I think my all time favorite blog moment so far is Tony's comment about Alyssa being like her mom. What a beautiful thing to write about both of them. Still "sweethearts" 20 years later!

School has started!!! I must have forgotten how busy it keeps me. It may seem as though I am forgetting about the blog, but know that I now have two in school and are very involved at both schools. Don't give up on me! If you don't hear from me in a few days, I am working with the kids.......and I will be back.

This may also give you a chance to send me some info.. nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Unbelievable sights.. Indescribable feeling.. Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling... Through an endless diamond sky

2006-08-12T12:45:00.000-04:00

Another first of our classmates to respond to my initial out reach to you was John Lee. We've communicated several times over the past blogging months. I have enjoyed the correspondence and am thrilled that he is sharing with you. I don't think his adventures, and I do mean adventures, will come as a bit of a surprise to you.........well, some of them may!

John writes:

Has it been 20 years?!?!? Where has the time gone. Seems like 40. When you are in a federal corrections facility looking to get out, time just drags on.

JUST KIDDING!!!!!! I have never served any time in any facility in this country.

I joined the Navy right out of high school and went and saw the world. I started as a Nuclear Machinist Mate, ended up training with the Marine Corps and SEALs out in San Diego. Been around the world about 5 times, saw some interesting people and introduced to amazing cultures. I've seen and done things that looking back now, would have said "What were you thinking?!?" I've jumped out of airplanes. Dangled from helos. Swum from submarines and many other crazy things. Eventually, the Navy said I screwed up enough and said I had officer potential and sent me to college. I went to the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO (saw Nicole Holtcamp briefly there) and earned my degree, commission, and my wife. The Gulf War was ending and I decided to stay in CO. I got back into computers and am now one of the Senior Systems and Network Admins for the 4th largest county in Colorado. I have been very fortunate enough to develop certain systems that are the role models across the country in certain fields. Also during that time, my wife and I had two kids. Meagan is 12 going on 21 and Steven is 9. They are the love of my life and my world revolves around them. Nowadays, I try and take it easy and seek the fun. It's not hard to do that living in Colorado with all the stuff you can do around here. I love riding my bike and try and ride my bike to work about twice a week when the weather permits (about a 30 mile round trip). I love doing charity rides that raise money for things like Children's Hospital. I've ridden up to 82 miles in one day. I am also a member of the local Search and Rescue team. This is an all volunteer organization that basically helps people when they get in trouble in Colorado. I have helped save several lives this summer alone. Despite all the places I have been in my life, I have always been proud of growing up in Slidell, LA. I tell people I was born in Korea, but raised in Slidell. There have been many times, especially when I was in some forsaken place around the globe, I would think fondly about my friends from back home and wonder what they were up to at that precise moment. You guys have always been a part of me and I look forward to seeing each and everyone of you again very soon. For those of you who know what the Calcutta Beach Republic was, we need to do that trip again!!!

John H. Lee
Sr. Systems Administrator
Larimer County
200 West Oak Street - PO Box 1190
Fort Collins, CO 80522
PH: 970-498-5071
Cell: 970-567-4463
FAX: 970-498-7985

Click here to view John's family site. You will find that John's children seem to be just as well-rounded as his is.

I have been trying for two days now to share NHS Class of 87 "Sweetheart" updates with you and the picture of their sweet family. I have been experiencing a road block when it comes to uploading the picture. Keep checking back to see what couple I am talking about.....any guesses?

I also want them to know that I have not forgotten about them. I didn't want to post the update without the photo.

School starts Monday. So I will be doing my best to keep up daily with the blog. If you see that your update has not been posted shortly after you've sent it to me, you know it is one of a few things: I am crazy with school, trouble with the blog, or I have received so many updates that they are lined up for posting. Which ever the case may be, keep sending post so we can keep reading!

Send your updates, fondest memories of school, and/or pictures (past and present) to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

My Three Sons

2006-08-10T14:35:00.000-04:00

Well, they are not actually "my" three sons. They belong to two of our classmates. I think I see more of their mom in the oldest and middle boy and the more of the dad in the youngest. Who do you see?

Have you guessed yet as to who they belong too. You've read the update as you've navigated your way through the "Streets" of the blog. Did you get my corny hint or do you give up? Click here

If you have gotten this far without clicking to see who mom and dad are, you may just recognize dad pictured here with the boys. I bet there is never a dull minute in their house.

It looks like they had a great vacation too. If you want to share your vacation photos with us and an update, send it to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

A "Saint" to Save the Day

2006-08-09T01:10:00.000-04:00

A day had passed without a post...YUCK! If you check daily (like me?? LOL), you probably get a little disappointed when there is not an update to read. Well, there is no need to be disappointed today. Robert "Bobby" Gunn was a "Saint" and sent me his update.

Bobby writes:

Wow. Where to begin? First of all, a 20 year reunion doesn't seem real. I don't think any of us feel that old. Secondly, it's pretty wild to me that some classmates have kids either about to enter or who have entered high school and some, like me, who have two little peanuts.

I've got two little girls, Ramie (3 1/2) and Riley (1 1/2) and have been married to Virginia (who is from New Roads, La.) for just over 6 years even though we've known each other since 1988 or 1989. We met at Northwestern State in Natchitoches and graduated in journalism/PR together. I really paced myself in college, getting involved in student government, blue key, band, rugby, fraternity, worked at the radio station on campus and joined the La. Army National Guard. I still don't know why but I guess it was something my friends were doing and I think we all know how that goes ... fortunately, I didn't get deployed overseas.

After college, I began working in Media and Public Relations for the New Orleans Saints and spent six pretty fun years there, working through the last few Jim Mora years, and the Mike Ditka/Ricky Williams years. I was in St. Louis for a game when the 10-yearreunion was held and missed everything...

In 2000, I left the Saints and joined the Louisiana Supreme Court's Community Relations Department and commute from Slidell into the French Quarter everyday. Since college, I've spoken by e-mail to a few from the class of 87 and for a while stayed in pretty good touch with Mitch R. and saw him at least once a year when the Saints trained in La Crosse, WI, where he moved but have lost touch with him over the years.

It's nice to see everyone is doing well from our class and I can't wait to see everyone at the reunion.

Robert (Bobby) Gunn

p.s. Renee Gilley McKnight, please tell your husband Ted I said hello. Good to see he's doing well also.

An update from a saint with pictures of angels.............I love the pictures! For some crazy reason I get emotional looking at all of our children. They are all so beautiful to me. I know behind every little smile there are tons of funny stories.

Stay tune tomorrow for some more great pictures of smiling angels!

Getting a 10-4 on My APB

2006-08-07T12:12:00.000-04:00

It wasn't long after I put out an APB for this update that Peezie Leininger Allred sent back a 10-4.

Peezie writes:

I can't wait to see everyone at the reunion, but can't believe it's been 20 years! Here's the latest...

Walter and I have been married for 14 years. We have 2 kids, Dylan, who will be 4 in October and Isabelle, who was born 3/10/06! We live in Broussard, LA (which is 5 miles outside of Lafayette) and have been in this area since college. Walt is a Police Officer, currently a Detective, and I am an Audiologist.

My parents still live in the same house in Slidell (well currently in a FEMA trailer, but working on the house!) and Walt's parents moved back to Jackson, MS quite a few years ago.

I will try to scan a few pictures soon!

Peezie Leininger Allred

We'll be waiting on the pictures!!!

And I am waiting on your 10-4 with your 411. Send it to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Remember to feel free to send any story and/or pictures at anytime throughout the upcoming year. It just doesn't have to be your past 20 year update.

"As You Walk on By....Will You Call My Name? Or Will you Walk Away?"

2006-08-06T13:11:00.000-04:00

After a few days of no new updates to post, I was getting the "Blogger Blues". You know I anxiously await the arrival of your updates. So after a few days of zero emails for the blog, you know I was getting a little disappointed. I almost did not turn on the computer today for the fear of more disappointment, but you know I could not resist. And boy, am I happy I did!......... as you will be happy I did too because there in the mailbox was an update from Renee Gilley McKnight.

Renee writes:

Well Susan has been able to muscle one more into writing. If you look at the picture and recognize my husband and are confused about the last name don’t be. Yes that is Ted (Clites) McKnight NHS class of 1986 and friend of my brother Henry. Ted and I met up at SLU during lunch and we’ve been together ever since, we will be married 16 years this December. We have a daughter Olivia who just turned 13 and a son Wade who will be 10 this November. We never made it to the 10 year reunion; I believe we were in either California or Alaska then. Here is the flashback:

After high school I worked for a while then attended Southeastern Louisiana majoring in elementary education. Ted joined the Air Force in 1990; we got married and left Louisiana. We were living in Denver, Co. while he attended Mark IVB training at Lowery AFB for about 8 months. His first assignment was Onizuka AFB in Sunnyvale, California, we lived there for about a year and I worked as an assistant manager at Karl’s Toys and Hobbies. That was the hardest job I ever had: 10 hours of playing with toys! I was 3 months pregnant when we found out our next move was to McClellan AFB in Sacramento, California. We lived there for about 5 years and I worked for some really great people as an accounts receivable for Sacramento TBA. Olivia was 3 ½ when I had Wade, then when Wade was about 9 months old Ted received his orders yet again and we were off to Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska. This is the city that we wanted to stay in; we found the place we wanted to retire to! We lived in Anchorage for 4 years, that’s when I decided to stay home with the kids. I didn’t want to have to quit another job that I enjoyed, well that was 9 years ago and I’m still enjoying being a stay at home mom. I have had small part time jobs here and there just to get out of the house a little, but I haven’t held a full time position in a while, until the storm. This brings us back to today.

Ted and I decided we missed our families and he didn’t want to continue with the military. We moved back to Slidell September 11, 2001. Ted was on terminal leave and we were moving home when we heard about the terrorists. We thought for sure he was going to be called back, but the Lord must have had other plans for us. He wasn’t called back and he has been working for a company, Institute for Technology Development, on Stennis Space Center in Mississippi as the IT Director. Since returning home we have been very active in the church, Ted is the 4th – 6th grade Sunday school teacher and my assistant. I have been the Youth Ministry Director at Peace Ev. Lutheran going on 4 years now. After the storm I worked as the volunteer coordinator and helped change our church into a mission center for Lutheran Disaster Response. I have also recently been the site coordinator for 2 of the Camp Noah day camps held here in Slidell. We were even on CNN, ok so you only saw the back of my head, but they were there filming and it was on Fox news. :o) We just recently returned from our second mission trip to Bethel Lutheran in Portville, New York. I enjoy doing what I do and even though my position at the church is done voluntarily, it is a full time position and I love every minute of it.

Enough about me and on to the kids: Olivia is 13 and has only one more year of Jr. High before heading on to Slidell High. I can’t believe I have a child that is almost in High School and will be driving soon. She has made at least the A/B honor roll each semester in school since the 3rd grade. She has been playing cello since the fourth grade and has participated in the honor strings program for the last 3 years, unfortunately she broke her arm last year and couldn’t play. She also has been playing piano for 3 years and French horn for 2 years. Olivia also sings in the adult choir at church and loves it. She definitely got our musical background; she is so smart and talented and has just enough of her mother’s smart mouth to make her a well rounded person. :o)

Wade is 9 right now and will turn 10 in November this year. He is another smart cookie, makes me wonder if these kids are mine. Like his sister, Wade also plays more than one instrument, he plays violin and has for about 4 years and has played piano for about 2 years. He was also Santa in the Christmas play at his school recently. He has been taking Songahm Taekwondo for a year and is currently a camo working on his green belt. He is skinny as a rail and all boy! He has had 2 CAT scans and 3 stitches to his lip before he turned 7 (not all of that at the same time). To look at him you wouldn’t think him to be the dare devil he is, that must come from Ted. He will snuggle up to you and hug you one minute then be off climbing or digging the next. At one point our New Years resolution was no more trips to the ER for at least one year. I am happy to say he has kept that resolution going on 2 year now.

I still can’t believe it’s been 20 years! It just seems like yesterday we were heading out on a day trip to Florida (remember that Susan?) and now we are the ones worried about our kids and the stupid things they will do. Thanks for getting this going, we plan on attending the reunion and look forward to seeing some old friends.

Renee Gilley McKnight

Thanks, Renee! You were a great cure for my "Blogger Blues".

It is funny because I very seldom see classmates around Slidell. I often think that there aren't any. Then every once in a while I think I see one or two. I never say anthing for the fear of embarrassment of not being recognized or even remembered. My whole reason for this explaination is that I thought I passed Renee and Ted in the Wal-Mart/Sam's parking lot one day. I had forgotten about that passing until I saw their picture and read the great update of how they are in Slidell raising their family. I should not have let them walk on by without calling their name. I am not going to let that happen anymore. So if someone you don't remember comes up to you, look at them closely, it may just be me or someone else you knew 20 + years ago.

All Dressed Up

2006-08-02T21:12:00.000-04:00

Here is Brady and Conner Crockett (Carolyn Mauffray's boys) all dressed up! They make me think that they are getting ready to go pick up their prom dates.

Make sure you see their "Photographs" in the previous post: "Rock of Ages".

Send your information and/or photos to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

"Rock of Ages"

2006-08-02T20:44:00.000-04:00

These pictures sure do put a new meaning to Def Leppard's hit "Rock of Ages". For these photos it should be titled "Rock of All Ages".......even those eight and six.

I would ask you to guess who these two little boy groupies belong to, but you really wouldn't see their mom in them. The oldest looks just like his dad, Scott Crockett, from Salmen. Their mom is Carolyn Mauffray Crockett. (She updated us in May.) I am going to have to ask Carol if they partied all night in the band's hotel room! LOL

The boys went with their parents to Houston to see Def Leppard, Journey, and Ratt in concert. The first photo is a pose with Def Leppard's drummer. The second is a pose with Ratt's drummer. Like I mentioned earlier in a previous post....you are never to young to appreciate good ole rock-n-roll.

It cracks me up and takes me down Memory Lane....... Do some of you remember our trip to Baton Rouge for the Def Leppard concert? My older sister, who was attending LSU at the time, but home for some reason) took us. There must have been seven of us packed in my mom's Buick. While we were in the concert, she visited with friends. When we weren't out of the concert at 11:00 because it was not over, my sister was so mad and let me know it on the ride home. She got harassed or something outside of the doors while wiating on us. I am not about to ask her if she remembers!

Send your memories, update, information, and "Photogragh" to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

(Get it? Def Leppard's hit "Photograph")

"Talk about Starting Over!!"

2006-08-02T10:51:00.000-04:00

Don't let the long hair fool you! Picture this pretty face with short hair and you will see that it is Carolyn Robertson.

Carolyn writes:

Hello Classmates! Since graduation, I have moved several times (married to a navy man, divorced, college etc) but have found myself permanently in North Mississippi right outside of Starkville. I majored in Animal Nutrition/Veterinary Science and a Masters of Science in Aquaculture Ecology/Nutrition. Enough course work to make anyone crazy!

I am remarried with a seventeen year old son (Richard) and get this-- a five month old baby (Kathryn Josephine or Josey). Talk about starting over!! Both keep me a busy stay-at-home Mom.

Thanks Rami and Winnie! Hope to see all of you soon.
Carolyn

I must say starting over looks great on Carolyn. And I could not imagine a better way to start over than with a baby! They are such blessings! Congratulation to you and your family, Carolyn.

Hmm! There are quite a few of you in the Central to North Mississippi area that it has me wondering if you ever make it over to the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, MS????

I am finding it so enjoyable reading about your past 20 years that I would like you to know that I will post any news or photos that you would like to share with us this upcoming year. Don't just feel like it is for my corny post and your fabulous updates. Remember... when we meet again, I want us to feel like we just left each other. Send all information and photos to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

I also need to THANK Winnie for all her help in spreding the news of the upcoming reunion and blog. We hope to hear from you soon.

I am out of updates as of 9:30 am today. Sad, but true! :-( I do, however, have something planned for tomorrow. I hope you will return!

Two for Tuesday

2006-08-01T09:44:00.000-04:00

I don't think I have one high school memory of these two without a smile on their faces. And they are still making me laugh with their emails 20 years later. So today is Two for Tuesday with Terry and Sherry Wilkerson.

Terry writes:

I can't believe it's been 20 years already. I just got over my hangover from our senior trip ( remember, Lisa!) So here it goes:

I got married at 20 and surprise, surprise, stayed married for 15 years. I have a wonderful daughter, Becca, who is 14 years old and starting high school this year. Luckily I know what to watch for since I think I pulled a lot of crap myself in high school that I surely don't want to witness her doing:) I live in Phoenix and am currently a real estate agent. I start my broker classes in a few weeks then my finance, Brent, and I will be opening our own brokerage. I'm nervous about running a business but he owns his own company now and has the knowledge to hold my hand through the beginning stages. We are expecting our baby in February and are both pretty excited. We purchased a beautiful home here a few months ago and have been working on getting it fixed up. It's a place on an acre with lots of room to grow.

I can't wait to come home and see everyone. I haven't been back to Louisiana in about 7 years!!! I remember all the camp outs and parties and beach trips with so many of you guys. It's so weird to be the grown-ups now.

See you all soon!!
Terry ( Wilkerson) Richardson

Sherry writes:

Hey guys! This is Sherry ( Tackett or Wilkerson, whichever way you remember ) and I just received this email from Winnie Robertson ( Rispoli ) regarding our 20 year reunion... ummm... WHAT??? I can't believe it. But I'm not going to argue because all of you were always WAY better in Math than me :)

I'm no longer in Louisiana, I'm in Houston, but I will be sure to attend the reunion! I'm divorced now, so at least you've given me enough time to round up a date :) I have three children ages 16, 8, and 6 and attend nursing school. My mom lives here, and my brother moved here after the hurricane, so if we could just convince Terry to join us, I'd have it made :) But, we talk several times a day, so that will suffice for now:)

If you need any help with the reunion, please let me know! I'd be happy to help :)
Sherry

P.S. Yes, I instantly recognized Kathi's children as being Kathi's children :)

Well, wasn't that double the pleasure? I wonder where our other twin classmates are?? Come to think about it, we had quite a few: Stacy and Tracy Smith, April and Nick DiFabrizio, Pamela and Paula Raymond, and (not sure if these were twins) Ken and Tammy Manskie. Am I forgetting any??

Continue to stay tune for tomorrow's update! If you have been enjoying the updates, let us enjoy yours. Send all information to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Too Precious Not to Post

2006-07-30T12:21:00.000-04:00

Just look at this precious face....

Can you guess who his mom is? Click it to pick it!

If you have clicked over to SHS Class of 87's blog, you already know that sometimes the blog has a few problems! Uploading pictures is one of them. I have tried numerous times to add this precious little face to his mom's post, and I have failed numerous times. So if you send an update and/or photos and you don't see them posted, please know that I sometimes have technical difficulties with the blog. Or I may a few updates awaiting to be posted. I may have received a few in one day and with posting one day, you may not see yours for a few days. I'll post them in the order in which they were received.......I sound like an annoying animated telephone operator. If you have already sent in an update and it is posted, but would like to send photos, please do so. I may not be able to add them to your post, but I sure can link them.

Today is a SAD day in Blogger Land........it is the end of the SHS Class fo 86 Reunion Blog. For those of you Panthers who have been reading along with me, we say GOODBYE! I guess they decided to follow Seinfeld's theory and go out when on top. All good things must end so we wish them all well and look forward to their 25 year reunion blog. Thanks, Kris, for the reunion blog inspiration, the laughs and the memories of my Sr. Tiger friends. It has been great!

"Toto....I Don't Think We're in Kansas Anymore"

2006-07-29T15:16:00.000-04:00

Toto and Dorothy may not be in Kansas anymore, but Brian Huddleston and his family are there.

Brian writes:

I was feeling pretty good about myself today until I got an e-mail reminding me that I have been out of high school for almost 20 years. Since my Northshore days I graduated from Louisiana Tech in 92 with a degree in music, and completed a Masters in Christian Education at New Orleans Seminary. In '91 I married Jennifer Warren of Shreveport. We currently live in Shawnee, Kansas a suburb of Kansas City. I work as a software engineer for a company that writes a combat simulation for the army. My wife and I have three kids Benjamin 10, Alison 7, Claire 2 and are expecting our fourth in October. Feel free to put this stuff on the blog, I would love to hear from my panther friends.

Brian Huddleston

I know your panther friends are enjoyng reading about you, Brian. I bet your kids can't wait for the birth of the baby. Girl or Boy? You will have to keep us updated.

If you have read about one of your high school friends and want to get in touch with them, send me an email. I don't think it is a good idea to post your personal emails on the blog, but I don't think anyone minds sharing it in private. If you have a website that you would like to share, I'll be happy to link it from the blog.

Send all information to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Going Back in History....NHS History

2006-07-29T11:35:00.000-04:00

Let's go back in "history" to the end of our Jr. year..... A time where most all of us were trying to act like we were somebody (Or at least I was! I guess I shoud not speak for all of you.) It was at this time when Paul Gelpi came to NHS. I admire him for that. That could not have been an easy move!!??

Paul writes:

I guess a bit about me since high school is in order. After NHS I went to the University of New Orleans where I received my BA in history in 1991 and my MA in history in 1994. From there I went on to earn my Ph.D. in history from The University of Alabama and I am now an associate professor of history at Grambling State University. My wife, Jeannine, is class of '87 graduate of Mt. Carmel Academy (New Orleans) and we'll be married twelve years this December--we met at UNO in '91.

As I am unsure what else you'd like to know, I'll keep this brief. If you need me to fill in any details then I'll be happy to do so. We missed the ten year reunion, as we were living in Alabama at the time and our schedules didn't allow us the opportunity to attend. I am looking forward to the twenty-year one, though, and will mark it on my calender once you have a date set.

Cheers!

Paul

From being a student on the campus of NHS all the way to professor on the campus of GSU "Where Everybody is a Somebody".

I also always admired the male mind for its love of history and its capability to remember it. I enjoyed listening to the lectures in History class, but it was something about having to test on it that I could not do.....

My dad was killed in a car accident during my Summer sememster of taking Western Civ. My professor asked to see the obituary from the newspaper for proof that I was not telling a story. (How I wish...I was 24 and over making up stories to skip classes.) I remember him telling me "I don't want you to use the death of your dad as an excuse not to do well in the class." I wish that was my excuse. I guess he did not realize that I truly stunk in History. Well....that kind of History.

Thank you to all who have been helping make this blog worth reading each day :-) It would not be without you.

Send your history of the past 20 years to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

In the Palm of "Her" Hand

2006-07-28T09:33:00.000-04:00

When I started the blog I reached out to few that had left their email addresses on the NHS Alumni website. John Savage was one of about five of them. He was quick to respond with his address info and a message letting me know that he'd check the blog often. I am glad he is a man of his word, and I am soooo glad that he has sent his 20 year update for us to enjoy.

John writes:

Hi Rami,

I have been enjoying reading the blog and figured I would throw my two cents in.

After NHS I spent a fun but not so productive year at SLU. The same one that Chris Kughn mentioned. I then got motivated to go to the maritime academy at Texas A&M in Galveston and I graduated in 1993. After graduation I spent several years working on cargo ships. I have made trips to Northern Europe, the Med, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and South America. My time spent at sea was fun and seeing the world was great but being away from home for months at a time is tough on the home life. When things started getting serious with my now wife Kelly, I took a job ashore with a tugboat company here in Galveston. We now have a 7 year old daughter Abigail whom I just adore. We just finished our second year in a father/daughter dance routine which is a blast. The picture is our signature put up / sit up trick. Kids are the best.

My Mother still lives in Slidell and I get over to see her a couple times a year. I was in shock when I came to town 2 days post Katrina to check on her house. Fortunately, she had little damage and no flooding to her house in Willow Wood but I was in disbelief about the widespread damage. Like so many others, our old house in French Branch was trashed. My thoughts are definitely with those of you that have had to, and still are dealing with the mess.

Thanks for your hard work in keeping the blog updated and I am looking forward to coming next year.

Regards,

John Savage

I think it is safe to say that although the picture looks as though Abigail is in the palm of her daddy's hand that in reality she has him in the palm of hers. It is a beautiful picture....my favorite on the blog. Keep up the routine!

I can't wait until we all meet again. Kathi is having GREAT success reaching most of you on Classmates. Thanks, Kathi! I know how busy our days are with all the adult responsibilities we have now, but I hope when you get a chance you take a minute or two to share your life with us on the blog. Send update information and photos to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

If you have just found the blog, I don't want you to miss a post. In the right margin you will see "Previous Post" which consist of the last 10 post. That is not all of them! To enjoy all post, scroll down a little more to the "Archives". Under "Archives," the months are listed. To view all post for that particular month, simply click on the month and scroll through each day.

Please feel free to send your favorite post a comment. You will find a comment link under each post. Just click it and a new window will pop up for you to leave a comment. Please no anonymous or negative comments. Choose other and type your name. The comment then gets emailed to the blog email address for varification. The blog is linked from NHS's Alumni website so I am trying to keep it PG.

Enjoy!

"Beth, I Hear You Calling......"

2006-07-27T00:37:00.000-04:00

For some of you only one face will look familiar in this photo (John's) and for others it will bring back fond memories of our dear friend, Beth Shipley (red shirt). It is a crazy story how I contacted Beth via Classmates, but thanks to my good friend Kim and her Classmates account, Beth responded back to me.

Beth writes:

Where to begin...I left NHS during Spring Break of my Freshman year so I didn't get to graduate with all of you, but felt like we grew up together attending Boyet and having many friends from Clearwood. Weren't those the days? I ended up graduating from high school in New Philadelphia, Ohio. I then went on to graduate from The Ohio State University. Home of the fighting Buckeyes! I worked for a couple years and then decided I needed to find my nitch in life. I moved to Houston to live closer to family and went to the University of Houston and got my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. I then taught Kindergarten for 6 years and officially "retired" when Easton was born and I've been a full-time mommy since.

I am living in Katy, Texas with my husband and two beautiful children, Easton Riley (2 1/2 years) and Peyton Frances (7 months). Even though I didn't graduate from NHS, I would love to make it back to the reunion to catch up on those friendships that have been on pause for several years. Look forward to seeing everyone!

I've sent a photo of the kiddos. I've really enjoyed e-mailing with Rami because I've gotten to see lots of photos of everyone's children. What a fun way to catch up. Thanks Rami for doing such a great job!

Beth Shipley Hays

Just a few weekends ago at one of our Pokeno games, Becky was telling a story of a crazy prank a few of them played on the teacher in Home Economics class. She did not even have to tell me who was involved because the prank had the making of Beth Shipley all over it. I look at Easton's eyes and see the same mischief and fun that I remember in his mom's eyes. We all hated to see Beth go, but look forward to seeing her again.

The other girl in the photo is Michelle Mock who also left us our Freshman year. Last we knew, Michelle returned to New Orleans sometime after high school. Who knows? Maybe we will reunite with her as well. Her date was Jack Mitchell...SHS.

Please know that the reunion is not just for those who walked the night of graduation.........it is for ALL of us who spent many school years together. Let's get together, laugh and celebrate the fact that we are no longer teenagers!

Send information to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

One more thing.....I hope you forgive me for the extra corny title. I guess I was having a brain melt down on this one. The song kept popping up in the back of my mind. I will admit..... I have it and a few other KISS songs downloaded. They are on my boys' mix sticks (Disney's version of a MP3 players). They call this one the "sad" song. I don't guess you're ever too young to appreciate good ole rock-n-roll. It's priceless watching them sing some of the classics.

"Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man"

2006-07-25T12:57:00.000-04:00

Look close and you just may see the mom of these three precious children. Look at their eyes and there is no denying that they belong to Kathi Easter Nelms.

Kathi writes:

After graduation, I went to Louisiana Tech for a year, then I transfered to Texas A&M. I searched the school catalog every week looking for a new major, but never followed through with a change. I graduated with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. I worked for Texaco in the huge town of Sour Lake, TX for about 2 1/2 years. I married a Mississippi boy in 1994, who took me to Dallas where he was beginning Law School. This was not the best situation for the 1st year of marriage but luckily, Stefanie Duley was our neighbor and while Johnny studied Stef and I got to hang out. I worked for an international oil company, Triton Energy. When Johnny graduated, we moved to the Biloxi/Gulfport area. We are now happily settled in Gulfport and will probably be here forever. Lawyers don't tend to move around much. We have 3 kids. Alex, who is 8; Patrick, who is 6; and Rebecca, who is almost 2. I am very happy staying home with them just being a mom. I am sending a recent picture of my kids and I am looking for a recent picture with me in it, but there are not very many. I guess I'm usually the one taking pictures.

Rami and I are having fun hearing from everyone. I think Rami is doing a fabulous job with the website!! So y'all keep her happy by sending her emails and reading her posts!

I am looking forward to seeing everyone next year!

Kathi Easter Nelms

I contacted Kathi when I began thinking of our reunion (after being inspired by the SHS 86 blog), and she was thinking about it too. Since then she has been working very hard - late night/early morning hours finding you and creating a database. So it is important that you send your updated information if you have not done so already. nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

I am proud to announce that I have finally recieved enough updates that I have them lined up for posting. As of now, I have a new post for everyday through the weekend. Some of you must have gotten the sense that I was on the verge of posting one of my "desperado" posts. Please keep them coming!

As for now , stay tune for tomorrow's update!!

Un Plaisir de Francisco de San

2006-07-25T09:52:00.000-04:00

It is funny how somethings I can remember like it was yesterday and somethings I can not remember at all. I guess I'll never forget when Chris Kughn first came to Boyet. All of my friends, including myself, had a crush on him. So you can imagine how happy I was to open this in my emails.

Chris writes:

I live in Marin County, outside of San Francisco, where I have been for the last ten years. I moved here to pursue a graduate degree in psychology and am currently working as the supervisor for the Psychiatric Emergency Services in Marin County.

I have two beautiful boys, Terran who is 3 1/2 and Jaden who is 1 1/2 and a wonderful wife named Liz. After I left NHS I attended SLU ever so briefly and then transferred to the University of Pittsburgh where I finished by bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in French. I lived in Paris for 9 months in my last semester of school and loved living there, but I needed to come home and finish my degree. I lived in Pittsburgh for five years after school trying to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. Then I knew I had to return to complete my education in psychology. I came to San Francisco and met my wife two weeks later, the rest as they say is history....

I missed the 10 yr reunion, didn't know we had one. I have returned to Louisiana only a couple of times since I left in 89 but I do still call it my home, however, I don't think I could ever move back. Thanks for putting all this together and I hope to be able to come back for the 20th....I will send some pics later.

Chris

I am so glad we found you in time for the 20th reunion.........Thanks to Carolyn, K-Teri and Ashley. Hearing from you sure has been "Un Plaisir de Francisco de San"....that is French for "A San Francisco Treat" (Or at least that is what the translation website said.) Hope to see you next year!

Remember we are still in need of everyone's help. If you have an idea of where we can find some of the 100+ of our missing classmates, email us with the information. If you have their information, send it to us or tell them to send it to us. Photos are always great too..........old and recent.

Send information and photos to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Mad Scientist's Local #181

2006-07-23T17:20:00.000-04:00

YEY!!............It is becoming contagious! Either that or Susan did some threatening when she urged Rob Moore to submit his update. What woman! I am grateful to her and to you, Rob. It is great to see that you' re in the "atmosphere"!

Rob writes

Moving right along, I have not yet created my "bigger and better bomb." Since the last reunion I have moved out to Denver, CO for eight months. That just did not last long though, and my wife, kids, and I moved to New Orleans. There I taught high school math and science at Crescent City Baptist School, but the school started having some troubles and rather than wait to get unemployed we all picked up roots and moved back out to where my wife is from in Georgia.

This also had the serendipitous effect of sending me back to school. I planned on getting my teacher certification in general science, math, and social science, but found out that the Physics Department was looking for a lab coordinator. This was the department I graduated from, and my old professors, so I jumped at this. So for the past year I have been teaching astronomy and physics labs and keeping the department in the equipment that it needs as well as supervising a lot of our student workers. I should soon be working on the graduate degrees that I have been putting off for about ten years. All in all it has been a wild ride.

Please feel free to post this little note, or just drop it in File 13, but certainly keep me on file for updates about the reunion.

Rob Moore

Drop it in File 13? ...........No way! I think everyone is enjoying reading everyone's updates. I know I feel so lucky to be able to read them before anyone else. It is my goal for when we meet again for us to feel like we just left each other.

Remember, send all updated information to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

You Scream, I Scream, We all Scream for ........

2006-07-21T15:59:00.000-04:00

"You scream, I scream, we all scream for Eric Epperson!" I am so glad you found the blog. And I must admit that I was glad to see that you spent most of your work day reading it!!! We won't tell anyone......I just hope it did not delay my LLBean package. LOL!

Eric writes:

Cheers Rami –
Yesterday was very unproductive for me at work - Kathi sent a link to the blog and I spent way too much of my day traveling back in time through the postings and photos. It made me miss Slidell, and specifically our senior year.

For me, our senior year was all about the girlfriend from SHS- she worked at Swenson’s in the mall and we met the summer of ’86 (all the waffle cones I could eat baby!). I spent every free minute of my days and weekends with her. Unfortunately it meant I missed out on important opportunities to strengthen friendships and be a part of many of the NHS memories that have been archived in the pix throughout this blog. I’d be lying if I said I had no regrets about how I managed my priorities back then, but at the time I was convinced it was absolutely the right thing to do. She wound up dumping me for a security guard at the mall named Luke (OK Chuck Murray – you were right).

After graduation, several of us took a senior trip to Gulf Shores (Chuck M., Chris Hill, Chuck Spano, Ferlin (Andre) Smith and a couple others – I’m trying to track down some photos for you). Two weeks after returning from the beach my family moved to Memphis, and within a year I’d pretty well lost regular contact with all of my NHS friends. I’m getting ready to cross a milestone in my life– next year I will have lived more of my life in Memphis than I did in Slidell (factoring out my four years at Ole Miss). I’ll always tell people I’m from Slidell though.

My wife and I have a 9-year-old son (I brought him to the picnic during our 10th reunion when he was 6 weeks old) and a daughter who turns 5 in August. I’m director of communications for FedEx and my wife stays at home. She probably doesn’t know how to make a waffle cone but she’s a great mother and has absolutely no interest in hanging out with security guards.

Thanks for keeping us all organized and I hope I’m able to make it down for the 20th.

EE

I hope you can make it down here for the 20th as well. I'd love to meet your wife and children. Isn't it funny how there is just something about Slidell (well, Louisiana) that is easy to call it HOME? I'll be looking for the photos. Post just aren't the same without them.

nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

"Where the STREETS Have No Names" No...They Have Quite a Few!

2006-07-20T16:44:00.000-04:00

Well, unlike U2's 1987 hit song, "Where the Streets Have No Name" these "Streets" have quite a few names in their family. That is Doug and Susan (Susan Ramke) Streets. Doug and Susan are just one of a few of NHS Class of 87's marrying sweethearts. Susan found the blog via the Classmate's website.

Susan writes:

At the last reunion our son, Reed was about a year old. Now we have 3 boys: Reed is 9 (about to be 10), Derrick is 7 (about to be 8) and Nicholas is 5 (won’t be 6 until February). Doug’s career, he’s a mechanical engineer, took us out of Louisiana for a bit. We were in Ottawa, IL for about 1 ½ years. Nicholas was born there - he’s my Yankee baby. Couldn’t take the long, cold winters - told Doug to take me home or I’d make his life hell. So we’re back in Slidell. Doug works for ConocoPhillips at their Alliance Refinery in Belle Chasse. It’s a bit of a commute but he likes the job and enjoys those days when he gets to take his motorcycle. Reed will be going to Little Oak in the fall. It’s amazing but they’ve still have teachers teaching there that I had at Boyet. Hopefully, they won’t hold that against him. He’s into sports. Mostly baseball but soccer’s up near the top of his list too. He just made First Recommended Black Belt in Tae Kwan Do. He’ll be a full First Degree Black Belt after his next testing. Derrick is on to Honey Island in the fall. Soccer’s his favorite these days. He is also taking Tae Kwan Do - he is a senior green belt - about half way to his black. Nick starts kindergarten at Cypress Cove this year and I am sooooo ready for that. He’ll be trying soccer this fall for the first time. Nick is a green gator in Tae wan Do. He’s in the younger kids program and has a bit to go yet. After many years working in the legal field, I have been a stay-at-home mom for the past 7 years. Most days I love it - but I am looking forward to more time to ride my motorcycle, play guitar and actually finish some of the projects I’ve started.

Like most people in the area, we did have some damage from Hurricane Katrina. We had about 20 trees down in the yard. One landed on the roof above the kitchen. We also had about a foot of water in the house. We are finally back in the house but we’ve still got a bit to do. We had started remodeling the house just before the storm and, now, Doug still wants to do most of the work himself. So it’s taking a bit of time.

I’ll admit, I have been lurking around your blog for a few weeks now. It was your “Calling ALL...Heads, Jocks, Geeks, Punks, Skinnies and Fatties” entry that convinced me to write. You’re right. Here we are almost 40 - time to get over high school. I am still in touch with a few people that we graduated with, Rob Moore and Jean Hoover. I have passed on the info to them. Hopefully, they’ll both respond. I think I may be able to track down a few others. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone - and who knows, maybe even make a few new friends that I’ve known forever.

If you have been reading, you know how thrilled I was to receive this update.

Thank you, Susan! You made my day, my week and maybe even my month. I will be looking for you at the Open Houses for the boys' schools if I don't see you before then. I hope you and/or Doug can make the reunion planning meeting we are planning on having in the near future. I'll send you details when they are finalized.

Remember...send your information to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Blog Appreciation Day

2006-07-17T19:19:00.000-04:00

Today is "Blog Appreciation Day"! Who knew that there was such a day?

I know in past post I mentioned getting quite a few email from SHS Tigers. It is nice to know that they are reading too and responding!! Thanks, Tigers!

I want to share this Tiger's email with you. It is a testiment that we aren't the only ones with fond memories of Mike Paulsen. This email is one of two I have received from SHS (within a day of each other) learning of Mike's passing for the first time from the post "Remembering Mike". I hope when you get a chance to email me with information, you have a fond memory of Mike. This email is also one of a several that I've received that have expressed their appreciation of the information in the blog as well as encouraging and supporting it. Thanks readers and responders! I am so glad that you're enjoying it.

Hey Rami!
My name is Matt Blackford and I went SHS. Was supposed to graduate in 86 but didn't make it until 87 due to illness. I ran across your blog the other day and wanted to say thanks for doing what you are doing and making good old memories seem like yesterday.

I don't know if you knew me back then but I vaguely remember seeing you around (parties and things like that).

The other day I was reading your blog and saw the posting of Mike Paulsen. He and I used to live across the street from each other before his family moved out towards Cross Gates. We were pretty close and often times inseparable. We were typical little kids racing "big wheels" and playing mischief in our neighborhood. I even remember that he dropped a brick onto my head from about 20 feet in the air when we were building a tree fort in my backyard. Funny how you remember the painfull but funny memories of a person. I was shocked to see that he had passed away.

I used to run into Mike every now and then while "cruising" or just making rounds at functions. We always greeted each other with a hug instead of a handshake.

I just wanted to say thank you for bringing up some good memories and keep on blogging. I know you will find most of your classmates- just keep trying!
Take care,
Matt

ALSO a GREAT BIG THANKS to Charlene Cafarelle (SHS 87) for taking the time to read my post on "Calling All......" and responding to it via an email to SHS blog and inspiring the post on Labels...Do They Still Exist? Click to read!

A little bird has also told me that Brian H. knows about the blog along with Chris K. I have Chris K's address information, but need confirmation on Brian H's. So Brian......I hope to hear something from you via the blog. And guys, a nice update from both of you would be great to post.

I often (well everyday) check out SHS Class of 86's blog. Today there was a picture posted of Amy D. and her husband, Rick N. Amy, I found you by being nosey so if you find us... contact us. Or if we don't hear from you, we'll be calling. I hope the address and phone number I found are correct, and we hope to see you at our reunion.

Remember to send all information to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com. Also, we need your help with locating others. Let us know who you still keep in touch with.

Calling ALL...Heads, Jocks, Geeks, Punks, Skinnies and Fatties

2006-07-17T11:17:00.000-04:00

LABELS........that is what high school is all about! While some of us have the fondest of memories, others can not shake the labels, isolations and clicks. It is sad that this was part of our past, but our high school would not have been a normal high school without it. I would even bet that it goes on still today. The names may have changed, but the differences are all the same.

Twenty years later this may have one asking the question “Why would I want to go back and reunite with my old classmates?”

Well, I would like to think that twenty years later things of this nature would not matter to us anymore. But then I remember the question I was asked a while back by one of my long time childhood friends. For privacy, I will call her Jane. I mentioned to Jane that I had ran into another long time childhood friend (I will call her Sue). When I told Jane about Sue, Jane’s first question was, “Is Sue skinny or fat?”. I was shocked at the forwardness of the question. It had me thinking that if this is what old classmates want to know, I am in big trouble and better stay home the night of the reunion.

What are reunions really about? Are they about.......Who is fat? Who is skinny? Who is bald? Who has crows' feet? Who drove up in the Mercedes? Who’s wearing the Rolex watch and the 2kt platinum diamond ring? Who never married or who has been married 3 times? Who has partner instead of a spouse? Who has children or who doesn’t? Who works at Shell the gas station or Shell the fortune 500 company? Who has been in jail or who puts people in jail? DOES ALL OF THIS REALLY MATTER?

I think reunions are about celebrating one’s happiness with old classmates. Celebrating the fact that as adults we’ve matured to the level where there are no more “labels” that divide us in the commons area. And that we can see that the once so called “head” just may have turned in the Ted Nugget shoes for a court room suit, that the once so called “jock” vows each new year to loose his/her love handles, and that the “geek” you once cheated off of in Science should be on the cover of GQ or Vogue Magazine. Regardless of who we are and how we look when we reunite, let’s just be happy with the fact that we are no longer 15 years old in high school. I mean ...come on now! We are almost 40!

I also hope those of you who for some reason did not walk with the graduating class of 87, but attending school with us know that you are welcome as well. And those who for some reason left us early are also welcome. Just send us your updated information at nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com No one remembers nor do we care........we want to see you!

And as far as Sue being fat or skinny........she is simply BEAUTIFUL!

"I'm Lost and I'm Found....."

2006-07-12T12:01:00.000-04:00

I received a copy of the database that Kathi has been working on since the blog began in late May. And boy, do we have our detective work cut out for us! I 'll be hitting the phone book over the next few days to see about those still in town. I think so many of our classmates families moved here from other places, and that after high school, they moved on. I don't think NHS had that many true Slidellians going to it???? Most of the true, blue Slidellians lived in the heart of Slidell and went to Slidell High. Maybe that is why they are having great luck finding most of their class, and their class is a lot bigger than ours.

With all that being said.........I think if those of you who have found the blog find or contact one other person and they find or contact one other person and so on............we just may have some luck with finding our classmates. I add finding at least one person to my begging for your updates! Give them the blog address www.nhsclassof87reunion.blogspot.com

If you are just finding the blog, you will not want to miss any of the post. To the right of the post in the margin, you will see the "Archives" of the months past as well as the present month. To view all post in that month, simply click on the month and scroll down. The "Previous Post" can only display so many post before they are archived under the month in which they were written.

Lisa Madden and I had a mini reunion with Shawnna Ryder this past weekend. I can not tell you how fun it was to laugh with her and to catch up on her exciting life. It was great to pick up right where we left off in college. She has now vowed to stay in touch. It has also motivated her to search for Camilla. So why don't you give the people finder a shot? It feels so good to chat and laugh with an old friend that you will want to find another one.

If you are reading and have yet to send your address, email, and phone number to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com, please do so, so that Kathi can update your information in the database. I would also love to post your update with old and/or new photo. Post are not the same without a picture!!!!! Don't you agree?? Or if you're not up to the update and have a website that you would like for me link from the blog, I'll be happy to do so.

Have a great day!

No Where Else I'd Rather Be

2006-07-07T13:28:00.000-04:00

I guess it is hard for me to expect you to send me your update of your past 20 years when I have not even shared mine. Like everyone else has said so far.....where does one begin and what does one include? Surely I will only include the important highlights, and I'll spare us both the hard lessons learned! However, for me, it is the lessons learned that has made me the person I am today.

When I left you 10 years ago at our 10 year reunion, I had graduated with honors (believe it or not!) from SLU in Elementary Education. It had taken me a long time, but I did it. I had even been recognized by my professors as an Exemplary Student in Education my last semester there. After graduating in 1996, I married Kenny Parker. This August we will celebrate our 10 year anniversary.

Since then, I had our first son in 1998. Teaching school and being a mom to one child seemed to work well for our family. I still had time to be creative in the classroom as well as at home with our son. I had even had one of my classroom management techniques published in popular teaching magazine, The Mailbox. (Honestly...not that big a deal. I just thought it sounded good to add that to my update.) It was not until 2001, when I had our second son, that I quit my teaching career for the job that I am most proud of........"Stay at Home Mom". The pay still stinks, the hours are long and the duties are hard, but the rewards and benefits out weigh any honor society, award or magazine publication I could ever brag about. And just when I said "I would turn down $1,000.000.00 before I would have another child", I was pregnant with baby number three. Yes, I have guilt when I think of that statement because she is such a blessing to our family.

God has blessed me with a great family and the wonderful job opportunity of being a stay at home mom. This job allows me to be involved with my children and other children at school via being a PTA Board member and a room mom to my children's classes.

Sure there is a lot of yada, yada, yada in between like us passing on a move to London and relocating to Houston. It just seems right for us to stay here to raise our children with family near by to enjoy watching them grow. I also enjoy my children going to school with my school mates' children..............not that too many of you are still around.

So when you see me toting three kids around town in my SUV wearing a baseball cap, no make-up, a tee shirt, jean capris, and a pair of $1.00 flip flops, know that I love what I am doing. There is no where else I 'd rather be 20 years after high school.
And in between bottles, dirty diapers and PB&J sandwiches, I bring you this blog. I hope you are enjoying it and find a minute to share your update with all that are reading.

The pictures are a glimps at a day in the life at our house. I would have posted a nicely posed picture for you to view, but need I say more. We tried......and tried.........and tried again until we had all had enough. We did have a few good laughs. It was the 4th of July.

I heard from Peezie Leininger. She is looking forward to reuniting with everyone. Hopefully she'll be sending us an update soon!!

Send your contact information and an update to post on the blog to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com Your contact information will not be posted just your updated information. I welcome all high school photos as well as recent ones.

...My Feet on the Ground

2006-07-02T19:12:00.000-04:00

Everyday as I check the blog's email for ANY emails from you or any comments, I check the blog as if I weren't the one posting all of the post or uploading the pictures to it. I guess I think that the "Blog Fairy" may have posted something on it while I slept. No such luck with a fairy, but great luck with Michelle Fields Pierce.

Michelle writes:

Like most of you, I can't believe it's been 20 years. It doesn't seem like we graduated yesterday, but 20 years?!

After graduating, I attended USM in Hattiesburg, MS. I was on a music track there and decided I didn't want to continue on in that field of study. I talked a good friend of mine from grade school, Heidi Burch (SHS class of '87), into moving to Disney World to work. We packed up and moved to Florida, eager to find great jobs and have fun. We found an apartment in Kissimmee, Florida--a short drive to the park. After a few months of handing out beverages at Epcot, I decided to work a little closer to home, so Sea World became my new employer. I worked as one of the animal educators, taking tourists on behind the scenes tours. By October, I was homesick and realized I missed the college atmosphere. So, I moved back to Louisiana and began attending SLU the following spring as a psychology major. After completing my degree, I pursued a M.A. in health (also at SLU). I moved to Dallas, Texas in the summer of '95 to work an internship at the American Heart Association. I enjoyed living and working in Texas and began searching for a permanent position. I met a flight attendant in my running group who informed me that her company (American Airlines) was in the process of hiring flight attendants. On a whim, I applied and went on an interview. I wasn't sure how I would complete my master's but I was curious about what the rest of the world was about and thought it would be a great experience to travel while finishing school. On November 10, 1995, at 7:00 p.m., I was flying to my new home in New York City. Living there was an incredible experience! I spent my time off at the NYC library frantically trying to complete the two projects necessary to fulfull the degree requirments. During the 9 years with the airline, I lived in NYC, Boston and San Francisco. On the morning of September 11th, I was on a flight departing from Newark to Dallas. I had just spent the evening prior in NYC. Like so many, my life drastically changed that day. I had spent time and worked with Boston-based crewmembers who you've all seen and read about. The events of 9/11 hit entirely too close to home for me. It helped me to re-prioritize my life and to appreciate the people in my life a great deal more. I knew then that it was time to keep my feet on the ground.

I enjoy reading, listening to music (I still play once in awhile), and jogging. I'm sure I will, once again, enjoy traveling by air. But, for now, I love roadtrips!

In 2002, I married Michael Pierce. We had developed a friendship over 9 years! We have a 17 month old boy, Brendan Michael Pierce. I now teach health and wellness classes part-time at Collin County Community College in Plano, Texas. I am also a freelance writer/photographer. Although being a mom keeps me on the run, I hope to eventually publish some of the projects I'm currently working on.

Thanks Michelle! It so good to catch up with you.

Brooke, if you are still reading...you've had the most request for me to forward email addresses to you, but I don't have your email address to send you the requested information. ?????

Remember......send all updated information to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com Please let me know what can be posted on the blog. I'll only put what you say is okay.

Life Was All Soo Simple Then

2006-06-28T00:06:00.000-04:00

You know I have described receiving your emails to feeling like a child at Christmas. So........you can imagine how tickled I felt to receive this beautiful update from Charles "Chuck" Murray.

He writes:

Where do I start, in 87' after graduation my family moved to Southern California. I stayed in Louisiana and graduated from LSU. Then I worked in suburbs of Tokyo, Japan for almost 4 years. Returned to U.S., went to law school and now I practice mostly business and real estate law. I am counsel for several small to medium sized businesses. My office is in downtown Los Angeles.

I really enjoy California. The climate is great, really does seem like the Golden State. We live in a community north of downtown Los Angeles (about 5 minutes from the Rose Bowl). Housing is outrageously expensive and life is sometimes too fast. I miss the Louisiana cooking and hospitality.

As for interests, traveling, drinking wine, golf, tennis, etc. (Though I really do not have much time for these).

As for personal, been married to my wife for 7 years, we have a daughter that is 4. My life has been blessed, I am very grateful for it.

I have spoken with Chip (La), Matt Miller (Va), Doug Soons(Mass), and Cyrus(Ga) periodically. All seem to be doing well.

I can't believe it has been almost 20 years. Shocking! Like all people before us looking back at their 20th, just seems like life was soo simple back then.

This is Chuck and Beth Pichon our Freshman year. Our school buses were two of the first to arrive. We'd sit in the "Common's Area" and goof off for at least 30 minutes. (Please excuse the horrible scan job. Since we've gotten the old one to work, we haven't put much thought in to a new one.)

I look forward to receiving more updates

from you like Chuck's. My hopes in creating the blog were for us to share fond memories and laughs as well as updates of our past 20 years. I hope that when we reunite at our reunion we are so comfortable with each other (after getting to know each other again via the blog) that we feel as though we just stepped off of the bus and laughed together in the "Common's Area" before the morning bell rang.

Send your information and updates to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

Who's Who?

2006-06-26T10:57:00.000-04:00

About once a month (well prior to the hurricane and the birth of my baby) a group of us try to get together for a wild & crazy game of Pokeno. Here is a photo of just a few faces that just might look familiar to you. You may notice a few SHS Tigers and a Spartan.

I also had another "feeling like a child at Christmas" moment over the weekend when I received an email from Jean Ingram Hoover. Thank you, Jean, for the smile. I love getting the emails and knowing that you're out there reading the blog.

The map is also a great indicator that there are readers. However, it does not tell us who or your exact location. We need your name and physical address. Send it to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com . Send your photos too! (recent and/or from school) I would love to hear from the faithful reader up in the Northwest portion of the US. Who are you??? And where are you?

"Never Say Goodbye"

2006-06-21T17:04:00.000-04:00

This is very ironic.......... I am usually occupied doing other things during the Oprah hour, but today my baby's bottle feeding fell during the time of Oprah. What a treat........Jon Bon Jovi was her guest. In case you have forgotten, Bon Jovi's song "Never Say Goodbye" was our class song.

I sat down just in time for Oprah to ask Bon Jovi how he felt about being a "hot" rockstar. He said that if he was just a pretty face that no one would remember him. He went on to explain that it is his music that he puts so much time in to and that is what is important to him.....for it is the music that helps people remember special events in their life. Isn't that ironic???

Has it helped you remember a special moment from our Senior year? If so, share it with us. Send your memory to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com It obviously meant something to us then......it was our class song.

It also brought me back to the night of Thursday, Feb. 12, 1987 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.....Bon Jovi in Concert. The addmission was $14.50. Can you believe.......$14.50? Wow! I saved the ticket in my Memories Book. What did you save?

Anyway, I don't think anyone says this as well as Bon Jovi sings it on his latest album......"Have a Nice Day"

Finding Friends

2006-06-20T12:29:00.000-04:00

I finally, after an about an eight year search, found Shawnna Ryder. Lisa M. and I must have called every Shawnna Ryder in the states. We've left indepth /detailed messages only to get calls back informing us that we've reached the wrong Shawnna. We also found many S. Ryder, but were then too afraid to humiliate ourselves with that disappointing call informing us that it was the wrong Shawnna.

So with several search engines and people searches, I was able to locate her sister, Dawnna. She led me right to Shawnna. And the amazing thing of it all...........Shawnna is an hour away. Who knew??? That is also too close to be so far away from your friend.

I know we all have that friend we would love to be back in touch with after high school or after loosing touch after our 10 year reunion. Don't give up! They are out there and probably thinking of you too. Make the attempt to find them and when you do, hook them up to the blog. Encourage them to send their updated info to it and don't forget to send your own information: nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com

We missed you Shawnna and are glad to be back in touch!

My Weekly Reminder/Plea

2006-06-17T17:36:00.000-04:00

Okay, I can understand that you are a little apprehensive about sending your information and having it posted on the blog. Maybe your a little unsure about how to leave comments, and that is okay too.

HOWEVER......................

We (me & the others trying to plan the reunion) need your updated information. The must have information includes: name (include maiden for females), address so we can mail you reunion information, phone number, and email address. Fun information would be occupation, hobbies, children, if you've become a country singer, etc.... It would also be nice to know if you still have family in Slidell. If you want it posted on the blog, specify info for blog. All pictures are welcome....from high school or your most recent.

Please email it to nhsclassof87reunion@yahoo.com Kathi is working hard on the database. She would like to know if the information she has on you is current.

You may have noticed the map to the right. It is providing us with the location of the hits to the blog. I thought that would be neat to watch. I hope you enjoy it with me.