City:  Champaign
State/Prov.:  IL
Country:  United States
Occupation:  Restaurant Hospitality
Marital Status:  Divorced
What have you been doing for the last 10 years?:
My employment status is and has been the same for the last 21 years. I am managing the family business of Manzella's Italian Patio. In the last ten years I went through a divorce and I have full custody of my 11 year old son, Vincent. In May of 2008, I decided to do what I should of done 29 years ago and that is to go to college. I am enrolled at Parkland college seeking a degree in general studies. The good thing about that is that I love it....surely I would not have felt that way 29-30 years ago, huh? This year has started off great with a family trip to Italy traveling through the beautiful Almafi coast, Venice, Rome and the Islands of Ischia and Capri.
From Mary:
Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Birthday:  November 24, 1961
City:  Fontainebleau
Country:  France
Occupation:  Senior Research Fellow
Website:  www.calt.insead.edu/?page -
name=Katrina%20Maxwell
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  3
What have you been doing for the last 10 years?:
Studied Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois. Was exchange student in Scotland for one year. Then did a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in England. Following this, I worked as a "Management Scientist" (studying factors which influence chocolate bar sales, etc...) for M&M/Mars where I met my French husband. Moved to France in 1988 and have been doing research in a variety of business areas since then. Author of an exciting book "Applied Statistics for Software Managers" ;-). Have 3 daughters now 17, 14 and 11, as well as a Golden Retriever. Should I mention that in the same sentence? Don't often play my guitar anymore (still mourning the death of John Denver), but do play violin in a local orchestra.
From Katrina:
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion. I have never been to one before as noone could ever find me! I will be visiting Champaign and Chicago for 2 weeks with my children around reunion time.

Birthday:  February 03, 1961
City:  Mesa
State/Prov.:  AZ
Country:  USA
Occupation:  Car Rental Agent
Marital Status:  Married
What have you been doing for the last 10 years?:
After having a successful career in Radio/TV/Advertising for 20 years I decided to start life over. Literally. I had an amicable split from my spouse of 16 years and packed up all my stuff and moved to AZ in Oct of 1997. I didn't have a job nor hardly a place to live. I felt like a pioneer. I decided I didn't want to get back into writing and wanted to do something completely different. A gentleman a met soon after I moved here worked in car rental and suggested I try my hand at that occupation. It was different, for sure. I've been doing it ever since. With changes in the world since 9-11 it's become a true challenge. More-so since the economic issues of the last few months. I'm thinking it's time for another change. Anyhow, that gentleman I spoke of became my husband a year later and I now have two beautiful step-daughters 12 and nearly 15. They are awesome. If they lived with us full time, and I didn't have to deal with their birthmother, life would be grand. (Their mom left my now spouse 11 years ago and still tries to run everyone's lives!) I love living in AZ! We are in the Phoenix valley. No snow, tornados, ice, sleet, freezing rain...it's fabulous. Heat is a cake-walk when you have no humidity. But it does get chilly in the winter mornings. It has been in the upper 20's many a time. Mostly in the winter we have daily temp swings of 30 to 40 degrees. I did not adopt the SW style though when I bought a house out here. I have a normal mid-west looking home, asphalt roof, grass yard, no cactus...the only two things that are true to SW design around my house are the palm trees around the pool in the backyard...ok and two in the front. Pools are a necessity out here...not the luxury back home. I fought putting one in...my hubby had to convince me that they were no big deal out here. So that's us in a nutshell...I've rambled long enough. I'll post some pics in the photo album.
From Pam:

Well gang...NOT going to be able to make the reunion after all. Hate that. Budget just won't allow it.
Please take lots of fun pix and upload them to FaceBook!
Missing all of you! Sure wish I could come. I looked at the RSVP list...it's way too short. What a shame. With those of you who come...have a fabulous time!

City:  Champaign
State/Prov.:  IL
Country:  USA
Occupation:  Secretary
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  1
What have you been doing for the last 10 years?:
I have been married for 26 years. We have one daughter who is a freshman at Centennial this year! I work part-time at the College of Veterinary Medicine for the last 13 years. This allows me the time to do the "Mom" things.

Birthday:  April 23, 1960
City:  Monticello
State/Prov.:  IL
Country:  USA
Occupation:  Administrative 
Secretary/AP
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  1
What have you been doing for the last 10 years?:
My son has left the nest (college) so I am now an empty nester, which I truly hate. However he does find his way home every now and then. My husband & I took a cruise for our 10 year anniversary. I recently sold and bought another home in Monticlello. Went white water rafting in Kentuky (what a blast). We got to experince a #4 rapid which we survived, but the raft after us wasn't so lucky and I almost witnessed someone drown (that sucked). I took on a new position with the school district and decided I am staying put until retirement. I'm getting to old to be trained, unless it's fun stuff.

Birthday:  June 14, 1961
City:  Urbana
State/Prov.:  IL
Country:  USA
Occupation:  Service Manager
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  1
What have you been doing for the last 10 years?:
I have been raising a wonderfull daughter that I am very proud of. She is everything that I could hope for and more. She is 15 years old and is heavily involved with sports at Mahomet High school (Vollyball, Basketball and Fast pitch softball.) This year she made the varsity vollyball team as a sophmore and is playing well. She is and will be the most important thing in my life. So I am blessed with that! I Have been with United Rentals for 6 years. I am the service manager. My staff and I take care of 4.5 million dollars worth of construction equipment in the equipment rental industry. One of my dreams when I was a kid was to one day race automobiles. I got that opportunity to do that. My father and I raced the local dirt track scene for 20 years. I drove while he wrenched. We were able to spend alot of quality time together. Since we gave up on racing we both bought Harley Davidson motorcycles and we ride in our spare time. I love my dad and I want to spend as much time with him while I can.
From Tim:
I can't believe I let my past get away from me. Sure would like to see all of my old school mates again.

Birthday:  April 22, 1961
City:  Downingtown
State/Prov.:  PA
Country:  US
Occupation:  physician
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  2
What have you been doing for the last 10 years?:
Graduated from the U of I in 1983, then from University of the Health Sciences with an M.D. in 1987. Entered the Air Force as a 2LT pediatrician and left the Air Force 8 years later as a MAJ-lived in England and Germany. Married in 1995 and moved with my husband Allen to PA, where we have been ever since. He is a chemical engineer with ConocoPhillips. I am a pediatrician in a group practice in Pottstown, PA, and am the Pediatric Dept. Chairman at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. We have 9 year old twins, Steven and Rachel, who are busy little people and keep us hopping! There is swimming, karate, dance team/competitions, and Girl/Boy Scouts. In my "spare" time I enjoy reading, gardening, and scrapbooking.
From Melanie:
I am looking forward to revisiting Champaign as I have not been back but once since I left.  I have enjoyed catching up on what everyone has been doing.

Birthday:  September 20, 1961
City:  Cincinnati
State/Prov.:  OH
Country:  USA
Occupation:  Associate Curator of 
Public Programs and 
Publications
Marital Status:  Divorced
No. of Children:  2
What have you been doing for the last 10 years?:
I've been working at the Taft Museum of Art in the education department and also serving as the museum's editor. I did quite a bit of freelance writing about the arts and still churn out the occassional poem. Two teenagers also keep me busy and entertained. I garden, hike, read, draw, sew, go to museum and concerts and lots of other stuff.

Birthday:  September 23, 1961
City:  Urbana
State/Prov.:  IL
Country:  USA
Occupation:  Office administrator
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  4
What have you been doing for the last 10 years?:
I've been working in the UI Senate Office for over twenty-five years and can honestly say I love my job. I have three great kids from my 22-year starter marriage...Andrew (21), Kaylin (18) and Wil (14)...and was blessed with a bonus son, Conrad (7), when I married Mr. Right four years ago. The older kids are in college and live at home, so we have a full house...and I like it! We make numerous family trips to Wisconsin every summer as I did when I was a kid, take in a Cubs game each season and enjoy get-togethers with extended family throughout the year. I cherish the time with our kids, knowing that (eventually) they'll go their own way, and relish the moments when it's just the two of us. I'm living a "happily ever after" dream come true.
From Christa:
It was a riot being together at Billy Barooz--what a way to end the year!  I'm looking forward to seeing more familiar faces at our reunion.  Cheers!  --Christa

Birthday:  March 10, 1961
City:  Rancho Cordova
State/Prov.:  CA
Country:  US
Occupation:  Sr. Software Testing 
Engineer
Marital Status:  Single
No. of Children:  1
What have you been doing for the last 10 years?:
For the last 18 years I have been raising my son, Andrew - lots of soccer and baseball. He just graduated from high school, so now we're gearing up for summer baseball and college. For the last 15 years, I've worked for a billing and customer management software company. I've bought a house and have discovered the joy of gardening and painting. Every now and then, I still go build and paint scenery or help with the lighting at a local theatre.
From Valerie:
I'm really looking forward to the reunion!