Riverton High School - Class of 1988

Jeff Roesler in Chile during earthquake

2010-03-05T12:25:00.002-06:00

Jeff Roesler comments from Chile after experiencing earthquake firsthand.

Team David

2010-01-18T19:40:00.005-06:00

Thanks again Class of 1988 for making a difference!

The David Baker Benefit was a huge success! Thank you to all who contributed to the David Baker Benefit Fund and a big thank you to Tim Taylor for donating those awesome Illini vs Ohio Basketball tickets! Also a big thanks to Jon Grannis for funding the T-shirt fundraiser for David that is still in progress. Rhonda, Nicole, Stephanie, Sandra, Kip, Rose Mutzbauer, Schelli Baker, Amy, Carlo, Michael Shehan, Tracy and Jim Graham all attended the benefit and helped out in various ways! Thanks Everyone for such awesome support. It was great seeing you...

You can still send a donation to the David Baker Fund at:

Heartland Credit Union

2213 West White Oaks Drive

Springfield, IL 62704

Attention: The David Baker Fund.

To read more details about David's liver transplant and illness...see the flyer here!

Robyn

In Need?

2009-05-21T23:45:00.001-05:00

Rest in Peace Jason!

The Class of 1988 was able to make a generous donation to the Zachary Lyon Education Fund today through the generosity of many of you.

On behalf of Rhonda Reagan, Rose Mutzbauer, Stephanie Harris, Nicole Ralph, Carol Coniglio, Kip Baumann, Jon Grannis, Scott Julian, Paul Lewis and myself we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your donations!

We would also like you to know that if your family is in need, please ask this group for help. We truly do care about each of you and will be willing to help in any way possible. We hope to continue to come together to help fellow classmates in whatever capacity needed.

If you would like to be involved in this work as we move forward, please let us know!

I seem to be the mass communicator...but the credit goes to the entire group! I feel very blessed to be a part of it!
Thanks to you all,
Robyn

Jason Lyon 1970 - 2009

2009-05-19T10:56:00.006-05:00

BUFFALO - Jason John Lyon, 38, of Buffalo passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2009, at his residence.

He was born on July 10, 1970, in Decatur, the son of Bruce H. Lyon and Marsha D. Layton Rohrer. He married Julie Anderson on Aug. 22, 2008.
Jason was a heavy equipment operator and a member of the Local Operating Engineers. He was an avid hunter and loved the outdoors and being in the woods. He was the National Champion in Archery for two years running and held the record for 20 years. Jason enjoyed Cardinal games, farming, his family, friends, and most of all spending time with his son, Zachary. He was willing to help anyone and he knew no stranger.

He is survived by his wife, Julie of Buffalo; son, Zachary; father, Bruce Lyon (wife, Carol) of Buffalo; mother, Marsha Rohrer (husband, Jonathan) of Petersburg; brother, Jerry Lyon (wife, Tia) of Buffalo; sister, Brenda Von Behren (husband, Kevin) of Cantrall; grandmother, Leah Layton of Petersburg; and several nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2009, from 10 a.m. until the time of funeral services at noon at Fullenwider-Park Funeral Home in Mechanicsburg, with the Rev. Chris Wieland officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Illiopolis.
Memorials may be made to the Zachary Lyon Education Fund c/o Fullenwider-Park Funeral Home, 200 S. Church, Mechanicsburg, IL 62545.

Facebook

2009-03-10T14:59:00.000-05:00

There are about 20 of us on Facebook...
Robyn Lloyd's Profile | Create Your Badge

Addition to the Grannis Family

2009-02-21T17:22:00.002-06:00

Hello Class of 88! Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on the new addition to our family - yes, some of us started late and are still having kids ;-)

Leo George Grannis was born on September 29, 2008. He is growing like a weed and is a lot of fun. I've added a picture here to the post with my wife - Dessie.

I trust you all are doing well. Now that the reunion has come and gone, I hope folks will continue updating and posting to this blog. It sure is nice seeing new pictures and tracking how the class is doing.

Take care and be sure to post often!

--Jon

Class of 88

2008-09-27T21:28:00.001-05:00

Who is pregnant with her 7th child? Yes, I said 7th! Kathy (Allison) Johnson
Who is the Neurosurgeon? Eric Horn
Who is pregnant with her 6th child? Sue (Porter) Swensen
Who is still in the Marines? Jason Moffitt
Who is the lawyer? Greg Pals
Who travels to Equador? Dena Flynn
Who is heavily involved in saddlebred show horses? Jeff Williamson
Who married a pharmacist? Kevin Pera
Who is a Delegate to the Republican National Convention? Greg Pals
Who owns a business in Bulgaria? Jon Grannis
Who has a house with 4 teenagers? Mary (Releford) Galassi
Who has a son named Evan? Lisa (Ashton) Johnson & Rhonda (McClintock) Reagan
Who has a daughter named Bella? Jeff Fanale & Jeff Roesler
Who puts graphic designs on Race Cars? Doug Canham
Who still lives in Riverton? Mary, Rhonda, Nicole, Beth, Chad, Christy, Becki, David, Geff Gibson, Lesa, Matt, Tracy, Rose G, Aaron, Shane
Who lives in Seoul, Korea? Brian Thompson
Who has a flat in Tasmania? Joan
Who has lost parents? Jeff Roesler, Scott Golab, Amy Sexton, Christy Bradley, Michelle Salmon, Denise Mount
Who is still married? Beth & Chad, Jeff & Jody, Jeff & Sandra, Julie & Kent and there are more...
Who is divorced?
Who is still single? Paul Lewis, Chris Vespa, Dena Flynn, Matt, Barry, Greg, Shannon,
Who is in a band? Colm Brewer & Brian Thompson

You Know You Grew Up In the 80's if:

2008-09-16T08:43:00.002-05:00

You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.
You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton dance.
You know that 'WOAH' comes from Joey on Blossom
If you ever watched 'Fraggle Rock'
It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.
You played the game 'MASH'(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter,House)
You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
You know the profound meaning of 'WAX ON , WAX OFF'
You made friendship pins out of safety pins and beads and attached them to your shoelaces
You wanted to be a Goonie.
You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe)
You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard.
You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
You still get the urge to say 'NOT' after every sentence.
You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.
After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying 'I know you are, but what am I?'
You remember 'I've fallen and I can't get up'
You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
You have ever played with a Skip-It.
You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
You remember watching both Gremlins movies.
You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.
You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch whenpeople refer to them as 'NKOTB'
You knew all the characters names and their life stories on 'Saved By The Bell,'The ORIGINAL class.
You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
You just sang those words to yourself.
You still sing 'We are the World'
You tight rolled your jeans.
You owned a bannana clip.
You remember 'Where's the Beef?'
You used to (and probably still do)say 'What you talkin' 'bout Willis?'
You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!

Photos from dinner available for download

2008-09-13T13:09:00.001-05:00

I had a great time. Thanks everyone.

2008-09-07T19:44:00.006-05:00

I want to thank Robyn and all of the committee members for a great time. It was so nice catching up with everyone. It is so weird how we all have changed but yet have stayed the same. I just regret that I didn't make it all the way across the room. There were so many people that I didn't get to talk to.

I had a blast!!!

Looks like I missed a good time!

2008-09-05T20:37:00.003-05:00

Looks like everyone had a good time this past weekend. Sorry I missed it!

The past 20 years have been pretty good. I went to college and have a job working with persons with developmental disabilities. I get to work from home and that is wonderful! I married Ben in 1996-he was in the class of 87! We had Lily in 2003 and she started Kindergarten this year. She loves it. We still live in Springfield and live near Washington Park.

Well the past 18 months have been pretty tough. Some of you know that mom passed away in 1992 of a rare lung disease, Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. My sister was diagnosed with it and has had it for 4 years. She is awaiting a double lung transplant at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. I was diagnosed with it in February 2007. I am currently taking 26 pills a day and hanging in there. I get tired and short of breath. I go to Barnes about every 6 months and go to a doctor here once a month for blood levels. There is a website if anyone wants to learn more about PPH-it is phassociation.org.

I still see a few people from Riverton-we just went to Hawaii in May with Heather Sexton (class of 89) and her husband! That wasnice just to get away and think of nothing!

We are living life to the fullest since we never know what is going to happen!

Party On.....

2008-09-05T00:57:00.002-05:00

Well, the party was a hit- I must say! It was a lot of fun remembering the good old days & catching up on the past 20 yrs. Paul said it right- the HS cliques were not there. It was wonderful seeing everyone, I do wish more could have come. Hopefully the next one. The committee did a great job! I was surprised to see how few have really changed over the years- I will admit I didn't recognized everyone-thanks for our lovely senior pics to help. Life has been an eventful ride for all of us and I enjoyed hearing what it has brought all of you. We need to keep in touch or at least keep this blog updated with our lives. Keep in touch & Jeff W. keep on dancing- we expect an encore at the next reunion! Take care, Rose

From Schelli

2008-09-04T22:43:00.002-05:00

I also wanted to say how much I really enjoyed this past Saturday night. Thanks to each and everyone of you who made it happen. I cannot begin to imagine how much work it would be to locate all of these amazing people. I DO mean amazing people!

Some of you may know that I didn't graduate with our class. This is what I claim to be the biggest regret of my life. Not so long ago I felt ashamed and embarrassed for leaving school my senior year. I did, however, finish less than a year later. But still theres a stigma that weighs heavy. In a sense, the reunion was a closure for me. Thanks for thinking enough to invite me.

So much has happened in all of our lives since our school days. I enjoyed hearing about all of you. For me, I have three beautiful children, a husband who claims to be the man of my dreams...haha(he is ). Oh, and a fantastic job! I finished college with two associates. One in science, and one in education(go figure). I'm a respiratory therapist at St Johns. I'm currently training for helicopter transport in the neonatal and pediatrics department. I can honestly say I like my job.

I hope to have some sort of contact with each and everyone of you in some way. Life is too short and too precious not to. Please share your email addresses. Hope to hear from you. Don't be shy!

Schelli

email..Baker1670@yahoo

Good times, Good times.

2008-09-03T21:57:00.002-05:00

Seeing that I missed on all the other reunions in the past, I must say, I'm glad I didn't miss our 20th reunion. I had such an awesome time both Friday night at Capitol City and Saturday night at the Crowne Plaza. Seeing you all and catching up on what's been going on in your lives for the past 20 years, was great. I would like to comment on each of you but it would take up way to much space on this blog. It amazed me that most of you still live in Central Illinois and yet we never bump into each other. Well, that may be the case, but whether you still live in Illinois or not, I would like to stay in contact with each and everyone of you on a regular basis. I have a MySpace page, just do a search for my name, you'll find me, or just e-mail me. My e-mail address is yabado1988@yahoo.com. I'm going to probably check back to this blog and see what everyone else is saying and also type up more posts. So, to the Class of 1988, don't be a stranger.

Carlo

From Julie Leka

2008-09-03T17:20:00.001-05:00

Hey Robyn-I can't seem to be able to post to the blog,so maybe you could add this for me.?

I just want to tell Robyn and all of the committee members what a wonderful job that you all did- the reunion was so much fun! I thought everyone looked fabulous. Kent and I had so much fun catching up on everyones lives. We weren't able to go to his 20 year, so I think he enjoyed it almost as much as I did. We got back to Atlanta Tuesday- the entire ride home(you know, when I wasn't in mommy mode) I was thinking about all of you and missing you already. We have been gone a long time-20 years to be exact-moved away for college and never moved back. Kent and I still have family in Riverton/Springfield so we continue to visit 1-2 times a year. Each time we leave, we feel like we leave a little bit of our hearts at "home"- gets harder to leave as the years go by. This time it was really very hard to leave, in large part because of you all. We may not think of each other every day, but in a strange way we are,and always will be- family. You know we hold many families in our hearts- we have our immediate families,extended families, work families, sports families, church families.... we also have our little class of 88 family! cheers to you! We really need to keep this blog going because there are going to be many ups and many downs in our lives in the years to come- and we can never have enough cheerleaders or shoulders along the way.To borrow a line from my favorite country song: " My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to. May your dreams stay big,your worries stay small and you never need to carry more than you can hold- and when your out there gettin where your gettin to- I hope you know somebody loves you." This is how I feel about you, class of 88! I hope this isn't over the top sappy- God- imagine when I'm menopausal-ha Wishing you all health and happiness!
Julie

**I'm hoping Julie's attempt to post was a fluke...if anyone else has a problem, please let me know! Thanks! Robyn

Comments From Paul Lewis

2008-09-02T14:33:00.001-05:00

WHAT A FANTASTIC JOB!!!

I wish my weekend had played out a little differently to enjoy all the other festivities I heard about, but I was grateful I could at least make the dinner on Saturday night.
Everyone looked great and I enjoyed catching up on what’s happened in everyone’s life.

We were so naïve in high school – to think that it actually mattered whether you sat/talked to certain people, or dressed certain ways, etc.
I loved seeing everyone talking to everybody – we truly were a class without cliques on Saturday night.
Just a bunch of good people enjoying the memories of days gone by –

I agree with you Jon: the big thing now is to not let these lines of communication fade away once again.

God bless you both and talk to you soon – I hope!
Paul Lewis

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

2008-09-02T10:29:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to thank everyone again for attending our 20 year reunion. It couldn't have been more of a success and the feedback was very positive. I realize that some of you traveled great distances to be here this past weekend and I know that causes family and financial stress. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing this all together. Because if nobody shows up...then none of it is possible.

I also want to thank the committee again...Rhonda was my voice of reason and took care of Riverton Register announcements, phone calls, and always willing to pitch in to help! Carol was my main tracker and keeper of the information. She knows where all of you live! She also made those wonderful display boards with the blog/posts for viewing at the reunion and made Kip's Birthday cake happen! Stephanie thank you for all of your moral support and bringing in those great hor'derves and pre-reunion Sangria (YUM!). Nicole thank you for creating the Program, Riverton Trivia, Bingo and providing the projector for the reunion. Kip is the man with the picnic plan! I'm telling you if you ever want to host a big picnic this guy is your man. Kip tracked down the photographer and made sure he was being utilized. I really enjoyed having the photographer there for all of those fun pictures! Kip thanks for all your insight and for grilling all those burgers and hot dogs in the sweltering heat!! I hope you were able to cool down! Last but not least...thank you Jon Grannis for providing the funds to make my reunion dreams come true!! Big Hug and Kiss and thanks for all your support and enthusiasm.

This was a winning team and we look forward to bringing you a 25 Year Reunion on August 31st, 2013. See the countdown clock on the right --->

Pictures will be available here on the blog in about 10 days. If you need us to burn everything on a disc we can do that too. There will just be a fee for the disc and shipping.

I will keep this blog going. I'm trying to think of creative ways to keep us talking. I know one way is to announce our new babies that are about to arrive. I'm also thinking about birthdays! So send me your dates of birth and your children's dates of birth and I think we can do something fun with that.

Sorry for the long post...AGAIN, thanks everybody!!
Robyn

Big Thanks to All!

2008-09-02T10:10:00.002-05:00

I want to say THANK YOU to the other committee members. You all did a wonderful job. The dinner Saturday night was like, totally awesome (my attempt at an 80's reference). Robyn did a terrific job of putting that together. Also, thank you for Birthday cake. That was a really nice surprise.

I would also like to thank the classmates for their support and participation. It was great getting to see everyone again after 20 years. Jeff W's dancing was the highlight of Saturday night. My wife said getting to see him dance "Made" her weekend. It is something she will never forget.

Hope everyone keeps in touch and posting.

Pictures should be ready in 2-3 weeks (photographer is out of town 8 days). I will work with Robyn on getting them posted to the site. A CD or DVD (depending on amount of pictures) will also be available. Let the committee or myself know if you need one.

Thanks again,
Kip.

Talk About Fun...

2008-09-01T08:16:00.002-05:00

Jon Grannis here...

As I drove home from the reunion on Sunday morning, I had a chance to reflect on the entire reunion weekend. What a blast! There were so many memories shared, so many renewed friendships and so many more reasons to stay in touch. One prevailing thought that kept re-occurring was that we need to have a 25th and get even more people to "pack the house!"

By the way...

the remodelled high school is fantastic!
Jeff W. can still dance!
Robyn's planning skills are absolutely stellar!
Carlo has not aged a bit (he looks like he did in 1988)!
Dena mesmerized me with her life stories and accomplishments!
let's hope this is the year (for all Cubs fans)!

I plan on posting to this blog as frequently as possible. I hope you do, too!

Class of 88 - you are a special group of people! Hawk Up!

20 Year Reunion Pictures - Robyn's Camera

2008-08-31T20:33:00.000-05:00

Oh What a Night...

2008-08-31T17:15:00.002-05:00

I felt the need (while it was still fresh on my mind) to express my appreciation for a really great reunion last night. Special thanks to Robyn for creating this amazing blog and leading us committee members so ably. Robyn really was the heart and soul of this whole operation and it couldn't have turned out any better. I also want to thank Kip for doing such an excellent job with the picnic. Kip organized, prepped and grilled for the picnic...and on his birthday to boot!

It was really great catching up with everyone this weekend. I wish all of you the best and hope those that didn't attend this weekend get a chance to come to the next one. Until we meet again...

Reunion Question? Contact Info

2008-08-29T08:36:00.004-05:00

Lost? Need Directions? Can't remember where or what time? What room?

Call Me!!....Call me Anytime, CALL ME! <--see that's a Blondie reference!

Robyn at (309) 530-0650 (you can text me too...)
or
Carol at (217)698-5954

I Get Excited! <---I couldn't resist :-)

3 days left and 20 years ago...

2008-08-27T11:40:00.013-05:00

Are we really this old? Good grief! I feel as if the last 20 years have gone by in a blur. I've been reading these posts and thinking wow, everyone has done so well for themselves. And with some gentle nudging from Robin, Carol, and others I am now posting something.

In the last 20 years I feel that I have learned a lot about myself through mistakes as well as triumphs. And it may sound cliche but I really wish I did know in my twenties as much as I know now. Somewhere in my twenties I decided that I was going to live life and do as much as possible so that I would never have to look back and regret missing an opportunity. I had to at least try and because of that I have been able to make most everything I have ever dreamt about become a reality. My mother calls me her free spirit child because I cannot be tied down to any one particular place or career. So here, in a nutshell, are some of the things I have done...

Don't remember a lot of my early twenties but I know I had fun!
Packed my bags and moved to Phoenix AZ to attend Arizona State University.
While at ASU worked in the Institute of Human Origins with Donald Johanson and Bill Kimbel.
Researched extinct early hominid remains such as Lucy and the Taung Child (Plus many others).
Met Jane Goodall while working a chimpanzee symposium.
Graduated with a degree in Anthropology an emphasis in Primatology and a minor in Animal Biology
Went to Ecuador and researched nocturnal monkeys in the rain forest of Jatun Sacha. Also did some research on Shamanism and how monkeys fit into the Quechan Indian's religious ceremonies.
Became a Teacher and taught 6th grade for 5 years (In Phoenix) and 8th grade for 1 year (Springfield).
2 years ago I became and Educational Consultant working with many schools across the U.S. in an effort to teach students to read and enjoy reading.

I am still an educational consultant but now only work 5 days a month. In my spare time I'm reading and writing. I still love to learn new things and I continue to have fun and enjoy life.

I will see some of you at the reunion!

What to Wear??

2008-08-27T08:11:00.002-05:00

Believe it or not, the #1 question I get is "What is appropriate to wear to the reunion?". So I decided it was worthy of a post.

First of all, at the 10 year, the attire was across the board. From jeans to dresses...

I personally don't care what you wear to the reunion, but if you show up in cut-offs and flip flops at the Crowne Plaza, people are probably going to talk.

So my standard answer is business casual/holiday party type attire.

I am wearing black pants and a nice top. I would probably wear a dress, but my leg limits my shoe options and grandma shoes just don't work with a dress! But I know most of the committe is wearing something similar.

My husband is wearing a pair of Dockers and a nice shirt. He's comfortable in Docker's, but I think nice jeans would work here too.

Bottom Line: Be You!

Can't wait to see everyone!!
Robyn

Hello from Tammy Putnam (Everett)

2008-08-25T18:11:00.003-05:00

WOW 20 years. At times it seems like just yesterday.

I married my high school sweetheart. Rick & I have been married 15 years but have been together almost 21 years.

I attended college for about 2 years but became extremely ill which lasted for about 2 1/2 years. The illness eventually led to surgery. I was going to return to college but landed a great job so I put school on hold. I had been an IT buyer for over 10 years and just recently took a job in Marketing/Sales/Buyer with another local technology based firm.

I am also a volunteer at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and have been since Nov 2005. Love Lincoln.

We have traveled some b/c Rick was the front tire changer and graphics designer for an ARCA race team for 5 years. He has since retired from being the tire changer but he still does graphic design/application for race cars b/c he owns his own Graphic Design Company. (as well as a the Senior CADD Technician for a engineering firm.)

We were not blessed with children BUT we do keep at least one of my niece's every weekend. I get my "mommy fix" that way.

I am training to run my first 10k race.

Life is good.

I can't wait to see you all.

Purchase Tickets to the Reunion NOW!

2008-08-24T12:23:00.002-05:00

LAST CHANCE TO ATTEND 20 YEAR REUNION!

Riverton High School
Class of 1988
20 Year Reunion

For the Final Schedule of Events e-mail Robyn at robynrhs88@gmail.com

**If you've already paid...please check your e-mail for final Schedule Events and Room Info...

When: Saturday, August 30th, 2008
Where: Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, Springfield, IL 62703
Time: 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM

$65.00 per person
contact Robyn after August 25th!

The cost above will cover all reunion events, dinner and entertainment. The entertainment will be ’ 80's Party Music! **
**thanks to Gold Sponsor, our very own Jon Grannis, owner of

Logical Performance, Inc.

Web: http://www.logicalperformance.com/

Thank you for helping us make this a very memorable reunion Jon!!

***Please RSVP by replying to robynrhs88@gmail.com or calling (309) 530-0650 and indicate the total number of tickets you plan to purchase. Payment should follow your email RSVP via one of the following two methods as soon as possible:

To pay:
1. Pay by credit/debit card or check/automatic withdrawal via Paypal:
- Go To www.PayPal.com (you will need to register with PayPal - it's easy and very safe - I've been using it for 3 years now on e-bay purchases)
- On the Home tab…click on "Send Money"
- In the Send Money box (right side), enter my e-mail in the To: robynrhs88@gmail.com
- Then follow instructions provided by paypal.
- Once your transaction has completed with PayPal, please e-mail me details**

**For further information or questions - please contact Robyn at (309) 530-0650 or Carol at (217)698-5954

hello - Christina (Bradley) Craig

2008-08-22T22:49:00.001-05:00

Hi all. Wow, 20 years. Well, after high school I got married. We are still together after 19 years. We have 3 boys, actually young men. Duane is 16, Josh is 17, and Brandon is 19. Duane and Josh are juniors and seniors, respectfully, at none other than Riverton High. I'm right there with you, Robin, I'm soon going to have all of mine leaving. It's a day I anticipate and dread all at the same time.
I am a property manager. Being with my kids has always been important to me so I needed a job where I make my own hours and sometimes take the kids with me. Their favorite part, demolition(surprise, surprise) So, yep that's right, the girl with funny hair and drove a Jeep does almost everything from hang drywall, help nail shingles, to painting houses, taking applicants, and doing paperwork. If you've seen shows like "Flip this House" that's pretty much it, except we don't always sell them or have near as big a crew.
We love to travel and do so as often as possible. We have seen 36 of our beautiful states and drove every inch of the way(except Hawaii and Alaska) We've been to Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, and Australia. Hopefully we aren't done. I want to see as much of this world as possible.
I'm not sure if all of you "volleyball girls" know, but my mom, DeTe, lost her battle with cancer in '93. She always thought fondly of that part of her life. She even bragged to the nurses that she was "the volleyball bus driver" We still have the plaque you presented her.
As I was unable to make past reunions, this will be my first. I'm looking forwarded to seeing everyone and doing some catching up.

Search News

FROM HER TO ETERNITY

2008-08-21T00:34:00.008-05:00

Well, other than several months during 94-95, where I remember very little, it feels as if it's been a long and exciting run. 20 years packed with the biggest ups and downs I could imagine. And still on the right side of the dirt to talk about it.

Chronologically speaking it's pretty easy - High school; moved out of state; moved back; played in a band; 2 yrs of math in college; played in a band; worked at a bank; 2 more yrs of college in finance; moved to Chicago; worked for an investment bank; moved back; got married; played in a band; worked for the Governor; got divorced. And that would bring us to the present, where I now work in healthcare finance, and guess what - play in a band.

When I'm not spending endless hours figuring out new and creative ways to efficiently waste your tax dollars (just those in IL, I haven't figured out how to waste federal or foreign money yet), I play on a local rugby team.

And when I'm not trying to injure our opponents, I'm either on the motorcycle or the boat.

The rest as they say, is history. If I started to recount the stories and the things that have happened, I would be finishing up about the time Robyn emailed me to discuss our 30th. So, just to keep it short and sweet, here are some memories (that I can remember) from the life and times of me.

Over 200 concerts
Over 1,000 gigs in over 30 states
Proposing on the top of Pike's Peak
Travelling in Europe
1 torn MCL, 2 torn rotator cuffs, 1 messed up ankle, and several large lacerations (rugby)
Taking a nap behind a dumpster in an alley behind a bar on Bealle Street in Memphis - don't ask
Becoming a Godfather
Quitting Mensa (koo-koo)
Band winning a contest to play at Woodstock
Space Needle, Mt. St. Helen's, Niagra Falls, white sand beaches, category IV rafting, and on and on
So many others that I can't discuss on this blog for fear that I might just run for office some day

20 more years of this and I'll either be in a wheelchair or a padded room. Either way, I'm looking forward to it.

Reminder - Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!!!

2008-08-15T08:03:00.003-05:00

Just a REMINDER TO SEND ME PICTURES...

We will have a slideshow of a variety of pictures playing at the reunion. Please send your pictures to robynrhs88@gmail.com.

These can be from today or from Kindergarten! Whatever you would like to include!!

*Keep in mind if you send in a picture of your kid without you in it...we probably won't know how to identify them!

If you have an old picture you want to include...you can mail it to me directly and I'll scan the picture in and send it back to you (send me a stamp with your picture please!). See my mailing address below in the "Purchase Your Tickets Now" post.

Thanks!
Robyn

Crowne Plaza Hotel Reservations

2008-08-13T13:50:00.003-05:00

The Crowne Plaza has extended the block of rooms at the Crowne Plaza until Friday, August 15th.

The room rate is $115.00 for Saturday night, August 30th. You may want to check on-line for a cheaper "pay now" rate. If the rate it not cheaper on-line than you can call the reservation desk and mention our "Rivertion High School - 2o Year Reunion" block of rooms.

Crowne PlazaHotel Details: Front Desk: 1-217-529-7777
http://www.cpspringfield.crowneplaza.com/

We have a block of rooms at the Crowne Plaza on Friday & Saturday (8/29- 8/30) night with a guaranteed room rate of $115.00 + tax until August 15th.

Why Go to the Reunion?

2008-08-10T13:30:00.006-05:00

Why do I care about the reunion? Well, I really enjoyed school. Let's face it, I was chubby and took flack for that, but all in all I had a pretty good run. I'm a people person and have always done well at coordinating and organizing, so it was kind of a natural thing for me to be willing to organize the reunions. But it's more than that...I earned the label "mother hen" in 1st grade. I think that was a fair assessment, because while working on the reunion that's kind of how I feel. I'm genuinely interested in everyone and how life is treating you. I am rooting for all of you and recognize that success is measured in many ways!!

But there's even more than just that.. In 2004, I was in a head on collision. I'm lucky to be here and paid a pretty big price for the whole thing. My left leg is functional, but just that...I've had numerous surgeries, the latest in November 2007. After 3 weeks on crutches and a week after surgery, I passed out cold on Thanksgiving Day. I couldn't breathe....I had a pulmonary embolism (huge blood clots in my lungs). I didn't find out until I got back home 2 weeks later and had access to the internet, that 1 in 3 die instantly from a pulmonary embolism.

So I guess for me, the big thing is that I don't know if I'll be here in 10 more years. I may, I may not...but what I do know is that I care enough about all of you to want to see all of you again. If one of you die...I'm going to the funeral. I'd rather see you alive!

With 2 big death scares in the last 4 years, I really try not to miss out on anything if it's important to me or my family. After spending 1/3 of my life with most of the Class of 1988...you are on my list!

All I know is that the people working on this reunion have done everything they can to put on the best evening possible. I am really sorry that the date didn't work out for everyone. But obviously there is no date that would work for everyone. I also understand that distance, financial circumstances and dates can't all align perfectly.

If you can't make it to the reunion please post on the blog so we can all get an update! I know you've enjoyed reading these posts...and we are all watching for more!!

I realize that a high school reunion may not be on everyone's list...but if you are here reading this post, you care! So join us at the reunion!!

Thanks,

Robyn

Riverton Alumni Tshirts! Orders until August 8th!

2008-08-07T07:41:00.000-05:00

OK...Last call for T-shirts!! Please let me know if you want a T-shirt by Sunday night 8/10! I'll put the order in first thing Monday morning!!

Royal Blue T-shirts with
Riverton 88 Alumni logo in Orange!

$8.00 - S, M, L, or XL*
$10.00 - XXL & XXXL*

To Place your order e-mail me at
robynrhs88@gmail or call (309) 530-0650!

Please order as soon as possible, but no later than August 8th. You may mail me a check or pay when you pick these up. They will be available for pick-up at all Reunion Events! These are by order only
...we will not be selling these at the reunion!!

*We are not making a profit on these shirts...this is just a fun reunion benefit!

Robyn Lloyd
510 N DeLane Dr
Heyworth, IL 61745

Lynette (Gobleman) Withers

2008-08-05T11:15:00.004-05:00

My 20's were spent in and out of college
And finally getting my B.A. before I reached my dotage.
In the process of getting my B.A. in B.S. (English)
I was diagnosed with what I refer to as bathroom itis
Or a more appropriate medical term is ulcerative colitis.
Subsequently following upon such a conclusion
Were a few celestial miracles
And having pictures of my brain displayed in a medical journal.
A semester or two before graduation
My dad decided to make heaven his permanent reservation
So that just left Mom and I
To move to Mahomet and let life fly by . . .

Just as I was getting use to the 20's
Before I knew it along came the 30's.
I got out of publishing because it was too wordy for me,
Moved back to Springfield to try my hand at insurance just to see,
But found a job at the City that was more to my liking
Handing out money to Law Enforcement is kinda exciting.

I met my husband while on the job,
And we have a daughter, whom we both dearly love

Twenty years have come and gone
Hold onto the memories of those passed on
Live for today and dream of tomorrow
As we approach our 40's with joy instead of sorrow!

Time Flies

2008-08-03T13:28:00.003-05:00

I share the same thoughts as all the other bloggers here. 20 years sure does go by fast. After high school, I went to the U of I with Jeff, Joan, Kevin, Greg and Nicole. I picked pre-med because I had to put something on the form. During my sophmore year I lived in a dorm for handicapped students which got me interested in spinal cord injuries and eventually neurosurgery. I hung around U of I until 2000 getting over-educated, but there is no better place to hang out for 12 years than in college. I met Karen my senior year and we were married in 1995. We moved to Phoenix in 2000 for my neurosurgery residency and just moved to Indianapolis last July where after 19 years of college, med school, grad school and residency, I finally got a real job. I joined the neurosurgery department at Indiana University and love it so far. Karen and I finally got around to having kids toward the end of our time in Phoenix and we now have 2 boys (Nick-20 months and Sam-5 months). They are a handful, but we love it. They have their own blogs if you want to check them out (http://www.nickhorn.blogspot.com/; http://www.samhorn.blogspot.com/). It is pretty amazing what has happened over the past 20 years, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I am sad that I can't make it for the reunion, but I wish everyone the best and look forward to seeing everyone at the next one..........

-Eric Horn

20 years from Julie

2008-07-24T07:37:00.000-05:00

(Updated 7/24) to include some photos - I'll add more with Danielle's kids later)

Hey everyone- greetings from Atlanta! Thanks Robyn for all your work-let me know if there is anything I can do. I am going to squeeze 20 years(yikes!) into a few paragraphs-scares me that Joan will be reading and grading my grammer and spelling -ha Let's see, I went to ISU for a few years and then finished up my nursing degree at San Diego State University.I married Kent Leka 17 years ago this July. We have lived in San Diego, Maine, back to San Diego,Virginia and Atlanta. We lived the Navy life for years and ultimately decided to make Georgia our home. I went to graduate school at Emory University and recieved my Masters degree in Nursing- specializing in womens health and midwifery- so I am a womens health nurse practioner and a certified nurse midwife. Since 1998 I have delivered close to 1000 babies at my hospital ( and a few in the parking lot as well) I owned my own practice( with 3 other partners) for awhile-but decided I much prefer being an employee vs an employer- much less responsibilty. I have decided to take a few years off and focus on my greatest achievment - my family. Kent and I have 4- yes I said 4 children. Katelyn is 13 and amazing -She manages to get straight A's in the gifted program in the largest middle school in the nation! She also has her first boyfriend- OMG! POS! ha you have to have a
teenager to decode. Next we have Emily Rose,she is 9 and a nationally recognized dancer-I know I am bragging- but isn't that what parents do? She has qualified and danced at nationals for the past 3 years-she keeps us busy. But, the 2 that really keep us hoppin are the boys- Ryan is 3 and Evan just turned 2 -compared to the girls it's like a couple of class 5 hurricanes just blew into our lives! On a serious note- I feel blessed to be able to take time out of my carreer to raise these treasures. One last thing- quite an amazing thing really- My dear friend Danielle Olivotti now Close just moved right across the street from me with her beautiful family- our kids are inseperable as are we. Her husband Kyle got a job at

Kents company and they relocated- is that fate or what? Sometimes we'll be watching our kids and just look at each other and laugh because our girls are best friends and remind us of ourselves when we were young. OK I know I wrote a book but it's been 20 years! Hope to see you all at the reunion- not a 100% yet-depends on the dates. Wishing you all health and happiness! Julie Leka (Grobelnik)

Sherry (Flagg) Frantz

2008-07-10T16:58:00.011-05:00

I'm having a hard time writing this, as most everyone has addressed the main issue. Can't believe it's been 20 years! It's been a long journey, and one in which I have made mistakes but wouldn't change any of them. After high school, I tried the college thing...Springfield College, Browns Business, Lincoln Land, it wasn't for me. I got a job with the state and had my oldest son in 1990 followed by a wedding 1992 and then my second son in 1993 and divorce in 1995. In 1996 I had my youngest son (yup, 3 boys), and ended up a single/divorced mom raising 3 boys by myself. It was a struggle, but I did and still would do anything for my boys.

David is my oldest. Believe it or not, he just graduated from Riverton High and turned 18 on July 1st. It was weird going to his graduation 20 years after my own. Things sure have changed at the school. David played football all 4 years and was hoping to play on the college level, but soon learned to go to the college of his choice he should have spent more with the books and not working, hunting, or goofing around in his truck. This fall he will go to Midwest Technical Institute and study welding, with hopes of going to school at a later time to study engineering.

Anthony is my middle child. This is an older picture of him at his 8th grade graduation. He'll be 15 in a couple of weeks and a sophmore. He's following in his older brothers footsteps and plays football as well. Hopefully this year we will be minus the mohawk.

John is my youngest child and will be 12 in a week. He's going to be in the 7th grade and although in this picture he's in a football uniform, he's more interested in baseball and basketball. He's the complete opposite of his brothers.

As far as my life since high school, I continued to work for the state until 2004 when I took the early retirement buyout and left after 15 years. I sold my house and moved myself and my boys back into my parents house so I could go back to school full time. I never thought I'd be back living at home at that age, but it was good timing as my mother had a hip replacement and needed some help for a little bit. For those who may remember my mom, she still does the lunch room supervision at the middle school and is a bus monitor also. Oh.....forgot to mention....I drive a bus part-time for the school. For a little bit, I even drove the dreaded vocational bus. Who would have thought.

Well I have since moved into Riverton with the boys, and just graduated with my RN degree from Lincoln Land and take my state boards on July 17th and will continue working at St. Johns on the IMC/Neurology floor. My boyfriend and I spend a lot of our time with the boys, going to movies, and traveling. St Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears are our favorites. I can't wait to get back in touch with people. I'm on yahoo and have a myspace page my signon is daatja3 (my 3 sons initials).

More Pictures, just for Fun!

2008-07-09T10:27:00.004-05:00

We had a lot of fun this day, my only regret now is that not everyone was there! Hopefully at the picnic on Sunday, August 31st, we'll make up for that!

*Thanks Kip for all the scanning!

Welcome!

2008-07-01T05:00:00.000-05:00

Purpose of this Blog...Provide up to date information on our 20 year reunion. A place to reminisce about high school memories and share your life today!

NO! I can't believe it's been 20 years either!! I'd like this to be an open forum for anyone from our class to post to...so just send me an e-mail and I'll add you as an author.

Most importantly I need contact information. I have joined Classmates.com (actually paid the fee) so I could contact the 38 people who have registered there. This actually turned out to be useless. I've found everyone listed just by networking...every one knows someone! But there are still a lot of people that I have no idea how to reach. So please take a look at the list on the right --->.

I would like to do the majority of this here and via e-mail, but I will send a mailer to those I can't reach.

Enjoy all the posts...you will see this post get added to the top to serve as a welcome post, so scroll down for other more recent posts! Thank you to everyone who has posted!!

**Click on those listed as "Contributors"...some have filled in their information there --->

Robyn

Wordle

2008-06-30T15:35:00.002-05:00

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Hello from Rose Squires (Foels)

2008-06-30T01:03:00.002-05:00

20 years does not seem possible- it has been an interesting ride. I stayed at the photography studio I worked senior year for 8 more years. Went to LLCC part time, traveled overseas a couple of times, married, divorced, moved back home... then I decided I wanted to start over- I moved back to Iowa & worked in photography 4 more years at a commercial print lab. Met my husband, Dale, on a blind date & we married in 2000. We both worked for Pella a few years, then Dale became a police officer in another county. Once our house finally sold & we moved close to his work, I took a job as a 911 dispatcher. I get to tell my husband where to go at home & at work....at least at work he has to go where I send him. I'm still surprised I am in law enforcement-even if it is behind the scenes.
As for kids....well my "boys" are Max & Gilligan...ornery dogs that act just like kids. Max is like a teenager who talks back alot & Gilligan is a curious toddler who never learns the word no. It amazes me to hear how many kids some of you have....& Julie helping deliver that many-wow! Between Dale & I we have 13 nieces & nephews who we spoil when we can. I find myself flying between coasts as my folks & Tracy live out in Washington & Terri is in South Carolina. Luckily his family is all in Iowa. I get back to Spfld when I can...Sandra & I are still in touch. If someone had told me back then I'd be living in small town Iowa now-I'd have said they were nuts. Even the fact I'm a 911 dispatcher is a far cry form my original plans in school. I'm sure most of us are shocked at where we ended up.
Once I heard Robyn was getting a reunion together it made me start thinking back. It does seem like a lifetime ago but it is always nice to remember where you came from. As for the way we acted or things we did in high school (as Jeff wrote about) every one was a kid once & now we are grown up...you can never change the past just look to the future & make it better. I am looking forward to seeing everyone that can make it. Best wishes to all & what the next 20 years brings....

Flashback! Favorites...

2008-06-21T23:19:00.011-05:00

I can't sleep, so here you go.... check out all of the Pictures and Album covers I added in the Right Margin and at the bottom!

My first Album...Flashdance Soundtrack! It was actually a Christmas gift and I wasn't old enough to watch the movie. To be honest, I never really liked the album! I've tried to watch the movie since then and can't focus!

I didn't have a CD player until College...and we didn't have a VCR until like 1986! So I would stay up all night Friday night watching "Night Tracks" and "Solid Gold" on Saturday night.

My favorite 80's movies: Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Sixteen Candles, Weird Science, Pretty in Pink, Top Gun...I can still watch these over and over. Sometimes I'm amazed by the amount of teen alcohol consumption in these movies!

My favorite Music: Pour Some Sugar On Me, What's On Your Mind (Information Society), George Michael, "Push It" Salt 'N' Pepa, U2, INXS, Erasure, REM, John Cougar Mellancamp, The Police, and Rick Springfield of course. How many of you did I drag to see "Hard to Hold" in the 8th Grade?? This is a picture of my last Rick concert in 2005! Now Hope thinks he's HOT! Go Figure??

In 1988 I voted for the first time in the Presidential Election. I've been voting faithfully since then. I'm looking forward to this election more than any before.

My Favorite Picture from High School is this happy, happy, happy one of Stephanie, Nicole, and me...

Brush up on your 80's Trivia before the Reunion!

I found a great 80's site if you are interested:

http://eightiesclub.tripod.com/index.htm

Share your favorites in a Post on our Blog!

Hello from Robin Lewis (Brown)

2008-06-19T01:09:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone, I have to agree with Robyn, I am feeling very old too. After high school I went to Robert Morris in Carthage, IL got an AS degree in Computers and Accounting, went to work using my degree for a while. In 1990 I had my first child. In 1998 got married to my husband Jim and a year later had our first child. We decided that I would stay home and raise our children. So I haven't worked for awhile. Two years ago when my baby started pre-k I felt the need to go back to work, that last a whole two years, I just couldn't, not be there for my kids when they got out of school, or for field trips. So now I stay home I run a daycare out of my home I have 9 daycare kids plus my 3 that I have with me all summer long. Summers are very long but I love every day.

My husband Jim is 8 years older then me (that is the way to do it girls) we have been married 10 years this Valentine's Day. He works for the City of Springfield. He is wonderful to me and has always be great to Jessica my oldest. I am truly blessed to have him in my life.

Mike is right I do live in Auburn, IL and have 4 children as well. Jessica is 17 years old. She will be a senior next year this is so hard for me to even think about. All of you who have teens this doesn't even come close to the thought of dating. She wants to go to New York and study to be a clothing designer. So some day you might be able to find my kids clothes in a store. Then 8 years later we had Morgan she is 9 and will be in the 4th grade and going over to the middle school next year she is my entertainer. Then we have Marissa she is 7 and going in to 2nd grade, she is so easy going I just love her nature. And then last but not least we have Justin he is 5 and going in to kindergarten next year. Him and his dad our the only boys in this mad house of girls. Our dog is even a girl.

Next year is going to be a big year for me I am already having a hard time with the fact that the kids are getting older. All of my kids will be in school full time. So if any one has advise about there child leaving home please send me a note.

2008-06-12T10:36:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone. I know this has been said a hundred times already, but I cannot believe it has been 20 years. Everyone has accomplished so much in the last 20 years. Well here goes all of my 20 past years ...

I moved to California after H.S. to "find" myself and to get as far away from Illinois as I could. The big bay earthquake scared me back home. Soon after returning home, I met someone and we eventually married. I became happily divorced 5 years ago. Yes, that's right - happily divorced. Marriage is not for me. I do have a wonderful little 4 year-old, that I just adore. Like a few others, I am still in Riverton. I was on the Riverton fire dept. for 8 years. Became a paramedic and loved it. I moved to Chicago ( trying to get away again!!!!) and worked as a medic in their emergency dept. When I became pregnant, I knew I needed to live by family and not in a big city. Back in Riverton again, I decided to go back to school. I started school when Blake was about 4 mos. old and I am happy to say I graduated last month with a BA in psychology. I work as a domestic violence counselor at Sojourn's Women Shelter and I start on my Masters in March. I have quit trying to get "away" from here. Maybe some day I will get to travel, but for now Riverton is a pretty good place to raise my son. I cannot wait to see all of you at the reunion. See you soon ...Christy Hopper

Like Sands Through the Hourglass... (Jon Grannis)

2008-06-10T23:41:00.020-05:00

I agree with most of the class, it's tough to squeeze 20 years of experiences into a well constructed paragraph or two. I'll try, but won't be able to do it justice...

After RHS, I attended Truman State University (Rafer was there). I graduated with the intent to go on to medical school. Before picking a school, I decided to travel and study in Europe for a semester. I loved it so much, I ended up spending close to three years across the pond (visiting nearly every country). I settled in Eastern Europe - Bulgaria to be exact. There was a lot to see and experience. I fell in love with the country, the culture and eventually... a girl. Dessie and I married in 1996.

While in Bulgaria, I taught at a large Technical University. I found myself immersed in technology. I quickly learned how to help companies leverage web technology in their complex systems (this was new ground in the mid-90s). Dessie and I moved back to the States to begin our lives as a family (we still vacation and live in Europe 3 months a year).

After working for the "man" for several years, I formed Logical Performance - a consulting and product development company serving several Fortune 100 companies (and a bunch of small-to medium-sized companies). We have offices in Iowa and Bulgaria. Dessie went on to her Masters at Iowa State University (where she is also working on her Ph.D.). She currently teaches English to war refugees (from Africa and the Middle East).

Our proudest achievement joined the family on Super Bowl Sunday in 2006. Gabriella was born (she's on the left). Yes, I had waited more than a decade to see the Steelers in the Super Bowl - only to miss it when I heard the words..."Jon, I think my water just broke..." right before the pre-game show. A darn good trade-off if I do say so! We have our second child (a son) on the way in late September.

I look forward to catching up with each of you. We're going to have one rockin' reunion. My personal e-mail address is jgrannis (at) logicalperformance.com. Go Cubs!

Yes, Nicole Ralph (Lewis) does live in her old backyard now

2008-06-10T10:57:00.005-05:00

Greetings from exotic Riverton, IL! The time has finely come for me to post on the blog. I've really enjoyed reading about everyone, so I guess it's my turn to encapsulate 20 years into a couple of paragraphs. Sadly, this will be all too easy for me! After high school, I went to the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign where I received my B.A. I occasionally hung with a couple of classmates such as Jeff Roesler, Joan Leach and Eric Horn. I ran into Greg Pals once skateboarding through the Quad with a bottle of Everclear in his backpack. Ah, the good ole days...

After college, I got married and went about the task of deciding just what it was I wanted to do with my life. We lived briefly in Kentucky, but quickly fled when I realized that it was still 1955 there! Once back in Illinois, I landed an entry level job at Lincoln Land Community College and have worked my way up to the Director in our Human Resources department. Yes, I am the female equivalent of Toby from the The Office. There are certainly some "Michael Scotts" at LLCC who think I am the evil incarnate. But mostly people love me...why wouldn't they?? I truly love my job and can honestly say that I'm never bored. There's always some employee doing something stupid...

The true joy in my life is my son Tyler who is eight years old. He is wise beyond his years, yet every bit the boy who constantly wants to gross his mother out. We have enormous amounts of fun together and I feel lucky to have him in my life. All in all, I have to say that life is good...

As Stephanie so eloquently pointed out, I do currently live in my old backyard. Back in 1999, my mother gave me a piece of the property to put a house on. The apple did not, in fact, fall far from the tree. Riverton is still Riverton. What can I say? Tyler loves it, and that's all that matters to me.

I have to say that I am very excited about the reunion and anxious to see everyone again. I wouldn't say that high school was the best time of my life. Hell, I was barely there half the time! But I am able to see through all the high school b.s. and know that we all did things we regret. Twenty years has a way of putting the shine back on the memories. I really look forward to hearing from everyone and hope that as many of you as possible will be able to make it on August 30th!

Jeff Roesler

2008-06-10T06:39:00.012-05:00

Hello to my fellow 1988 classmates. It has been great to hear from everyone so far on the RHS blog. Several months ago I started thinking about our 20 year reunion. I tracked down Robyn Harrington knowing that if there was a reunion she would be involved. Thanks Robyn for spearheading the reunion efforts and the many hours of work you have already done!

Firstly, I have to admit that I have not been faithful in staying in touch with past classmates so please forgive me. Secondly, I also want to apologize to anyone that I may have hurt by words or deeds 20+ years ago. As many of you can attest to, kids and teenagers can have streaks of immaturity, self-centeredness, and thoughtlessness and I know I was not immune to those weaknesses. Lastly, I was saddened to hear about the death of several of our classmates.

A brief summary of what I have been doing the past 20 years. After high school graduation, I spent the next 10 years at the University of Illinois (UIUC) and obtained a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering. I also met my lovely wife (Sandra) while in graduate school at UIUC. We then moved to Oakland, California since she was active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard. I worked at University of California-Berkeley for several years as a post-doctoral researcher. While in California, I also committed my life to Jesus Christ which has tremendously transformed my life. Eight years ago I was fortunate to obtain a job as a civil engineering professor at UIUC so we moved back to Champaign. The Lord has blessed us with three beautiful children. Sam is 8, Angie is 7 and Bella (below) is going to be 5 soon. Our kids consume our time and they bring a incredible amount of joy into our lives.

My extended family (3 out of 4 sisters and mother) still lives in the Riverton area. I still drive by the high school occasionally and am saddened the high school tore down my parent’s house. I still enjoy going to Gallina’s Pizza when I visit my mom. Everyone else refuses to eat there but I still like the meatball sandwich. I would very much enjoy hearing from many more of you so don’t hesitate to share. It took my one month to finally post something.

Best Regards. Jeff R.

Official Reunion Committee

2008-06-08T21:38:00.005-05:00

The "official" 20 Year Reunion Committee:

Robyn Lloyd (Harrington)
Rhonda Reagan (McClintock)
Jon Grannis
Carol Coniglio (Morgan)
Stephanie Harris (Robertson)
Kip Bauman
Nicole Ralph (Lewis)

Thanks for all of you HELP!!!

Brian Thompson's post from Korea

2008-06-08T07:59:00.005-05:00

Hi everyone,

Well here's my story... I joined the Air Force in 1989 after a brief career (8 months) as a telecommunications technician for company in Riverton. I wanted to get out of town as quickly as possible so I let the Air Force pick my job for me. Fortunately I was selected into the meteorology career field and that is where I have been for the past 19 years. I have spent time as a weather observer and forecaster in Ohio, North Dakota, and of course Korea (9 out of the last 19 years). My last stint in the US was as an instructor at the Weather Technical Training School in Biloxi, MS. from 2000-2004.

As for my family, I married my Korean born wife in 1992 and we have been married for 16 years. We have a beautiful 15 year old daughter Melody, a handsome 13 year old son Brendon, and a stinky little 10 year old named Daniel (he hates brushing his teeth and taking a bath).

My academic history goes something like this...The Air Force paid for me to get Associates Degrees in Atmospheric Science and Instructor Principles and I went on to get a BA in Environmental Science and an MA in Secondary Education. I plan to be a 7-8th grade science teacher at the International School in Seoul following my retirement in March 2009.

Hobby wise...I never gave up drums and have been involved in music in some form or another since high school. I own my own live sound and production company and have taken trips around the world with the likes of Wayne Newton, Coolio, Blues Traveler, Chely Wright, etc. I also toured briefly with a band called Atomship out of the MS Gulf Coast area as the support act for the 3 Doors Down Away From the Sun tour. I have also recorded several demos at my Ocean Springs,MS recording studio for unsigned and signed acts in the MS Gulf Coast region. I am currently playing in a band here in Seoul called Faded. www.myspace.com/fadedseoul

http://www.fadedseoul.com/

We are scheduled to release our second full link CD in July and then tour around Korea supporting it and hopefully selling a few along the way. That's about all for now!

NEW POST Instructions!

2008-06-08T07:09:00.004-05:00

If you want to create a post on this blog like all the others below, I have to invite you as an author. If you do not see the "NEW POST" option in the very top right hand corner after you sign in...then you do not have author rights yet and will need to e-mail me to add you. robynrhs88@gmail.com

DO NOT click on "NEW BLOG" unless you really intend to create your own seperate blog. Your post will not appear here this way...

Just trying to help others from repeating the same issue we've run into with some other posts.

If you need help...please just send me an e-mail or give me a call! I'd be happy to help!

And please post!

Thanks!
Robyn
(309) 530-0650

Greetings from Rhonda Reagan (McClintock)

2008-06-06T20:42:00.002-05:00

Hello!
It is so great reading up on all of you; catching up after many, many years. I have attached photos. The family photo is from 12/07; and the baseball photo is from just last week. I have a 13 year old son, Evan who is an amazing athlete. He plays basketball, football and baseball. In 2006, he was asked by a Springfield team to play in the Pee Wee Reese World Series in the Bronx, New York. He pitches, catches and plays first base but occasionally plays 3rd base or short stop also. I could go on and on about him! He is an amazing person - very caring and fun loving.
I got married to James in 2005. (no husband prior to that - he is husband number 1 and only). He is a great husband and has been a tremendous dad.
As for me, I started working for Prudential Home Mortgage in 1991 which was eventually acquired by Norwest Mortgage. In 1998, Evan and I moved to Ballwin, Missouri where I worked for Citicorp Mortgage. After 18 months in MO, I found myself back in Riverton, and began working for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage which is where I am still. Life is good!

More from Robyn...

2008-06-05T12:33:00.000-05:00

I was on vacation last week and I had an opportunity to speak to several of you. I find myself very surprised at how comforting it's been to speak to old friends. Each of you have this amazing story and I love hearing the details of each one. So thank you for sharing them with me!
It's also been very comforting to know that most of you are as excited as I am about our 20 Year Reunion!! I appreciate the enthusiasm and all the help making contacts!

For those of you who keep lurking...please post!

So here's more about me since it was brought to my attention that I left out some important details…sorry.

As I mentioned in my profile, not only do I have a beautiful 14 year old daughter (who I devoted an entire post to below), I also have a amazing 14 month old son, named Ian (Ian Harrington Lloyd as a matter of fact). My husband and I met in late 2004 and married Labor Day weekend in September of 2005. (Hmmm…I just realized that I may have to get a suite for the whole weekend to make up for scheduling this reunion on our Anniversary Weekend!) These two have been the most wonderful gifts. My husband Ken is a musician and originally from Indianapolis. He actually proposed to me while on stage in Indianapolis performing with his band. Now he plays the bass guitar for our church band. It's a very contemporary/modern church and the multi-media presentation at each service absolutely stuns me sometimes. I feel like I'm at a show! After Ian was born we decided that Ken would quit his job and stay home and raise Ian until he goes to school. This has been a huge blessing. Although he's not a master chef, it's still nice to come home to dinner, clean clothes and a very happy baby. I come home completely guilt free of continuing to enjoy my career!

It's funny because I really feel like things have finally been settled for me since I turned 35…I've heard similar things from many of you. Until then, everything was always chaotic! So I am very thankful to be in a very happy, safe, structured and healthy place.

Introducing Ken & Ian Lloyd...

Carol (Morgan) Coniglio

2008-06-03T13:24:00.003-05:00

Twenty years does not seem possible! After high school, my life was a whirlwind for a while: went to college, Carlo & I got married, had a baby, and divorced a couple years later. Our son, Corbin, is 14 1/2 now and is blessed to have 2 families. I am still single and devoted my life to raising Corbin. He looks and is extremely athletic-just like his dad. Soccer is his passion now and is hoping to play for SHS this coming year.

I worked in the medical field for many years (Memorial & SIU) before settling down in the insurance field. I have been in the claims dept for the past 13 years. Never thought I'd be doing this but I really do enjoy my job. I am on the catastrophe team so I get to do some traveling when disaster hits. I'd have to say working Hurricanes Katrina & Rita were the worst. It is very hard work and takes me away from Corbin which is the hardest part. He visited me once on a storm site a few years ago so he got to see first hand what I do "out there" so he understands the importance.

Most of my family still lives in the area which I am very grateful for. My parents are still in Riverton. Bill and Mindy are both traitors and moved to Rochester. My youngest sister, Rachel, is married to the Air Force & they are stationed in Japan. It is very hard to be away from her, but thanks to the internet, we're in touch all the time. Family is very important to all of us and definitely are raising our children with those morals.

I am really looking forward to seeing everybody again.

A Note from Michael Shehan

2008-06-03T10:21:00.004-05:00

Hello everyone! Has it been 20 Years?! I refuse to accept that!

A lot can happen in 20 years! Congratulations on everyone on their Success—I am impressed!

Well, what have I been doing in the 20 years? Well, I got my Computer Science degree from UIS in 92 then taught at LLCC for a year. Then in 1993, I got married to my lovely wife Marcia. We lived in Taylorville for several years. Then with a streak of bad luck of both of us losing our jobs, we had to work at a fast food restaurant in Taylorville.

Then my luck changed. I started working for the State of Illinois as a Web Developer and moved to Chicago for 4 ½ years (Nice place to visit but not to live). Then I got promoted and moved back down here and still working there ever since. (After a few months coming back I ran in to Michelle Salmon—remember her? She said that she lived in Chicago to and moved back).

I’ve seen many of you from time to time. I’ve seen Becky Craig, Geff Gibson, Stephanie Robertson, Robin Brown (don’t know her married name and she has 4 kids—living in Auburn. She works at the new furniture store on West Side of S-patch.), Floyd Dodd (may he rest in peace), Mike Churchill (He works at Computer Deli and no curly hair anymore hehe), Colm Brewer (last I saw him he was playing in a band called Angry Neighbors with some friends from Riverton), Chad Leet, and others but I cannot recall. I’ve maintained contact with Kip and Rafer over the years.

It is good to hear how well everyone’s been doing. I’m glad to have known many of you.

I am still undecided on attending the reunion.

You can contact me directly at: michael.shehan@illinois.gov if you want to say hello.

Thank you!
Michael Shehan
"The road unwinds before me and I go riding on..."

In Memory

2008-05-30T22:49:00.004-05:00

Chris E. Johnson (1989)

Floyd Dodd (2006)

*Please send any updated information or additions to this list to robynrhs88@gmail.com.

Stephanie (Robertson) Harris

2008-05-20T11:01:00.001-05:00

When I first started thinking about the reunion, I wondered how different we’d all be and how the last 20 years has treated us. We all chose a different path for ourselves after graduating. Some are working in the careers they always dreamed of while others are still deciding what they want to be when they grow up. Physically, some will have lost hair while others may have found a few extra pounds. A few have traveled halfway around the world and now call another country their home while others still live in Riverton (one in her old back yard, right Nicole). Marriage and kids aren’t for everyone….but some of us have tried it more than once.

My senior year I worked at the Riverton Community Bank, that year the junior prophecy was that I would go to jail for embezzling money from there. Quite the opposite happened, I ended up working there the following fall while attending classes. Eventually a full time position opened and they offered it to me……since my opera singing and bikini modeling careers hadn’t taken off I decided to take it. Well, after working at a couple of banks, spending three years at TED’s Accounting in Riverton and a few different state jobs, I find myself currently working as a budget analyst for the Department of Transportation in the Financial Services Section.

As for my personal life…..I live in Taylorville. I’ve been married to Johnny for almost 10 years. We attended a Homecoming dance at RHS, but kind of lost touch after that, only to meet up again years later. This time I didn’t let him get away so quickly! We have a son Jared (8). I’m also the step-monster to a 14 year old named Jonathan. All boys and all “J” names, even our dog….Jack.

I can’t say that one specific memory of high school stands out, it’s pretty much just a blur. I have remained friends with Robyn, Nicole and Sandra throughout the years. From time to time one of us will run into an old classmate. It makes us realize how much things have changed while others remind us of how things stay the same. I thought I’d arrive at my 20 year reunion driving a black convertible BMW. Instead, I’ll arrive in my mini van with old french fries under the seat and football gear in the back. As for me, it has been a great 20 years and I wouldn’t change a thing (except for maybe my first husband – the first one never works out anyway).

Hello from Oz...

2008-05-18T01:20:00.003-05:00

20 years goes by in a blink, no?

I live in Brisbane, Australia with my partner, Phil Dowe. We married in 2004; the picture shows us and my 3 step-daughters. In 2005, we added Iris to the family; she is the one 'surfing' at a local beach. She takes her dual nationality very seriously and studies kangaroos as well as squirrels and surfing as well as snowmen.

I'm a professor in the school of English, Media Studies and Art History and associate in philosophy. Phil is a professor of philosophy and also works in physics. Occasionally we share a student who thinks we ought to be having 'amazing intellectual conversations'. Sometimes we do, but mostly we talk about whose turn it is to pick up the wine for the week or book the next flight or take out the rubbish. After high school, I graduated from Illinois with degrees in biology and English Lit, did my PhD at the University of Pittsburgh, and moved to London. I taught at the University of London, Imperial College, for 8 years. I still have a flat in London and fantasies about living there again...but then again, it's very rainy...some might even say grim. So, I took a job back in the US and thought I was back in America to stay, but then I met Phil while he was on sabbatical and felt compelled to move to Australia. So I did. And that's my curriculum vita...

I've been very lucky. Each year, we spend 3 months in the US in your winter, our summer. We teach at various places and spend time with my family who have moved from Riverton to St. Louis. I took Phil to Riverton 2 years ago for a look 'round. Given that he's from the outback, I figured I was safe... It would be great to come back to the reunion and catch up. We won't be back in the US before the end of October. But, if folks are around, we'd drive up from St. Louis to say hello...

I realize the ellipses (...) are numerous in this post. It's hard to know when to begin and end and really what to say. So, I'll just say that it would be lovely to see any and all of you and to catch up at some point. And, let me know if you plan a trip to Australia...which everyone should.

Cheers.

Joan

Guess it's my turn here.

2008-05-08T23:51:00.003-05:00

First off, let me state this for the record: I am still a geek. Although I spell it with a Q now, it means all of the same things now as it did back then. When I graduated, I went in the Army. After the Army, I spent my 4 years at LLCC [right there with ya, Kip], to get an associates degree. I took a couple years off to just work, and then spent 2 years at UIS getting my Bachelors degree in Communications and Computer Science [see what I mean - they don't give CS degrees to non-geeks]. Then I went to work for real. I have worked for a couple different State agencies, State Farm, Diebold, and even Caseys [yes the convenience store], all doing about the same job - a traveling geek. Speaking of Geekhood, I have to point out that I still own and ride that bike, the one that I am falling off of, in the yearbook picture. Please, nobody tell me who snapped that pic and published it.

I never got married, so I have lots of time and disposable income with which to pursue my hobbies. I race motorcycles, shoot in competitions, jump out of planes, dabble in RC cars and helocopters and travel all over god's green earth. I used the "barrysuperhawk" screen name here because that is what I use everywhere, Yahoo, Hotmail, Comcast, Gmail, Youtube, Photobucket, MySpace, and so on, they are all me. If you look me up on youtube, I should still have a couple of competition videos posted up, and photobucket should have some race pictures [under putnam].

Since it's almost 1 AM as I am typing this, and I have to drive to Rockford tomorrow to fix a server, I think I will quit now...

Some Info about me.

2008-05-06T20:45:00.004-05:00

Well, it's been an interesting 20 years.

I started out at LLCC for 5 years (yep, that's right, 5 years). That was the last time I listened to guidance counselors. I spent the next 3 years at Illinois State University. I majored in Industrial Technology - Manufacturing.

After graduation, I moved to Madison, Wisconsin for a job at a styrofoam molding plant. When that job didn't work out, I moved back to Springfield. Another couple of jobs later and I landed a state job. I finally ended up at the Illinois State Police. I work in the Production Control Unit (mail computer printouts, run and edit programs, mail monthly reports).

I got married to Jena in 2000. My daughter Anna arrived in 2002.

That's all for now.
Hope to see everyone at the reunion.

Kip.

Hope and Feeling Old!

2008-05-03T22:23:00.007-05:00

I have been feeling really old lately! My daughter, Hope, will be 15 in August. She'll be a sophomore this fall! The last year has been a huge reminder of how long it's been since we left Riverton High. She is dealing with all the old issues and some new ones that her generation has to deal with (internet, MySpace, Youtube, cell phones, and texting - the INSTANT generation). All in all I'd say she is a really good kid. She is a bit of a retro freak. She likes the 80's, the Beatles, and of course Rick Springfield (how could she not!). She does a lot of things that surprise me. One is that she loves to read all my year books and goes over everything each of you wrote in all of them. I think she is even more excited to go to this reunion than I am. She's dying to match each one of you with your senior picture. I love hearing her opinions of you based on your picture or the short sentiment scribbled when I handed you my year book and you were forced to proclaim some sort of positive BS. I find it very funny that I never considered my children might some day be mulling it all over. Here are her declarations...

Most Beautiful: Joan Leach

"Hottest": Sean Brown, Jason Moffitt, Jason Lyons

Biggest Hair: Mike Churchill (that was some LONG CURLY hair)

Most "80's": Lisa Ashton

Best Smile: Chris Oller

Speaking of not considering that my children might some day be mulling it over...I sure wish I would have had some kind of insight into how I might someday explain to my child why she shouldn't drink before she's 21 or ever smoke pot or paint on the sidewalk of her school. I find myself being a little too suspicious of parties, never wanting her to drive, and hoping that boys just want to be her friend! Luckily she's very busy, too involved or "outgoing" to get into trouble!

Robyn