Occupation:  Middle School Guidance 
Counselor
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  2
From Teresa:
Greetings from the Robert J. Elkington Middle School (formerly the Grand Rapids Middle School)! Most people are happy to have middle school behind them, but I am lucky enough to deal with middle school drama on a daily basis! (lol). Anyway, I pondered on how I could condense 20 years into a paragraph, and than I decided I wouldn't even try....as I sit down and write this, I remember thinking at 18, who, what , where will I be 20 years from now?  I am fortunate to say it is all I had hoped for!  I continue to work as a Guidance Counselor at RJEMS, still married to Jimmy (together since my senior year in high school) and have two lovely and lively daughters (lovely like me, lively like their dad.....ha-ha) and making my former home (my dad built in 1978), my family home.  Luckily, if I have some time to myself (we know how rare that can be sometimes), I enjoy that too!  I am very blessed and am anxious to see everyone at the reunion!

Occupation:  Grand Rapids Public 
Utilities Electric Dept.
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  2
From Gary:
Hey Everyone,

  Read this slow, because I am not a very fast typer.

  Here we go.  

  I moved to the cities to attend school in 1988.  I then took a job as an electronic technician.  I got married, had some rough times, and got a divorce.  I didn't like the city life so I moved back to G.R. where I drifted around a few jobs and partied too much.  

  1997 was the start of the rest of my life.  I met and married Angie.  We had our first daughter, Justine (10).  I started my career working (depending on what you call work) for the City of Grand Rapids.  I also renewed my love for weight-lifting.

  We had our second daughter Savanna (9) in the fall of 1998.  

  Now our days are filled with childrens sports and family activities, school functions and community events.  I see several former classmates in town on a regular basis.

  Overall life has had a few bumps but the outcome so far has been great.  

  I hope everyone has a safe trip and we'll see you at the reunion.   
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Occupation:  Construction/Water Works
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  4
From Jeff:

Hey kids,

It has been along time since I have seen most of you.  I would say, oh, 20 years.

I spent most of the years working for the family business, NorthCountry Recycling.  I joined the Army National Guard in 1990, and was medically discharged in 2004.

 In 1993, I got married, but it ended almost as fast as it started.  I remarried in 1997.  Her name is Marilyn.  We met while I was working at Menard's in St. Cloud (1995).  I was in St. Cloud for a year then moved back to GR to gain custody of my children.  Marilyn and I have four children, Taylor(16), Whitney(14), Madison(9), and Jordyn(8).  ALL GIRLS!!!!  (I am totally outnumbered and I do appreciate sympathy.)

In 2000 I went back to college.  I received my A.A.S in bus mgmt, and my B.S. in Business Mgmt.  I currently live in Sauk Rapids, MN, working for Ferguson Enterprises/ Water Works Div. 

I did not attend the first reunion because of military duties. I was not sure if I would attend this one either, but after the passing of Craig Papin,  I decided that I need to do this.  

I can't wait to see everyone.

Jeff

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Occupation:  Programmer
Marital Status:  Married
From glenn:

It seems the GRHS Class of 1988 MIA List will soon be hanging next to the FBI list posted in the lobbies of Cub Food and Target; I surely do not want to be associated with that!

 

20 years... seems like a long time, but looking back, I sometimes wonder where the time has gone.

 

My "road"... after graduation, I spent a couple (six) years attending various (ICC, UWS, BSU) educational institutions working on my ticket to paradise.

 

Graduated in 1994 (got the ticket, still looking for the paradise), took a job in IT Group for a small company that manufactures joist hangers for construction industry.

 

Married in 1995, Roxann LaDoux, Greenway HS ’88.

 

1997, settled in Eden Prairie and currently work for a medical device manufacturer as member of Information Systems.   We manufacture forced-air warming products that protect patients from unintended hypothermia and its complications.  If you ever have the unfortunate opportunity of a hospital stay, make sure to ask the Doc for a Bair Hugger or Bair PAWS.  Your stay will be much more comfortable and I’ll be one step closer to that Christmas Bonus!

 

In my spare time, I work as a FF/EMT for the Eden Prairie Fire Department and officiate youth and high school hockey.

 

Sounds like many of you have children playing hockey... so cool!  If you happen to be in the metro for any tournaments, please throw the tomatoes at the short referee!

 

And just a quick moment from my public safety soapbox...  if you cannot remember the last time you tested your smoke detector, please do so tonight.  And while you are at it, make sure the batteries are fresh... remember, change your clocks, change your batteries.  I’ve read about a lot of great families... they are certainly worth the $20 it may cost for a properly operating smoke detector. 

 

Very interesting to read of the many different roads traveled.

 

Take care and stay safe.

 

 

-g toewe

Occupation:  Licensed 
Acupuncturist/Freelance 
Writer
Marital Status:  Single
From Marguerite "Meg":
I'm going to try to make it to the reunion, but if I don't here's my update:

After graduation I went to Northwestern University and earned a Bachelors of Science in Journalism in 1992. I worked in academic publishing, interactive, marketing, and advertising for 10 years, in addition to side jobs like bartending and waitressing. During this time period I lived in Chicago, IL; Macon, GA; New Orleans, LA; and Los Angeles, CA.

Then, after being in NYC on September 11, I decided to change my life and study acupuncture and oriental medicine. I went to Emperor's College in Santa Monica, CA, and graduate in June of 2005.

Now I live in Los Angeles, practice acupuncture and write magazine articles and screenplays.

My mom lives in Milwaukee, so I don't get up north much, but hope you all are well.

- Meg
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Occupation:  Special Education Teacher
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  4
From Chris:

After graduation I attended the University of Minnesota-Morris and received a degree in Elementary Education in 1992.  I discovered that when I applied for jobs that so were 1000+ other people so my chances were slim!  I returned to school (St. Cloud State) and picked up a couple of Special Education licenses and have had employment ever since!  I am currently a Special Education Teacher at the Evansville School (near Alexandria).  We live in Elbow Lake... a small, quaint community in west central Minnesota.

I met my hubby, John( a high school science teacher), in 1992 and we were married at a place called Inspiration Peak in 1994.  Then came the kids!  Holly (11), Abby (9), Ella (7), and finally Jack (6) are my 4 amazing offspring.  I had the joy and luxury of staying home and being Mom for around 7 years with them.  I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world!  But the hubby said I had to return to work when Jack was in school... something about money!  So last year I returned to work in a rather small district about 15 minutes from home.  It is an okay job for now, but I see bigger districts in my future!  

In my spare time (which I don't seem to have much of) I have picked up the sport of running.  I hated running in high school, but since there is not a swimming pool in my small town I had to find something to do to burn off some steam.  I have run the Twin Cities and Grandma's Marathon, but now I think I will be downsizing because that takes a lot of time to train for.

I look forward to seeing people at the reunion and catching up on what they have been doing. 

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Occupation:  Art Teacher High School
Website:  www.roseau.k12.mn.us
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  3
From Mary:
hey everyone- things are great in Roseau, MN. (the family picture was taken at our cabin at Long Point on Lake of the Woods.) We are a very busy family! I married a guy from college- set up on a blind date no less (thanks Tia!) and we have been together ever since. We have 3 kids- Emma is in 6th grade, Stella is in 3rd, and Gus is a first grader. This winter we are busy with hockey- both girls are goalies for their teams, and Gus is a center (read as puck hog) on the tiny mites. Plus Cory (my husband) coaches Emma's team and plays oldtimers. Me? I rarely skate! I make jewelery instead! Roseau is a great place to live- we ended up here (Cory's hometown) after almost 5 years in Memphis, TN and 3 years in the cities. Teaching is awesome- I teach highschool art, and a photoshop class. Kids in highschool are WAY sneakier then I was! I thought I knew all the tricks! I have been teaching for 6 years after a career as an architectural draftsperson. I would love to hear from others before the reunion- please drop me an email!-
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Occupation:  busy mom
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  2
From Melanie:
Hello Friends,

What fun reading your bio's and seeing pictures! You all have some cute kids. Most of all it's great hearing that your're doing well and life has been good to you. 

Life is great. After graduation, I marched with the Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps out of Hutchinson, KS where I met my husband, Kevin. In January of 1989, I moved to Oklahoma City to be near him and attended college at Oklahoma State University graduating in Police Science. We both work in law enforcement. Kevin and I married in 1991. 

In 1995, we moved to Hooker, Oklahoma which is located in the Panhandle.  Kevin was a Hooker police officer and I was a Hooker 911 dispatcher both for 10 years. You can imagine the fun we had with being a couple of "Hookers".  We have two children. Burke, our son, was born in 2000 and Baylee was born in 2003.  

In January 2007, we moved to Madison, WI. Kevin is working as a deputy for Dane County and I'm a stay at home mom for the moment.  We volunteer with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps and enjoy being involved with corps again. 

I look forward to seeing everyone at the reunion. If you're in Madison, we have a guest room with your name on it.  

God bless you.

Melanie Nimlos Vukasovic





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Occupation:  911 Dispatcher, Itasca 
County
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  3
From Robin:

Boy, 20 years!!!  I look at your pictures and it doesn't look like many people have changed much!  I lived in Moorhead for a couple of years then moved back here in 1990.  Was married for almost 16 years, got a divorce but am now remarried.  I have two absolutely beautiful boys ages 15 and 12 1/2 that are everything to me and my wonderful husband Joe brought me a step-son who is now 10.  I earned an AAS in Forestry and continued to work for the Forest Service as a Private Contractor as a Botonist and also for Blandin for a few years.  LOVED IT!!!! I spent 10 years working for the DNR traveling around the country working on wildfires and hurricane cleanup and now work at the Sheriffs office in Grand Rapids as a Dispatcher.  I'm also part of Red Cross and the Itasca County Search and Rescue Team.  Am hoping to go back to school for Alternative Health/Healing this fall.

Life is GOOD!!!
Not going to be able to make it!!!! Going on a missions trip with my kids so I hope all of you have fun and I wish I could be there with you!!!!

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Occupation:  Engineering Designer / 
Small business owner
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  3
From Doug:
After graduation I changed my name to that of my father.  Then I joined the Navy and spent 6 years between Florida, New York, & Virginia.  I made a couple of "Med" cruises, where I got to see some of Europe. When I got out of the Navy I got a job with Northrop Grumman so I stayed in Virginia.  I got married in 2004 and started a new family with my son and her two daughters.  Life wasn't quite busy enough with a job & 3 teenagers so I started a small business.  I am hoping to make it to the reunion.
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