I have changed this Message Forum to Member Chatter so we do not have two different Message Forum web pages.  Member Chatter is an ongoing dialogue between classmates. There are no topics, subtopics, etc. like there is in the Message Forum web page.

Member Chatter works when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Response" button to add your entry.

Glenn Gonzalez

There's a new twist to this saga.  Nona Hobbs Limones (class of '67) informed us by email that she spoke to the principal, Mary Ann Harmon-Giba.  The principal said she did not know about our requested tour and denial.  She then offered a tour on Saturday, from 0930 to 1100.  I also spoke to Nona by phone.  She reaffirmed the details in her email and gave me the principal's telephone number, 915-373-9159.  I defer to Chairman John and the committee on our next move.

K. Gail Browne (Phillips)

I'd be delighted to tour Irvin Sat. morning. Please accept this as a sign up for 2.

Glenn Gonzalez

It is with great sadness that I relay information that our classmate Jeri Gill Eaton passed away yesterday.  She had signed up for our reunion and looked forward to seeing good friends and classmates.  Unfortunately, her cancer had returned after 23 years.  Her husband Leo posted information on Facebook the last few days.  Jeri passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends.  Please say prayers for Jeri and her family.

Elenor Vea (Diesto)

So very saddened and shocked to hear of Jeri's passing, especially on the eve of our 50th. Reunion. My sincere condolences to her family....this is not only a loss for them but for the entire Irvin Class  of '66.  She, as well as so many other classmates, left us all too soon.  We are all diminished by the losses.

Armando Maldonado

I didn't know Jeri, but it is so sad to see another classmate pass.  My deepest condolences to Jeri's family and friends.  My she rest in peace.

Glenn Gonzalez

Now that the celebration portion of our reunion is over, I thank again all those who made it possible - the committee and all those who attended.  I am sure it was an exciting and sentimental time for all of us.  I loved every minute of the reunion and continued to visit with others on Sunday and Monday.  Hugs to all.  God bless you.  On another matter, I will order 40 class pictures and mail them.  If you still want one and have not signed up, please let me know as soon as possible.  If you have not provided your mailing address to this site, please let me know.  You can also contact me by personal email - glenngon@aol.com.  Hope to see you soon.

Glenn Gonzalez

PICTURES.  John Schmidt and I have begun posting pictures of our reunion.  Check under "Photo Gallery" and "50th Reunion."   This is just the beginning.  We will continue to post many more pictures.  Enjoy.  I will eventually post some on Facebook.  Feel free to take and use as you want.

John Schmidt Jr.

I just wanted to thank all of my classmates, their spouses, and guest for attending the Irvin class of 66 50^th reunion.  No matter how much work the reunion committee put into this reunion, it would not have been successful without you attending.   It was great seeing everyone again and I had so much fun spending time catching up on all we have done over the years.  We truly have a remarkable class.  Thanks to the donation that we have received from the website I am happy to say that I was able to extend our website subscription and domain name for another 3 years, so please stay in touch.

Glenn Gonzalez

John Mackley

Let me offer a huge THANK YOU to all the Reunion Committee group who pulled together an amaing reunion.  For those of us who were not able to be there, this page and the many pictures from Glenn & John gave us the chance to feel the connection and renew memories of those familiar faces who were there for the fun.  What a treat to see you all, to know where you are and what fills your days.  Nothing but the best to each of you!!

Glenn Gonzalez

HI John, thank you for your kind words.  We have many more pictures to post on this site.  Please check periodically.  In fact, I will post more later tonight.  We missed you.

Billy Fuller

My wife and I had a great time at our 50th celebration dinner and dance.  We also enjoyed the visits at breakfast.  I know the work to put it all together must have been monumental. Thanks to everyone who had a hand in making this event something very special.  We will remember this for some time.

May God bless you all and every graduate of Irvin, 1966, and their families.

Until next time,

Bill and Jeannie Fuller

Glenn Gonzalez

Billy and Jeannie, thanks for much for coming.  It was wonderful seeing you again after all these years.  I also enjoyed talking with your sister Doris. While you did not remember, I haven't forgotten being in your third grade class at Wainwright.  God bless you, too.  Hope to see you again soon.

Van Hill

Van Hill

Tricia Caraway (Latham)

It was such fun to look at the pictures from the reunion!  Thank you to all who posted, especially for those of us who were unable to attend. This website has truly been a blast from the past!  God bless you all, Tricia

Glenn Gonzalez

Tricia and Van, thanks so much for your kind comments.  As expected, we had a great time, and this was our best reunion ever.  I suppose the 50th is always the best.  We missed you.  We thank all those who came and those who worked hard to put on the reunion.  Van, not to worry about my name having two "n's."  It's still pronounced the same way.  Yes, we had great times and memories at Irvin.  Please call us when you come to Hill Country.  Have a blessed Sunday.

Janett Sarracino

Hi Van!  You were sorely missed last week but glad to know that you are happy, healthy and doing well...golf will certainly keep you sharp...and irritated from time to time!! Your memory is still pretty good too! I taught government and English at Austin High School in the 70's with your mom, the legendary and revered Ella Kay Hill! I had all of two years experience under my belt and she was a great help to me along with Bob Taylor who was the principal and Don Ponder who was teaching there at the time. I was so fortunate to be there in that place and time in my career. Both of your parents were wonderful role models...you hit the jackpot for sure!! Take care and best wishes to you and your family! Janett       

Van Hill

Janett,  

Thanks so much and Austin was such an impressive high school at the time.  Sorry to bother but I was looking forward to asking you a couple of questions. 

I remember your Le Mans parked over by the cafeteria which was probably a graduation present.  If I'm correct it was aqua green with a black top.  I may be way off.  Do you still have it?  I still have my 67 GTO that I acquired a few years later.  Fun cars to drive. 

I was also going to ask you how you like Santa Fe. We are there often.  My business partner has a home off Gonzalez Road in Las Barancas.  Also, I had so much respect for Mr. Ponder (Dr. if he had a PhD).  The English teachers were something.  It is very impressive that you were one of that elete group.   I was so bad in English and not interested at the time--my loss. Both Mr. Cohen and  Don Ponder would faint if they found out I was not living in a van down by the river. My book report for Mr. Cohen and term paper for Mr. Ponder may have been the low point of their academic experience.  I can still see my Mom just shaking her head.  I like learning now but it took a while..    Take care, Van

Mary Stewart (Stewart)

Dear Van,  You were so right about Irvin English teachers.  I had Billie Etheridge and Dan Ponder and their teachinng carried me through college.  I spent 14 years as an English teacher and then became a counselor--worked a few years at Irvin with Bob Onick. Good times were had by all.  Mary Stewart (my little brother played tennis for your dad)

Van Hill

Guy McCool ('65)

Hi Van and Mary:

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about our English teachers and tennis.

I had Mr. Cohen, Mr. Ponder, Mrs Yates (McGarr) & Mrs. Etheridge.  Not only were they gr8 teachers but also outstanding human beings and I considered them all "role models".  I have been planning on writing "tributes" to all of them and putting those on the '65 and '66 websites.  I will probably wait until Thanksgiving when I have some more free time.  I hope other alums like you post their own tributes/memories as well.  Our English teachers all deserve it.  I feel very "blessed" to have had them as my Engish teachers!

Harriet Hayth (Garcia)

I also had Mrs. Etheridge and I still talk about her to this day. She was an inspiration to me and gave me the enthusiasm to write. On my first paper in college Freshman English the professor wrote, "This makes more sense than some published articles."  All the credit goes to Mrs. Etheridge. What a blessing to have been in her class. One of our daughters is a middle school English teacher and another daughter is an Asst Professor of Rhetoric & Writing at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. This all started with a wonderful English teacher all those years ago at Irvin. I've always told our girls what an impact she made on me. 

Van Hill

Guy and Harriet

Enjoyed your responses.  I think I had Mrs Yates(Mc) my junior year.  Was she kinda young and sat on her desk instead of her chair a lot.  Dark rimmed glasses.  Man I must have been in la la land because I sat on front row in front of her desk.   I remember one day she explained she was an atheist or agnostic and this was all there was.  Slight bummer to the class period I recall.   V

Mary Yates (McGarr)

Van,

I think you are talking about Judy Malone Mohrhauser, not me--I sat on a stool. In spite of her political beliefs, which I never knew her to express at school, Judy was a very good teacher.  I'm surprised that you do not remember her.  If you have any English skills, she probably taught them to you. Some of your teachers were extremely intelligent. She was one of them. 

Teachers in those days usually did not express political beliefs, and I certainly made a point of NOT expressing my personal beliefs while I was a teacher. When we got married, Gary thought I was a Democrat.

I'm a Christian, right wing Conservative Republican!  Working at the polls tomorrow.

Go Trump!

Mary McGarr

PS Judy Mohrhauser fell about fifteen years ago and hit the back of her neck, shortly after she retired after 30 some years of teaching.  She was paralyzed from the neck down. After the accident, they flew her to TRIMS in Houston, and I met her the day she came and stayed with her every day for a month until her family could send someone.  She died in El Paso two years ago. She was always a good friend.