Reflections of Our High School Experience

 

Todd Laver

1. What achievement(s) over the past 50 years are you especially proud of? • My children. Nothing else compares and I can’t really call it an achievement since they are individuals - three independent, strong, opinionated, amazing women! I was blessed with 3 beautiful, resilient, caring daughters.

2. How is your life now compared to what you expected when you graduated? Any big surprises? • My biggest surprise was a divorce after 26 years of marriage. I never would have predicted that.

3. Over the past 50 years, what have been your most memorable adventures? • My career was a wild ride. I began working at Mountain Bell and a few years later came the break up of the phone giants. I stayed in telecom for over 20 years moving from SLC to Portland, OR, then Seattle and Dallas. Then on the LA, back to Dallas, then Birmingham Alabama and on to Pennsylvania. I finally grew tired of all the transfers and took a job back in SLC and eventually bought a small business with my brother. I recently sold my share and my son-in-law runs the business while I enjoy retirement.

4. If you could talk to the 1972 you, what would you say? • Quityurbitchen and enjoy the journey (excuse the French). I’ve never been a fan of cold weather but I heard something that really changed my perspective. I wish I knew who to attribute it to but it goes something like this; “If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you'll have less joy in your life but the same amount of snow” And with that I’ll wish you all a grand time as we all journey through this adventure we call life!

Todd Laver

 

Randy James

My life since High School has been very diverse. Went on a mission to Florida and Puerto Rico, went to the U of U in psychology and got plenty of credit hours to graduate but wrong credit hours so never graduated. My biggest regret in life is not having graduated and gone on for a post grad degree. Got married at 24. Had 2 kids and got divorced 12 years later. Got remarried a couple of years after that and had 2 more kids. I consider my greatest accomplishment that all my children got their degrees and have become productive, happy members of society. I spent most of my career in the housekeeping and commercial maintenance business. Worked as a territory manager for a Fortune 100 company and then was foolish enough to quit and strike out on my own. I started a manufacturing company making backpack vacuums (bet that will be a surprise to some) with the help of my parents mortgaging their house. Fortunately, we got the mortgage paid off but I sold the business in 2000 to get them some money for their retirement. Since then, I have: • Been a franchise broker • Managed a wheel and tire business • Sold True Green lawncare • Managed a specialty packaging and shipping company • Bought a Grout Doctor franchise While I have not made the kind of money I would have liked, I have learned just about every aspect I think is possible to learn about business and have learned probably as much about human nature as I would have earning my doctorate in psychology. I still love to learn and figure if I can’t keep learning, my use on this planet is over.

Randy James

 

Becky Stauffer (Jefferies)

I’m always searching for an adventure. I graduated from BYU in nursing, worked at Primary Children’s Hospital for 27 years, taking time off to fulfill my dream of being a flight attendant for United Airlines. My husband Bill and I also started a cinnamon roll business called, “Becki Sue’s Buns”, and had stores in Ogden City Mall, ZCMI Center, and Valley Fair Mall. My husband Bill was 10 years older, and had been married before, so I became a Step-Mom to three amazing kids. We had three boys of our own, and if I have any accomplishment that I’m especially proud of, it’s that all of the kids are close, and they consider each other full siblings. We get together once a month for “Ham Sunday”. My husband passed away eight years ago. I never planned on being a widow, but he was an amazing teacher, and taught me to think on my own, and to figure things out. Maybe he knew something… I wasn’t particularly popular in high school, couldn’t make pep club, although the majority of girls in my ward did. I guess if I could have envisioned my life in the future, I would have told my 1972 self not to worry. Things work out, and what seems important at the time, may turn out to be only a distant memory. What is important is to be true to yourself, be proud of who you are, accept others for who they are, and have joy in what others can add to your life. There is so much joy in this life!
Becky Stauffer (Jefferies)

 

Todd Morris

Classmates might be surprised to learn that when I graduated with a Communication degree from the U, my first job was selling No Nonsense hosiery throughout several western states. I then graduated to selling Vicks NyQuil, Crest Toothpaste and Pepto Bismol with Proctor & Gamble. I’ve since sold everything from soccer uniforms to statistical research surveys.

One achievement that I’m proud of is having the opportunity to sing first tenor from 20 years (1985 to 2005) with the Tabernacle Choir, which gave me the opportunity to travel throughout the world, including trips to Israel, Russia, Australia, Canada and many European countries. We sang in a variety of the grandest halls in the world, such as the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, Sydney Opera House, Escorale in Spain as well as iconic locations such as the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. I was also privileged to participate in two presidential inaugurations. When the “2nd Bush” narrowly defeated Al Gore, there were of course demonstrations along the parade route. At one point, our “massive float” was having trouble, so the choir president yelled, “Push, Push!”…. to which the demonstrators responded, “Gore, Gore!”

I very much wanted children, and 4 seemed a nice number. Having come from a family with 9 kids, I had no interest in repeating that! Dianne and I have 4 children, and 11 grandchildren, all living within a 30-minute drive – a great blessing! Being in a variety of sales positions for over 45 years, I was prepared to move to other parts of the country, but Sandy has been our home since 1982. We’ve had 4 different houses, one that I built in 1987 and another built by Bryson Garbett’s company in 2008 (I hear he’s done pretty well over the years). Thanks, Bryson!

A particular adventure does come to mind…. The U choir toured Europe the summer of 1977, and while visiting Salzburg, I took a bus up into the mountains to visit the birthplace of Mozart. The small village was situated on the most beautiful lake I had ever seen…Wolfgangse… and I sensed this was a once in a life time opportunity, so, I slipped behind a cottage, slipped out of my wardrobe and took a dip, au naturale’. Afterwards, climbing a nearby hill (fully clothed), I surveyed the lake and realized no one going to believe this! A very good day!

I am eternally grateful that our children and grandchildren are doing and am excited to watch them grow and succeed. I do worry that the nation continues to be more polarized…needlessly, but perhaps we’ve had it so good for so long, we finally need a wake-up call to snap out of the current malaise…I sincerely hope it doesn’t lead to unnecessary burdens on future generations.

Bonnie Gundersen changed my life. Her passion for choral music rubbed off on me and initiated a life time love affair with singing. I will forever be grateful that she refused to give in to a “stuck up football player.” I even took voice lessons from her after returning from my church mission to Sweden.

If I could talk to the 1972 me, I’d ask myself “Why were you so moody? Life is too short, and it’s a waste of time to worry about what’s out of your control.” I now try to live by these 2 credos: “What can’t be helped, must be endured” and “If you can’t flee or fly…flow.”

- Todd Morris

Alan Seko

What would classmates be most surprised to learn about you since we graduated?

That I was in their class.  Alan who?

What achievement(s) over the past 50 years are you especially proud of?

That when I retired about two years ago, I discovered that I’m really good at doing practically nothing. 

How is your life now compared to what you expected when you graduated?

Much better.  With two degrees in journalism, I thought I’d be homeless by now.

Any big surprises?

That I’m not as witty or charming as I thought I was.

Over the past 50 years, what have been your most memorable adventures?

I’ve forgotten—which is probably a good thing.

What excites and/or concerns you about the future?

I look forward to getting older, wearing a bathrobe all day, and yelling at the neighbor kids to get off my damn lawn.  Oh wait—I don’t have a damn lawn.

Who was the most memorable teacher you had at Skyline?  Why?

Mrs. Jacobs.  Because she misled me into believing I was witty and charming.

If you could talk to the 1972 you, what would you say? 

You should probably reconsider that haircut.

From your accumulated life experiences, do you have any words of wisdom you'd like to offer?

You must be kidding.

Alan Seko

Bryson Garbett

I had some fine teachers at Skyline and memorable friends. There was one small event that had a huge impact on my life. I still remember standing in the hall and staring at my final report card. It wasn’t my grades that stood out. It was the box that had “your estimated college GPA”. When I saw 2.69 I scoffed. “I’m much smarter than that,” I thought. 6 months later I was sick when I saw my 1st quarter GPA at the “U”. 2.68! I was shocked. Not just shocked, I was mad. The computer was right.

Was my mediocrity that predictable? Sister Roundy, my Seminary teacher, was right when she told me, “you will never amount to much… unless you change your attitude.” It was a moment of change in my life. I wanted to prove that final report card wrong. I wanted to show Sister Roundy I could amount to something.
I rolled up my sleeves and went to work.

I immediately enrolled in a class that taught me how to study, take class notes and prepare for and take tests. I did much better at school. My attitude changed and my grades weren’t the only thing that got better. It is a lesson that changed the course of my life.
Bryson Garbett

Irene Bortolussi Smith

Mr. Gates taught Junior Honor's English. We all remembered doing 30 days to a more powerful vocabulary. Mr. Gates also loved literature and always got excited about new authors. We read a book -- The Face of a Hero which took place in France. A prosecuting attorney witnessed a murder and he knew the man wasn't guilty. The defendant was a real scumb bag and the town knew he deserved to be put to death. It was a real cliff hanger -- could the prosecuter convict the defendent knowing his innocence and then incur the wrath of the townspeople? Mr. Gates loved a good discussion in class. He taught us not to be afraid to defend your ideas and yet be respectful of people with different viewpoints. He was so skinny, kind of homely, but a very gifted teacher.

I also remember a first period Chemistry class. Our teacher at Skyline was deciding if she wanted to be or not to be a nun. She was very young and worked the closing shift at Marie Calendar's Pies. She often brought pies for treats 1st period and she was often late. I also remember a geometry teacher who wore the same tie every day. The class chipped in and bought him a new tie for Christmas. After Christmas break we were all looking forward to him wearing the new tie. He wore the same old tie, but after a week or so, he surprised us all and wore the new tie. We all stood up and clapped as the late bell rang.

50 years have passed and I was in Colorado for 35 of them, but the teachers I remember the most are Mr Gilbert and Mr Earl who were my math teachers and Mr Johnson who was my band teacher.

Irene Bortolussi Smith

Paul Farnsworth
50 years have passed and I was in Colorado for 35 of them, but the teachers I remember the most are Mr Gilbert and Mr Earl who were my math teachers and Mr Johnson who was my band teacher.

 

David Alexander
I had so many special experiences and so many cool teachers that had an impact on me, it would be almost impossible to single out just one. This is not a cop out answer!

Faye Ottley Oxford
Skyline was a three year whirlwind that I loved! The teachers I remembered most were in those areas I spent the most time: Pep Club & Drill Team-Mrs.Pam Jensen, Choir-Miss Bonnie Gunderson, and Seminary-Bro.E.Verl Asay. They all ignited my interest and devotion to dance, singing, and faith.

 

Harold Peterson
Mr Yanik was my Homeroom teacher for most of my high school years. He was the Stage Crew teacher and I spent most of my three years at Skyline involved with the preparation and production of Stage Plays and assemblies.

 

Ruth Platt Wortley
Just lots of great people and good times .. nothing real specific jumps out for me other then looking back I wish I’d been more involved in choral classes and plays .. guessing I was a bit on the shy side and felt somewhat inadequate . I got over that as I got older and wiser I gained more confidence as I was participating in many choral groups including Utah Symphony Chorus and Utah Opera.

 

Steve Rider
Favorite Teachers: Mr. Gates - College Prep English and "30 Days to a Better Vocabulary" Mr. Gilbert - Calculus Mr. Earl - Computer Science Mr. Duersch - Auto Mechanics Mr. Wilson - Business Law and Ski Club trip to Jackson Hole / Targhee.

 

In 11th grade I played the piano for the boys group Troubadors. They would go places to sing and I was the lone girl coming along to play for them. They really made me feel a part of something really cool. It was so fun when the following story happened. At the end of the year I was leaving school early to go visit my sister in Germany and a little sad to leave school. That was back in the days when we could go all the way to the gate with the passenger. I was settling into my seat to wait to load the plane and suddenly heard barbershop music and my Troubadors were singing as they came through the airport to find me. They had their barbershop hats and I think canes and really drew a crowd. I think they were singing Once in Love with "Annie". Who knows. What that meant to an insecure 17 year old girl they had no idea but it touched me deeply. They gave me some perfume and a large signed photo of them. Each time I see those items my heart swells up inside. (When we landed in Frankfurt a passenger asked if I was the girl that those boys were singing to. I loved saying yes.) Thanks guys.

Ann Swensen (Sweeney).

* What would classmates be most surprised to learn about you since we graduated? (Include your name) Wade Harman – Being that High School was very difficult for me almost on every level; abilities, effort, and attendance, I have had a wonderful long career as a High School teacher. * What achievement(s) over the past 50 years are you especially proud of? Achievements? Outside my family, well, I mastered the unicycle, became a paraglider, teacher of the year a few times, and have a 19 handicap in golf. * How is your life now compared to what you expected when you graduated? Any big surprises? I had no idea what I expected life to be like when I graduated, but I do know I have a much better life than I deserve. And yes, there are surprises every day that leave me scratching my head. 4) Over the past 50 years, what have been your most memorable adventures? I have walked the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage twice. A 570-mile journey beginning in France, hiking up and over the Pyrenees, along the Northern Spanish interior all the way to the Atlantic Ocean with my belongings on my back. * What excites and/or concerns you about the future? Breathing excites me and when the breathing stops, concern will set in. Who was the most memorable teacher you had at Skyline? Why? No teachers were that memorable but Mr. Greene, the counselor, helped me out of a lot of jams. If you could talk to the 1972 you, what advice would you give yourself! Make more friends, don’t be a jerk, work harder, and enjoy every phase of life. * From your accumulated life experiences, do you have any words of wisdom you'd like to offer? Life is so much better when you make good choices.
- Wade Harman

Alexis Cairo

What would classmates be most surprised to learn about you since we graduated?
•    After a more than 40-year career in broadcast news and international mining, my favorite job has been working at a local toy store
•    I will cancel any plans that conflict with a “Law and Order: SVU” Marathon 
What achievement(s) over the past 50 years are you especially proud of?
•    That I have, for the most part, lived my values: commitment to family, friends, education and work.
How is your life now compared to what you expected when you graduated? Any big surprises?
•    I never expected anything when I graduated. Life just happened. It’s been a great ride.
Over the past 50 years, what have been your most memorable adventures?
•    Camping on the Eastern Steppes of Mongolia.
•    Sailing around the Great Bear Rain Forest in Canada.
•    Helicoptering into the jungles of Indonesia.
•    Dodging terrorist groups in Mindanao, The Philippines.
•    Witnessing shooting stars in the skies over Botswana.
•    Family travels to Greece.
•    “Oldchella” Desert Trip 2016, Indio CA. The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, The Who, Roger Waters.
What excites and/or concerns you about the future?
•    I’m excited to spend time with my grandchildren. I’m concerned that the world they inherit will be a much more difficult one than we had.
Who was the most memorable teacher you had at Skyline?  Why?
•    Mr. Gates. I am still trying to track him down to confess that I used the Cliffsnotes for “A Passage to India”.
If you could talk to the 1972 you, what would you say?  
•    Enjoy your smooth skin and firm abs. You will miss them someday.
From your accumulated life experiences, do you have any words of wisdom you'd like to offer?
•    John Lennon should always be your favorite Beatle
•    Read “A Passage to India”. Don’t use Cliffsnotes. 

Alexis Cairo

Shauna Andrus

So much has happened and changed :) Graduated from U of U School of Nursing 1982 – our 10-year reunion! While I was in nursing school, I was working at Holy Cross Hospital (now Salt Regional Medical Center) at the desk on a surgery floor and then RN after graduation. Spent 3 years there before moving to Seattle. I started work at University of Washington Medical Center in the ICU (combined ICU care). I became an Asst Nurse Manager in the new ICU in 1988 which then became the Cardiothoracic ICU – caring for open heart surgery, heart transplant, lung transplant, and heart failure ICU. I then went on to starting a new position in the hospital (2002-2005) as Patient Flow Supervisor (patient placement and bed management). In 2005 I was fortunate to be selected to start another new position in the hospital as VAD Coordinator (ventricular assist device aka ‘heart pump’) – my dream job – until retirement in 2021. I am very proud of the work I did starting, creating, and growing the VAD Coordinator position. I met amazing patients, staff, and faculty involved in VAD and TAH (total artificial heart), heart and lung transplant, and heart failure. I also worked as a transplant coordinator – coordinating care of donors, matching with recipients, and coordinating timing and teams in transplant. I also volunteered in the Vaccine Clinic at UW through June 2022. I met some amazing people who became superb friends during my time at UWMC. I met my BFF while working in the ICU (and worked with her there and as a VAD Coordinator) and then her brother who became my husband in 1991! We have 2 fantastic kids – Dana and Tara. I am very proud my mom’s life and accomplishments. She was professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing (my Community Health instructor!); Associate Dean and professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and then on to Dean and Professor at the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I lost my youngest brother Brock to liver failure in 2012 at 51 and my mom in 2013 at 81 but I am fortunate to have 3 brothers and my only sister in Utah with lots of nieces and nephews in Salt Lake and Seattle. I’m looking forward to becoming a great-aunt this summer :) A boy!
- Shauna Andrus

Cynthia (Howe) Riggs

1. What would classmates be most surprised to learn about you since we graduated? My husband and I were only able to have two children and we do not have any grandchildren yet. I am still waiting for that blessing in my life. We are small in number but great in love. 2, What achievement(s) over the past 50 years are you especially proud of? I am especially blessed to have such a wonderful family. I have a great husband, Kerry, that I love more and more every day. We have two beautiful grown children, Michelle and Jason. Our daughter married a great guy, Brooks Chadwick. I am grateful that we have been sealed as an eternal family in God’s Holy Temple. I am proud that Kerry and I were able to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am proud of my husband’s and my careers which we worked hard at for many, many years. Now I am proud that we were able to retire and find some new adventures to keep us growing and active. 3, How is your life now compared to what you expected when you graduated? Any big surprises? When I graduated from High School, I really didn’t have a clue what my life would be like but I knew I would make it the best life I could! I believe I did that. I expected that I would get married to Keith Tarver and we did get married, but we didn’t have any children. We got divorced 10 years later. That was not what I expected but it turned out for the best for me because my second husband is wonderful. 4. Over the past 50 years, what have been your most memorable adventures? We have always loved family vacations and have enjoyed many fun trips together. The most memorable include trips to Kauai, Hawaii, Maui, Cancun, Cozumel, St. Thomas, San Juan, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Honduras, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Florida, Virginia, Washington D.C., California, and Southern Utah. We love the National Parks and Beaches. We love to snorkel, scuba dive, swim, ski, snow board, parasail, zip line, hike and sight see. 5. What excites and/or concerns you about the future? I am excited to see what my Golden Years will bring. I am concerned about the lack of love, high values and integrity in many people today. We are surely in the last days. 6. Who was the most memorable teacher you had at Skyline? I don’t remember many of my teachers very well. I do remember trying to avoid Mr. Middleton at lunch in the parking lot. (I never smoked but ate lunch in the parking lot most days.) I do remember choir with Ms. Gunderson and loved my dance class and dancing in assemblies. 7. If you could talk to the 1972 you, what would you say? Just what my parents tried to tell me but I wouldn’t listen. “Don’t go steady with just one guy!” I regret that I only dated one person in high school and didn’t get to know any other guys. 8. From your accumulated life experiences, do you have any words of wisdom you'd like to offer? Enjoy every day you have to the fullest. Cherish your loved ones and tell them and show them through your actions. Don’t let opportunities pass by to see people that you care about. Take advantage of opportunities to do things you desire to do. Happiness comes from within yourself. You have to decide to be happy and live your life in such a way that you can feel happiness. I hope you do!
- Cynthia (Howe) (Riggs)

Marilyn Tiller (Call)
Richard D Call and Marilyn Tiller Call Favorite Teachers at Skyline Richard: Jim Miller… Senior Chorale Mr. Miller knew us personally. Very Encouraging and motivating. Marilyn: Mrs. Jacobs…AP English. Best and hardest class I took in high school. She taught me a deep love for reading everything. Life now, compared to what we imagined: As with many of you… I wouldn’t have predicted we could survive the journey we have been on since we graduated. We raised our very own Rainwoman, and then she died. We raised Miss Deaf Utah, and then she died. We adopted a son from the Philippines. We both had serious accidents that took years to recover from, but we are still walking upright and finding meaning and enjoyment in life. Surprises??? Richard: We have lived in this valley since we graduated and very seldom run into fellow eagles. Marilyn: I had a successful career built on the parenting and advocacy skills, I had to develop to raise our children. I didn’t imagine that would happen. After I retired, I found another wonderful job that has let us tour Europe. I just got through working in Germany for 9 months and of course I can’t leave Richard back home for very long. Talk to our 1972 selves: Richard: Quit suffering through all of those math classes… you won’t get to be a pilot. Marilyn: What’s the deal with being so shy, and having low self-esteem???? Gosh, don’t we wish we could have had the confidence we have now… back then? Words of Wisdom Richard: Don’t sweat the small stuff, and after you’ve buried children, you really learn, It’s all small stuff. Marilyn: Don’t stay away from a friend who is suffering through a tragedy because you don’t know what to say. You don’t need to say anything, you don’t have to say anything just show up

 

Brad Petrucci

Here are a few of my thoughts regarding my high school experience and how they have related to my life. 

Little did I realize that the ten years immediately after graduating from high school would be the most eventful and important of my life. Everything that set the course of my life occurred then: went on a mission for my church, graduated from college with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, found the right girl and got married, bought a house, had a daughter, earned an MBA  and started my career in information technology then called data processing. I would have been much more apprehensive if I had know this  at the time. Luckily the time in high school prepared me for this.

I have always been grateful for two girls, though I can’t remember who they were, that unknowingly really helped me in two different classes.  One was a chemistry class taught by Mr. Stevens and the other an Intro to Calculus class taught by Mr. Gilbert.  They seemed to always come to the rescue when I was having some difficulty understanding some concept.  They were brave enough to raise their hand and stop the discussion and ask that the concept be explained again.  It was just what I needed at the time.  Sometimes it happened two or three times on one concept.  All I can say is: THANK YOU.

I don’t know if it was the teachers I had or the classes I took or the combination of them that prepared me for college. College was much easier for me than high school. Every day in high school I had to manage my time and focus on completing my homework and assignments.  My teachers demanded good work from me which at the time seemed excessive. It seemed as if they pushed and wanted more from me than others in the class. In some cases it was true while in others not so.  However those three years of work led to growth and success including a four year tuition wavier at the University of Utah.

It has been interesting and unexpected to meet some classmates after graduation. Some a short time later and others longer.  Todd Morris ended up going to the same mission to Sweden at the same time I did.  We were in the same cohort.  Later Jeff Schmidt became Dr. Jeff Schmidt. We first met again when my daughter was born and he was still finishing up his education and training.  She had a congenital heart problem and he was assigned to help look after her. Both of us were surprised and eventually he became our regular pediatrician for all of my children.

One thing that puzzled me and I never figured it out was my seminary class or I should say the instructor.  One term his name was Brother Thomas and the next it was Brother Giles.  They both were the same person. The mystery remains.

The thing that surprised me most and was not at all foreseen or anticipated was the many adoptions that I was involved with in building my family.  There we a total of four of them and each required many different studies and preparations.  I and my wife were finger printed so many times by the time the process was completed I felt like a marked man much like a criminal.  We visited several police stations, adoption agencies, lawyers and judges.  Such some of them were international and we had our “fun” with the immigration service and completing all of the necessary paperwork to get them here and become legal citizens.  Despite this process we were very blessed and have a great family with five children.  In the end it was worth the anxiety, effort, and patience that it took.  Life brings many twists and turns.

In the end high school was the spring board for my life.  Thanks Skyline.

David Haun

. . . surprised to learn about you . . .? In the summer of 1971 I hitchhiked to Denver to visit a girl (Skyline from another class). While returning I got arrested for hitchhiking in Fort Collins, Colorado. When I was an 18-year-old Air Force Security Policeman, on a cold dark air base, my third day of duty (first day alone), I arrested two wanted men at gunpoint. That was six months after we graduated. . . . achievement(s) . . . proud of? It may be cliche, but raising two wonderful children. I created the first worldwide web pages used by the Texas Dept of Public Safety (in notepad, not a web design software.) How is your life . . . ? I know there are people who (say they) have planned their life since they were in fourth grade but that's not me. When I graduated I had no expectations. I had already enlisted in the Air Force so I knew I would be doing that for four years. Big Surprises? How random, but successful, my life has been. . . . most memorable adventures? I bought a motorcycle in 1975 while stationed in England. I had a coulda-been-killed wreck on that motorcycle. Since then I became a Motorcycle Safety Instructor and have ridden 360,000 miles in 4 countries, 50 states, and 6 provinces. I have several Iron Butt Association rides including the Ultimate Coast to Coast Challenge, Key West, Florida to Deadhorse, Alaska to honor my deceased son. . . . future? After all our parents did and we did this country may go belly-up if the youngsters aren't careful. If you could talk to the 1972 you, what would you say? Don't neglect seeing family and loved ones. Life is short. . . . words of wisdom . . .? Don't neglect seeing family and loved ones. Life is short.
David Haun

Blaine Michaelis
Skyline 1972 - 2022 Personal Reflections 50 years in the making… Blaine Michaelis It has been fun to see how the music of our youth has spread to the next two generations. Not long ago, our oldest son sent a video of him dressed up for an office Halloween party as Jimi Hendrix – playing Purple Haze live on his guitar with a makeshift band to screaming co-workers. Pretty cool. It is not unusual to hear our granddaughters’ singing ballads from the Beatles and all the grandkids bobbing and wagging their heads to a Led Zeppelin classic with a little air guitar at our house during a family BBQ. I take it as proof that our generation had incredibly great music – multi-generational music. I am pleased to crank it up for the kids whenever they are around. I must point out however, that I have since added Edvard Grieg, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Stravinsky to the playlist as well. One thing I noticed that has not survived from our generation has been some of the fashions: like bell bottoms – oh well. In response to the call for wisdom 50 years in the making; I think I have more gratitude than wisdom. I am grateful for friends, experiences, ball games, associations, and activities as we moved through the formative times of our lives with each other. I enjoyed my associations with you and your parents and siblings. I remember meeting your parents, they were kind, supportive, generous, and selfless; your siblings were fun and interesting. I may have had some favorite teachers, coaches, administrators, and staff 50 years ago, but now I feel gratitude and respect for all of them. They chose to be educators and use their lives to patiently encourage, teach, coach, guide, support and give of themselves to kids like us. I am grateful for them all. I am glad our collective paths crossed so long ago. I feel a great respect for life and what it takes for it to be meaningful and well lived. Life comes with a variety of significant challenges. It is hard. That is why I admire what you have become over the last 50 years. The listing of ‘classmates most likely to succeed’ has grown exponentially… With deep appreciation……. Blaine Michaelis
Blaine Michaelis

Brent Goddard

What would classmates be most surprised to learn about you since we graduated?
•   We have 6 great grandchildren!
•   In December I survived a heart attack and quintuple bypass, open-heart surgery. The heart attack was a real blessing as it resulted in a needed surgery and a new heart warranty. 
 

What achievement(s) over the past 50 years are you especially proud of?
•    Not flunking out of Harvard Business School.

•    An interesting career managing fun brands like Coco Puffs, Oral-B Toothbrushes, and Shasta pop, also doing consulting, training, and running humanitarian programs.

•    Managing a company’s 2002 SLC Olympic Sponsorship with a visit to the Sydney Games and meeting lots of Olympic Athletes.

•    Managing a program nourishing over 150,000 children each day in Africa, Asia and So. America. Coordinating a program to help thousands of families in Malawi to become self-sufficient on their tiny farms.

•    Becoming an Adjunct Professor at BYU (post retirement), now teaching Corporate Social Impact and an internship program where teams of students help develop and improve CSI programs for corporations like Microsoft, Cisco, Walmart, LEGO, etc.
•    Though, my biggest achievement is my family: a wonderful, gorgeous wife; 6 children; 27 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. All of whom live within 30 minutes of us.

How is your life now compared to what you expected when you graduated? Any big surprises?
•    I didn’t expect time to move so quickly—50^th reunion!
•    I didn’t realize raising teenagers would be so challenging and so fun. (Quite a mix of the two.)
•    The wonder and joy of grandchildren shouldn’t be a surprise, but they are even better than I could have imagined.
 

Over the past 50 years, what have been your most memorable adventures?
•    Visiting over 55 countries. Joining several African Safaris (surprised a leopard with her cubs and another in a tree with its kill, lion strolled so close to our jeep that I could have slapped its butt—and lost a hand, watched elephants and hippos just outside our bungalow.) Walking along the Great Wall of China, viewing Victoria Falls, etc.

•    About a dozen cruises, favorites include the Mediterranean, Baltic, Panama Canal, and Pacific crossing.

•    Hiking the Narrows and to the top of Half Dome. Now hiking to Timpanogos Cave two or three times per week for exercise.
•    Serving the Lord in many wards, including singles wards and the Utah State Developmental Center.

  
What excites and/or concerns you about the future?
•    I am excited for each day with family. I love helping our kids with new businesses, developing an online training course, contributing to the Choice Humanitarian Advisory Board, growing vegetables in my yard and basement, and teaching bright college students. I am very concerned for the millions in Africa who will be facing starvation, the refugees, and soldiers of war, and those affected by disasters and disease. I expect difficult times ahead, so I am so grateful for all the joys.

Who was the most memorable teacher you had at Skyline?  Why?
•    Like many of you I have fond memories of Mr. Gilbert, Webb, Wilson and Bro. Mouritsen.

If you could talk to the 1972 you, what would you say?  
•    “It’s not about you, Brent.”

Geoffrey White
Hi all. Life has been good to me and my family. My four children attended Skyline and are now enjoying successful careers. My favorite memories of Skyline are actually you. I value the friendships we established in the various classes and extra- curricular offered at Skyline. I am saddened by the number of classmates that have passed away, some of whom I was close to, in particular my locker partner of 3 years Carl Fisher. At the same time I am happy for all the successes that our class of 72 have had. My favorite teacher was Donald Riplinger who had the fore sight to start up the Troubadours to give the young men in the music programs opportunities to perform and remain engaged. We had a blast and became close friends. I even get a kick out of remembering the push-ups and holding books up with extended arms as punishment for misbehaving. Thanks for the memories and the friendships. My best advice to us now at our age is what I call the Clint Eastwood advice: “I don’t let the old man in.” And with that, here’s to many more years of continued health and friendship.
Geoffrey White

Morgan Andersen

I will not try to encapsulate fifty years of life in such a short forum. I will say that my life so far has had many unexpected blessings, heartaches, surprises and challenges. My first unexpected blessing and surprise after graduating from Skyline was to meet my future wife. On July 7, 1972, after coming home from registering at the University of Utah with my good friend, Rick Cluny (Also a Skyline alumni). Stopped in the mouth of my parent’s cul-de-sac was a large station wagon. Inside was a young lady sitting behind the wheel not knowing what to do. Rick said that this young lady was a neighbor of his. We got out of his car and walked over to her and asked what was going on. She mentioned that her car was stalled and wouldn’t start. After surmising the situation Rick left for a work and I was left to employ all the skills learned from two years of auto shop class learned from Mr. Fred Duersch, the Auto Shop teacher at Skyline. (Dave Barton was in the class too.) Long story short, the car needed fuel. I went across the street to the Phillips 66 Gas Station and bought fifty cents worth of gas, approximately two gallons. I primed the carburetor and put the rest of the gas in the gas tank. The battery of the station wagon was weak after too many tries at starting. I pulled my car up nose to nose with the station wagon, took out my jumper cables and hooked my car battery to her car. Voila, in no time the station wagon was running (Thanks Mr. Duersch). I removed the cables, lowered the hood of my car and instructed the young lady to back away. She dropped the transmission shifter to low and hit the front of my car leaving a fourteen-inch crease in the hood. She was so embarrassed and upset. After she was able to control her emotions, somewhat, I followed her home to her house. I asked her out on a date the next day. Four years later, after serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Norway (Layne Croxford and Roland Baldwin were missionaries in Norway too), I was privileged to marry Tina Bjarnson, Skyline Class of 1974, in the Salt Lake Temple on May 14, 1976. That unexpected bumper kissing event changed my life. The $14 repair to my car was well worth the chance meeting. I am grateful for unexpected blessings. Soon after marriage, I began studies at the University of Utah. During our first university school years Tina and I had the expected blessing of having two children. (Our first university experience was completed in 1979) Natalie was born April 9, 1977, Ryan came on January 25, 1980. (Natalie was an unexpected surprise coming eleven months after we were married.) Lauren came just after my second experience with university life in 1982. Sharon came along in 1984. Our little family continues to bless our lives. All of our children have married well. Each of our children has added four grandchildren to our extended family number. We love and are grateful for sixteen grandchildren. I graduated with an accounting degree in 1982. I earned my CPA (Certified Public Accountant) certificate in 1984. I have worked as a CPA since that time. I worked for a variety of companies as an accountant. I decided to “hang out my shingle” as a self-employed CPA in February 2000 and have built up a successful accounting practice. I plan on retiring in December 2022. In the intervening years I have had the blessing of a kind and loving companion. I adore her so much. We have experienced the loss of three grandchildren in death. The heartache from this has been truly difficult. Fortunately, our faith in a kind and loving Savior helps ease the heartache. We have experienced the up and down challenges of family life with children getting sick, breaking bones and wrecking cars. We have experienced the blessing of all of our children graduating from Skyline High School, moving on to their own university experiences and marrying their chosen companions. (I had a third university experience by earning an MBA degree from Utah State University while my children were in college.) In the intervening years I have had Achille’s tendon repair, blood clots to the lungs and a full right knee replacement. Tina has had back surgery, both hips and both knees replaced. Her last hip replacement was a scare. The surgery site became infected and a stay in the hospital for a week saved her life. I am again grateful to a kind and loving Father in Heaven who preserved her life. We have served in ecclesiastical callings at the Utah State Prison specifically working with the male sex offender prison population. We have served in Senior Living Centers loving the elderly who can’t cope with the regular challenges of life. We have seen them peacefully pass away from this earthly sphere firm in the knowledge that they were cared for and loved by small groups of volunteers. Their faith and our faith in a loving Savior, Jesus Christ, was also strengthened. In summary, like everyone else, these fifty years has given us unexpected occurrences that shape and mold us into who we are today. I am grateful for the many experiences and blessing that have been given to me. I want to say that I live in gratitude for all my life’s unexpected experiences. I have been truly blest. 
Morgan Andersen

 

Mark Bult
What would classmates be surprised to know about you since we graduated?

When I graduated from Skyline, I did not entertain medicine at all but wanted to become a commercial airline pilot. My plan was to go through ROTC and become a military pilot and upon discharge apply for a commercial airline job. That plan did not work out and I went to Plan B, which was medicine. I am grateful that being a pilot did not work out, as I loved my medical career.

What achievements over the past 50 years are you particularly proud of?

It has been a privilege to practice medicine. My primary specialty is Anesthesiology and I thoroughly enjoyed keeping patients safe and comfortable through complex as well as simple procedures.

I subsequently subspecialized in Pain Management and was honored to walk with patients in their struggle with chronic pain. I started my own Pain Clinic and practiced for 17 years. This allowed me to individualize patient care.

I am proud to have served Navy service members and their families-what an honor!

Beyond my career, I am a very proud Husband, Father, and Grandfather. While I didn’t anticipate a divorce, it has resulted in meeting the love of my life, Margie. We have a blended family of 7 children, and 12 grandchildren, 10 boys and 2 girls. While combined families have their challenges, they bring many joys that I am privileged to be part of.

How is your life now compared to what you expected when you graduated? Any big surprises

When I was accepted to Medical School in St Louis, I always dreamed of coming back to Salt Lake to practice Medicine. God had a different plan. After I spent 7 wonderful years in San Diego with the Navy training and doing my payback time, I joined an Anesthesiology group in Springfield, Missouri and practiced there for 16 years.  I then started my own Pain Management Clinic in the rural town of Bolivar, Missouri in 2003 and retired from there in 2020. Throughout the years, I had several opportunities to return to Salt Lake, but that was not to be. I would have never dreamed that I would come to Southwest Missouri and practice Medicine, but in retrospect it was God’s perfect plan for me.

Over the last 50 years, what have been your most memorable adventure?

I have had more than my fair share of memorable travel and adventure in our beautiful country and around the world with family and friends, but I think some of the most memorable for me are in service to others. Trips to Bolivia and Ecuador were very gratifying as a member of a surgical team despite almost being kidnapped in Bolivia. I was privileged to be a member of Surgical Team 7 out Camp Pendleton, California, taking care of Marines in far flung areas from the Aleutian Islands to Korea to Japan.

What excites and/or concerns you about the future?

During my lifetime, I have never seen so much division in our world, our country, our communities and families. I believe by the Grace of God we will come together and be a united people.

Who was the most memorable teacher you had at Skyline? Why?

Ted Wilson with his great grasp of economics was my most memorable teacher.  I had Mr. Wilson when President Nixon took us off the Gold Standard and he introduced Wage and Price controls. 

If you could talk to the 1972 you, what would you say?

I would say don’t be a “Lone Ranger” like I was in high school. I regret that I didn’t meet many more wonderful people in our class, as well as throughout my life.

From your accumulated life experiences, do you have any words of wisdom you would like to offer?

Love God and love others as you love yourself.

Mark Bult

Alan Tingey
What would classmates be surprised to know about you since we graduated?

I hope it’s not that I’ve stayed out of jail…

What achievements over the past 50 years are you particularly proud of?

My grandfather was once asked, “if you could have anything in this world, what would it be?”  His response: “A noble posterity.”  While the Tingeys have some blemishes, I find great contentment in having a loving and supportive wife, eight children who are all productive citizens and a boatload of grandchildren (33 with two more on the way).

How is your life now compared to what you expected when you graduated? Any big surprises

At 18, I still had the dream of professional baseball; however, in hindsight that was pretty naïve.  A couple of my buddies on the Skyline baseball team actually made it, but I had to settle on a different direction.  My fallback goal of medicine eventually yielded to a career in business after graduating with an MBA at the University of Utah and becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).  I’m fortunate to have my own investment advisory company and enjoy a challenging but rewarding industry.

Over the last 50 years, what have been your most memorable adventures?

Life itself has been an adventure.  But my time in foreign lands has probably been the pinnacle adventure.  At age 19 I spent two years in Guatemala & El Salvador on an LDS mission.  Though unexpected, I received another assignment recently and just returned with my wife from three years as President of the Ecuador Guayaquil South mission.  The experience was indescribable!  Seven months after arriving in July 2019, Guayaquil became the Covid “hotspot” for South America.  Responsibility for 182 young missionaries in that environment produced some very anxious moments as safety became the top priority in a land where the already meager healthcare system all but collapsed.  Illnesses, intermittent quarantines, constant masks and severely altered methods trailed us the rest of the mission.  But through it all, I came to appreciate the indominable human spirit, the goodness of different cultures and the need to help our fellow men.

What excites and/or concerns you about the future?

The world has changed dramatically since high school and sometimes seems upside down.  In viewing the future, I’ve learned that pessimism has little virtue.  Life is inherently good and rewarding.  I find there is much to be thankful for if we’ll just pause and reflect upon what we have in a spirit of contentment.  The things of greatest value to me have to do with relationships, including both family and friends.  Enjoying these relationships and being happy does not depend upon a world without challenges.

Who was the most memorable teacher you had at Skyline? Why?

Mr. Gilbert was my most memorable teacher because he showed a personal interest in motivating me.  After receiving a lower-than-expected Calculus grade one quarter, he pulled me aside and said, “I gave you this grade because I believe you can do better.”  Not wanting to disappoint him, my ability to “hit the books” changed from that point forward.

If you could talk to the 1972 you, what would you say?

Fear not and enjoy each season of life.

From your accumulated life experiences, do you have any words of wisdom you would like to offer?

Collectively, there is still a lot of life left in us with much yet to accomplish.  It’s always a good day to make a good long-term decision.  In the end, happiness is found more in service than in accumulation, more in people than in position, more in friendship than in wealth.  In fact, friendship is wealth.  I treasure my association with you, Skyline Class of ’72.

Alan Tingey

Dave Barton

I’m pretty transparent. I share most of what I do with others. I have to say that my life has been blessed in so many ways. If I was to say there would be any surprise it would be that I value my high school experience more than I can ever express because it taught me how nothing is achieved by just luck but through hard work. I have four children that I try to teach what I learned through my high school experience and hope that they don’t make the same mistakes I made.

I am glad that I have been able to physically do activities that I enjoy even to this point in my life. I try to work out in some way every day. My attitude is that if you don’t use it you lose it. It is important to me to have good health. The things I can control dictate how I live my life and I try to stick to what I know works.

In today’s world, unfortunately, staying married for a lifetime is rare. I have been married  to Janice since 1976. As I get older I have found that if you give in a relationship that it comes back to you twofold. Now that we are empty nesters and could be great-grandparents relatively soon, our concerns are that our posterity can experience the many good things we have experienced. We have found that many of the ways we taught our children ended up with them choosing to live their lives with different values but still love them unconditionally. We support our family no matter what!

Another achievement I have been proud of  has been the results of writing my book ‘Dealing with Goliath’ and subtitled ‘A Test of Faith and Endurance’. I have been able to raise thousands of dollars for the Multiple Sclerosis research. My mother, sister and step-sister all have this dreaded disease. Many strides to improve the lives of those who contract MS have been made in the last few generations.

My greatest joy by being the administrator of the class website is that I can pull resources together to benefit others when needed. The scholarships that our class has provided over the past decade have left me so appreciative of those who have donated to this fund. I love reading the letters of those who have received these scholarships and what it meant to them in furthering their potential.

Life has been good to me. I guess my biggest surprise is that it was much harder being a parent than I anticipated. I love where I am now (2022). There were no instructions on how to raise a child when birth took place so it was a roller coaster ride for sure. Life doesn’t get any easier as we get older but it does get different. I found you can’t be perfect or expect it to be. You take one step forward at a time and when the steps move backward, to no fault of your own, you pick yourself up and try to get that forward movement back again.

My most memorable adventures over the past 50 years all include my family and friends. Seeing my children grow and progress in life have been my greatest joy. Of course Lake Powell trips,

the Bear Lake Cabin and our backyard swimming pool have provided great memories with friends and family. Some of the most memorable don’t particularly line up to be called 'perfect experiences'. 

Now days I enjoy riding my bike, playing with my R/C aircraft, drones and cars to name a few. What a great world it is that provides such diverse things to do. I will always be grateful that I can enjoy so many things I have in common with my friends and family.

Many proclaim gloom and doom for our future and that of our children. I say the best years are in front us for the future of all mankind. Just saying!  A positive attitude brings about positive life experiences. That is the Secret! I love the quote from a doctor who told me that “the magic lotion is motion”. I hope to keep moving as long as I have the ability to do so. At the time that I can’t control what I desire, I hope that I can graciously accept help from others and try to ‘endure to the end’.

All my teachers, counselors and administration played a role in my life experience. I have to say that my track coach, Craig Poole, may have shaped me into what I could become. He had confidence in me that I may have not known I had in myself. He knew just what I needed to do to achieve my lofty goals.  

If I knew back in high school what I know now it would be to treat everyone with the utmost respect. In high school I may have done things that I know were not appropriate to others even if it was in a ‘kidding’ way.  I know after having children of my own that words have deep impact on ones self-worth. What we say and do really matter in the lives of those we come in contact with. I have found that just a quick wave or smile goes a long way in making others gain confidence in themselves and what they do.

Over the past eleven years since I have been involved in the class reunions and especially the class website, I have made double or triple the friends that I actually knew in high school. I have shared the extreme joy of their successes as well as supporting them when things don’t go as planned. One thing I know for sure is that life can be so unpredictable and can have many challenges. I also know that if you have classmates, friends and family to help you through the tough times that the good times are even more special because you are experiencing them with those who understand you and genuinely love you.

If I could give any advice to those that I cherish and love is that you don’t have to be perfect just strive for perfection. Your life gives you extreme challenges. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You have helped others your whole life and now may be the time to accept or receive help. And most of all never give up hope. I love the quote by Teddy Roosevelt when he says “Believe you can and you’re halfway there”. Truly a good way to live life.

I am looking forward to many more years of interacting with those of my Skyline classmates. We all have a common chapter in our book of lives. I can’t wait to see all of you at future reunions for years to come. Love you all.
Dave Barton

Rick Spedden

Schedules didn’t work out, so I’ll miss the 50^th.  So, the following is the answer to the question “whatever became of what’s-his-name?” (I mean the answer other than “who?”).

At Skyline I was for the most part just one more person in the eclectic mix that was our class.  It was a good mix of people and I appreciate you all for making it that way.

After Skyline I got a couple of undergraduate degrees in engineering and then a master’s degree in engineering and later an MBA.  I went on to a typical career in engineering, first for a large corporation (commuted by train into an office on Park Ave. in Manhattan) and later as an entrepreneur.  I did end up with about a dozen U.S. and international patents in a variety of fields, but for the most part not that exciting; so just give me a grade of ‘meets expectations’.   You can stop reading here based on the principle of TLDR (too long didn’t read).

I was fortunate to marry someone I didn’t and still don’t deserve (I always tell my wife she should listen to me, I obviously have better judgement than she does, after all look at whom we each married).  We have two kids who developed into their own people (thank god) and still are willing to vacation and ski with us.

Probably something that is long forgotten in the annals of our class is our “graduation quote”.   It was Thoreau’s reason for leaving Waldon Pond:  “Perhaps it seemed to me that I had several more lives to lead and couldn’t spend any more time on that one.”

So, aside from my rather predictable path of becoming an engineer, in my spare time I did manage to lead a few other lives.   While at the U., I was on the Alta Ski Patrol.   For our honeymoon, my wife and I did a week of backpacking and climbing on Baffin Island (north of the arctic circle), just the two of us.  We didn’t see another soul the whole time, which included hiking across the ice cap and crossing raging torrents of glacial meltwater dangling from our climbing harnesses clipped to a wire cable placed by the Innuits to “facilitate” a then still dangerous backcountry route.  Forty-two years ago, ventures there were rare enough that each year the Canadian Alpine Journal listed everyone who ventured into the Baffin Island backcountry to climb, so our honeymoon made the CAJ.   I’ve run half a dozen full marathons, done several century (100+ mile) bike rides (I still ride Little Cottonwood Canyon up to Alta on my road bike in the summer) and competed in a bunch of Olympic distance triathlons (though my wife is the one who did a full Ironman).   My wife and I do a lot of mountain biking (we’ve added a few routes to TrailForks over the years).  About 10 years ago I got first tracks (fresh powder) skiing the face of Mt. Superior (it is one of Utah’s classic backcountry lines, 4 hours skinning and booting up and 15 minutes skiing down)).  At the top with first tracks, I’d ski a few turns, the face would start to slide out and over the rock faces below and I’d have to ski to the side of the slide and start a fresh line until that started to slide.  I’ve managed to kick off a few small avalanches through the years.  I’ve crewed on a sailboat race to Bermuda, and captained bareboat (no guide) sailing ventures: in Alaska (we did a spinnaker run down a fjord dodging icebergs), across the Gulf of Maine (tracked by a Great White shark), and in the British Virgin Islands (during hurricane season (common sense?  that’s the other guy’s problem.)).  We used to sail our Laser 2 (a very small 2-person racing sailboat with a trapeze) the five miles across the Chesapeake Bay and back whenever there were “small craft advisories” out (that is the intent of those advisories, isn’t it?).  My wife and I were involved early in the sport of ice climbing in New England (rather cold, but a beautiful media to work with; among other things we climbed the highest waterfall in New Hampshire and Pinnacle Gulley on Mt. Washington).  We’ve climbed major peaks in the Alps and in South America (rock and glacier).   We climbed Devil’s Tower in Wyoming (rock climbing) and as with most of our ventures - without a guide (the first guys to climb Devil’s Tower reported the top to be as “unremarkable as any stone field in New England”, yup, that about covers it, like most things it’s the journey).   We have done extensive whitewater canoeing and kayaking.   Shortly after graduate school I led an MIT Outing Club 120-mile canoe trip through the northern Maine backwoods on the St. Johns River, the boats and paddlers were flown into the headwater lake.  Twenty-five years ago, I kayaked the 226 miles of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.   This summer my wife and I did the 104 miles of whitewater through the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness area on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River; we paddled our canoe supported by a rafting trip, the raft guides said they “had fun watching us” … whatever that means.  I used to fly my paraglider off peaks in the Wasatch, and places in Colorado, Idaho, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.   My longest paraglider flight was over two hours long just soaring on ridge lift.  I went on to get my Private Pilot’s License, but I liked knowing how to fly more than the actual ‘driving around the sky’.   My wife and I are certified scuba divers.  Among other things, I’ve done ice boating, ice dancing, surfing, rowing (Charles River, Boston) and trail running (no, not even in the same universe as what Sue did).  I tried golfing but that didn’t work out too well.   I still do a bit of writing.  At one point I was certified as a personal trainer and taught basic training in the early mornings at a local gym (nice to have a fall back in case that engineering thing didn’t work out).  I restored a 1934 Ford Roadster and have owned and tricked-out four Jeep Wranglers over the years.  My wife and I rode the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands “two-up” on my dual-sport motorcycle.     I presented a paper at the Geological Society of America on my theories challenging long-accepted science regarding Lake Bonneville and the Bonneville Flood (Bonneville Flood and the Wasatch Fault - YouTube).  Oh, and I play the mandolin, …poorly (well, maybe not as badly as my attempt at golf).  I always liked the quote: “everyone appears normal until you get to know them” and while I’m sure that doesn’t apply to me, I've never been quite certain about you…

Life’s dings and knicks have taken their toll (unfortunate things happen in life), my climbing and hiking days are over, but I can still ride bikes, ski, paddle, and sail.   So, like everyone I’m doing good, considering…

I’m enjoying you-all’s Reunion E-Book reflections, wow.   You are an impressive collection of people.  In high school I was always in awe at how you all seemed to have it all figured out.  I have spent the last 50 years trying to figure it out and I am still not there, but I have had a lot of fun trying.

Rick Spedden

Tony Jacobs
I think most classmates would be surprised to know that I even exist! I don’t think very many classmates knew me because I was pretty reserved and quiet. I didn’t seek any honors or attention. Over the past 50 years I’m especially proud of the many incredible projects I got to be just a small part of; portable kidney machine, ionophores drug delivery (drug follows electric current into your skin), surgical forceps, Utah Arm, Utah Terminal Device, Disney robots, Universal Studios Jurassic Park ride dinosaurs, Ford tele-robotic “Sarco” (used at Detroit Motor Show), Sarcos Dextrous Arm, Utah-MIT Dextrous hand, Bellagio Hotel fountains, Balleys Casino robots, Buffalo Bills Casino robots, NOSC underwater tele-robot, DARPA Exoskeletal robot system, Multi-Flex wrist, Wrist Rotator, ETD2 Terminal Device, Flexion Wrist, Motion Foot, Motion Arm.

 And then there is my family of course, what else really matters? I can’t take too much credit there as my wife Carrie is an incredible companion, mother, and our kids are so great at mastering their agency.

 I don’t think I really had many expectations after graduating from Skyline, I just wanted to find a companion I could spend eternity with and bring a few children into the world. I felt like I had enough skills to do that. I shortly got a good trade under my belt (Machinist) that I thought would serve me well for a lifetime but later learn that inventing my very own college degree would serve me even better (BUS Invention & Design Engineering).

50 years’ worth of my most memorable adventures would fill volumes, just to briefly name a few: two time motocross State champion, spending two years in New Zealand, tramping around Jerusalem, Norway & Europe for 3 weeks on my own, a three week road trip in motor homes with 50 young adults to DC & back, a week at Cancun, Cozumel, & Roatan; two weeks in Tahiti & Hawaii with my whole family, two more trips to New Zealand, a week in Alaska’s inner passage with wife & daughters, seeing one of the last Space Shuttles take off with my whole family, countless trips to Island Park & Yellowstone, probably averaging once a year.

The most memorable teacher I had at Skyline was Ray Gilbert. I had him for two math classes right in a row my Junior year, Analytical Geometry and Probability & Statistics, both most useful throughout my life. He knew how to make you want to learn and enjoy it. Introduction to Calculus in my Senior year. Then there was Bill Earl, taught one of the very first computer science classes taught in High School, very apropos for the coming future. AJ Pendleton taught me how to not hurt myself with machine tools! A lot of very practical experience.

This is what I would say to the 1972 me;  “Hint: you’re going to go on a mission to one of the most beautiful and incredible places in the world, you’re going to go to college, travel the world, eventually discover a perfect companion that will push you to a better you, have a few totally awesome kids, have even more amazing grandchildren, build a lot of neat stuff, invent some incredible prosthetic devices, get through a brain tumor with flying colors, reunite with some truly great friends, enjoy your retirement, live long, keep learning, and prosper.” From my accumulated life experiences I would say: Don’t collect stuff, your kids are just going to have to throw it away or sell it if it has any value left! Create memories that they will never forget. If you spent all the time and fortune on creating memories for your kids instead of collecting stuff, you’ll all be more joyful. Have sufficient for your needs, dabble just a little in your wants. Share with others, it’s most rewarding. Make some eternal friends and stay in touch. The future is a maze of twisty little passages all alike. An escape room. A magical mystery tour. Youth is a state of mind, not a time in your life. Be ready to explore, to adapt, to figure it all out. Live and love and share it all with those you care about.

Tony Jacobs

Cori Lloyd
Over the past 50 years, what have been your most memorable adventures? I have done some crazy stuff: At 19, I hitched hiked to Canada from Salt Lake with a boyfriend to visit a friend. (what a dumb thing in retrospect) At 21, I took sky diving lessons and jumped out of airplanes (what a dumb thing in retrospect) At 23, I moved to Southern California and have loved every moment of it! In my 60’s I white water rafted down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon for 188 miles and completed another 100 miles during Covid. At 66, my boyfriend, Randy, and I went to Europe and we traveled on a riverboat down the Danube to see the Christmas markets. I had never been to Europe. This was by far, the most memorable adventure.

What achievements over the past 50 years are you especially proud of? I started and grew a successful interior plant business and art consulting firm in Southern California. Several years ago I picked up a Canon DSLR and took classes and workshops. I found this to be a wonderful creative outlet. I was also able to place many of my photographs into interior spaces of corporations and health care clients.

 How is your life now compared to what you expected when you graduated? My father divorced our family with no warning, when I was 16 which threw our family into a tail spin and changed my life drastically. I didn’t have a path or direction until I moved to Southern California at the age of 23. I found my path, one stepping stone at a time. My life has had its trials and some hardships, but with faith, love and trust of others, has allowed me to love myself. Mix that with perseverance, doing what you love and hard work, my expectations have more than been exceeded.

What excites me about my future? My marriage ended in 2014 after 26 years. In 2019, I met my soul mate, Randy on Match.com. The only regret, is that I didn’t meet him earlier in my life. Love is a wonderful thing!

 If you could talk to the 1972 you, what would you say? Date guys closer to my own age. Love myself as I was, not as I wished to be (self-image). Appreciate your family and friends every day more. Just know that everything is going to be ok in the future!!

Caralee (Cori) Lloyd

Scott N. Howell
I vividly remember that first day I stepped into the halls of Skyline High School. It was a dream come true to be among so many friends I knew from Canyon Rim and Eastwood Elementary. Because I had participated in the Ute Little League football conference I also knew many athletes from the surrounding schools that fed into Skyline. That made it even more exciting. I lived for the camaraderie we shared playing high school sports. So many talented and inspiring educators at Skyline gave me a foundation to help face the rigors and challenges life throws our way.

 I don’t remember ever having a bad teacher at Skyline. In my sophomore year it was Coach Pierson (a sports mentor) who gave me the path to that ultimate freedom in life—a driver’s license! Other great teachers like Maj Sylvester, Mr. Farnsworth, Ms Harrington (always shared her class treats), Mr. Patten, Ms Collins, Ms Karpowitz, Mr. Melendez, Mr. Wilson, Coaches Schmidt, Haun and Rasmussen all helped guide me toward a career in business and public service. We also had great administrators. I think of Mr. Pizza, Mr. Middleton and Mr. Green who always had time to talk about anything and everything. They were role models of genuine CEOs and COOs. The icing on the cake for my days at Skyline came from an outstanding LDS seminary teacher, Brother Thomas/Giles. His teachings from the scriptures enlightened my soul. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of the faculty, friends and of course the Class of “72 Eagles that I encountered at Skyline. While serving in public office I had opportunities to speak to many diverse audiences at different places throughout the world. Of all those engagements, the most memorable came when I visited the Columbus School in Salt Lake. As I was touring the school, a young lady spoke up and said “Hey, Scott Howell was my boyfriend at Skyline High School.” It took me a moment to figure out who this person was. With a bright smiling face she said “Scott, It’s Marci your girlfriend.” I replied, “Marci, it is so good to see you again.” She then asked if I was married, I replied “yes.” and she said “Can we still be boy and girl friends?” I replied “Yes, of course we can.” I then talked to the Columbus students about how every person on this planet has a voice and deserves the respect to be heard and listened to. Only at Skyline, with a graduating class of more than 900, would I have had the opportunity to get to know Marci Minson and have this beautiful soul as my girlfriend. I loved Skyline so much that I wrote this op-ed “To Tear It Down”.

Married Linda Skanchy (Skyline High ’74), the love of my life. Five sons including one who joined our family while we lived in California. Thirteen grandkids and counting. Thirty Four years at I.B.M. (I’ve Been Moved…Five Times). Served three terms in the Utah State Senate. Currently have a government relations firm in SLC. For the past seven years Linda and I have served as Inner-City Missionaries for the LDS Church. Big shout-out to the Reunion Committee for their tireless effort to make this class reunion an amazing event. I found this quote in our senior yearbook that, for me, pretty much sums up the Skyline experience: Photo “Embrace the Possibilities”

Scott N. Howell

Becky Davis Topham

Upon meeting Shane Topham near the end of our junior year, it was love at first sight! We were inseparable until Shane left for his mission to Brazil. I attended the U of U for one year, then transferred to BYU (I discovered the education department was far superior to the U’s) to complete my last three years. While at BYU, I didn’t just sit home and pine away for Shane’s return. Instead, I dated numerous boys (only getting engaged 1.25 times, according to Shane), only to realize that Shane was my soul mate and the only one for me! We were married six months after he returned. I taught elementary school to support us while he finished his undergraduate degree and then went on to law school at the U Of U. We had five children while I continued to teach part time and Shane worked in a downtown law firm. We’ve been happily married (except for the times I felt like killing him!) for 47 years.

My 30 years of teaching was a highlight in my life, as I’ve always been very passionate about working with children. Music was a constant in my classroom; I sang and played my guitar with the children every day.  In fact, I’ve sung throughout my life, performing in a group at the U called the Music Company (with Joanne Griffiths) and since then have sung in small groups, duets with a dear friend, and church choir. My other interests include reading, gardening, sewing, playing games with our seven (soon to be eight!) grandchildren and spending time with family at our favorite beach house in The Sea Ranch (which straddles Highway One about 110 miles North of San Francisco). 

I look back on my high school experience as a very happy, positive time in my life. I had absolutely wonderful friends, especially those in Pep Club. We always had so much fun and created many great memories together. Each of them was a very positive influence in my life. One of my fondest memories was during Pep Club practice, when a few of us would drop to the ground beneath the bleachers, sneak away to the parking lot, hop in one or our cars, drive down to the Village Bakery on 3300 South to get a few delicious cookies, then sneak back to our seats on the bleachers. Ms. Colton never even missed us! I also enjoyed my time in Concert Choir and Madrigals and even took voice lessons from Bonnie Gunderson!

I am most proud of my role as a mother of five wonderful children. All of them are not only successful in their lives, but are genuinely kind, compassionate, accomplished people. And after teaching elementary school for 30 years, I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to influence so many children, and hope I’ve made a positive difference in their lives. I’m especially blessed to have been married to my sweetheart for 47 years! He always keeps me laughing, including when he notes that our 47 years of marriage have been 46 of the happiest years of our lives!

My philosophy in life is to keep a positive attitude, work daily to align my life with the Savior’s, deeply love those around me, and learn from and become more refined from the challenges I face. One of my favorite quotes is:

“What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Becky Davis Topham

Christopher Atkin
50 years seems like yesterday, but in fact it is not. We have all aged gracefully and those of us that have joined this website are connected by an everlasting friendship. We have had our successes and our failures. Many of us have also felt the pain of losing loved ones not the least of which for most of us is our parents. Back in 1972 we thought we knew everything but we were just beginning the real meaning of being an adult. We had the best music, the best friends, the best childhood anybody could ever have, and we survived it. To those of our classmates that served in the military, a big thank you from all of us. No matter what lies ahead, those of us that have stayed connected will mourn the loss of our classmates. Here's to good health, wealth, and let's do it again in five year.

Christopher Atkin

I returned to college in my early forties to follow my life-long passion of Interior Design. I opened my own business and experienced the creativity that I so enjoy, and the pleasure of helping clients. I opened my second business as a "Professional Home Organizer" (a passion all of my life also), and I was in my glory providing these two services for many years to wonderful clients. I am retired now.

My Most Loved Adventures

I was humbled and so grateful to have the wonderful opportunity of seeing some of the world. Indeed a life-changing experience, and it truly opens your eyes and your heart. I took a cruise to the Caribbean in 1995. Aruba, Caracas Venezuela (the most poverty stricken area I have ever witnessed in my life) and Granada, etc.

In 1999 when I was 45, I went to Europe for 6 weeks with my niece Micah, who is 25 years younger than I. We both love photography so we first arrived in Ireland (County Mayo) for a two week photography trip. Then onto London, England, Munich, Germany, Firenze, Italy, Paris and Nice, France     and it was all so spectacular!

The most valuable and life changing lesson I learned in my life at a very young age My great-grandparents and my grandfather and grandmother were from Russia and of Jewish decent. I was raised in a family where we were taught to have unconditional love for all people. My greatest teachers were my grandparents, my Dad and Alberta Henry.

I remember at the age of four of watching Alberta at my grandparents home. She was a shining light with such grace and joy.......................... and we loved and adored her.

Alberta became a longtime leader of the NAACP chapter in SLC, Utah. She supported fairness and justice for all, and she has been an inspiration to my life to this very day. This is a wonderful article about Alberta Henry, Champion of Racial and Educational Equity

1920-2005

Sending much love to everyone, and the only decision I would change today would have been to get know more of you at Skyline!
Gloria Frank

Jack Van Schelt
Life after graduation has been, and continues to be an adventure.

I went to the U for a year, then went to Scotland to serve a mission.   This is where I meet my beautiful wife Irene Russell.

We have been blessed with two children, Heather, and Mark.  We also have two grandsons, James and Dylan.  We stayed in Utah, living most of this time in Bountiful.

Irene and I with our children have traveled throughout the USA, the UK, Netherlands and Spain.  We just returned from Scotland at the end of May.  

Irene planned a trip to China about 2 plus years ago when I retired.  We have a friend there that we were to visit with and she was to show us the country.  Cindy Liu, our Chinese friend, called to say.... Covid is here and does not come over.   That was a disappointment.   Bags were packed, ready to go. So, one of Irene's brothers and his wife called and said, since you're not going to China, we will come over for two weeks. We went to Vegas with them for a week at a condo.   Vegas Shut down while we were there.... We went back to SLC.   My Brother in Law, Billy and his wife Sandra ended up staying here with us for over 3 months due to Covid shutdown.  Life is an adventure every day.  We have been to Scotland two times since then.... Still waiting on China.

Our home has been known to be called the Van Schelt hotel.   We have enjoyed many cultures staying with us over the years.

I have learned not to judge people.  Kindness with love and humility  finds more happiness.  We all have our down moments in life... It's the attitude of the cup being half full.

The teachers and students that I rubbed my shoulders with helped make me what I am today.  Happy in my life.
Jack Van Schelt

Kathi Brown Rosander
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone who tirelessly worked to make our 50^th Reunion such a great event.  It was wonderful!  Thank you to my fellow classmates for your genuine interest in sharing opportunities to reminisce about childhood memories, pre-teen turmoil and teenage escapades and get updates of your fascinating lives spanning the last 50 years.  My overall impression is that I was very lucky to have shared those formative years with you.  None of us has been untouched by the joys and sorrows, hills and valleys, ease and challenges of life, yet I am grateful to see that the depth of life’s experiences gave way to a leveled playing field for a joyful reconnection in our “mature” years.

For those unable to join in the reunion events or with whom I wasn’t able to visit, here is a quick synopsis of my life:

Russ (Olympus, ’72) and I are enjoying our adventurous journey as companions, parents, grandparents, and, yes, even great grandparents!  Time spent with family is precious, rewarding…and exhausting.  Our 5 children (2 sons, 3 daughters) provided an eye-opening education for us for which there was no text book.  In spite of our lack of experience and knowledge, they have increased our joy through their spouses and their responsible, positive contributions to society.  We have 18 grandchildren (12 girls, 6 boys) and 1 great granddaughter who continue educating us, but in different ways.  For instance, how to use a remote, air drop and venmo!  After many years of working within the public school system, I retired several years ago and now wonder how I ever had time to work.  Russ is looking forward to graduating from his business career into retirement in the near future and we hope to increase our travel and service to others while we still enjoy good health.

I have learned that people are more precious than things; time is more precious than money; and faith, hope and charity are the foundations of happiness.  I had great parents who began teaching me these concepts early in my life in words and in actions.  I hope I am passing that on to my posterity.

I am thankful to you, dear friends and classmates, for the part you played in my life.  You made Pep Club worth the early morning practices, math classes fun, science classes bearable, English classes thought provoking, history classes exciting, gym classes tolerable, music classes fabulous and seminary classes inspirational and foundational to my life long testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel.

You befriended me and helped me navigate those awkward years then showed me how and encouraged me to use my wings to fly…like an Eagle!
Kathi Brown Rosander

Brent Petersen
Sorry I will miss the 50th reunion. I loved high school. I pity the kids who go through school without the breadth of experience we had at Skyline. It was an extension of a great time at good old Wasatch Junior High. I still can’t believe it was all fifty years ago.

I played basketball at Wasatch and just assumed I would at Skyline, too. But lots of other guys kept growing and I stayed 5’ 10” so when I got cut after tryouts it was a big letdown. But that’s part of life’s lessons. You can’t always get what you want (Thanks, Mick). But Skyline provided plenty of other opportunities. I wouldn’t have had the experience of running up Millcreek Canyon with Mike Dean, Dave Judd and others in Cross Country. I wish I had the legs today to run out to the Cotton Bottom and back like we did.

Coach Poole was a great influence on me. He was a coach and a mentor. He actually understood the distance runners and got us to reach our potential. Running the mile in track was a character builder for me as I got wins, losses and a bad day at the region meet which kept me from going to state. Another life lesson.

Track season was a blast. Great memories of Randy George’s blazing 100 yard speed and Dave Barton and Kim Taylor battling for who would win the 100 yard hurdles. I remember working out in the hallways before the weather was good enough to be outside and coach having us stretch for twenty minutes or more before we ever ran a step. We had very few injuries during Coach Poole’s tenure.

Mrs. Jacobs was probably my favorite teacher. Writing for the school paper gave me experience that I used throughout my career. While I didn’t run in the state meet I covered it for the paper and hopefully passed on a little of what it was like to win a state title for the Eagles track team. For the last 10 years of work I was Director of Communications for a large dermatology company (a joint venture of Nestle and L’Oreal) and I used what I learned from Mrs. Jacobs almost every day.

We often get wrapped up in sports and the extra-curriculars, but I can say that Skyline really gave me a pretty good education. I was prepared to go to the U, along with almost a year’s worth of credit via CLEP and AP tests.

One of the best experiences since Skyline was my LDS mission to Indonesia. I served two years on the island of Java and extended for a month to go to India with another Elder who had been there once before. India didn’t allow proselyting but we were able to meet with little groups of members in several small towns. While in India we visited the Taj Mahal, still one of the most amazing sites I’ve seen in my life. A man who I baptized in Indonesia will be in Utah at the end of August to witness the wedding of his grandson, one of many in his large family who are members of the church today.

I’m not sure there were any great surprises since graduating. Life comes at you whether you’re ready or not. I’ve been married for almost forty-six years to the best girl I know… even if she graduated from Olympus. We have two wonderful kids who both have great spouses and each have a boy and a girl. So while not as prolific in progeny as some of our other classmates, I am blessed to have kids who are gainfully employed and have given us healthy, happy grandkids. I can’t ask for more than that.

The friends I made at Skyline were a tremendous influence for good in my life. That’s not always the case, but it was for me. Jeff Schmidt called me the other day on the way home from a mission assignment in Ecuador where Alan Tingey was the mission president. Can’t get better friends or high school influencers than those two. Ralph Greenberg and I were neighborhood buddies since junior high. He and his wife visited us in Fort Worth several years ago and then unexpectedly passed away in 2020. I cried big tears. We had such good times together and it was a blessing to see him again before he passed. Doug Miner was also a great friend. We rocked out in his Camaro on the way to morning classes at the U. We named our son Spencer, partly after Spencer W. Kimball and partly after good Wasatch and Skyline friend, Spence Van Leeuwen. Don Alger was a good friend as well. We had season tickets to the U basketball for years until my job moved me to Fort Worth. Our wives would visit and we watched the games back in the Chambers,Vranes era. I was blessed with good friends.

To all my friends, male or female, thank you for being part of the Skyline experience. I think we grew up in a more idyllic time than we are in now. And to any friends, male or female, who I offended as an immature teenager whose brain hadn’t fully developed yet, my sincere apologies. I was a dork at times, I know.

All of us have seen the circle of life spin and spin since graduation. I lost my younger brother to cancer in 2018, three weeks after my Dad passed at 92. You have all experienced similar things I’m sure. It’s inevitable as fifty years goes by. But here’s to the future as we continue to grow older and wiser.
Brent Petersen

Kim Hyatt
Somehow, I previously overlooked this great opportunity to give detailed information about myself that no one will care about. But in the event anyone is bored and needs something to fall asleep by: What would classmates be most surprised to learn about you since we graduated? That I survived. Furthermore, that I also became a somewhat useful, contributing member of society is a surprise to me, too.

What achievement(s) over the past 50 years are you especially proud of?  Achievement 1: Marriage to a wonderful young woman who became the mother of my children and the love of my heart. (Maybe it was more luck, but I’ll take it.)  Achievement 2: Four children who think I’m an OK father.  Achievement 3: Four grandchildren who think I’m a wonderful grandfather.  Other achievements of note: I finally became a son that my parents could (sort of) be proud of. LDS mission to Italy. (Now THAT’s got to have surprised a few of my classmates.) Master of Architecture degree and numerous award-winning projects. 11-year career (and counting) with the National Park Service. (Gotta love the hats.)

How is your life now compared to what you expected when you graduated? Any big surprises?  Once after high school I told my good friend, Jess Harper, “I’m so disappointed.” I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t that life would be harder after the confusing, difficult teenage years. But now I can begin to appreciate the growth that the challenges and difficulties have afforded me. I hope to become a complete human being before I die. 

Surprise 1: I survived at least four, no, five – or was it six? – near-death experiences. In case anyone wonders, none was deliberate. (Or should it be, “None were deliberate?” I never learned that lesson in junior high school English.) Surprise 2: After Surprise 1, the world was always still the same.

Over the past 50 years, what have been your most memorable adventures?  Most memorable: Husband. Father. Grandfather.  Others: 250-mile desert survival trip. Backpacking and high-altitude mountaineering (National parks, Utah mountains, Rainier, Denali, Aconcagua). Colorado River. Countless nights observing the stars.

What excites and/or concerns you about the future?  Concern 1: Polarization and incivility in all society. Can’t we all just get along? (I know, it’s been said before, and next to “Love thy neighbor,” is still valid.)  Concern 2: Republican Party. (Apologies to all my Republican friends.)  Concern 3: Democratic Party. (Apologies to all my Democrat friends.)  Concern 4: The world is not a rational place anymore, if it ever was. 

Excitement 1: The next 50 years. (OK, maybe 10 or 20 – 30 at the outside.)  Excitement 2: More grandchildren. Who was the most memorable teacher you had at Skyline? Why?  Ginger Gunn. Besides the groovy miniskirts, she was interesting, energetic, and made history and civics topics that I never would have guessed I would enjoy. Thank you, THANK YOU, Mrs. Gunn!  Others? Any of the fine teachers who put up with me.

If you could talk to the 1972 you, what would you say? HANG ON. From your accumulated life experiences, do you have any words of wisdom you'd like to offer?  No one is special. EVERYONE is special.  You can’t have too many friends.  A man’s got to know his limitations. (Yes, it’s been said before, and Clint Eastwood’s words are still valid.)
Kim Hyatt

Claudia Evans Kaelin
What would classmates be most surprised to learn about you since we graduated? Fresh out of High school I surprised myself by getting engaged to Craig Kaelin (Skyline class of 68) on the second date, as everyone held their breath and wondered, How long this would last. Next May we will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary.

What achievement(s) over the past 50 years are you especially proud of?
6 children with 6 spouses, 19 ½ grandchildren, and one great grandchild, who are productive beautiful people and my closest friends. Even though my focus has been on home and family and church I have had opportunities in home and landscape design, graphic art and organizing spaces, professionally and just for fun.

How is your life now compared to what you expected when you graduated? Any big surprises?
I was painfully shy in High school. That was my biggest obstacle in life until I married a performing artist and raised artist children. Music and art have put the spice in life.

Over the past 50 years, what have been your most memorable adventures?
Getting to know my ancestors and walking in their footsteps on the epic sesquicentennial Great Trek of 1997 and then in later years all over New England, Ireland and London.
Also raising our family in East Mill Creek and recently settling in the quiet little hamlet of Spring City, Utah.

Who was the most memorable teacher you had at Skyline? Why?
Mrs. Harrington. She taught me the pure joy of cooking. I still use her methods and recipes. She was a delightful human being.

What excites and/or concerns you about the future?
A lot of people have a negative outlook of the future but I often ponder the words of Helen Keller, “No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.” I say, Look to the future with optimism. The next 50 years will be a great adventure of discovery, sailing and opening.

If you could talk to the 1972 you, what would you say?
You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
Christopher Robin

From your accumulated life experiences, do you have any words of wisdom you'd like to offer?
Just the words of my mother:
“Don’t sweat the small stuff. What doesn’t matter doesn’t matter. Laugh every day, even if it’s at yourself.
Love like there’s no tomorrow.
We all have the power to change the world in our little neck of the woods.”
Georgene Evans

How blessed we are to have made it this far.
What great people the class of 1972 produced. I’m so inspired by all of you. I hope I have a chance to get to know you better along the way.

Claudia Evans Kaelin

Wendy Stillman Oakes
My experience that classmates would be surprised to know was that I was a kindergarten teacher for 22 years.

I had many no memorable and humorous experiences one of which the class pets two rabbits escaped in the middle of the night and brought the principal to school that night. Being a fairly stern man he was not happy!

My favorite teacher in high school was Ted Wilson. He would come to buy candy with his kids when I worked at the Sprouse Reitz Store on 27th South and 20th East where I made all of $1.25 an hour. Times have changed.

If I could talk to my high school self, I would say become assertive and follow your dreams. I was pretty quiet in high school.

My life now is different because now I am more assertive. After teaching school for 22 years, raising a family and working as an exchange agent I have learned to be pretty assertive.

I went to Dixie College following High School and then finished up at Westminster with a degree in education. I later went back and got a Master's degree in Social Work at U of U.

I married Gene Oakes in 1978. He works with the doctors and staff as a CPA and clinic manager of the Orthopedic Specialty Clinic at TOSH in Murray, Utah.

We have two natural children Rob and Shellie and later adopted two boys Jordan and Tyler. and also have nine grandkids 9 and under. The ninth was just born this month. Her name is Oakley that resembles our name and was able to come into the world as a little miracle because of invitro, a scientific miracle that has developed in the last 50 years.

My words of wisdom would be to Be kind and help those in need. I now work with families in Utah and around the world to place High school kids that attend a year of high school in the USA. It has been rewarding and allowed us to travel and visit many countries around the world. My concern for the future is having a peaceful world. My hope is our children and grandchildren will be able to achieve that.