Heather Raymond Wainwright

After HS, I went to college first in SC, then finished in WY, and ultimately ended up back in Savannah. There I met my husband Kevin, who was then an artilleryman in the Army stationed at Ft Stewart; we married in June 1994.

Our first several years together were spent finishing schools (I got a degree from Armstrong in 1998; he went to seminary). After Kevin graduated in 1999, he was called to a church in WI. Our first son Joshua was born a Cheesehead on 1/31/2002. Kevin's next call took us to a church in NC, where he was also activated with the National Guard and deployed to Iraq. While he was gone, our Tarheel son Nathanael was born on 7/5/2004. After a tour in Iraq and another in New Orleans after Katrina, we decided that Kevin should just re-up with the Army instead of trying to be a pastor AND a Guardsman, so he came back on active duty as a chaplain in June 2006, which relocated us to Fort Hood, TX. He deployed for Iraq again in September that year. He just got home from that tour in December 2007. I'm very proud of him; he has a gift for ministry to soldiers, and he's earned two Bronze Stars for his service.

Aside from getting a BA in English and an MA in History, I have had a smattering of odd jobs, most of them clerical- or research-oriented. While none of these jobs have been a true calling, they've helped pay the bills and taught me quite a few computer skills (which have come in handy for all the sleuthing for our "lost" classmates!).

These days, I spend most of my time mothering. My 2 boys keep me quite busy, especially when their Daddy is overseas. We've overcome and continue to manage medical issues with Nate, so balancing his care without neglecting Josh's curiosity, compounded with the unique "opportunities" of being a pastor's wife and/or Army wife, have been my biggest challenges. So far, so good. :)

Overall, I have been very blessed. I can't believe it's already been 20 years since we graduated, but it is great to hear from everyone!! Keep the updates coming.

I "survived" high school because several dear friends kept me grounded. Back then, I couldn't wait to graduate and get out of "Dodge," but hindsight has inspired a rather sentimental memory of those years. Life has taken me on many adventures (including some in several other countries) and introduced me to people from various corners of the earth, but many of my dearest friends remain those whom I knew in those tender years.

I don't think I lived up to "Most Likely to Succeed" in any sensational fashion, but I have achieved those things--family and friends--which will keep my spirit youthful and my step light. That surely is a fair measure of success to me! I have to say, though, that I am very impressed with many of our classmates who have achieved impressive careers and families. My hat's off to you all!