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Hello Classmate!

What did you enjoy most about our 50th Reunion?

Can you help in the efforts to find 'Missing Classmates'? 

Richard (Dickie) Pitts

Hi, Annamarie. Welcome to our website. I only joined in recently, yet have been warmly received beyond anything I ever imagined. Hope you enjoy the same experience. Please accept my belated condolences for the passing of your soulmate, Jimmy. We shared several moments during the final two years of high school. Remembered him as a giving and compassionate soul. Please feel free to connect with me. 

Ruby (Goober) Grooms

Please welcome Charlie Jenson's wife, Rebekah (Ford),  to our WSHS 1973 website. She lost Charlie, who is the twin to Sally Jensen, in 2017. Rebekah is also a WSHS 1973 classmate (along with her twin brother Bruce Ford). Please share those memories of Charlie with Rebekah to hopefully bring a smile to her face. Thank you Sally for encouraging Rebekah to this site!  

Ruby (Goober) Grooms

My heart breaks for the Seely Family and friends for the loss of our sweet 1973 classmate Janet Cave who passed away Friday, Sept. 1st. Many fond memories of her love for life and kindness to others. A true friend with a big big heart.  RIP Janet 

Ruby (Goober) Grooms

Please send love and prayers to Kim Schneider, and the Huffman Family, for the loss of her husband yesterday. Let Kim know her Viking Family surrounds her with support and peace. 

Ruby (Goober) Grooms

Curious - Who is still working a Full Time job? I know Chuck White is still working hard but retiring next month. If you are still grinding 5 days a week, let us know what you do.

Vicki Copperthite (Mattingly)

Hi! I'm almost working a full time job. I work as a special needs needs bus aide but, will be working with Carroll County Public Schools in the near future with young adults from 18-21 years old that are high functioning. I just got the new position but don't know my start date as of yet. I've been working with mostly autistic students. Not a boring job? 🤪

Jeff Shaw

In the summer I work pretty much full time when the Seattle Mariners are at home, part time when they are on a roadtrip. In the winter I work full time at Seatac Airport de-icing aircraft. I almost didn't return to the winter job this year but they asked nicely (and offered a nice raise). I am retired from the Coast Guard (27 years) and the Alaska Airgroup (15 years). A pension and lifetime free flying privileges. Life is good.

Vicki Copperthite (Mattingly)

Hi, Jeff! This is Vicki Copperthite (Mattingly). I saw you are retired from the Coast Guard. My oldest brother, Doug Copperthite joined in 1972 and was in the Coast Guard until 1997. His last duty station was Yorktown, Virginia. But, he was stationed in the Seattle area. 

Jeff Shaw

Hi Vicki. I was in from October 1973 until September of 2000. I did two tours in Seattle (one enlisted, one officer) but don't recall a Mattingly. I retired in the Seatle area but we are looking at where to go next as my wife retires next week. Good on you for working with special needs kids. Happy 50th Graduation Celebration.

Ruby (Goober) Grooms

These are the faces of your 50th Reunion committee on our weekly Sunday Zoom meeting. Getting down to business. One more Sunday to go! 

Peggy Snow (Flores)

I am still working full-time.  Retired in 2020 Two months later was asked to do some consulting and have been doing so full-time ever since.    Will give it a couple more years and then finally retire for good.  Enjoy the job and people I work with.  Plus, I get to work remotely from Maryland for a West Coast Company in Newport Beach California.  

Richard (Dickie) Pitts

Sounds like a dream job. Good for you. One trait that seems a common thread amongst all WSHS grads: we have kept active over the years and will never be classified as lazy. Not only am I still working, but I also walk to and from my job approximately 22 miles each week. Love the fresh air and cardio this provides me. 

John (Chip) Oswalt

Although I retired from AT&T in 2017, I recently returned for an encor. I am now doing contract work on behalf of AT&T and in support of the federal governent. My wife (Tina) and I are living in Florida, just outside of the Tampa area. I have four adult children, the youngest is 28. They live as far west as Oregon and others remained in Virginia. I keep in touch with a few of my friends from WSHS, but would love to talk (or email) with more of you. This picture was taken back in March at a wedding. Wishing all of you the very best.  Chip.

Richard (Dickie) Pitts

Hi, Chip! Welcome to this incredible website. I've only recently joined the expanding ranks of former alumni of WSHS, but am so glad I did. The reconnection with others has been nothing short of amazing. Hope the recent hurricane hitting FL avoided damage to you in Tampa. Wishing you and yours continued happiness. 

Ruby (Goober) Grooms

Starting the 50th Reunion weekend at football game. WSHS won 27 - 0 against CD Hylton

Michael Grainger

Looks like a great group of "young" looking fans watching a fabulous game. Hope everyone who attended enjoyed the reunion last night despite the tropical storm everyone was experiencing. Nothing can dampen a Viking. 

Peggy Snow (Flores)

Just wanted to take a minute to thank the 50th Reunion Committee.  You did a great job. So glad I went and connected with my classmates.  Even the significate rain did not keep us from this fun event.  Thanks for everything.

Alexis Smith

I wholeheartedly agree with Peggy!  Thanks for the time and effort of the committee, it was a great reunion and I look forward to many more.  

Lex (Alexis Smith)

Anna Riley (Mattingly)

It is with a heavy heart that I am sending this update.  Debbie Maxwell Dawson past away this week.  She was my best friend in high school and my roommate after we graduated.   We had so much fun together and lots of memories.   She will be missed.  
Deborah Maxwell Dawson Visitation and Funeral will be at Sykes Funeral Home on Friday Oct 6th from 11:00-1:00.  Clarksville, Tennessee.

Cindy Drury (Clark)

Oh Anna, I am So Very Sorry to hear this!  I remember the two of you together and as roomates.  Rest in piece, dear Debbie!  She caught the bouquet at my wedding.

Don Hartlaub

I wholeheartedly agree with Peggy as well.  I thouroghly enjoyed the weekend and only wish I had one more day/event to visit more with some of my classmates.  For those who didn't come/couldn't come, please start making plans to come to the 55th (or maybe earlier as hinted in another comment).

Ruby (Goober) Grooms

Our connection and spirit at the 50th reunion was awesome! Appreciate all those that were able to attend. Please stay in contact. Since there is a lot of talk about doing another reunion, we want to reach out to all those 'Missing Classmates' and give them the opportunity to join us for our next event. To do that, they must be found and contacted. Everyone of you can help in this search. Everyone is needed in this search. About 40% of our classmates are missing! Let's all make the effort to find them. There is a sense of joy once a classmate responds to you. And believe me, they will appreciate and be filled with joy to know they are missed and you made the effort to locate them. There are alot of websites on the internet that can be used. You can also contact their siblings and friends.

Before our next reunion, let's see how many of the 189 missing classmates we can get to access our website and update their profile.  To get started, click the 'Missing Classmates' link on the left panel to see the list. Message me if you are willing to participate in this effort.    

Ruby (Goober) Grooms

Just wanted to say Hello! to all my WSHS friends. Stay in touch.

Melodie Peed (Cox)

Ruby (Goober) Grooms

Thank you Melodie for your post. Heres information Michael Kearns daughter posted:

I am sharing the information for my dad's memorial service this Friday again, but with the church address included. Family and friends of his, please share with anyone you think may want to come and doesn't have FB. Thank you! Michael Kearns Terry Arbisi Kearns Tiffany King

A memorial service to celebrate Michael's life will be held at 10:30am on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Spotswood Baptist Church (4009 Lafayette Blvd. Fredericksburg, VA, 22408). For those attending the service, we invite you to wear your Washington Capitals apparel or wear the color red to “Rock the Red” in honor of Michael’s favorite hockey team.