Wow! 25 years has really passed. Its seems like only yesterday it was winter time, and I was standing in front of Mr. Johnson, trying to explain why there were so many cafeteria trays at the bottom of the hill just outside the lunch room. Honestly Mr. J., it wasn't me?! (Great times)

It's funny, I don't have too many memories of my scholastic achievement or grid-iron glory (go figure), but a whole lot of memories of the good stuff. Ice skating on Lake Ellyn, and 4th of July's there too. The GWHS football tradition on Saturdays in the fall. Working on the floats for Homecoming, then watching the parade down Main Street. Baronies Pizza, (still the best in town). Battle of the bands at the civic center.

Remember the fair that used to come to town put on the Glen Ellyn Jay Cees? Those were good times.. Every now and then I hear a great tune from the 70's-80's and I go right back to what I was doing when the song first came out...

Any way, I am sorry I missed the 10 year & 20 year reunions, but I'm not missing this one. I look forward to seeing you all, having a few beverages, sharing old times and playing a little golf. I'm not very good, but I can cheat with the best of them, so I should be able to help out somebody's team during the Friday scramble.

Take care everybody, see you in September.. Troy

p.s. thanks again to everyone on the reunion committee for all their hard work.

Pete Jones - pjones8404@sbcglobal.net
Hello to all. I guess I will be the first to post something.

I hope everyone in the class (and their extended families) are happy and healthy. I also hope that the past five years have been productive and fruitful.

In these days of terrorism, war, stress and the day-to-day worries of family and jobs, I think we should all take a moment and be thankful for friends, famlies and the blessings that each of us have in our lives.

It is my sincere hope that we use this reunion to connect with old friends, thank our present friends and if we are lucky, make new ones. Because in the end, no one cares who was the most popular, the most likely to .....(insert your own thoughts...) the best athlete, the prettiest, the smartest or whatever. The only thing people remember is; where they a good person, a good friend and could I count on them in a pinch. Those are the things that really matter.

I look forward to seeing my current friends, connecting with old ones and most importantly, making new ones.

Until then, I hope everyone has a great summer and hope that your travels to the reunion are swift and safe! peace!

pete jones

Sue (Molin) Stears - s.stears@comcast.net
Note 2: It's been wonderful catching up with our classmates. Thanks to everyone who is helping to make the reunion another huge success! There are so many hard working folks behind the scenes. It was truly a wonderful graduating class. So many wonderful folks who have touched so many people.

Thanks to everyone who has posted a note -- and to those reading the notes, let's hear from you! You're here to reconnect, so why not drop a note and tell us about yourself!

The reunion is fast approaching. With Homecoming being early (September 29 & 30) we're are closing in quickly. Please - if you haven't heard from the committee via emails, mailings or classmates.com, please contact me with your updated address and email. The committee wants to get as many folks on the listing and update the records; so if you know folks who may not have heard about the 25th Reunion, please let them know about this site and contacting the committee!

Thanks for all the well wishes and help. The committee appreciates everyone's help. See you all soon!

Note 1: Ok everyone....It simply can not be possible that we are planning and soon to be attending our 25th High School reunion.

I remember see all the alumni coming back to the Homecoming games and thinking - wow - 25 years - geez they're old...and here we are...younger and better than ever!

I have had the wonderful experience to be a part of the reunion committee once again. It has been a trip reconnecting again with the class. Hope you can make the reunion - if not - post a note, and let's hear from you.

Paul Long - paulmelissalong@yahoo.com
Hope to see you soon. Paul.

Mary Ann (McCurdy) Erickson - merickson@ithaca.edu
I'm looking forward to the reunion! I think the funny thing for me in revisiting high school days is seeing my own kids heading in that direction (my oldest daughter will be starting middle school next year). I look at her and wonder where she'll be fitting in - unlike me, she's athletic - but I agree with Pete's note that at the distance of 25 years where we fit in in the high school social scene isn't what it's about now. The great thing about seeing old friends and acquaintances is seeing how much those years are still a part of us but at the same time how far we've come. Think I'll be able to explain that to my kids while they're going through it?? Nah....

John Quigley - john.quigley@53.com
5 years! Has it really been that long? Amazingly I remember it like it was last week. If you missed last the reunion you missed a lot. That weekend was a riot. J.T. look forward to seeing you. Pam, I haven't gotten any better at golf, I'll be safe and be sure to wear boxers. Kevin, I'll give up the last man standing this year it's too long of a drive to Louisville. DVP please do us all a favor and look at least 25, not 18 again, you looked great! Lori, I'm still fat. Katy, look forward to continuing our conversation from five years ago. Zach, my money is still on you at this reunion. Reunion Committee keep up the great work!!! You guys rock.To everyone else I hope the time has been as good to you that it has to me. See ya'll at the Castle on the Hill. Quigs

Eric Markinson - eric_markinson@gbsd.gresham.k12.or.us
Oh, my. 25 years?! I've been delighted by those of you who have told your stories here on this perpetual website: You who have lived, loved and thrived in the Chicago area (still the greatest American city), and those of you who have maintained your ties there amidst your travels. Perhaps it's midlife nostalgia that has me looking back to Glen Ellyn--to you all--when all I wanted to do in 1981 was get out of Dodge.

Bravi and thanks to you who are putting on this event. Sue M Stears--Can anyone but you have been so elegant, wry and warm at age 17? And McCurdy--Dr Erickson--I still think of you every time I hear Chopin. I'm ever the nerd.

Hope it works out to see you all in September. And Pete Jones put it best: Peace, indeed. Cheers, Eric

Mark Russell - markwrussell@hotmail.com
As I write, each of us is preoccupied by something. It could be the World Cup, the war in Iraq, family matters or summer vacation, but I think many of us are also focused on our upcoming reunion. I know I am.

For starters, I'd like to acknowledge Sue Molin for coordinating everything. Trite as it sounds, I can't imagine how much effort it takes to plan a high school reunion. Maintaining a website takes a lot of work, too, and Dan Marks deserves credit for keeping it up-to-date.

This year I hope each of us can convince someone who was absent from the previous reunion to attend. That includes those classmates who finished their secondary education elsewhere, but who would otherwise have been members of Glenbard West's class of 1981.

I don't place much stock in Thomas Wolfe's assertion that "you can't go back home to your family, back home to your childhood ... back home to lyricism... back home to the old forms and system of things that once seemed everlasting..." Of course you can, and that is why we have high school reunions. See you this fall! Mark Russell

Jerry McWherter - jmcwherter@hlmsteel.com
Hello to all, look forward to seeing you all soon. With a little bit of persuasion I hope to get Mal and Mike Whalen to the events.

Eric Friedemann - friedemann@wideopenwest.com
I had a great time at the 2001 reunion and I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone in September.

Rick Dawrant - rdawrant@sbcglobal.net
I cannot believe that it has already been 25 years since we left Glenbard. We are quickly becoming the "old" people that we used to laugh at when we were young! I am looking forward to a great reunion weekend and cannot wait to catch up with old friends. See you soon!

Tammy Ludwig Miller - genetree@wideopenwest.com
Wow! It is so hard to believe that it has been 25 years. I remember when my mom had her 25th reunion from Glenbard! Yikes! Can we really be that old?

Thanks to the committee for all of the time and hard work that they have put into making this reunion successful. I wish I could have been able to help this time around. See you all soon!

Barb (Ryan) Spall - Barbspall@aol.com
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again! The last five years have really flown for me. It's amazing how we can pick up right where we left off --it's so fun! I hope you have all made your plans to attend our Reunion this year. If not, what are you waiting for?? I can't wait! Who can't use some fun, laughs and a great time? I know I can!

I was talking about the reunion at work the other day and one of my co-workers said "I hate reunions! Why does anyone go? Everyone just tries to impress everyone else- I would never go!" I don't think that could be farther from the truth. Some people may try to impress others but the fun part is that we all know we all started out in the same place so it's all good.

I think the reason we like to get together--especially now that we're older is because it is familiar, it makes us feel like kids again and it's where we all came from. The reality is no matter where you are in your life now, we all started out in the same place and it's nice to know that.

Who said you can never go home? You can and you better be there! :)

Lynn Wright Nuzzo - ltn325@sbcglobal.net
WOW! 25 years. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone again. My boys will both be in high school now so I have done some reminising. As I am helping my eldest search for colleges now it has brought back some fun memories of senior year on the hill. See you all soon!

Marc (Moony) Johnson - marc.johnson@gmail.com
Hi All !!!

My name must have vanished from the reunion lists. I'm still alive. I would have loved to attend the reunion, but will be attending a family wedding that weekend.

I was the geek of all geeks in highschool, but it's wonderful to see how everyone has changed. Maybe I'll see you at the 30th.

It'd be great to hear from you all. Later. Marc

Kathy Short Brooks - kb120662@aol.com
I, too, would like to thank the reunion committee and Susan for giving their time and talents to keep us all in touch.

I look forward to seeing everyone that I missed 5 years ago as I did not make the Sat. events.

I look back at our Glenbard West High School and frankly my kids' high school really does pale in comparison. Or I just like to remember the really good stuff. I know that I did not appreciate it at the time and it is reunions and message boards that help me look back and see how really lucky I was to be a part of the class of 1981.

I look forward to seeing and visiting with everyone!

Kathy (Bowles) Cipriani - kmciprian70@verizon.net
Wow, I can't believe that five years has past already! It was sure great to connect with old friends and make new friends, like Pete said. I hope all is well with every one and their families. Since the last reunion I have moved and changed careers(no one would believe it if I told you anyway). I am now in central Wisconsin. I too hope to make it for the reunion in september. Until then be safe and take care! I hope laura streit and laurie hottinger are reading and make it to this reunion! Kathy (Bowles) Cipriani

Nancy (Severyns) Cline - nancy.s.cline@marriott.com
every week I check the class notes and wonder why there aren't more responses...where are the rest of you?

well, I'm in North Carolina and making the trip to GE for the reunion...hope you all will be there! paula, biz, lisa, tammy (and zach) don't forget our "friday night" jeff, hope you're bring the rv! john s. hoping you'll stop by to visit with us. carol s. hope to see you this time. the 20th was a blast if you missed it...make this one...it will be fun! marc w are you still in GE? jerry m...you always make me laugh...I do hope you get dave m to show up... hope to see you all soon, nancy

Rebekah (Gabric) Reid - kealahoku_reid@msn.com
Aloha (that's the give away to where I live)... I lucked out in life and married a Maui boy. We have a sweet place on the northshore of Kauai - so if you're ever in the neighborhood... I am so excited that I will be in Chicago the week of the reunion. I'll be in town for a golf outing in my father's name for the Wellness House (supportive home for cancer patients and their families). So if you're an avid golfer with extra cash to burn... call my brother Ralph in GE. Looking forward to the reunion. I had more fun at the 20th reunion then I EVER did in highschool -- well actually I probably had more fun in highschool b/c I hung with Julie Harris... but that was a kind of a lost blackout kinda fun... the reunion I remember. So thank you to all you reunion planners, for doing it again. Look forward to being at my one a true home - Glen Ellyn!

Gail des Lauriers - gaildes@insightbb.com
What a great reunion site! The reunion/Web site committee has done a fantastic job.

Even though I was unable to graduate with our class, I've really enjoyed catching up on all the class notes. During the summer before our junior year, my family moved over to Elkhart, Indiana, where my parents owned a business. I spent my college years in Kentucky at Georgetown College -- just north of Lexington. And even though I've lived in Kentucky for 25 years now, Glen Ellyn will always be "home" to me.

It's a small world, as Mark Russell lives here in Lexington, too, so we catch up with each other every so often.

I wish I could make it to the reunion, but I have a work conflict. I'll look forward to the 30th. ~ Gail

Kevin Burke - coachkevinjburke@hotmail.com
On SATURDAY SEPT 30th, Curly's on Pennsylvania Avenue across from the fire station in downtown Glen Ellyn will be expecting many of us from the class of 1981 who would like to stop by. The kitchen & grille will be cooking until about 10:30 that night with great food. Entertainment starting about 9:00 PM will be provided with live music from "LP-2-CD" playing golden oldies (LP) to current party rock(CD). You may even know a few people rockin' with the band that night. Hope to see ya there !!

Tamara Vorbau Hoit - tlhoit@interact.ccsd.net
Boy, the last five years really flew by! I can't make the 25th but hope to see everyone at the 30th reunion. Have fun Hilltoppers!

Julie Harris Pineda - rubenwedge7@sbcglobal.net
Gabric;
You'll be contacted by my attorney's office in regards to the slanderous context of your message on this website. We'll just have to get over the awkwardness of having to retain your brother Ralph (again!)
See You Saturday, JH Pineda

Anne O'Hara - aohara@ameritech.net
Hello! I hope everyone is doing great as our 25th reunion approaches. A big thanks to Sue Stears, Jodi Hefler, Eric Friedemann, Kathy Rhear, John Shogren, Dan Marks and the rest of the committee for all of their hard work! I am on a business trip in Atlanta so won't see many of you Friday night - have a fun evening! I'm happy to share that I am leaving in a few weeks to go to China to meet my 2 year old new daughter! It should be quite an experience! I wish you all only the best!

Paula Kramer - kramer.paula@sbcglobal.net
Hi All!!!

PLEASE JOIN US TONIGHT AT OTTO'S!!!!!
We thought we needed a pre-party to all those already in town! Spread the word and hopefully we'll see you tonight (TH) at Otto's!

Cheers!! Paula Nitsche Kramer