Classmates

The most important part of this effort is to reconnect with friends in the great class of 1966. As Baby Boomers, think about what we’ve experienced, from learning cursive with cartridge pens to posting Instagram images with our smart phones; from learning about JFK’s assassination during the school day to watching the Twin Towers fall on 9/11; and for many of us, going from worrying about prom dates to welcoming grandchildren into our lives. It’s an amazing time to be living! Let’s celebrate and share. 

 

Please complete your profile here. 

 

Your contact information will be hidden, and secure. This website is maintained by our committee, not an outside commercial outfit. It will only be used with your permission for the 50th Reunion Book we will put together for attendees of the 50th Reunion.Those who are unable to attend the Reunion in the spring of 2016 will be able to order the Reunion Book.

 

Please post your bio and comments. Confirm your name, add your memories, observations, and reflections. Upload a recent picture. With your permission, these will be included in the 50th reunion memory book. THINK BACK and share your thoughts about last 50 years: high school, friends, the '60s, family, growing up in Bethesda. Have fun with this! Also, take a look at the “High School Life” section. We’d love to use those in our class book as well. It’s easy to upload and caption them. 

 

Use the "send a message" feature to contact friends, and your email will appear for them to respond. HAVE FUN RECONNECTING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!

Please note: the reunion committee reserves the option to edit or revise entries for spelling, grammar, and length. 

Margaret Soule (Coleman)

Donald Spagnolo

Then Then

Mark Sparks

Then Then

Linda Spence

Then Then

Susan Spengler (Pyle)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 1
Occupation: Blissfully retired
Comment:

I went to U of MD for one year and got lost in the crowds.  I had to commute due to living too close to the campus and I just never got into the scene, other than the ball games! After year 1, I enrolled in an Accounting university that was in DC. It has since been absorbed by GWU, so I am a GWU grad complete with diploma.  Upon graduating in 1971, I went to work in Public Accounting, in Arlington, VA. That was a great job with wonderful benefits, because I met my husband (of 41 years now) while at that job. I stayed there 7 years until I decided I did not want to do public accounting and tax work for the rest of my life.





 





In 1979, Bob and I welcomed Ryan. Bob had moved on to Director of Finance at the Fairfax County Water Authority, where he stayed for the rest of his job career. We had a nice house in Arlington VA which we stayed at for 28 years. Bob’s career was an example of finding a job with a major company and stay there until you are ready to retire. My career was an example of having half a dozen jobs, moving on for advancement. I retired in 1998; Bob retired in 2002.  





 





We built a house and moved to Bethany Beach in 2002 and are still there in the warmer months. We have become snowbirds and stay in Sarasota for late December to late April each year. Ryan got married last year and he and his wife live in DC for now. I was sorry not to be able to make the reunion.  

Bertie Springer (Yellowitz)

Then Then
Comment: From the 40th reunion:

 




To my '66 Spartan Classmates,          


In the dictionary, next to the phrase "late bloomer", is my photo!  My family didn't move to Bethesda until I was in the 8th grade, and by then I knew I wanted to become a Dental Hygienist, so with a select few good friends that I've kept in touch with over the years, I had a focus, and it wasn't an involvement in high school.  Wow, did I miss out! I do enjoy remembering Ted Kennedy speaking at our graduation, and Coretta Scott King speaking at my college graduation.


            I graduated from the University of Bridgeport , in Connecticut , and that's when my social life began.  I traveled across the U.S. and received my license in many states (in case I wanted to live in any of them).  I've developed a sense of humor too!  I moved to Nashville for five years and had the time of my life!


After ten years, I met my husband in Palm Springs , Ca, and we later moved to beautiful San Diego where I have lived ever since.  We had a son, Andrew, in 1984.


In 1986, my husband and I attended the 20yr. reunion of WJ.  Unfortunately, in 1988, my husband died of a heart attack.


            I've stayed "down in the mouth," and still love it.  I take 25 continuing education courses every two years to keep my license current, so times 36 years is a lot of learning. I dabble in decorating, little creations, and lots of friends.   I stayed on a journey of raising Andrew with every advantage possible, and when he attended high school, I vicariously was there too.  That's when I realized the fun and opportunities that I had missed out of at WJ.  The dances, ASB, football games (my son played all through HS and college too), I'm an avid football fan....sorry redskins, but I'm a Charger girl!!  Andrew became an Eagle Scout and then off to college. He was recruited by Menlo College in Atherton, Ca. for football, majored in communications and will be graduating this December.


            Looking through some alumni directories, I realize a lot of grads live in California . I have a patient that graduated WJ in '62 and a neighbor that did too!  Three thousand miles and it's still a small world.




 

Linda Stalters (Whitten)

Then Then
Now Now
Occupation: Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America
Comment: High School was an inconvenient necessity for me at the time.  Requiring only my senior English class to graduate during my senior year, I completed that at night school while attending nursing school at Suburban Hospital.    After working in the ICU for a year I decided to continue my education and attended BYU.  During my first semester I met my first husband.  Nursing required a concrete schedule so after the first two years and two children with the challenge of balancing work, babies and an inflexible schedule, I relinquished and curtailed my education.    Three babies in 3 1/2 years, supporting my former husband through undergrad and Podiatry school; then managing his office preceded my divorce after 21 years of marriage.    Moving from Oregon back to Maryland and then to complete my BSN; worked at Chestnut Lodge Hospital; received the VA scholarship necessitating fulfilling commitment to work at the DC VAMC while completing my MSN in psych-mental health and certification as a psychotherapist.    Then I hung my "shingle" as a solo practitioner; volunteered for the American Red Cross on Sept 11, 2001 becoming a Disaster Mental Health Services Manager & Disaster Health Services volunteer with assorted other great volunteer opportunities.  My new husband accepted a new position in Houston, TX - so there we go.  As it is traumatic and a challenge for individuals living with a serious psychiatric brain disorder to transition to a new therapist, I determined to not start a new practice in Houston.  Instead, I realized the need for a non-profit organization dedicated to improving lives affected by a schizophrenia-related brain disorder.  So, here I am now, the Executive Director for Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA).  I now work longer hours for no financial pay but pay to work.  SARDAA now has a global reach providing support for individuals living with a serious psychiatric diagnosis and their loved ones.    It is a distinct pleasure and honor to know so many very special people who are vulnerable, kind, altruistic and often brilliant and successful while challenged with the symptoms of a severe brain disorder.    My hero of a husband and I have six children and thirteen grandchildren spread around from Portland, OR - DC area - Florida.  One of my grandsons will be attending WJ next year with his two brothers following in years to come.  Playing bass in the orchestra was one of the highlights of my high school experience.  Any of you who played in the orchestra remember that I wasn't any good, but it's now fun that my granddaughter is playing bass in her school orchestra and is actually good.

Ray Stangeland

Then Then
Marital status: Married
Children: 1
Occupation: physician
Comment: Have a great time at the reunion.  I am sorry I will not attend.





We are all 10 years older since I last wrote and update.


I am grateful for the fine quality secondary eduation I received at Walter Johnson.





I feel very grateful to have a wonderful wife of 20 years--still very much in love.  Grateful to have an amazing daughter finding her way into adulthood (just turned 20).





Grateful to look forward to work.  I have left full time Emergency Medicine and am now working 3 days a week in an Urgent Care clinic.  I miss my colleagues in Emergency, but I do not miss the stress, intensity, and just plain craziness of the ER.


I still get so much pleasure from helping people with their health/life issues.  I get to do some good in the world and they even pay me--pretty cool!





I am grateful for good health.  I live in a beautiful part of the world.  I enjoy tennis, biking, hiking, dog walking, the Oregon coast, travel, fine art, Portland Trailblazer basketball, Seattle Seahawk football, eating good food, tasting Oregon pinot noirs, theater, and all sorts music from jazz to our 60's music to the Oregon Symphony.





 

Kathleen Stefany

Douglas Stephenson

Then Then