Holiday greetings from Laura Anne Mathis Jacobs....

I have been trying to get to all the notes and thanks you's of the season with some anxiety as time is never on my side, just calories. I am always so happy to hear from you!

It is our friends with whom we can share our difficult times and also celebrate all the small victories in our lives. After 30 years of being incognito, it was fun to go back to a time and place I once knew so well. It was even more fun to reunite with old classmates, boyfriends, girlfriends, and even those who graduated before me but have become dear friends through the internet.

My kudos to you, Patty, Janet, Cal, Bill, Tom, Cathy and all those who made the reunion such a wonderful experience for the class of "72. I don't think the evening would have been half the fun without all the hard work they put into the planning and preparation along with holding some of our hands to get us there! The smiles on the faces all evening were a tribute to each of you!
Thank you so much for making that a most memorable and enjoyable evening.

As I looked around the room that evening, I realized that we were a unique group of individuals that passed through the halls of WHS. What I saw that night was a group of people who came together and welcomed everyone with warm smiles. A proud group of people who have worked hard to raise their families, run their businesses, enjoy their friends and have focused on the good in their lives and not the disappointments. How fortunate I felt to be able to share in those stories. My only regret is that there was not enough time to talk to everyone, see all their photos, and dance!

I will never forget a discussion Jerry Hinkles and I had about a week before graduation and he said to me, "We can no longer say 'when I grow up', because we were on the threshold of that statement and now it was time to walk through the doorway of adulthood and make something of ourselves." I will never forget that moment....it is still as true today as it was then. I always think of Jerry when I find myself in a quandry about which direction I want my life to take. It's not so much about the should haves, would haves, but more about having the courage the take a path and travel down it as far as you can. Today I may turn left, tomorrow right, but whichever path I choose, I know I can't go wrong as long as I am still moving!

WHS grads seem to have that in them...the courage to make their dreams come true. The icing on the cake is now there is a group of WHS alums reaching out and giving scholarships to "kids with potential" not just grade point averages. How great is that!

So I guess after 30 years, I raise my glass and toast and my classmates, my friends, and all those in between who held our hands, wiped our tears, made us laugh and even taught us a thing or two about life and wish you all another 30 years of love, laughter and the best life has to offer.

Many, many thanks for bringing me home again!

Laura Anne Mathis Jacobs
 

Gary L. Tjarks died Sunday, October 27, 2002, at age 64. Mr. Tjarks retired in 1994 after 34 yrs in education which began as a social science teacher and coach in Bartonville Illinois. He came to WHS in 1964 and taught social science and coached basketball and cross country. In 1969 he moved to Forest View HS as dean of students and then served as asst. principal from 1973-1983. He spent the last 10 years of his career as assoc. principal of Prospect HS. A prayer service will be held at Lauterburg and Oehler Funeral Home in Arlington Heights on Saturday at 8:45am followed by 9:30 Mass at Our Lady Of The Wayside Church.

Update from Ken (James Kenneth) Alexander. Ken and his wife Victoria live in St. Clair Shores, MI.  Ken sent in this update:
"Married to Vicky 15 years - daughter Rachel is 8. Married before and have 2 sons, James 26, married lives in Ontario & Kevin 22, in college, Flint MI. daughter Emily, 20, lives is Michigan. Went to US Air Force in 1975. Computer Specialist. 3 years in Germany. Based in California, Texas, Mississippi and finally retired with reserves in Michigan Wife from Detroit. Along the way had jobs in retail stores, also taught adult computer classes for 5 years. Because I switched to Air Force Reserve before 20 years, my retirement pension won't start until I'm 60. So, still working and paying bills best as we can. God's been good to me. I look back at WHS as maybe the best place to be during the turbulent 60's. We missed Viet Nam "barely", but we were also spared a lot of the big city chaos of riots and protests. Wheeling was and still is a little town surrounded by a sea of turmoil. I've been back once, about 7-8 years ago. Anyone hear from a blind student from WHS named Jim Inman? If so, please e-mail me. We were buddies for a lot of Jr High (Jack London) and High School. Lost track of him. Also, a big guy named Fred Schneider. Good friend I would like to find.
Thanks,
Ken (James Kenneth Alexander)"
 

This is a small gathering of the Mentors and the Mentee's  at Edwardo's Restaurant in Wheeling on 05/30/2002.  Click on any picture for a larger view.  Click on the last picture for a key to who was in attendance.