ALMA MATER
All hail to thee dear Wasson
May we ever sing thy praise We humbly pledge allegiance To your colors, Red and Gray. With reverence we extol thee Your honor we proclaim As loyal sons of Wasson High We glorify thy name. |
From the noble halls of Wasson
To the future yet unknown Your banner proud will guide us Where're our paths may roam. To thee dear Alma Mater We raise our song on high Now sing we all, both great and small, All hail to Wasson High. |
"TURN, TURN, TURN" .....
STORIES FROM OUR 1968 THUNDERBIRDS
STORIES FROM OUR 1968 THUNDERBIRDS
I graduated from the University of Colorado in 1973 with a BA in Latin American Studies degree. Also, in April of 1973, I got married to Lee Brian Scott, a U of C police officer. For a couple of years I worked for the Purchasing Dept. at U of C in Boulder. We had a premature baby and I spent the next 6 years at home raising 2 sons and a daughter to school age. Once all three kids were in school, I went back to work for an IT company in Purchasing, then in the school district as a clerk (better hours for a Mom with school kids and a police officer husband with strange hours). We lived in Longmont,CO; then in Berthoud, CO where we still live.
I retired from the St. Vrain School District in 2011. My husband retired as a Longmont Police Officer in 2002, but then became a Fire Investigator with several insurance companies and two fire departments. He retired again in 2017. Now we have an RV to see out-of-state kids and 2 grandkids, as well as friends and other relatives. Two Shelties and 3 cats have become our "kids" at home. In March, we celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary with a 3-week trip to the United Kingdom. Since we are both interested in genealogy and history, this was a fantastic trip! |
SHIRLEY SMITH-YATES
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50 years! I married my husband, Carl, in Colorado Springs 47 years ago, had 4 children while living in Washington, Oregon, Boulder, CO, Arvada, CO and back to Oregon.
I have been a pastor, office manager, foster parent, youth mentor, have a ministry to women in prison, work presently with kids at risk in a local high school, and continue to sing and play the piano. I entertain in art galleries, restaurants, clubs and various community events with a variety of music from old standards, jazz, blues and gospel. I attempt to stay fit, active and enjoy my 8 grandkids, mosaics, quilting, and working in the yard. Add living a few blocks from the beach and that says a lot about my life up to now. |
LINDA WORTHEY-BOLLING
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Started out by getting a Cosmetology License and worked at a shop for a while. Got married and moved to Aberdeen, Maryland. Came back home to Colorado and got Divorced. Worked for TRW on North Nevada for years. Went to Pikes Peak Community College and have a degree in Social Work. Got a job in the Library at PPCC in 1990 and have been there ever since. (I always did love Libraries). Remarried and had 2 wonderful Sons and now I have 4 Grandkids. There is more but who wants listen to all that. Come see me at PPCC. |
CHUCK HUGHES
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University Northern Colorado 1968-1972 earning degree in Marketing. Lived at Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, NV 1975-1980. Thirty year career in data communications in Colorado 1980-2010.
Daughter Elizabeth born 1978. Daughter Katherine born 1981. One grandson, Colby. Considerable travels to 47 states, Australia, Central America, the Caribbean, and Europe. The highlight being three extended trips to the land of my ancestors, Wales, to explore and visit family. Avid skier, SCUBA diver, outdoorsman, weekend cowboy, and a bit of rodeo. Now enjoying raising Texas Longhorn cattle on our Cwm Ceffyl Ranch in Colorado’s Bijou Basin NE of Kiowa. Www.cwmceffyl.com Facebook: Cwm Ceffyl Ranch LLC My Welsh heritage is evident in the ranch. Selling lean grass fed beef to consumers and restaurants on Colorado’s front range. |
DAN MITCHELL
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50 years folks, WOW!
I moved to Denver in 1970 and have been in that area ever since. The last 17 years in Castle Rock, where I married Jo Ellen and we bought a home. Jo has been a wonderful wife and has brought great adventure to my life! We have have traveled the good 'ol USA, and a few foreign destinations. I last worked child support enforcement and retired 5 years ago. I keep busy with house projects, bowling, pickleball, and my master gardener endeavors in the community and at home |
JERRY ZOLLNER
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"What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been..."
Not many people from Wasson would remember who I am. I came from a different school system so I didn't know many people. Because of my last name, I sat in the back and was last to give every book report and project. But what the heck - I'll tell my story anyway just in case... After we graduated (I was last of course!), I attended CU in Boulder. College was spent studying, working on ski patrol, and playing in bands. I graduated with a degree in Chem Engineering. My first real job was at Bettis Atomic Lab in Pittsburgh designing nuclear reactors for Navy subs and aircraft carriers...during the day. At night, I was a musician in bands playing up and down the East Coast during the '70s. I made a ton of money back then but spent most of it on women, booze, cars and gambling. The rest of it I squandered. I hated the weather back East, and got back to Colorado as soon as I could. I picked up an MBA and accidentally fell into information systems with my first Apple PC in '77. By the early '80s, I had developed a method to swap computer systems and screens between foreign languages and currencies. I spent the next several decades consulting with companies developing multi-national corporate computing systems. I never really thought I'd travel, but ended up circling the globe over 20 times consulting for international companies in over 60 countries throughout the years. Living and working with people from many different cultures was a real experience. My memories are filled with some wild and funny stories from all over the world. I married my wife Allyson (a Denver native) in '85 and we settled in the Denver area. In '94, we helped incorporate Colorado's newest town at the time - Foxfield. We designed and built a house there and live on a few acres. I was elected to the city council (board of trustees) and also served as Mayor pro tem for 6 years. The children we have all are four-legged and rescued from racetracks (greyhounds) or the pound. I try to spend my time now with hobbies and puttering around the house - gardening (well OK, riding my lawn tractor...but I did plant 200 or so trees and bushes - my wife does all the flowers), home remodeling, and maintaining my street rod Corvette (I've had it for 46 years). I continue to work now trading securities and will do so until a fiery chariot comes to take me away. |
CHRIS SKELTON
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I WAS Wasson High School. I grew up here. We lived right across the street on Afton Way. Wasson was my playground. Learned to drive in the parking lot. Hit thousands of tennis balls against the walls by the gym. Shot hoops and played sand lot football on the practice fields. Even learned to swim in the pool during the summer.
Went to CU in Boulder where I got married to my high school sweetheart, Linda Fries. Linda graduated in '72 and joined the Commerce City Police Department. Always a strong advocate for women's rights, Linda blazed a trail through the glass ceiling of a male dominated society. While commonplace today, Linda was one of the first women to be driving alone in her patrol car. We parted in 1974 and I managed to graduate from CU in 1975 before going off to the wilds of Northern Wyoming to live an adventure working for Burlington Northern Railroad as a track supervisor for 9 years. A serious back injury forced me out of my job and taught me exactly what the term "being railroaded" meant. It was during this time that I met another very brave young woman who willing to fight for her right to work in a male dominated field, that of building and maintaining railroad tracks, which was done in all kinds of weather. We married 14 years later and had one beautiful daughter. My most unique moment I shall cherish forever is watching my daughter at the age of 18, dance in competition on the stage of the Wasson auditorium just 4 years ago. She would have made you all proud! I moved my remodeling business to Woodland Park 18 years ago, where I got to design and build my dream house to raise our daughter in. Plan on building one more, much smaller, to retire in. I have been blessed to know some wonderful people and to have been able to work most of my life breathing the fresh air of the outside world. |
DOUG SISK
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After Wasson, I went East to college (Brown) and majored in English. First job out of college: teaching English in a suburban Philadelphia high school. Couldn't live on that salary. Went to law school, and began a 25-year at the U.S. Court of Appeals--staff counsel, mediator. Thence to Superior Court of PA. Became an Arbitrator/Mediator. Have taught law school locally. Married a lawyer [who else are you going to meet?] and we have two daughters. One works at the Frick Gallery in NYC; the younger just graduated nursing school in Philadelphia. I believe and maintain that I am a Colorado native "temporarily" in the East. |
KATHY JONES
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Attended Colorado State College (UNC) in Greeley on a piano performance scholarship for 2 years.
Married in 1971 and moved to Albuquerque, NM. Had 3 boys, then went back to school after 17 years to UNM and graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Piano performance. That took 5 years! The boys were in mid-school, I thought I would go crazy with all the practice room time and theory homework. Played piano at a mega church in Albuquerque for 22 years, was administrator of the Academy of the Arts at the same church, and worked on staff as well. I still play piano (keyboard) in a band at another large church. We have been married 47 years, have 7 grandchildren, and also raised our grandson from the age of 3. He is now 19! It's hard to believe 50 years went by so quickly. |
STEVE SLETTA
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I stayed around town. After law school at the University of Colorado in Boulder, I moved back to Colorado Springs and practiced law. In 1991 I moved to Manitou Springs with my family and became an El Paso County Judge. It is still hard to believe that anyone would call me "honorable". I moved to Monument in 2007 and I will retire in January 2019 after 28 years as a judge. |
TERESA PEARSON
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Busy life after school. Worked at Hibbard and Company for a few years as their display artist, then moved down the block and worked for Lorig's Western wear for 10 years. Gave birth to my beautiful daughter and was able to stay home for 2 years with her. Worked for the United States Olympic Committee for 21 years, starting in their gift shop and then transferring to the accounting department. Currently working for the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association as their Senior Staff Accountant. No grandchildren yet anyway, still hoping. I never left Colorado Springs except to go on vacations. |
LINDA PATTISON
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OMG 50 years! I would have never imagined!!! After Wasson, I had no idea what it wanted to do with my life. I ended up in Greeley for summer school. My pretty sister got me in on academic probation. My grades were in the toilet! Fall quarter I met a boy. Went to a Ripple party on campus, and got busted. Social probation and academic. Married that boy and had a baby. I took child development classes. Didn’t know anything about raising a kid. I ended up with an Early Childhood degree, and living in Portland, OR. I never moved back to Colo Springs. |
CINDY NOXON-CATANESE
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Taught high school French and Spanish and directed/choreographed plays and musicals for 26 years. Traveled extensively in Europe and Mexico with students. Took an early retirement, then opened a large costume store.
After 15 years of retail, I sold the store and am now actually retired. No kids, but volunteer at a pet shelter and keep busy with 2 dogs, 1 cat and 12 birds at home. Married to 2nd husband for 26 years and live in the foothills of Denver. |
CINDY BURGESS-LUDWIG
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After graduating I married another Wasson graduate, Ernie McHugh. We had a daughter, however in 1973, we divorced. In 1974 I married Bob Ludwig, a ‘66 Palmer graduate. Together we have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. This August we will celebrate 44 years together.
In 1980 we moved to Grand Rapids, Mi. for Bob to take a job with The Grand Rapids Press. We were in Michigan until 1994. During that time I worked in various management positions in both food service and retail. In 1994 we moved to Huntsville, Al. where we still live. Bob retired from the Huntsville Times 6 years ago. Our daughter and her three adult sons live here. One son, his wife, and two girls live here as well. Our oldest son, his wife and two boys live in Chandler, AZ. Our youngest son, his wife, son and daughter just moved to Kalamazoo, Mi. from Gilbert, AZ. Before Bob retired we were both very involved in serving on the boards of and volunteering for many organizations in our community to enhance both the economic and quality of life in Huntsville. We have cut back on those activities and now find ourselves on the road to AZ, MI, CO, CA and points in between visiting family and friends. We’re both looking forward to the reunion and seeing the Springs again. |
GARY HUGHES
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The last 50 years ....
Greeley, CO - School Migrant farmworker camps in Northern Utah - "Viva la raza" Miami, FL - where my wife grew up - Special Ed teacher Cheyenne, WY - Special Ed teacher Colorado Springs, CO - Special Ed teacher Davis, CA - UC Davis Health Analyst/Researcher & Doctoral Candidate Eagle River, Anchorage, Kodiak & Seward, AK - Health Analyst, Hospital Administrator & University Professor Telluride, CO - Medical Center Director Monterey, CA - Defence Language Institute, Professor and Director of Research & Program Evaluation Boulder, CO - Retired ... responsible for Grandpa Daycare Woodland Park, CO - Just chillin' .... |
DEDE CONNELL BENNING
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It seems like maybe 15 years since we have graduated. 50! I guess it's time to feel older......
I am a very happy lady. Busy traveling with my great husband, Allen. We travel the world together and it' amazing what we have seen and where we have been. We have a large family between us. 19 in our immediate family. 5 children, 3 spouses, 9 grandchildren. Can you imagine Christmas----huge! I love still living in Colorado Springs and driving down many of the streets near Wasson just thinking of the many memories I so enjoyed in High School. What a Great time we all had. We were so proud to be Thunderbirds! |
CHARLIE DONALSON
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After graduation, I spent 16 months going to school in Boulder, then transferred to the University of Tulsa. Mom and Dad had met there and when they moved away from Colorado Springs in 1968, they moved to be with my mom's mom.
TU is a difficult school to get into and graduate from. Well endowed by the petroleum companies in Oklahoma, it is a bit like that of an Ivy League private school. I finished with a BS in Communications (Radio, TV, Film) with a Film emphasis. I worked at two TV stations shooting news there. Moved to Houston & New Orleans for about a year before moving back to Colorado where I settled in West Vail 1973-80. There I was a fry cook, ticket checker, lift operator, and even a janitor for Mountain Management. Evening jobs were with the weekly newspaper "The Vail Villager," and some restaurants doing cooking. Also got quite a local reputation as a funny Illustrator, doing t-shirts, menu designs, advertisements, photography, etc. Moving to Denver in 1980, I worked many jobs from print shops, a public relations agency, scenery painting and newspaper work again though 1999. 2000 to 2013, I was a member of Local 7 (International Alliance of Theatrical, Stage, Exposition, Film Workers Union). This was work at most all Venues in the Denver metro area from Red Rocks, to The Colorado Convention Center, Merchandise Mart, etc. Retired to do more freelance artwork and now have an Online Store selling my many, many designs printed on a variety of household products. Check it out at .... zazzle.com/charlieartworks. |
LANCE NEWCOMER
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After High School, I went to El Paso Community College (Pikes Peak Community College), studying Auto Mechanics/Machining. Shortly after starting, I found out that my best friend, Bill Dewar, had quit college and joined the Marine Corps. Naturally, I did the same... served 3 years active duty with 1 tour in Vietnam. During my time in the Corps I married Lynn Roberts, and she blessed me with a son. After my discharge, I returned to Pikes Peak Community College and completed my degree in Automotive Technology & Business Management. My marriage to Lynn ended in divorce shortly after returning to civilian life.
I worked in the Automotive repair field for several years. My brother, Joel, and I continued building & racing cars throughout the region with the highlight being Joel winning the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in 1980. I tried marriage again and was blessed with 2 more children, a son and a daughter. Unfortunately, that marriage failed as well. My oldest son Travis still lives in the Springs and keeps himself busy running his electrician business, One Call Electric. My daughter Nichole lives with her husband in Roggen, CO and has blessed me with 5 grandchildren. My youngest son James passed away in 2007. I took a break from the Auto mechanics and tried my luck with landscape and irrigation. Really enjoyed working outdoors and enjoyed being creative. Things slowed down in the late 80's and it was time to find another "profession." Along with the new profession came a new wife. I surprised myself by applying for a job with The Department of Corrections. Upon passing the entry exams and interviews I was assigned to a new facility being built in Limon. As luck would have it, a Tornado went through the area and destroyed most of the construction that had been done. I was given a new assignment to the Facility in Denver. Things began to change... I was given the opportunity to use my creativity and participate in the construction of the Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center. After spending 8 years in Denver, another opportunity came up and I became the Facility Maintenance Supervisor at the Youthful Offender System, a 17 acre facility being built on the State Hospital grounds in Pueblo. I spent the rest of my career in Pueblo and retired in 2012. I like to tell people I meet, that I spent 22 years in prison, just to watch their reaction, before I tell them that I was wearing a badge... On the down side, the job lasted longer than the marriage. My favorite activity, during most of the years, was playing competitive slow-pitch softball. I started playing in 1976 as a means of just staying active. I fell in love with the sport and continued to play until 2012. I spent a lot of time traveling and playing softball, from Kansas to New Mexico, to Arizona, Wyoming, Nevada and all over Colorado. Met a lot of great people and enjoyed the camaraderie. Unfortunately, all those ball games took a toll on the body... 3 knee surgeries, 1 shoulder surgery, several broken bones & back issues. So now I'm retired, working on a Hot Rod in my garage, and doing projects around my house... looking forward to catching up with everyone in September. |
JO HARMON-SHEEHAN
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In 1968, I married my high school sweetheart Vic Pratt; we were divorced in 1972. I started my career at Fort Carson in the Transportation Department; moved to the Colorado Springs Police Department (where I met my now husband); and, then moved to the City Auditor's Office.
My hubby Dick and I married in 1977. We have one wonderful son who is a Surgical Technician at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Idaho, a beautiful daughter-in-love who is the Deputy Director for Misdemeanor Probation, a fantastic grandson who is 16, and a beautiful granddaughter who is 20. In 1979 we moved to Boise, Idaho. After 24 years in Human Resources, I retired from Associated Food Stores; took a year off and attended a few classes; went back to work in HR for Idaho Power to pay for a new car I bought; retired for good in 2008. We traveled for the first several years in our motor home searching for our forever retirement community. We finally settled on Bradenton, Florida just a few miles from the beautiful beaches of Anna Maria Island; sold our motor home and bought a condo, and here we are. Enjoying life! I found my passion later in life and am now a firearms instructor in several NRA disciplines, teaching ladies how to handle guns safely and how to protect themselves. I am also a co-leader of The Well Armed Woman (TWAW) Manasota Chapter. Who would have thought! I also enjoy cooking, reading, pig hunting with my AR-15, making jewelry and collecting seashells. Can't wait to see everybody! |
BARRY McWILLIAMS
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Covenant College BA 1972. Covenant Theological Seminary MDiv 1975. Married Marianne 1974. Two living children, six grandchildren. Four years pastoral work in ND and IL. Moved to Everett, WA 1979-present. Grocery Clerk: Safeway Stores 1979-2017 and part-time assistant PCA pastor 1980-2003. Retired 2017. Currently President of Seattle Storytellers Guild. My Website: www.eldrbarry.net See More About Eldrbarry for more info. |
TONY DUARTE
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Post H.S. ..College, married/divorced, Colorado Springs Police Department -5 years, DEA - 22 years (in South Carolina, DC, Miami and back to SC..retired DEA!) Grad School & South Carolina State Police 10 years. Married (Fran) 28 years with two kids, three grand-kids, widowed in 2009. (Wife/Attorney) Travels: Most of Central America, most or all of the Caribbean Islands, Colombia SA, Cuba, Great Britain, Scotland and both Ireland's. Married in 2012 to Diane..kids 17 and 21) (Wife/Retired FBI Agent). God has been good to us! |