At our 20th reunion, we talked about setting up a foundation to allow us to lend a hand to those classmates that need our help. Though the idea is well-intentioned, it hasn't been feasible to set up a formal institution.
For now, please utilize this site to share class news and needs - both good and bad. We'll use it and the old-fashioned "word-of-mouth" methods to keep you apprised on how you can help. If you have an item to submit, please let us know.
Stephanie (Banfill) Bettiga - A friend in need
May 28, 2010: Stephanie, her husband Ron, and her boys need your positive thoughts and prayers at this time. Stephanie was diagnosed with cancer earlier this week as a result of a liver biopsy. Her treatment options are still in the very early planning stages and there are not a lot of details as of yet. She is meeting with a surgeon to consult about undergoing surgery to remove a tumor on her liver.
This kind of news is overwhelming for anyone and for those who wish they could do something for her and her family, there ARE ways to help.
For those still in the Windsor/Healdsburg area, Rand Rodgers' wife, Isa, is coordinating a dinner calendar. If you can help, please email Isa.
If you cannot help with dinners, or are out of the area, Rand has set up a fund for the family to help with living expenses and medical bills. Mail checks to: Wells Fargo Advisors, Attn: Rand Rodgers/Bettiga Fund, 302 South School Street, Ukiah, California, 95482. Make checks payable to Ron and Stephanie Bettiga.
Wherever you are, please keep Stephanie in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
June 2, 2010: From Stephanie's CaringBridge.org site:
"So many of you have come forward to ask how you can help us during this time. Some of our family and friends have graciously offered to be contacts for different ideas." The dinner calendar and donations directly to the family information is listed above. Others are listed below.
To help with fundraising, email Jennifer Ruggles or Greg Banfill.
To be a part of our Relay for Life team, email Amy Frey or Liz Heflin.
Visit Steph's CaringBridge.org site for further updates on her progress, she posts updates regularly. Most importantly, please remember that her 5-year old boys DO NOT know about her condition in an effort to keep their lives as "normal" as possible. So, if the opportunity arises to speak with the kids, do not mention her health issues to them out of respect for Stephanie and Ron's wishes.
June 8, 2010: Additional fundraisers have been set up for Stephanie on June 23rd, July 27th and September 25th. You can find details on the HHS Events page.
Carol Adams
May, 2010: I'm sorry to share the news of the passing of Michelle Adams' mom, Carol. Carol was a special guest at our 20th reunion as we recognized those educators and counselors who aided us through our journey through high school.
In 2008, led by Michelle, the Class of '87 put together an American Cancer Society Relay For Life team in Carol's honor and to support her in her battle against breast cancer. On February 13, 2010, Carol lost that battle. We've lost a wonderful lady and I'm sure I speak for all of us in letting Michelle and her family know they are in our thoughts and prayers.
Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March, 27, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Healdsburg Community Church (1100 University Ave., Healdsburg). In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Carol Ann Warner Adams Memorial Scholarship. To donate, make checks payable to "Carol Ann Warner Adams Memorial Scholarship" and send to the McCord Career Center, Healdsburg High School, 1024 Prince St. Healdsburg, CA 95448. For questions or additional information, call the McCord Career Center at (707) 431-3473.
Rich & Brenda Brown
February, 2010: Richard Brown and his wife Brenda are expecting an addition to their family! Brenda's due date is September 1st.
Sarah Bowers Paulekas & Mickey Johnson
January, 2010: Sarah (Bowers) Paulekas and Mikey Johnson welcomed a baby sister for their son, Felix. Baby girl Annabella was born beautiful and healthy on January 9th. Congratulations Sarah!
Tony & Gissel Van Der Boon
March, 2009: On December 30, 2008, 16-year-old Branden Van Der Boon (Tony & Gissel's son), a Junior at Windsor High School, suffered a serious brain injury while skateboarding. The traumatic brain injury left him in a coma for a total of twelve days. Along with suffering multiple injuries from his fall, he has had to endure several surgeries to relieve the swelling from his brain. He spent a total of 5 weeks in the hospital, and while he is now home, he faces a long period of rehabilitation and continues to work through problems with memory loss, balance and cognitive function related to the serious impact of the crash.
Update (March, 2010): Branden is doing well and enjoying his senior year at Windsor High School.
Message Board
January, 2009: The HHS message board is being removed from the website. We've had problems with it being hacked and posts of unsavory content left. Additionally, soon after the 20-year reunion, usage dropped significantly.
Lastly, with the explosion of sites such as MySpace and Facebook, which have free registration and allow you to connect to classmates from other grad years, other friends and family much easier, the message board has become redundant.
If you haven't joined MySpace or Facebook, I personally recommend Facebook of the two. I am a member of both, but the advantage of Facebook over MySpace, is that users are required to use their real names. It makes finding friends infinitely easier. The personalizing of your account security settings is another feature of Facebook that is lacking on MySpace. Consider joining us online!
American Cancer Society Relay For Life
Kudos to the HHS Class of '87 team!
June, 2008: The Relay For Life was a great chance for Class of '87 members to gather at Rec Park on June 21, 2008, hang out at the class tent, walk and generally catch up with each other - all while supporting cancer treatment and cure efforts.
We thought the Class of '87 should be able to easily raise $500. We were right and then some! Response was so good that we upped our goal to $1000. When all was said and done, our team raised over $1200 for the American Cancer Society! You guys rock!
Thank you to all who were team members, donated and/or participated on other Relay teams (please forgive any omissions)!
Michelle Adams, team captain; Stephanie (Banfill) Bettiga; Shannyn (Baxley) Vehmeyer (Class of '88); Matt and Kathy Berry & family; Mr. Mike Berry; Sarah (Bowers) Paulekas; Stephanie (Bruno) Feith; Tracy Buchignani (Class of '88); Mark Clausen; Jill (Conte) Dalldorf; Tammy (Culver) Ramon; Tom & Kelley Johnson & family; Trish (Kuba) Beltrami; Rick & Kristin McDowell; Shannon Moore; Chris & Alexandra O'Gorman & family; Laura Pigsley; Kim Seanor; Aram Sohigian & girlfriend Katia; Cheree Tappin
