Saturday, June 28, 2008

"I'm Dissapointed In You"

Didn't you hate that when your parents would say that. I would have rather just been spanked and had it over with than to feel my father's disappointment.

Well, I'm dissapointed in you. Out of the 60 plus people we have going to the reunion I have had ONE ONLY ONE song request!!! Now, do you really expect me, a 33 year old stay-at-home mom to be able to generate a playlist that is remotely any good???? Really. Help a girl out!! It does not have to be songs from our "hey day" it can be current or WHATEVER, but I think you will be highly disappointed when the only thing I have to contribute is any Wiggles songs or songs from my Debbie Gibson cassette tapes. That would be a travesty. (Although you know you would love to "shake your love")


If you don't request any music I don't want to hear you belly aching on July 26th that you don't know the motions to "Fru
it Salad, Yummy, Yummy." (How many of you just sang that in your head, can I get an amen for some Wiggles...)

So here are two easy ways to help me: one, go under this post and click on "comments". You can post without having a gmail account, or email me: msmvance@bellsouth.net It's that easy...it's the least you can do!!!
Here is a website that might jog your memory...

Christi Daugherty Bradley

I sure have enjoyed reading all the posts. We all have accomplished so much!!! It will good to see everyone again-the 10th was lots of fun! After high school, I went to Southern Union and got my Associates degree in Radiography and then moved to Birmingham to get my Bachelors in Radiation Therapy. I moved to Huntsville after graduation, where I met my husband, Justin. I worked at a Cancer Center there, while training to be a Medical Dosimetrist(I design the radiation treatment plans for the cancer patients). In 2006, Justin and I moved to Dacula, GA-about 30 miles outside Atlanta, where I am currently working as a Dosimetrist at Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia. Justin is a Financial Service Officer at Georgia Federal Credit Union in Duluth. He is from Guntersville, so we get back to Alabama as much as possible. We do not have any children yet, but have 5 crazy pets at home that keep us entertained until that time comes. We'll see everyone soon.

Help Needed

For those of you that would like to help in anyway I could use some volunteers with break down and clean up on Sunday. In order to get our $50 deposit back we have to leave the place the way we found it. I need to know who might be available for clean up on Sunday. I would imagine we would meet after lunch sometime and get the place cleaned back up. I have to drive back to Atlanta on Sunday and I would hate to have to spend the afternoon cleaning the place by myself!! Please email me if you are able to help: msmvance@bellsouth.net

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Heather Hope Weston

Hey guys. I can't believe what success has come out of our class. You all sound so happy and loved. What a blessing that is to hear.
I married Brad 13 years ago. Amazing and probably to many peoples suprise we are still together. I think we are just too old and too lazy to find somebody new!! Really we are back in Opelika after 8 years all over the country with Brad's work. We moved back after we had our first child, Hunter. He is now 6 and my angel child. Two years ago we added our second, Peyton, and boy he is already giving me a run for my money. My mom says he's me made over, I however think he acts just like his dad.
Brad started his own business here, Titan Metals, making architectural steel. I got my teaching degree from the University of North Carolina and taugt for 5 years before the kids. I have just gone back to work part time teaching preschool at FUMC in Opelika. The little one goes with me to work so that has been the big plus.
I can't wait to see you. I missed the 10 so I can't wait to catch up with you all.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Stites Whatley

I moved back to Opelika/Auburn two years ago after finishing my ENTresidency in Memphis, TN. I married Adele Spears (from Auburn) who Imet in Birmingham while in medical school. We've been married now for7 yrs, and have 2 boys (Duncan, 2 and Stewart 2 weeks). I lookforward to seeing everyone in July.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

More Updates & Reminders

1) If you plan on attending the reunion we MUST MUST MUST have an rsvp from you. Since we are using the leftover funds from the 10, we are only ordering food for those that rsvp. At $9 a pop, I need to have a good number. So if you do not rsvp and then show up that will leave less for your classmates! Here is who I have so far as having RSVPd: (If you did and your name is not here, please let me know!!)

Natosha Butler Rivers + 1
Christen Hathaway
Tiffany Kennedy +1
Daffany Kennedy +1
Lashun Lockhart Fields +1
Chris Duncan +1
Chad Moore
Jennifer Strickland Marko +1
Emmie Tippett Sellers
David Sellers
Leigh Abernathy +1
Jason Nichols +1
Amy Jenkins Schaffer
Merry Jones +1
Laura Gilliland Dunlap
Michelle Metzger Vance
Amy Gayler
Tyree Melton +1
Shonta Johnson Lowe +1
Sharelle Edwards +1
Tyvoria Williams +1
Jenni Day
Shannetta Gibson
Emily Awbrey Fields +1
Tamika Jones +1
Ray Matchen +1
Demetre Wayne Reese +1
Kirsten Whatley Shriner +1
Andy Crouse
Leigh Jacobsen Crouse
Lynette Hinton Boone +1
Brandy Hilyer +1
Jenny McMurray
Michael Roberts +1
Calvin Johnson
Heather Hope Weston +1
Dawn Floyd +1
Dawn Denson
Bryan Primm +1
Scott Hinkle +1
Kaponia Ray Holloway +1
Christi Daugherty Bradley +1
2) We will be having music at the reunion, but it will be "home grown" so if you have a song request that you would like to hear, you better request it now, because if you don't you may be listening to the Electric Slide all night!! We will be playing the music on classmate's private property, so we will not be having "multiple DJs". In other words, you break it, you buy it!!

3) The food for the evening will be Chuck's AND JimBob's!!! Quoting one of our classmates "That sounds like a little slice of heaven!"

4) Along with the other classmates listed in the previous posts with returned mail we have some new additions. So if you know the address for any of these, please let me know!

Shanita Goodwin
Erica Heard
Tonya Brown Tarbert

I hope you all are getting excited!!! Please let me know if you have any questions!!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Return To Sender

Last week I sent out over 180 invitations to our reunion and I had over 30 returned. I'd say that's not so bad after 5 years!! So thank you for keeping me up to date on your whereabouts!! I am going to list the names of those that where returned to me. So if you have any current info. on these folks or it is YOU, then please let me know asap so that I can get an invite out to them!!!
Marcy Johnson Clark
Scott Freeman
Tabiatha Robinson
Jenny McMurray Key
Bruce Shelton
Andy Sumner
Reed Aston
Karen Robinson
Gwen Harris
Natosha Butler
Cornelius and Kawana Black Pink
Thomas Fenn
Andy and Leigh Jacobsen Crouse
Kelly Johnson Allen
Heather Hope Weston
Elliott Grace
Kit Voit
Shannon Gunter
Callie Pugh Lindsey
Garrett Grace
Amy Whitlow
Tia Deneal
Dawn Denson
Brian Barrett
Larry Baker
Colandra Lynn
Kwesi Marshall
Kevin Brown
Shawn Broach
Holli Parker
Marty and Ashley McGill Haywood
Jason Gillespi
Aleisha Lockhart
Eric Riddle
Joseph Vickery

So if you know the whereabouts of any of these folks or if it is you please give me your info. asap!

A couple of things about the reunion:
  • First the cost is FREE!! Because of the leftover money from the 10 yr. reunion, we are able to absorb the cost!
  • Second, because this reunion is a smaller reunion compared to our 10, we are making this an "adults only" event. When we do our twenty we will have an event planned where we can all show off our kids!
  • And most important if you have not RSVPd, by July 12th, I am going to assume you are not coming, but I would like YOUR UPDATED INFORMATION!!! I have received quite a few emails that people will be there and I think we are going to have a great time!! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me!!

msmvance@bellsouth.net

Paige Lindsey Hiett

Hello all. Frank and I have been married for 13 years and we have 2 children. Lindsey is 10 and Will is 8. It took me 15 years, but I finally graduated from college this year. I got a degree in Radiology and I am in the x-ray department in an orthopedic clinic at East Alabama Medical Center here in Opelika. Frank works for a company based in Auburn that sells headsets to football teams. He travels a good bit, but we have never left Opelika. Look forward to seeing everyone in July.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Clint Smith

Hi folks,
Hard to believe that we graduated prior to the Oklahoma City bombing, the baseball strike, Forrest Gump was released, Windows 95 was unveiled, and the OJ Simpson case dazzled us… If you weren’t feeling old enough already, certainly this information helps!
My wife (Brande of Huntsville, AL) and I have been married for 10 years (and together another 4 or 5 prior), and are currently living in Birmingham, AL. I work for InterCall (if you’ve sat on a conference call, there’s a good chance it was hosted by us), and just celebrated my 10th year there under various positions. The latest is managing a team of Sales Engineers out of Louisville, Colorado (where I happen to be writing this).
We did a few years living in Columbus, GA after Auburn (where we both attended) before moving to Chicago (where I’d always wanted to live) until the birth of our daughter, Madison, in 2005. The clock started ticking on my end of the deal – once we had a baby we had to move back south… So we moved back to Birmingham, almost exactly between our respective parents. I still get back to Chicago every chance I get (even to see Adam Hood playing his debut there last year at Joe’s, home of the Chicago AU club).
I spend all of my free time playing golf (I live on Greystone’s Founders course, so if you’re ever in the area, look me up and we’ll play), with a little work thrown in here and there for good measure and to keep the lights on. Brande recently ‘retired’ from 10 years of service at TSYS in Columbus to be a full time stay-at-home mom to Madison, and we’re planning to try to have another baby next year.
Hope you’re all doing well.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Ivey Banks Murdock

Ivey Banks Murdock here! It makes me sad to say that I won’t be home to Opelika for this year’s reunion but I’m counting on being back for 20th! Hard to believe that it was 15 years ago when I moved 15 minutes away from my doorstep to my dorm room at Auburn where I went on to meet my husband (Brian Murdock). After graduating from Auburn, Brian and I were married, we moved to Nashville, Tennessee where we have been living for 10 years. I worked in Alumni and Development at Vanderbilt University but “retired” to be a stay at home mom when Banks was born. Brian is a Senior Project Manager for American Constructors.

At this moment I’m in the kitchen starting dinner for my family while Banks (6 years) and Sally (4 years) watch Pet Star on Animal Planet and baby Ridge (16 months) tries to eat crayons. I can’t pull myself away from the computer with Square Dance rap playing!

Banks returned on Sunday from a week in Opelika and I am so jealous I didn’t get to go as well! My parents are still in Opelika and so I do get back a couple of times a year. Unfortunately, it won’t be the weekend of the Reunion--- Brian has a work trip that takes us to Pebble Beach, California. I’ll be thinking of you all and want to hear stories about your time together!!

Jennifer Strickland Marko

My husband, Adam, and I live in Jacksonville, FL, with our 2-year-old son, Max. We’ve just celebrated our 6th anniversary, and we love north Florida. I have been in PR for ten years, and I’ve had my own practice for 4 1/2. We’re now in the process of buying and expanding a baby product company. We hope to launch it regionally and online later this year. Adam has an advertising agency, so hopefully with our combined backgrounds, you’ll hear of it soon in some big box stores. Fingers crossed! It looks like everyone is doing great, even though we are spread around the country. I’ve got some family pics and other info on my MySpace page at www.myspace.com/jennmarko, and I’m also on Facebook. We’re going to the Bahamas in July, so that may keep us from attending the reunion. Hope to hear from some of you soon!

Zack Hall

Greetings everyone. 15 years….wow. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it down this time...maybe for the 20th.

My wife (Anna) and I have been married for almost 9 years now and have two daughters (Emma is 4, Freya is 9 months). My life is pretty much consumed with work, family and as much golf as possible. Anna is just starting back at the University of Kentucky to get her Ph.D in Early Childhood Education. I’m hoping that she will one day teach at Auburn, so we can get back down there.

I’m living in Frankfort, KY now. Horse and Bourbon country. Moved here in 2005 from the Philadelphia suburbs. I have been working for the YMCA since 2001 and I am the Executive Director here in Frankfort. Work is fun for me…get to wear shorts and flip flops whenever I want and my family is very involved in the programs. I am running a good bit, just finished my 9th half-marathon in Louisville this past April. Trying to do one per year to keep the weight off. That is about it for me.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Matt Madison

Hey guys! I can't believe it's already been 15 years. I've been married to Janet Caraway for 12+ years now and we have two great kids - Luke is 6 and Lori is 3. After graduating Auburn, we went to seminary at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham. Then as Chad was getting out of the Army, I was going in - first as an enlisted soldier and then I became a chaplain. I was on active duty for 5 1/2 years and deployed to Afghanistan twice and once for about a month to Iraq. We got out of the Army last summer and moved to Phoenix where I am the Family Minister at North Phoenix Baptist Church. I'm preaching on July 27th so I won't be able to come, but you can check out the podcast of my sermon at www.discoverandlive.com! I've been able to link up with a bunch of you guys through facebook - are we too old to be using it? - so I would recommend checking it out. If any of you guys ever come out to Phoenix or come to visit the Grand Canyon, give me a holler and I'll give you a place to stay! I hope to get back for an Auburn game this fall, but it's rare we get to come back. I've got a lot of great memories from Opelika even though I was only there for senior year. (Climbed any radio towers recently Graves?) Anyway, may God bless you guys and keep in touch.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Chad Moore

Hello all! 15 years, Wow. We're getting old. I reside in Kennesaw Ga. just 20 miles north of Atlanta with wife Renee and daughter Kaitlyn(one year old). I have been in the Pharmaceutical industry for 8 years with both Pfizer and my current company Boehringer-Ingelheim. This all after resigning my commission as on officer in the US Army just prior to 9/11. Things are good, can't complain. July will be fun. Hope a lot of you can attend. Oh yea! Tyree where is a shout out for your boy? later,Chad

Andy and Leigh (Jacobsen) Crouse

Hello ALL!!!
Surprise. Surprise. Andy and I are still married – we just had our 12 year anniversary and have officially “been together” longer in life that we have been apart. How scary is that!! We are living in Madison, AL (just outside Huntsville). We moved here from Birmingham ~2.5 years ago. Andy works as a Technical Marketing Scientist at Open Biosystems (he just moved out of Research and Development). He finished his PhD at UAB in Molecular Genetics in 2005. FINALLY!! Of course, we both went to Auburn for undergrad – I majored in Nutrition and Andy in Molecular Biology. We moved to Birmingham for graduate school at UAB. Currently, I am a stay at home mom of 2 kids – Anna, 6 and Ben, 2 years old.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

New Music

I need suggestions for new music on our website!! What are some of your favorite songs from our high school days?
Please help!!!

Monday, June 2, 2008

Graves Lovell

guess i could contribute ....

i still have a pumpkin head. i haven't lost any hair, in fact i believe it is even thicker. i am still married to my wonderful italian wife, Ashley, from Alice, Texas. She is almost 1.5 feet shorter than me, but that's good because she can't reach things i don't want her to. We've been married for 6 years and are trying to expand the family. They say red hair is recessive, but i am confident any infant we have will have red hair and be forced to take on comedic qualities to maintain friends in school. She is currently a wildlife biologist for USDA out of Montgomery and I am a district biologist for Alabama Dept Conservation and Natural Resources. So we get holidays (like today) that no one has even heard of. It's great. I used to work for a private resource management company, and there were few holidays. The work followed me home. life too short for that business. We live in Clanton, AL and like it just fine. It is just like Opelika used to be back in the 90s. We play in a casual bluegrass band. I play the mandolin and she plays the fiddle. We aren't so good at performing yet. We started at the bottom - nursing homes and such, and we are still pretty much there! Hood would probably not be impressed. We go back to visit the farm near Opelika often to enjoy the outdoors. We travel as much as possible. Ireland was the favorite. My best friend from AU passed away a couple yrs ago, but i still go to his hometown in Iowa every fall to visit his family. Ashley usually comes too - they are like our 2nd family. Still keeping my eyes peeled for Shelly. That's about all that is interesting.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Emmie (Tippett) and Dave Sellers

David and I have been married and living in Newnan, GA for 9 years now. We never thought we would be here that long, but the Lord had other plans. We have two girls, Hayes ( 7 yrs. old) and Bennett (5 yrs. old). David is a Mechanical Engineer (graduated from Auburn) at Hoshizaki America, Inc. (a Japanese company), in Peachtree City, where he designs commercial ice makers for hotels, restaurants, etc... He is doing very well there and seems to enjoy it (his work history is less complicated than mine). I graduated from Auburn as well in Human Development and Family Studies. My concentration was Child Life- preparing children for medical/surgical procedures in the hospitals. I did an internship at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville. After graduation I stayed in Nashville for 2 years but did not work as a Child Life Specialist. I did a couple of jobs just to pay the bills so I could live there. I loved it in Nashville! When David and I got married I worked as a Program Facilitator teaching a pregnancy prevention course to girls ages 8-18 yrs. I stopped that after a couple of years and then worked as a Counselor for children with emotional and behavioral issues. I did that for about a year and then taught Kindergarten at a Classical school in Newnan. I stopped work after our first child and now I'm a photographer. Wow! What a switch! I started my business about 5 years ago (sellersphotography.com). I love it! David is behind the scenes with that as well. He designed our website and helps with the business side of things. We also help lead the praise and worship music at our fellowship where David is lead on guitar and voice and I am lead on voice as well. Playing a musical instrument was never a strength of mine. :-) The Lord has truly blessed us, and we are trying to enjoy everyday He gives us! We hope to see you all in July!P.S.- Tyree, you had me and David laughing! Your humor hasn't changed a bit!
Emmie (Tippett) Sellers