2004–Spring ’18 Class Letter
Class Agent:
NICK SPAETH ’04
W173N8462 Robert Ave. Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
262.227.6097/[email protected]
Spring 2018
Greetings Class of ’04,
Perspective is a powerful thing. It’s something that can be hard to find, and oftentimes the valuable kind takes years to develop. But every now and then life throws you a curve ball that provides you the perspective necessary to truly appreciate what you’ve got. This will present itself in unique ways to all of us, but regardless of how you find it, be sure to embrace it; the good, the bad, and everything in between. Our class update this time is much the same; some good, some bad, and some in between.
Thanks for taking the time to read. Be sure to pass along your perspective to [email protected] so your classmates can best appreciate the path we are all heading down. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for our 15 year class reunion in late June of 2019.
Class Notes:
ABBY BINDER ’04 shares, “I own Abby Windows and Exteriors, a remodeling company in Milwaukee and now Boston. I am engaged to Hilary McCabe and we are planning an August 2018 wedding. We live in Milwaukee with our two pugs.”
JON CAIN ’04 and his wife recently welcomed to the world a new baby girl, Charlotte. He has started a grad school program at the University of Colorado Denver at the Center for New Directions. He is working on an M.A. in Political Science and Public Policy and recently started a new job with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs in Idaho Springs in their Best and Brightest Internship program where he will be working with the Town Administrator.
MERCEDES HERNANDEZ CARBAJAL ’04 provided the following update, a first since graduation!: I just completed my master’s degree in December, 2017 in Educational Leadership from Santa Clara University. I am proud to now work for Downtown College Prep as the Community Development Coordinator in San Jose, CA. Pursuing my passion of working with underserved communities in east San Jose. Proud parent to 2 kids: Mia, 7yrs, and Alyah, 5yrs.
LISA HENKE GRAF ’04 writes, “After taking time away from full time teaching to start a family, I have gone back to full time teaching. I’m keeping up with my 12, 10, 8, & 6 year olds while teaching 8th grade science at Merrill Middle School in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.”
SARA WICHLACZ HANEY ’04 is employed at a private school in Calgary, Alberta teaching science to elementary and middle school students. She and husband TIM HANEY ’03 are expecting their second child in May 2018.
HIROKI NAKAJIMA ’04 opened an office as new business in Tokyo, “Go Quest Switzerland”, working as an agent/educational consultant to support students and their families who study abroad at Swiss Boarding Schools.
SILVIA PETIG ’04 started a new position in October 2017 as chief of staff to a newly elected member of the German Parliament, Siemtje Möller, who is only 34. Silvia enjoys the challenges of Berlin’s political sphere and continues to focus on security and defense related topics.
NICK SPAETH ’04 and family moved back to Wisconsin this past December in order to start a new role at Brookfield Academy as Director of College Counseling. His wife Briana is also working at Brookfield Academy, as an Administrative Assistant, and both their daughters are enrolled in school there (second grade and kindergarten). They live in Menomonee Falls and are excited to be back “home” in southeastern Wisconsin.
DIANNE TILOT ‘04 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2017, surrounded by her family and friends. Dianne was born on December 29, 1981 to Jeff and Bette (Briar) Tilot. She graduated from NEW Lutheran High School in 2000, received her BA from Ripon College in 2004, and her RN from NWTC in 2007. After graduating from NWTC, Dianne took a position with Bellin for 13 years starting in staff and later working as a BLS instructor and as the only RN in HMR. Starting in High School, Dianne also worked off and on at the YWCA as a life guard and swim instructor. Dianne loved swimming, participating on swim teams for both the Green Bay Swim Club and for Ripon College. In her younger years Dianne enjoyed cheerleading, volleyball, and softball. More recently she enjoyed boating, playing cards, and playing bells in the choir at St. Anne’s. Dianne had a very special relationship with her niece and nephews. She was more than just an Aunt, she was a second mom to James, Bridget and Jackson. Dianne’s family would like to thank the staff of Bellin Hospital, particularly the ER and ICU, and to Father Eric Mills for their care and support. Dianne was a strong advocate of organ donation and will live on through her gift of life.
PAULA RICHARDSON TOMPKINS ‘04 will be running in the Boston Marathon on April 16th. Paula qualified for the Boston Marathon while running the Fox Cities Marathon in 2016, where she finished third overall for females. This is her first time qualifying and running the Boston Marathon.
ROZ KORF VANDAALWYK ’04 and JAKE VANDAALWYK ’06 live in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with their son, Beckett, 2. Roz is a Dental Hygienist at De Pere Family Dentistry and Jake was recently promoted to Director of Enterprise and Operational Risk Management at Associated Bank.
Happy spring!
Nick