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Colin Williams ’00

I got married to Jessica Rudholm, the local independent theater actor turned dance teacher. We took our honeymoon in Greece and now live in San Francisco with our two cats.

Cayton Smith ’23

I just completed my first year at the University of Puget Sound where I competed on the basketball and golf teams. I am enrolled in the Business Leadership program and minor in Spanish and communications. Through this program, I secured a paid internship this summer with RiteSize Consulting LLC. Additionally, I was an intern for the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada, for two weeks. I was able to expand my knowledge in a field that interests me. This spring, I was honored to return and be an alumni speaker at the OES alumni induction and share insights about the journey that awaited the class of ’24 leading into graduation.

Katherine Karafotias ’66

Some members of the class of ’66 gathered in Portland recently to visit with classmate Toni Lehman ’66. Toni, who lives in Minnesota, spent a few days with Portlanders Katherine Karafotias ’66, Kimberly Beck ’66, and Betsy Marsh ’66, enjoying dinner twice during her stay. She and Kimberly also had an opportunity to visit Newport on the coast before Toni left for Bend to visit her sister, Joanne. It was a great time to enjoy one another’s company and to talk about memories of St. Helen’s Hall!

Abbie Daigle ’14

There was something so special about reuniting with the class of 2014 this June. So much has changed in 10 years, and yet, the comfort I felt gathering in the Great Hall with this awesome community remains. The resounding sentiment my former classmates and I shared was one of immense gratitude. The time spent together during and after the reunion at OES was a weird and wonderful reminder of the connections that were forged and remain despite time and distance—my hope is that we don’t wait another five years to be reminded of that! Thank you for a wonderful alumni weekend.

Austin Schock ’09

While breakfasting with Chris Myers (guybrarian, poet emeritus of the class of ’09, and perennial eggnog apologist), I mentioned our 15th OES reunion was coming up. “Don't I feel old now,” he said with his characteristic laugh. He was right, and yet … I got to hear from some fellow ’09ers at alumni weekend. I’m amazed at everything we’ve done in such a short amount of time. Families started, careers changed (engineer to lawyer, who knew?), new friends, and wonderful memories. To everyone who was there in person, in spirit, and in our class portrait on the wall, I wish you another stupendous 15 years. And I hope to see you all soon.

Lori DesRochers Lopez ’02

I've been in Wisconsin working as a professor of communication arts for over a decade now, and I'm excited to be starting a new role as associate dean for social sciences in the College of Letters & Science at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
 

Phoebe McKinney ’79

I was extremely honored to be selected as a featured graduate of the UMASS Amherst Center for International Education for my work in post-conflict-fragile states in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Read my full profile here: umass.edu/cie/phoebe-mckinney-m-ed-2001.
 

Ethan Bankowski ’20

I graduated from Connecticut College in spring of 2024. Following that, I will be attending the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health studying international health and concentrating in humanitarian aid.

Serge Zenisek ’06

Serge Zenisek ’06 and former OES classmate Ashleigh Zosel-Harper ’06 welcomed their daughter Willa on June 22, 2024 in Minneapolis. Everyone is doing well, and we’re looking forward to Willa’s first visit to Oregon this summer!

Beth Laun Ursin ’79

My husband, Mark, and I are recently retired and traveling in addition to taking care of my mother, Bonnie Laun, and our new 18-month-old granddaughter, Cloe. I’m continuing to work part time as a consultant with my professional association, Global Career Services and Employer Alliance (CSEA).

Rachel Lowell ’19

After four years at Bates College in Maine (where there seemed to be a former OES student everywhere I turned), I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, a minor in Hispanic studies, and a concentration in children, adolescents, and schools. I am spending the summer at home, working for Portland Parks & Recreation, before heading to Valencia, Spain to teach English for a year or two, or maybe more. I have to credit the OES Spanish teachers for helping me build a strong foundation of Spanish skills and an appreciation for the value of cross-cultural education. I do not think I would be embarking on this journey if it weren’t for Señora Boyle, Dana Mosher Lewis, and Maria McIvor!

Meredith Bozentka ’14

Meredith Bozentka and Michele Molteni welcomed a son, Renato, on May 10, 2024. He was born at 8 lbs and 21 inches long. Congratulations!

Brandon Longaker ’88

I retired early three years ago after a full career with the federal government. My wife and I relocated to the Knoxville, Tennessee area, where I enjoy my “retirement gig” as a state game warden. I also got roped into a local county sheriff reserve position diving on the county’s dive recovery team. If any of you find yourselves in the area, I’d love to offer you some of the local southern hospitality.

Lauren Haskins Eshuis ’03

I welcomed a baby girl, Emmy Mae, in September 2023. In my free time, I sing with the Oregon Repertory Singers alongside my mom, former OES choir teacher Jeri Haskins, and The Reverend VJ Sathyaraj! I will serve as choir president starting this summer. We released our 50th season album this fall and made it to #5 on the Billboard Classical Charts.

Eric Gebbie ’94

Well classmates, 2024 is our 30 year reunion and we should get together. Help plan it or let me know if or how you could join us. Contact me via the Alumni Relations Office at alumni@oes.edu.|

Between planning reunions every twenty years, I'm in Portland with three kids and serving as Director of Emergency Operations at the Oregon Health Authority. I get to teach a regular course each summer for UC Berkeley.

Carolyn Van Winkle Shannon ’60

Recently I retired from serving as deacon for 31 years at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Las Vegas. Being ordained as deacon to serve our Lord was an honor I’ll not ever forget. Since the diaconate emphasizes service, I’ll still be able to do my ministry in outreach in a different capacity.

I now live in a four-bedroom home. I’m looking to downsize to something more reasonable for an 82-year old woman who’s healthy and independent. I just don't need that size of home.

Bill Thanhouser ’05

I live in the Bay Area with my wife, Kristine, and our two kids, Armen and Anne. I'm currently a product manager at a software company called Asana. Life is good and I cherish my many years at OES. Best wishes to all my former classmates and teachers!

Erin Romano ’01

This year much of the class of 2001 turned 40! Celebrating Erin’s 40th this past summer were OES classmates David Westlund, Margot Pearmine, Sarah King, Ashley Clark, and James Drinkward.

Holly Flack '05

I’m exceptionally excited to be making my debut at the Wiener Staatsoper in Vienna, Austria, one of the world’s most beautiful and prestigious opera houses! I will perform the role of Mollie the Horse in the opera “Animal Farm” by Alexander Raskatov, a role I originated last year in the world premiere at the Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam. I am continually honored to be part of this incredible experience and to tell this story with my remarkable colleagues on stages all over the world!

Autumn Alexander Skeen ’74

The Fort Walla Walla Museum hired me to be its communications manager, pulling me out of my freelance journalism for the Walla Walla Union Bulletin. The Fort is a wonderful milieu of pioneer and military history, starting in the 1850s up through today’s 360 degree appreciation for inner-Northwest history. Open seven days a week, a tour through seven galleries and a genuine pioneer village adds value to any wine country visit. I will welcome any OES visitors myself! Please contact me through the OES Alumni Office.