Grad Profile: SONIA MEYER

Constant Companion? My other half, Russ

Occupation? General Manager, Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society www.millarville.ab.ca

Where do you live now? Calgary, AB

Children? None of my own, I share everyone else's! Russ's two teenagers and I have three beautiful nieces and one awesome nephew.

When and where are you the happiest? Each November when work has slowed down, we take an all-inclusive, this year it’s the Dominican! Last year was Cuba... Can’t beat the white sandy beaches! I love spending time in the garden and taking annual summer camping trips.

What was your favorite journey? Last year in Cuba we traveled into an underprivileged area of town, walked the streets and handed out gifts to the children playing in the streets that we had brought over. There is no better feeling in life than knowing what a difference we made in their lives and seeing the smiles on the children’s faces.

What are your interests? Traveling, gardening, playing volleyball and keeping in touch with friends and family.

What is your fondest memory of Hillside? Honestly.....skipping school to go boating for the day! And of course, hanging out in the smoke pit with friends during breaks!

What is your favorite music, past/present? Everything from A-Z and of course the 80's still remains the best!

What do you consider your greatest achievement(s)? Going back to University when I was 28 and obtaining my B.MGT majoring in Marketing. Winning the first ever ‘Farmers’ Market Manager of Year Award’ for the Province of Alberta and being presented with this award by the Minister of Agriculture in front of 7,000 people! (was pretty nervous to say the least!)

What is your greatest regret? Hum, this is a tough one... I would have to say 'not telling someone how much they mean to you before its too late...

1987 Yearbook Quote: "Son" participated in four successful years of volleyball. She could often be found burning around in a certain brown TR6. Her best memories were of Hornby Island and she could often be found at parties commandoing through the trees with S. and J. Her favourite class was English 12 with Mr W. Sonia's future plans include travelling through Europe then going into Business.

"I'll be there, for sure" - Chris Jung

"would love to catch up with old Hillside friends" - Sharon Selby (Addison) - who married to class of 1986 Nigel Selby!

We want more grad profiles! Profiles are on the way from your classmates Sharon Addison, Sonia Meyer, Catherine Fronczek, and more! What about you? Let us know what you've been up to. We're all curious, and can't wait to see YOU on June 2nd!

- your (stuck in the '80's) Reunion Committee

Photo memories

click picture for bigger version - can you find yourself?

Another memory: The Grad Class of '87!

And who can forget Mitchell Davis' yellow Starsky and Hutch VW Rabbit? :)

Grad Profile: ANDREA LEE-ALONI

Constant companion?My husband and best friend, Ron

Occupation: Controller for Nettwerk Music Group

Children: None Yet!

When and Where are you the happiest: I am truly the
happiest when I am watching live music

What was your favorite journey: My honeymoon to Italy, France and Greece a year a go was probably my favorite! We loved Italy the most: the food, people, wine, scenery was all amazing!

What are your interests? As mentioned earlier I LOVE live music. I also love dancing, playing tennis, biking, and laughing with good friends.

What is your favourite music, past/present? I am also (as Shelagh is) still a huge fan of 80s music. However, my present tastes change by the month! Being in the music industry exposes me to many different types of music. My favorite all time band is the Barenaked Ladies. (they are the best live band! ) Right now, I'm loving some not as well-known artists such as Griffin House, Josh Rouse and the Twisters!

What is your fondest memory of Hillside: Hanging out with friends and grad night!

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Probably obtaining my CGA designation. It was a nightmare (but so worth>it!) doing the program and working at the same time. I was so happy when it was over and I could have a normal life again!

What is your greatest regret? Not buying property in my 20s (i was too busy studying for the CGA!)

1987 Yearbook Quote: Andrea could often be found in the bathroom checking her hair if not asking where the boy was. Her best memories of Hillside include Kiwis and dancing at the Edge. Most of her spare time was spent jazz dancing or skating. In the future, she plans to go to Broadway or skate in the Ice Capades. However, in the meantime she will take a legal secretarial course at Capilano College.

Look familiar? It's amazing, isn't it, how a building can be the centre of our lives for a while. Good old Hillside Secondary, days before demolition - this photo taken in 1996, courtesy of Richard Ostler - team lead of the reunion committee.

More eager grads are looking forward to Reunion!!

Well done you guys - for getting this organized!!Don't know what I can do to help as I am in Alberta - but I love Westjet -so I will be there - sadly without the blue convertible as my younger sister totalled it in '90!! - Cindy W.

Glad this is happening....I took some photographs of Hillside while it was being torn down which I'll try to dig out and upload to the blog. - Aaron Vidaver

I am looking forward to reconnecting with friends of old....I will see u all in June 2007. - Rick Talbot

I can't believe I am old enough to have a 20 year high school reunion….- Thea Bentley

Hi Guys! I can't wait, this is going to be a blast! - Sonia Meyer

Thanks for doing a great job organizing this! Looking forward to seeing everyone in June. - Tim Neame

What about you? Send us an email - your old friends are curious to see if you'll be attending the 20 year reunion! We can't wait to see you again.

- Your committee

Grad profile: MARK VAUGHAN

Constant Companion? That nagging feeling like I am always 5 minutes late for something.

Occupation? Landscape Architect

Children? 2 girls, Taylor (6) and Kayley (4)

When and where are you the happiest? Right now.

What was your favorite journey? It sounds stupid, but most of my travels have been a lot of fun. I love going places, Winter Olympics in Italy were super fun, Aruba for the World Poker Tour was great, Mexico, for the International Centre for Sustainable Cities was a blast. I love to go places and meet people.

What are your interests? Hmmm... I am coming up dry here. I never have enough time to do a lot of things, so going out for drinks, reading a book, playing golf, playing with the kids. These sound like fun to me.

What is your fondest memory of Hillside? I had a great time at Hillside, but I am not sure if I have a favorite memory. My fondest memory is of all of my friends and all of the people at Hillside.

What is your favorite music, past/present? Love all sorts of music. I actually am filling this out while I am late for something, so I can't really go into much detail here...

What do you consider your greatest achievement? I would feel much better answering this question if it didn't have the 'greatest' in it. Wow, I didn't know the whole feeling bad about my lack of achievements in life would start a year before the reunion. Thanks Reunion Committee! There is no doubt that my kids are the best thing that ever happened to me, but my role in that wasn't really an achievement.... I got nothing here.... Hell, I am envious of Richard's Stairway to Heaven. I couldn't even get Smoke on the Water down before I gave up the guitar.


What is your greatest regret? This one is easy. My pony tail. I don't know what I was thinking. Okay, yes I did think that Steven Seagall was cool, but still. Why did he have to become so disgusting, it just makes the pony tail all the more stupid (if that is possible). The good news though was that the growing out of my hair for it wasn't really the awkward look that it could have been, because it just kept getting worse...

What are you waiting to do? Not really waiting, just looking forward to a lot of travel, growing up with my kids and having fun.

Your last 20 years in 20 words or less: Uvic, South Pacific, Simon Fraser, DigiPen, Fearless Game Developers, married Michelle, Landscape Architect, Taylor, Kayley, City Building Professionals. PokerAce©. Ouch, 20 words about does it

1987 Yearbook Quote: After graduation, Mark is going to study Liberal Arts under palmtrees in the Virgin Islands, or under grapevines in the Napa Valley.

From reunion photos

Grad profiles and weblinks - how to add yours?

We've had a few grads email us to ask how they can get their profile and picture included on this reunion blog, or have their web page added to the side bar at the right.

Its easy - just send us an email to the hillside87@telus.net email address, and we'll do the work for you as soon as we can. Or you can contact Shelagh directly at sherocious@gmail.com if you have any questions.

A LOT of people are looking at this little blog! Satisfy the curious! Tell us what you've been up to.

Also - we're looking to collect your list of songs you want to have played at the reunion - got a few favourites from the 80's you'd like to hear? Maybe that special song you and your boyfriend or girlfriend used to dance to? The theme song from your grad limo?

Let us know so we can make sure you hear it at the reunion. Email your list to us!

- your tireless reunion committee

Early feedback to the Reunion Announcement

Last night the initial announcement email reached many of our "found" 1987 graduating class - letting everyone know of the upcoming Reunion event on June 2nd, 2007 at the Vancouver Rowing Club. More details will follow shortly as your Reunion Committee work tirelessly to make the big event come alive.

Responses have already been received - so far the enthusiasm is catching! Your classmates had this to say:

• "Wow, this is great! I look forward to it." -- Andrea Gorgec (Hunt)
• "I am so in" -- Lee G. Hester
• "Yee-ha :)" -- Paul Degruchy

What about you? Will we see you in 2007?

Grad profile: TANYA DOWNIE (nee Williamson)

Constant companion? My husband Daryl

Occupation? Worked for Telus Yellow Pages for past 9 years

Children? 2 Boys Noah is 6 and Ryan is 4

When and where are you the happiest? Camping with friends whenever and wherever we can find a site that will take 5 families with their kids, the dogs and our tent trailers.

What was your favourite journey? Traveling in Thailand with Daryl

What are your interests? Spending time with my kids, going to hockey games, camping, drinking good wine with good friends

What is your fondest memory of Hillside? Hanging out with my friends, rowing, the car rally that took away any breaks we may have had in our vehicle, Grad. Steve Maas “I think I’m sending telepathic messages” Pumo sits up from the floor at the end of the bed and says “Hey man, I think I am receiving them!” Oh and Mr. Horne’s big dreamy eyes every time they bulged out of his head

What is your favourite music, past/present? I like everything, it depends on my mood. Mostly old music

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Giving birth to two large boys and living to tell about it. Getting out of the Hospitality Industry and into Advertising, way less hours and lots more fun!

What is your greatest regret? Don’t have any, if you can’t fix it, move on.

1987 Yearbook quote: "T" could often be found driving her "wannabe Porche" or searching for Mickey Mouse. Her nightlife consisted of partying, sneaking out, and partying again. Her most popular party maneouver was walking around Whistler village hugging all the guys. Tanya was a member of the Hillside Rowing Team and an employee of North Shore Taxi. Message to the undergrads: "you are so short!".

Tanya's two boys, Ryan and Noah, pictured above.

Grad Profile: RICHARD OSTLER

Constant companion? My wife and best friend Collette.

Occupation? Sales and marketing guy for TELUS.

Children? My three sons - Mitchell (6), Nicholas (4) and Owen (2).

When and where are you the happiest? Savary Island, travelling to exciting new places, and outdoor events with my family.

What was your favourite journey? An African Safari in the Umfolozi Game Reserve and Kruger National Park with Collette.

What are your interests? I like to play my guitar. I have finally learned the intro to Stairway to Heaven. I can't really play anything else. I also enjoy the water - boating, sailing and kayaking. I also play golf and joined a curling league (watch for me at 2010).

What is your fondest memory of Hillside? Friends, playing basketball and golf, grad homecoming (jello wars) and grad night.

What is your favourite music, past/present? Past was Led Zeppelin. Now it's great Canadian bands like Blue Rodeo, Tragically Hip and Spirit of the West. I let my kids listen to Gordon Lightfoot. I also like listening to www.pandora.com.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Getting my kids' names right the first time. I've only done it a couple of times. I'm also proud to have written for daily newspapers in Lethbridge and Vernon for two years with only a Commerce (Marketing) degree for training. Thank God for my english class with Mr. Horne! I'm pretty pleased about that Stairway to Heaven thing above too! It's taken 20 frickin' years.

What is your greatest regret? Not buying a house in West Vancouver in the early 1950s (with today's dollars of course). I could probably have bought a few more TELUS stock at $6 too.What are you waiting to do? Explore the world with my family ... ideally starting with a Caribbean sailing trip on a tall ship.

Your last 20 years in 20 words or less: UBC for Commerce, Lethbridge and Vernon to work for Thomson Newspapers, UWO for Journalism, and then on to TELUS. I'm married with three very tall kids and living on the North Shore. Life is tres grand.

1987 Yearbook Quote: "Richie's" pet peeves include short people and 24-hour convenience stores that close at 10:00. Rich was the star centre and captain of the senior boys' basketball team. Best memories were B-ball trips to Penticton and Victoria and the BC Championships in '86. His future plans are to laugh his way into a commerce degree at UBC.

Grad Profile: SHELAGH McINTYRE (nee MacKENZIE)

Constant companion? My husband, Troy and our brood of boys.

Occupation? I work full time as a Human Resources Planner within the provincial government. My dream job is to run the funkiest used bookstore on the planet. Maybe when the boys are in school.

Children? I have two sons: Ethan is 3 and Jude is 1.

When and where are you the happiest? At home playing with my boys. A good book in one hand and a big cold glass of chardonnay in the other is another favourite state of mine. I try to achieve some balance.

What was your favourite journey? Figuratively speaking – this journey into and within parenthood. It is nothing like I anticipated – and it’s obviously a constantly changing and challenging existence. And I’m learning so much about myself and my own strengths and weaknesses throughout the experience. It’s very humbling. Literally: I absolutely love visiting New York City.

What are your interests? Reading, writing, cooking, wine, entertaining, art and music.

What is your fondest memory of Hillside? Grad year was so much fun. I think of my nearest and dearest friends and companions from when I was 17 often, and fondly. I can’t wait to see them all again! If I had to pick a memory or two: I’d say Julie DeGroot’s birthday party at the Edge, the overnighter at Whistler, and grad night itself.



What is your favourite music, past/present? I’m still a huge fan and listener of 80’s New Wave (Duran Duran, Simple Minds, David Bowie, the Cure, Depeche Mode) and classic rock like John Mellencamp, the Boss, the Stones, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. I have really gotten into Jazz, Drum and Bass and other loungy-electronica in the last 10 years. Unfortunately, Raffi has more airtime on our family stereo system these days.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Motherhood.

1987 Yearbook Quote: "She" was found attached to JS in the halls or at Swenson's spilling tea with Cat. PP's: stop signs and running out of gas. She loves swimming and skiing the slopes. She won't forget the Edge, riding in a yellow Bug, or saying "That's a blue bug, Cat". Advice to undergrads: "drive to good tunes". Future plans: attending UBC and becoming a stewardess, or living in LA with Vinnie.

Can it really be 20 years?

1987

Here marks the beginnings of the event we've been waiting for: our beloved Hillside Secondary's twenty year reunion for the grad class of 1987! This site will hold a plethora of information - from event updates and information; graduates' updates, personal links and photos, and other nifty stuff. Check back often - bookmark this site!

This reunion-blog is brought to you by the Grad '87 Reunion Committee!