Special Issue #1

 Reprise '71

 

Let's hear from You....

Reunion feedback!
get this gear!

Reunion Web Pages and Slide Show Links:

*Requirements: 

  1. Either MSOffice or a powerpoint viewer.  I will try to post a link for those who may wish to download the viewer.
  2. With a 56K connection to the internet (if you have a computer less than 2 years old, chances are you have a 56K modem) it will take you 15-20 mins. to download the show. 
  3. After it downloads it will automatically begin to play. You don't have to click or mess with anything.
  4. If you have speakers, make sure you turn them on or turn the volume up so you can hear the music that is synched with the slides.

You can get there by airplane....

-Shelly Wittner 
(Michelle Bohm)
 
Do you know who drove back to South Bend? I know most had flown in from California, Georgia, Florida, Texas. The reason I'm asking is because I drove to South Bend by myself 800 miles one way. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In This Issue:

Alumni Spotlight : 

Rick Miller - Jan Sharp '71

There was little doubt when putting this issue together who would be in the spotlight.  For taking an idea and making it reality...Jan and Rick share this special edition's spotlight.

You can read Rick's reunion remarks by clicking here. Rick and childhood friend Jan Streich (Sharp) re-connected earlier this year and both thought that a 30th reunion would be a great idea.  The rest as they say, is now history. 
Jan Sharp Streich
"The 30th reunion was such a bonding experience for all of us there, I am still hearing from classmates about how much fun they had, and I did too! It was a very special weekend and one I will cherish for years to come."
Home: Verona, WI
After Jackson: Purdue, IUSB, U. Of Wisconsin, Alverno College, St. Thomas Aquinas College....and is still holding out for one that has the best graduation ceremony. (just kidding...she did not say that!)
Spouse: Big Guy, nice looking, went to Jackson,  may know him or heard of him... Rick Streich Class of 71,
Children: Kelly 22, Molly 18
Occupation when not reunion organizing: Clinic Administrator, Dental Health Associates
Special Interests: Family, friends, fitness, scrap booking, reading, travel and re-connecting with old and new friends via the JHS web site.

RICK MILLER:                                     Melody Miller's (74) big brother 

 

I was curious as to why the email ID of gearhead so after the reunion I wrote and asked Rick to explain.

RICK: Typically, a "gearhead" is someone who likes cars, or is a mechanical engineer.  I am both.  Since the age of 6, I have always loved cars of all types, but now mostly Corvettes (I have owned 4 and currently have a red convertible), muscle cars from the 1960's that I remember from the era, and any performance car. As a matter of fact, I will be leaving in about an hour to go up to Auburn, In. to one of the largest classic car gatherings in the country that takes place every labor day weekend. 

  I am a mechanical engineer, (read "nerd"), Purdue class of 1975 (25 year college reunion last year).  My job is Chief Engineer, Conceptual Design for the largest independent gear manufacturer in the US, with 1100 employees and (before downturn) $200 million annual sales.  I have been there 23 years. Thankfully, there is still a need for us mechanical guys in the electronic, digital era!

Rick's Remarks

 

The Class of 1971

The Stats

  

You watch the stats to see what works, where the hits are coming from and to see if you can qualify the leads better if you are trying to sell a product on line.  

 In case you felt that no one else knew about this place or cared...think again.  There was a sharp spike in stats this week after the reunion.  That was no accident and it didn't take a statistician to figure out who and why it happened. Below I've listed the August 01 stats with a graphic showing the spike for the reunion. Also you will notice that I've included the number of referral hits we've gotten from the South Bend Community School's site and the South Bend Alumni Associations site. This is no accident, we designed the pages and at the bottom of each page is a menu with link to our site.  No sense wasting a good opportunity right? It would seem that interest in our site is on the rise....Oh George....remember when Jackson use to a high school?  Well you'll never believe what I found on the internet!..." Hmmmm? 
SBCSC Site
Daily Hits 
Average:  3319
Hits 8/30: 6991
Hits 8/31: 5623

 

 

 Search Engines: 

(Music, Andrew Jackson etc., 75% of the hits pick up the music midi files on the site.)

  • Google: 348
  • Alta Vista: 351
  • MSN: 440
  • Music Search: 520
  • Old Site at ctbuyers: 11,422

 

 

Your Comments

Want to make a comment on the reunion?  All alumni are invited to share comments, memories or stories...

 

As I reflect back on our 30th reunion, it was bittersweet. Without a doubt, seeing old friends renewed my spirit. The bonds that were formed in our youth are now cherished gifts, yet the time we shared at the reunion was all too swift. I did not even get a chance to say hello to everyone, and for those who I did see, the time spent was again, too short. I only gained short glimpses into peoples lives who are so interesting and have done so many good things with their lives. 

What a perfect metaphor for life. How quickly it passes. Where did our youth go? How will we spend the remaining years? What ever happened to 
those friends who we could not find? What about those friends who graduated before and after our class?

The reunion gave me time to reflect on what is important, particularly family and childhood friends. Undoubtedly, the internet has made it easier for us to keep in touch, but there also appears to be a change in perspective and a change in how we view our old classmates. For some reason, this reunion has served as a vehicle for us to take old friendships and make them "new again," as we share in each other's lives........What a great opportunity.   Ken Gross '71
 
 
Andrew Jackson High School-Class of 1971 Reunion.
August 25, 2001.

It sure feels good to wrap up loose ends! 

Below is a excerpt from an e-mail from Sarah Bowers to me (Monday, June 25, 2001):

"I had no idea when I met you on the Luther Tour to Germany that you were a graduate of Jackson High School. I graduated in 1971, but Sally, my sister, was in your class. 
I was just told about the website last week and was quite surprised to see your face as I scrolled through the "Then and Now" pictures. I got back into the Website today and found your "Jackson Alumni Creed" so I just had to send off an e-mail to say hello. Loved your creed - I guess the ability to become philosophical comes with age (ouch!). "

My response (Saturday, July 07, 2001):

"Your class is having a reunion on August 25. Hopefully you will be able to attend. Maybe we can get together then and reminisce. You know, share pictures ..."

Sarah wrote back to me (Tuesday, July 10, 2001):

Yes - I will be attending the reunion on August 25th - and my sister is coming too. I am really looking forward to it - it should be great fun. 

"I am happy to hear that you will be at the reunion - do you have friends that were in my class? The big advantage to that great JHS website is that it does such a nice job of getting people in touch. "

Why yes, Sarah, I do have friends that were in your class. 

Mike Griffey and I grew up in the same neighborhood. Mike, Ken, twins David and Donald Griffey, we all grew up together. Go-karts, model rockets, football, tree forts...guy stuff. Even told stories about Mike to his wife, Kathy.

Finally was fortunate to meet and converse with Dean Reinke. Jackson track legend and miler extraordinaire. 

So, caught up with old friends, made new friends, cemented new friendships. Too bad the evening was so short!

Each Jackson reunion should be open and promoted to every Jackson graduate. We all know each other. Or about each other. Or our siblings. We need to hang together. We're all we've got.

David W. Stout '73
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