Classmate Biographies and Comments, submitted by members of the Class of 1972 on occasion of the 50th Reunion. If you are a classmate, we encourage you to submit further information at any time. Please see the CONTACT page. Biographies and comments are listed alphabetically by first name.
Please scroll down to enjoy!
Alice Gill Meenan
My husband, Brian, and I have been married for 46 years. We are both retired and enjoy traveling and spending time with our four children and six grandchildren. Our oldest child, Kerry, is very busy working as an architect and taking care of her two children. Her daughter, Nora, is 11 years old and her son, Patrick, is nine. They live in Sherman, CT not far from my husband and me. Our son, Evan, and his wife, Erin, are enjoying life in Vermont busy working doing athletic activities and spending time gardening. Evan is an attorney for the state of Vermont. Our youngest daughters are twins, Megan and Erin. Megan and her husband, Chris, have two children and just moved to Florida. They have a son, Hunter, seven years old, and a daughter, Grace, four years old. Megan is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Our daughter, Erin, and her husband, Josh, have two boys. Their names are Jack, age two and his brother, Connor, age one. They live in New Hampshire where Erin is employed as an attorney for the state.
I have fond memories from high school that stand out to me. One is the talent show where Meg Walker, Leslie Beckmann and I lip-synched to the song “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree.” I also loved going to hockey games. Another great memory is during the summer between junior and senior years when a group of students and teachers went to the four corners area of the country. We studied artifacts and local art and also had fun sliding down the sand dunes.
Thanks to all for your friendship and the experiences we shared at Cheyenne Mountain High School. I hope the reunion is wonderful and wish everyone the absolute best.
Betsi Ross Fredrickson
Highlights from my last fifty years include my four years at Univ of Colorado, Boulder. Then, I started my career in child protective services in Texas. In 1978, I went back to school at University of Denver to get a master's degree. 1980 was an important year as I started working for El Paso County Department of Human Services and married Phil Fredrickson. Phil has ties to Minnesota, as do I, and we spent lots of summers driving to our family cabin near Brainerd. We live in lower Skyway in a house that was built in 1953.
Phil was a broadcast and print journalist and now drives jeeps for a tour company called Adventures Out West. I retired from the county in 2017 but I still write foster and adoptive home studies as an independent contractor.
We have two grown sons who live in Littleton and Fort Collins. We also have two grandchildren who delight us. We have a little Chihuahua/terrier mix who hikes with me through the pasture and the canon, still beautiful places that have thankfully been preserved.
The other things I do to keep busy include church choir, handbell choir, three book groups, aerobic swim classes and some volunteer work. Phil says "don't forget to write" as I'm running off to one thing or another. I'm a moderately ambitious gardener. I'm grateful for my good health and mobility. The most important thing to me over the years has been my family. I do love a great family gathering. I'm looking forward to seeing many of you in August at our fiftieth reunion.
Bob (Bobby) Cesario
I have fond memories of performing in plays, musicals and talent shows. I choreographed Meg Walker, Leslie Beckmann and Alice Gill as the Andrews Sisters lip synching to “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” for a talent show.
Favorite teachers – David Porter, Mrs. Knutson, Mr. MacDonald
Bob Shoop
I retired from the practice of law in 2014 – after 30 years of being an attorney. I concentrate on college teaching – 30 years at Regis University. I also teach at Colorado Technical University. I was named a Distinguished Faculty Member in 2017 and regularly am re-nominated for the same. I also teach online for Troy University in Alabama and the Colorado Community College System online. Toni and I have been married 20 great years. We are regularly bossed around by Gypsy The Wonder Cat.
Brenda Baker Carter
After high school I was a dental assistant in Colorado Springs.
In 1973 I married a young lieutenant who was an Air Force Academy graduate. I lived in Chandler, Arizona , Spokane WA and back to Chandler in a period of 10 years. In 1979 our son Will was born in Washington and in 1981 our son Andy was born in Arizona. In 1982 my husband left me for his female student pilot. I got full custody of the boys.
As a single mother, I stayed home and opened a in home daycare business.
In June of 1983 I met Bill Carter (my God given husband) at a wedding.
He was an Air Force Major and hot air balloonist and lived in New Mexico.
We knew each other from June 26, 1983 to September 9, 1983 when we married.
We moved to Germany in October 1983. We lived in a German Village for 3 years.
On our return to the US we lived in Denver where we retired and move to New Port Richey, FL.
We bought and ran a Family Restaurant for 17 years. Sold that and for the past 17 years I am a real estate agent in the Tampa Bay Area. Last year we bought a second house in Tawas City, MI so we are here now until October .
God is good all the time.
Brent Edstrom and Debbie Vater Edstrom
Hard to believe that it has been 50 years since we all walked down the aisle in the auditorium with the band playing Pomp and Circumstance. Debbie Vater, who attended Cheyenne with us through 10th grade before moving away, and I reconnected in college and were married in 1975 before starting our college senior year.
I have been in the grocery business designing and building grocery stores my entire career. Transfers and job changes have kept us moving as we have lived in 9 different states from Minnesota to Texas and Indiana to California. Currently in Roseville, California, we are planning a final move back to Debbie’s hometown of Kansas City for future retirement.
I continue to work for a grocery wholesaler while Debbie retired in 2007 to become a full time Grandma as the first of our three granddaughters was born. Our daughter, her husband and the three granddaughters all live in the Denver metro area and we visit frequently. Our son is in Reno and we see him regularly when he and Debbie ski in Tahoe or we take one of our frequent excursions to the wine country here in California.
Great memories of Cheyenne Mountain with the band, football games, hockey games, the Broadmoor and all of our classmates. Colorado Springs will always be “home”.
Brian McMahill
Hello class of ‘72
I must admit, after a year of band, chorus, PE, typing…etc. I was very sorry to see my senior year at CMHS end. I remember fondly the hockey games at the Broadmoor arena, playing drums in the marching band at football games, and hours of visiting classmates during study hall in the library, also staying one step ahead of the annoyed Mr Leary. After graduation, I attended four years of “reckless living” at CSU and then, fearing entry into the real world, I by default took shelter in three years of law school at Washburn University (Dave McDermott was my roommate!).
In ‘80 I graduated and returned to Fort Collins, was hired into an established firm, and practiced law with my same partners for 36 years.
I marrued in ‘84. Cindy and I have four daughters, Shelby (36), Paige (33), Jordan (31), and Shay (23). We live on a sort of a gentleman’s ranch along the Thompson River (350+/- acres) where I led two lives, a wannabe cowboy on weekends, and a practicing attorney by day. Our girls were all in 4-H showing steers, and took to riding horses, 4-wheelers, dirt bikes, and sheep at the annual mutton busting competition during the Larimer County Fair. Many additional doors opened to me in kayaking, golfing (I’m still horrible), running, softball, basketball, raquetball, hunting, archery, hiking 14ers, motorcyles, horseback riding (mountain trails), and almost anything else that kept me outside..Cindy and I divorced in 2008; I retired in 2019; and in 2020 I happily married my wife, Tess. She has two sons, Kyle (33) and Trent (30). I have two “ranch” grandchildren, lane (4) and Lily (7). At 68, altho I feel I have a slippery grip on reality, I remain as active as my aching joint/muscles/neuropathy/heart stint will allow.
In 2008,a major shift took place in my life. My reckless past had caught up with me. I made some critically poor decisions, which in part resulted in a protracted divorce, and the resulting trail of carnage. Then in 2010, unexpectedly, and really uninvited, God revealed himself to me in a supernatural way, which was of course the only way I was ever going to believe he was absolutely real. That began a whole new journey anchored in faith, integrity, and truth (quite a feat for a retired lawyer), but this story is still a work in progress which I will write about for our 55th reunion.
Cynthia (Cindy) Rhodes McBride
I attended and graduated from Colorado College in 1975 with a BA in Chemistry. That summer I married Jimmy McBride (AFA graduate, ’74), and we moved to Charleston, SC, where he flew C-141’s as a navigator. In 1976, when attending a revival meeting at a North Charleston church, I accepted Jesus as my savior and Lord. I then walked the aisle for church membership and baptism. This was one of the “best days” of my life—a start on my current path to love and follow Jesus and grow in Bible knowledge/truth. During our Charleston years I worked at SC Medical University’s Toxicology Lab for a year and then taught high school math and science in a private school in St. George, SC.
We next lived near Dayton, OH from ‘80-‘84 where our 2 daughters were born (Lisa in ’80 & Sarah in ’83). Jimmy acquired his Master of Science in Logistics Management, and then pursued this secondary profession in the AF rotating between it and being a navigator. We returned and lived in Charleston from ‘84-‘88. Then we moved to Montgomery, AL from ’88-’89, for Jimmy to attend Air Command and Staff College. Next we lived near Fayetteville, NC from ’89-’92. When our children were born I had been a full-time homemaker/mother. I began substitute teaching when Sarah started first grade. This experience confirmed that teaching was the career field that I wanted to pursue.
Our final AF assignment was to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia until ‘94, when we returned to Charleston. I obtained my Master of Arts-Teaching (all Sciences) degree and teacher certification in 1996 and began teaching high school science and math in the Charleston area, until my retirement in 2016. Jimmy also obtained his Master of Science–Teaching (Math) degree and teacher certification, teaching math in local high schools, until he also retired in 2016. Our daughters and their spouses settled in this area, and our grandchildren were born in 2017 and 2020. We have been enjoying our roles as grandparents with many hours spent as care givers to our little ones! Our family is our focus, and greatest source of blessings and joy!
Cindy Rhodes McBride family 2022
Cindy Tennant Gardner
It was truly a wonderful blessing to work with our committee in planning our 50th Reunion!
I married my high school sweetheart (Kim Gardner, CMHS ’71) when I was a senior at Brigham Young University. After we both graduated from BYU, we moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Kim went to the University of Tulsa College of Law. We returned to CS after law school.
We celebrate our 47th anniversary this August, 2022. We raised our 4 children in Colorado Springs where Kim was a partner in a personal injury law firm for 32 years. Our children: Ashton (and Kylie) have 3 children and live in Colorado Springs. He is a Homicide Detective for CSPD. He’s amazing. Rebecca (and Jesse) have 5 children and live in Spanish Fork, Utah. Jesse is the HS Athletic Director and AP Government teacher. Meredith (and Steve) have 4 children and live in Salem, Utah. Steve teachers Seminary for the CES program. Hillary (and Kevin) live in Salt Lake and have 4 children. Kevin works for the VA. Our children have married good, solid individuals and we LOVE their children – our grandchildren! Our girls have degrees from BYU but each has made an important choice to remain at home while their children are growing up, and have been blessed to be able to do so.
After all of our years in Colorado Springs, Kim retired and we came to Utah (hard decision but we felt led to do so) and was he was hired to be the Suicide Prevention Director for NAMI, UT. That is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a national non-profit. It was quite a change for him from the legal world, but he was well prepared for this work due to his legal training and church experience. We have stretched ourselves and learned so much about mental illness. We appreciate having a better and more significant understanding of those who suffer so much. We champion those with mental illness.
We have grown to really love Salt Lake (except for the weather). We love the outdoors - our National Parks here are something very special. Living in Salt Lake, right by the University of Utah, affords us a literal outdoor playground in our backyard.
Retirement has been amazing. But like each of you, life hasn’t slowed down. We take classes at the U to continue learning (well Kim learns and I just enjoy), we kayak, we cycle, we camp with kids and grandchildren, we hike the gorgeous canyons in summer and snowshoe them in the winter. We spend a lot of time with our grandchildren (16 of them) – a favorite thing is having sleepovers for them here in our home. Kim has picked up golf again and I have considered it – but only for a short moment. I would love to learn to paint with watercolors and I would love to fish again – I was raised in a fishing family. I still love to cook - even after all these years. And we had a 20-month old Cava-Malt puppy, Moses. We have become the Pac-3.
Family, and each other, is always our #1 concern; our next greatest priority is our church service. Currently we serve in a Care Center where the ages are from 25 – 90, and their challenges are just as varied. Most of them don’t have family that care, so we have become that family for them. We spend a lot of time there and they are dear to us.
Our hearts will always be in Colorado. We return often to see our son and his sweet family and my mom who is 101 and still living in her home. I am grateful to have attended CMHS for my junior and senior year. My dad retired in Colorado Springs from the Air Force when I was 16. I cried and cried to have to leave Northern Virginia, my friends and my high school, and move to Colorado, but it all worked out perfectly in the end. Through the ups and downs of life, we have been blessed. I have read many of your bios and you have said “God is good”. And He is!
September 2020 Family Reunion, Camping at Flaming Gorge
Dawn Anderson Lowe
Retired journalist. Now director of non-profit publishing organization, Brilliant Flash Fiction – brilliantflashfiction.com. I’m moving to North Caroling this fall.
Deborah Alton-Maher
This is a bit late but I just want to say hello to everyone for our 50th reunion. We have family and grandkids here this weekend, but I'm thinking about everyone today and what our collective Cheyenne Mountain experience has meant to me. I think the single most impactful influence was the sense of being surrounded by excellence. I am free-thinking this out loud but what jumps to mind are outstanding and dedicated teachers, first class marching band and symphonic band, champion sports teams, courageous and generous colleagues, accomplished athletes, scholars, creative artists and performers (thank you Mrs. Abbott and Mr Porter :)); strong community spirit, strong school spirit, collective strength of character and social responsibility, being able to ride your horse to school (Valerie Dotson) or ski to school :-)), an Okum Kawis Dancer galloping on a horse around the football field after every touchdown (I thought that was SO cool). These may be rather random thoughts but they formed a foundation for leadership, ambition, altruism, responsibility, integrity, commitment and determination that I am deeply grateful for and inspired by.
I send my fond wishes for a glorious 50th reunion!
Diane Hawkins Kostka
After 50 years I look back and recall many memories from my days at Cheyenne Mountain. One favorite was being in band. Was I awesome? No. but I was among other students and together we were. It was that cumulative effort that gave us the success we earned. I remember pep band at the real Broadmoor World arena. Our hockey team gave us more than enough opportunity to play “Cheyenne Will Shine Tonight”. My husband, a St. Mary’s hockey player, still takes some cheap shots at CMHS. At least he can make those shots!
The good ol’ days. I’m so grateful I spent my teenage years then and there. Stress for me came more from my attentive parents than teachers. And today, for many reasons, I’m glad I was a Cheyenne Mountain Indian.
Donna Stowe Johannessen
My favorite memory of high school is of home football games. Sitting in the stands taking in the Autumn blue skies, the scrub oak of the surrounding foothills turning many colors, the smell of wood smoke from bonfires, and the stands filled with enthusiastic students cheering on our team. I remember the huge section of maroon created by the Pep Club, the band right next to it, the wonderful half time shows with the marching band led by Andrea Huber, and performing with the Okhum Kawis dancers. Other favorite football memories include away games, Powder Puff (I was a halfback!), and completely unofficial coed pickup games on Sunday afternoons. We were very fortunate to attend high school at a charming campus, with a small student population, and with lots of school spirit! Even a couple of years later, school spirit was dwindling, and now the school is unrecognizable with a substantially larger student population, and what we thought of as admiration for our Indian mascot is now vilified. We were the lucky ones, and I'm so glad we had that wonderful opportunity.
Doug Haug
Dear CMHS class of 1972 mates –
It has been fifty years since we left those hallowed halls of learning, and yet in so many ways, those days remain fresh in our memory. Not always for the same reasons though. Some of you will recall being on the football field, others in the band. A few will remember their locker combinations or stealing a kiss between class. And still others will fondly recollect a favorite teacher (Dr. Porter?).
As for me, I arrived at CMHS in my senior year, with a chip on my shoulder the size of Cheyenne Mountain itself. I told myself I didn’t fit in, and by golly, I worked overtime to fulfill that expectation. A few of you may have helped me in that area. Others allowed me to remain an outsider. And then there were a few of you, whose names have faded, that went out of your way to help me cope. I wish I could thank you.
In the last fifty years, I don’t recall seeing many or any of you. That is life. We should be living our lives forward – with college, jobs, significant others, even children and grandchildren.
We’ve experienced great joys and great sorrows. Our generation moved from the fear of Vietnam to the war in Ukraine. From polio to Covid. From one major catastrophe to another. And most of us survived. All the challenges that accompany life, and we have survived.
We have, closer to home, watched changes in our society that make me sad – the removal of our proud, brave warrior mascot and being replaced by a bird. We too are being replaced.
On that happy note, if you made it to this reunion, Congratulations! You remain strong warriors. I wish you well.
As for me, I continue that job of being an outsider, and unfortunately, other commitments will prevent my attendance.
I thank you so much for the invitation. Be safe, and maybe we can catch up at the 75th!
Respectfully, Doug Haug
Doug Truitt
Mrs. Murchison was my very favorite teacher at CMHS.
Evelynn Lipinski Harris
I got married to Albert Harris, my husband of 42 years in September, 1977. We had two children: Audrey and Randy. I was an Army wife. After 22 years in the Army my husband retired and got a job working for the post office. After 23 years there, he retired for good. I worked off and on through the years at different jobs. My 1st grandchild was born and stole our hearts. At the age of 55, I stopped working to help take care of the grandchildren. I now have four grandkids: one girl and three boys. I am a wife, mother and grandmother. My husband had cancer and fought it for ten years. He got it from being in the Gulf war. On August 19th , 2019 he went to Heaven. Since then I have been trying to move on with my life. I got a hip replacement in 2020, and I now need a knee replacement. I still live in my house in Aurora. My grandkids help me out with mowing the grass and housework. I go to Beck pool where I have made friends. I go to lunch and play with them. Mostly I am at home with my dog Pickles. He keeps me company. Evelynn
Gordon Adams
Howdy all, nothing too exciting to report. Happily married for 37yrs to my beautiful wife Susan. Our 2 boys are Shelton and Cooper. Shel works for an engineering firm in Denver and Coop is a chiropractor in Portland OR. They are both married and we therefore have 2 grand kids. We lived in Eagle, CO. for 22yrs and got tired of scraping windshields, shoveling snow and freezing my butt off so we moved north of Phoenix and fried my butt off. We built a pueblo style home in Taos where we are now. That's all for now, hope to see everyone in 10 more, Gordon
Heidi Sachs
Sadly, I won’t be able to attend our 50th reunion. I had hoped to come, and was looking forward to it, but COVID has interfered. Who knew we would be at the mercy of this virus at this late date.
As an update:
I live in Seattle, having moved here in 1978—hard to believe it has been over 40 years! Although I miss all the sunshine of Colorado, I love the greenery, the water, and the vibrant colors of the spring and fall.
Heidi married Fritz (neither of us speak a word of German!) in 1983, and we have two kids: Andrea and Michael, both in their early 30’s. Last summer, our daughter Andrea married Andrew (Luckily he goes by Drew). Both our kids live close by, which is a joy. Attached is a picture from the wedding—Drew is the tall one.
Fritz and I enjoy traveling and the outdoors. We recently bought a small trailer, and have been visiting the gems of the NW: Mt. Rainier, Mt. Saint Helens, Olympic Peninsula, Whidbey Island.… My brother, Mark (Class of 1970) and my sister, Niki (Class of 1978) live in San Rafael CA and Tucson AZ, respectively, so we travel to see them when we can. Fritz has a large family that lives locally, and we are all very close. So holidays are high energy affairs with 30+ people, including 7 kids under the age of 10. (We hope we have our own grandkids to add to the mix some day!)
I am retired from a 35+ year career as an Intellectual Property lawyer (trademarks/copyrights), which I really enjoyed. I worked with attorneys from all over the world; some of my interesting clients included the ‘start-up’ which we now call Amazon, Cranium (the game), and Boeing. I take pride in the fact that I pushed the ‘glass ceiling’ to become the first, part-time partner at my firm, Perkins Coie, and I loved mentoring new attorneys and staff.
A few years ago, I returned to C. Springs (and Boulder and Estes Park) with my family for a vacation, which I called the homeland tour. I loved showing them the school—Wow, what a change—as well as the Garden of the Gods and the Broadmoor. They were impressed that we had our Junior/Senior Prom in the Broadmoor’s ballroom!
Unfortunately, between going away for college and living my life in Seattle, I have not stayed in touch with many folks from high school. The reunion would have been an opportunity to reconnect with—and get to know for the first time--so many classmates, and I am sad to miss this. When I was in Colorado, though, I rekindled my friendship with Meg Walker, with whom I was best friends beginning in 3rd grade, and I certainly would like to reconnect with other classmates who lived on Constellation Dr.—we had some fun times together a kids!
I have very fond memories of high school, especially the football games, band and marching band, student counsel and of course my friends. My memory is that we were a happy bunch—enjoying our high school experience and looking forward to the future. We felt safe and took for granted that we would have opportunities to fulfill our dreams and live ‘the good life.’ I truly hope my fellow classmates of 1972 have experienced a good life—this certainly has been true for me.
Finally, I want to thank all of the members of the organizing committee—Betsi, Cindy, Renee, Brian, Jim, Rich, Steve and Wayne. I imagine this has been a lot of work, and I appreciate your efforts. I am especially sad to not be able to thank, and connect with, each of you in person.
Best, best wishes to the CMHS Class of 1972,
Heidi
Jean Hines Marcuzzo
Spring of our senior year, teacher David Porter directed the musical Bye Bye birdie. The cast and crew were massive, with a band to play the music and rehearsals that seemed to go for about 2 months. There were two performances on Thursday and Friday night. Rich McDermott dyed his hair brown for his portrayal of Conrad Birdie. Lisa Banes had such incredible singing voice as the character Rose Alvarez.
The prior year Mr. Porter had produced a Reader’s Theater in which the acts were judged. The critics judged the performance by Jolene Schuenight and Salle Slothower of a cutting from the Glass Menagerie, and my cutting from the play Dream Girl to be Exceptional.
Our senior year a group of us would crowed into a study carrel in the library until Mr. Leary or Ms. Hamman ordered us to leave. This group included Susan Armstrong, Ceci Ochs, Micheline Leveille, Barbie Clinebell, Debbie Conrad, Lynn Barnett, Cathy Abbott and Jean Hines.
Senor year getting to permanently sign out of study hall with a school issued “Honor Pass”. Plus so many activities; the Kiva banquet at the Antlers Plaza Ballroom, National Honor Society Assembly and making it to State with the Speech Team.
I currently live in Oakland, California. After college my family moved away from Colorado Springs and I never moved back. My professional life was working in banking, usually in a credit capacity, all on the West coast. I am now retired. After college, Peter and I married. Our daughter lives in Atlanta and works in Advertising Tech. Our son lives in Australia and works in the ocean shipping industry. Both have or are living abroad, so we have been able to travel domestically and internationally and to visit them.
Jim Moore
I am a 3rd generation Coloradoan, married to Nancy for 39 years and have raised three boys. They all are now grown and happily married, and Nancy and I are now enjoying our two granddaughters.
I received my bachelor’s from CSU, and my masters at UCCS. I worked for the Colorado Department of Corrections for over 30 years as a Case Manager, a Supervisor for Goodwill, and a counselor at a private prison teaching CBT courses.
I also volunteered as an adult Boy Scout Leader, a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, and have served on a Parish Council. I currently work at the Springs Rescue Mission as the Lead Case Manager II, a job I truly love.
As far as a HS memory, I think the experiences that I had with the swim team and going to State twice are the most meaningful to me. I did thoroughly enjoy Marching Band, however. Sticking to a task and not giving up was the one most valuable skill I learned in high school. And as far as memories of the 70’s? Heck I barely remember what I did this morning.
Jim Moore
John Hetzler
Was glad to move on from HS. Post high school, continued study with Tedesco and pursued a career as a concert pianist, playing Romantic repertoire as soloist and with many orchestras as an Affiliate Artist. I finished my undergrad degree at Adams State and left the full time stage for the classroom in 1982. Lots of Division I ensemble ratings at contests, band, jazz band, orchestra and choir. Some students pursued careers in music. But also its share of misunderstanding from administrators who lacked a CMHS-like vision or model. Life was and is a struggle. Married 25 years and then divorced. Two wonderful children Emily and Stuart. Both are music professionals. After graduate work at Juilliard in composition and Dalcroze Eurythmics, I left public education for good. Founded Innermusic, teach privately and will until I can't. I am a composer and wrote hundreds of works for advertisement, film, general performance and commission. I put my beloved Colorado to music. Some may be heard on You Tube at Inness54. Climbed the 14ers three times. Scored music for each. Directed music forThe Salvation Army. Since covid and a near death brush with that, I took up bowling. Many 250+ games. Science sends me. I still collect and study insects and have about 40,000 specimens with full data in the collection. I don't retire. Just change directions. Influential teachers at CMHS; David Porter, Charles Callahan, Pat Abbott, G Spencer Beasley, Armin Graber
My family at Christmas
Joni Huber
3.2 beer, Gold Camp Road, Vodka Valley, driving under age, 8-track tapes, dial or push button corded phones. What a wonderful way to grow up. Good people!! I am so blessed to have had all of you in my life!
Judi Langebartel (Schwartz)
Here we are at our 50th reunion! WOW: High school memories are still vivid….pep band, Broadmoor Prom, stage productions, games, Mr. Beasley…..LOVED my time there, but sure miss our old school? Over the last 10 years, I retired from DHS in 2017, spent a lot of time with my only granddaughter, now 15, became heavily involved in my HOA (now President), learned to golf, and am currently in the process of moving away from Colorado Springs for the first time to the Villages, Florida. Good health, blessed life. Thanks for the memories, Cheyenne – INDIANS!
Kevin Briggs
TV shows – Brady Bunch, Defenders
Songs – “Cry Me a River” Joe Cocker”; “Round About” YES
Liked – Mr. Patterson, Mr. MacDonald, Mrs. Knutson, Mr. Haughton
Kevin C. Kilgore
Wow, 50 years?! Our parents were right – life goes faster all the time. Family: Wife of 37 years – Bobbi Littleton HS. Two awesome, brilliant, successful sons in Denver area: Carey 29 (Bio/Chem degree CSU – Masters in Construction Management ASU) Scott 28 (Civil Engineer CU – Masters Texas). We live in the Greenountain area of Jefferson County, just east of Red Rocks amphitheater – great access to the foothills, open space, mountains.
Career: Retired 12/31/21 from FMI Corporation – management consultants to the construction industry - consulting, investment banking, research, leadership development for large commercial and industrial contractors in the U.S. Providing professional services to construction contractors since 1979 – that sounds old! It’s been a great “life’s work.” Now serving on several contractor boards in “retirement”.
Activities: Still a fitness junkie. Avid road and mountain bike cyclist – multiple events and 5000+ miles annually. Vegetable and flower gardener. Avocations include reading,podcasts, hiking, workouts, family, travel and a modest wine cellar.
Education: BSBA Finance University of Denver 1976 – 9 time national hockey champs. Bobbi and I were in Chicago (2017) and Boston (2022) for frozen four championships.
High School memories: it was way too fast - too many cliques (I did not get to know enough of you – should have done more things), parties in “vodka valley,” football,basketball, baseball non-stop, hockey games at the old Broadmoor ice arena, hockey players always had more fun & great parties, wrestlers always worked out harder, “Cheyenne will shine tonight…” Mr. Graber’s physics class, all our great sports coaches, breaks to 7-11 in Dave Rowe’s Opal with 12 guys, gold camp road trips, coming of age, Led Zeppelin in the cafeteria, 8 th street drive in movies, hanging out at the Broadmoor, many stupid decisions while learning about life – being a teenager is hard. Reviewing the CMHS yearbook was a real stretch of the mind. We had something special and grew up in a magical age my friends, not like today.
Perspective: Am amazed, humbled and grateful for our quality of life in Colorado and America. It truly is “a privilege to live in Colorado.” In short, life is a blast and a blur and full of bounty. Age is just number, think young and enjoy life my friends! Good to be with you all again.
Kilgore Family June 2022
Kim Lohse Gallner
Fifty years covers a college degree, marriage, two great children, a retriever, home in the Midwest, many trips back to Colorado, and becoming a cancer widow. Each trip back to Colorado has been filled with anxiety about not getting lost in my home town. Cheyenne Mountain High has become unrecognizable. I was very fond of the small school set in the foothills. I will always remember Mrs. Abbott –so encouraging! She was totally honest about any talent I did not possess. She was the spark to challenge myself with horse jumping, Pikes Peak Marathon and a variety of sports that I have passed on to my children.
Looking back to the 1970’s, our class was comprised of different personalities and groups which I never quite fit in. Age has taught me it did not matter.
Time has given me the opportunity to be myself.
Kim Lohse Gallner
Libby (Liz) Widen Hellinger (I now go by Libby)
First of all, thank you to all who devoted their time and talents to making this reunion happen! After 50 years, I am looking forward to seeing many former classmates, visiting dear old CMHS, and hearing updates about your lives.
Some of my favorite memories from my high school years include the practices and performances with the Okum Kawis dancers, attending hockey games at the old Broadmoor World Arena, working at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, eating hamburgers at the Red Top with friends, and interacting with so many wonderful teachers and fellow students.
After teaching K-3 in both Cherry Creek and Douglas County School Districts for many years, I retired from teaching and enjoyed 11 years as the Spiritual Formation Coordinator at Southeast Christian Church in Parker, Colorado before retiring permanently, downsizing, and moving to Lone Tree from Parker.I’ve been married to my best friend Randy for 27 years.As a blended family, we have three daughters, Emily and Jennifer (my daughters) and Katie (Randy’s daughter). My girls are married and live in Texas and California, while Katie lives nearby in Ken Caryl Valley, with her husband Ryan the three daughters, 7, 5 and 3 month old.We love spending time with our grandchildren, exercising at our local Rec Center, traveling, riding our new E-bikes, serving at our church, and connecting with the many wonderful friends and neighbors God has graciously provided in this season of life.Life is good and we are grateful
Libby (Liz) Widen Hellinger and Randy Hellinger
Mardi Slosky Cernohorsky
One the one hand, it’s hard to believe it has been 50 years since we graduated from high school. That’s such a BIG number! One the other hand, just looking in the mirror confirms it is so!
At the time of graduation, I was so ready to be done with high school and move on, that I don’t think I appreciated what a special experience we had at SMS. Looking back now, perhaps through my rose-colored glasses, I remember our school as being welcoming and acccepting, somewhat insulated from the world at large. I have fond memories of watching football, basketball and hockey games, playing band concerts and band competitions, being on the girls’ volleyball and tennis teams, watching the school plays and going to dances. We had teachers who cared and connected with the students while they tried to prepare us for our future. Of course, there were “extra-curricular” activities that are memorable, but not of which I am willing to put into print. J But most of all, I remember the many special friendships I had growing up, from elementary school through high school. All those friends, even the ones who I have been out of touch with for years, have left a lasting imprint on my heart.. And for that, I am grateful!
Rich and I are still living in Springfield, VA just outside of Washington D.C. where we have lived since 1990. We celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary in May. I retired from teaching elementary school in 2013 and joined Rich in his Financial Planning practice as his back-office help until we both retired in 2018. We have missed traveling the last couple of years, but are looking forward to resuming doing some in the near future. Our greatest joy is spending time with our 2 grandchildren, ages 3 ½ and 6 months, and our son and daughter-in-law who live in Tucson, AZ.
Marsha Foster Bryant
In the 10 years since our last reunion, we have gained a granddaughter, Abigail, in 2015. She joins her 10 year old brother, Oliver. Their parents are our youngest son, Nick, & his wife, Elizabeth. Nick has finally finished school with a PhD in Development Engineering/Studies. He has a job with ICF as a Data Scientist & is able to work from home. They live here in WA. Our middle son, Marcus, got married to Sarah in 2015. They have “fur” kids, 2 dogs & 3 cats. They have both gone through career changes; Sarah was a helicopter pilot in the Army & Marcus an elementary school teacher. They are now both RNs. Sarah is pursuing her MBA & Marcus is in school to get his Masters as a nurse anesthetist. They live in Pittsburg, though Marc is in school in Erie, PA. Our oldest son, Vince, has his MBA & continues to work in data/cyber security. He also works from home & has moved from Seattle to Mt Vernon, WA to be closer to his brother & his family. I retired in 2014 to join Bud (who retired in 2012) & we traveled quite a lot until COVID hit mid cruise in March 2020. (We were only 1/3 of the way on our 60 day cruise). Since then we have become “home bodies” doing home improvements & rescuing 2 dogs (brother & sister) from La Paz, Mexico the end of July 2020. They were 10 months old when we got them. They joined our two 14 year old cats (also rescued brother & sister).
Meg Walker
Who could imagine a sweet romance blossoming when you are in your sixties? And with an old high school friend? Not I, especially since I have been living in New York since 1978 with little contact with Cheyenne Mt. High School alums. Well the Saturday after our reunion, I will be marrying that old high school friend, Morey Bean!
Morey got in touch with me about five years ago, after we had both separated from our respective spouses, and asked if I wanted to have coffee the next time I was in Colorado. I happened to be heading out there the following week, so I said yes. After some reflection I emailed him back and invited him to go camping with me and some friends. It was the week of the Perseid Meteor Shower and under those celestial fireworks a terrestrial romance was sparked. I will leave the rest to your imagination.
Nancy Hughes
Living in Florida (where I retired in 2016, just outside of Sarasota), locals always ask, “Where are you from?” I hesitate before I answer. Do I say “I'm an Army brat” because my family moved frequently when I was a child? Do I respond “Colorado” because I went to Cheyenne Mountain High School and Colorado State University, and worked as a radio/TV reporter in Fort Collins, Greeley, and Denver; a deputy press secretary for then-Governor Dick Lamm; and as vice president for the Denver Chamber of Commerce? Or do I answer “Washington, DC” because that was where I lived before moving to Florida and where I spent nearly 30 years as a press secretary to then-Congressman David Skaggs from Colorado and vice president for the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the National Health Council? No. I simply smile and tell people I've lived in a number of different and interesting places but my heart still resides in Colorado. Best wishes to all who are able to gather this year for the Cheyenne Mountain High School reunion.
Nonee Seyfried Van Valin
Greetings fellow CMHS Class of ‘72 Grads!
After May 31, 1972, I needed to see more of the country beyondCheyenne Canyon and Colorado Springs where I grew up. I was fortunate enough to be able to experience some other wonderful places. My first move was to Texas…the Missouri…back to Colorado…then back to Texas…back again to Colorado, and then to the Last Frontier - Alaska! And Alaska is where I have hung my hat for the last 21 years. Sure, Colorado is a beautiful state, but it doesn’t come close to the beauty Alaska holds!
If any of you ever get the chance to visit Alaska, do not pass it up! It’s an opportunity of a lifetime. Summers are best, but winters have their own special perks as well - like seeing the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)!
Alaska is now my home along with my partner who has built us a gorgeous home on almost 9 acres alongside the Little Susitna River. This place is a little slice of Heaven that I have the chance of enjoying each and every day!
So congratulations to my fellow grads for making it to the 50th Reunion of CMHS! Go Indians! (Oops can’t say that anymore…go Hawks or whoever…)
Rea Everett Boyd
I had a wonderful career in banking. In my last position as State President of Kansas, I managed 21 branches for First Bank System. When First Bank divested the Kansas branches, my husband I decided to retire in Oro Valley, AZ, just north of Tucson.
I have been married to my husband, Kent, for 45 years. Our son, Jason is married and we have two grand kids.
I now enjoy golfing three days a week, swimming in our pool, and just enjoy being retired.
If you ever have a time to visit Tucson, I would love to hear from you. My phone is 520-433-1166. Address is 12249 N. Tall Grass Drive, Oro Valley, AZ 85775. Email: tucsonboyd@comcast.net.
Rich McDermott
After graduation from CMHS in 1972, I attended Colorado College (CC), where I majored in Business Administration and continued to play football and baseball, graduating in 1976. The 1975 football team made the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III playoffs, and the 1973 football team was recently honored by induction into the CC Athletic Hall of Fame.
At CC, by the grace of God, I also came to faith in Jesus Christ. I heard God’s call and decided to attend Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey, graduating with my MDiv in Practical Theology in 1979. I was ordained as a Presbyterian Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs on June 20, 1979. At Princeton Seminary, I met my amazing wife of 42 years, Betsy Kenyon McDermott. We are blessed with five children (Cathy-39, Martin-37, Matt-33, Ellen-30 and Olivia-27, all married) and now, we are blessed with seven grandchildren. Also, by the grace of God, two of our daughters are expecting children later this year.
Betsy and I have served churches in Winter Haven, FL (5 years), Mexico City (6 years), Fort Collins, CO (23 years), Omaha, NE (interim-2 years), and Arlington, TX (6 years). I retired from full-time pastoral ministry on Jan. 1, 2021, and we moved to Littleton, CO and have a house in Sterling Ranch, south of Denver.
It has been a great joy serving with the ’72 Reunion Committee of Steve Morath, Cindy Tennant Gardner, Betsi Ross Fredrickson, Renee Dezarn, Jim Moore, Brian McMahill, and Wayne Kruse. I look forward to connecting with new/old friends and seeing other good friends like John Cook, David Rowe, David Jervis, Griff Freyschlag, Andy Gardner, Mike Baker and Charlie Fredericks. My favorite memories are with these folks, my teammates, and many others, and they surround sports, classes, teachers, dances, pep rallies, musicals and trying to grow up. 50 years later, these memories mean more than ever, and I’m grateful to God and to you for them.
Rich and Betsy McDermott
Robin Lee Haehn
My husband and I are retired and enjoying life!
Ron Reese
I am the owner/operator of a small construction/handyman business called Trademaster. I have lived in beautiful Buena Vista for 24 years. My wife, Kim, and I have been married 42 years. We have 2 children – Carrie and Branden – and three grandchildren, Averly, Dylan and Kleone.
Fr. Folsom was my favorite teacher. My best friend was and still is, Larry Weaver – though he only spent one year at CMHS. A funny, though not fond, memory was murder ball in gym class. Hard to be “the little guy”.
Russ Svejkovsky
Married: Sherry Settelen Svejkovsky
Children: none
Having grown up as an Air Force brat, we moved around a lot until my father relocated us from Southern California to Colo. Springs to work at Gates Land Co. in ’71. I certainly was a wild child back then. My favorite high school memories were camping and fishing with Jeff Priestly at Cripple Creek, hanging out with Wes Cruz, and playing football outside in front of the cafeteria. I did a short stint in the Air Force, and worked security at the Air Force Academy for 2 years. I grew up and lot and straightened my life out when I moved to South Florida in ’92, where I met and married my lovely wife Sherry. Hard to believe I married a police officer! I worked in public sector jobs, retiring as Campus Security Officer at Palm Beach State College in 2020. My wife and I love retirement in Morristown, TN, near the great Cherokee Lake, & Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge since June 2021. My favorite hobbies are Oldies Music, travel, outdoor adventures: zip-lining, white-water rafting, horseback riding, scuba diving, bicycling, and hiking. Favorite travels: Live-aboard Catamaran Cruise in BVI Islands, ship cruising, Scuba Diving in Saba, St. Maarten, Barbados, Virgin Islands, & the Wreck of the Rhone-Salt Island BVI, Tortola; summers in Vail, CO, St. Thomas, St. Maarten.
Sandy Mathews
After graduating from Cheyenne, I attended the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (1976) and a Master of Arts in Sociology with an emphasis on research methods and statistics (1978). I worked at UCCS for almost 20 years as a Senior Professional Research Assistant in the sociology department, for a 5 year $2.5 million Department of Education Title III grant, and in the Office of Institutional Research, and I was considered an expert in using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSSX) computer program.
I left UCCS in 1999, and engaged in consulting and contract work. I also worked as the office manager and vet tech for a veterinary clinic. In 2012, I became the registrar for the Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America, Inc. This job allowed me to work at home and take care of my elderly mother until she died in 2020 at 96½ years old.
I showed horses throughout the Southwest and Midwest for over 40 years, earning many championships, a supreme championship, and placings at our National and World shows, mostly with horses we raised. I served on the Board of Directors of the Appaloosa Horse Club Inc. from July 2007 to January 2014. While on the board a fellow board member and I traveled to Germany to discuss with German members problems they were having with our association and then to the Netherlands to represent the American association at the Netherlands Appaloosa Association National Show. I stopped showing to stay home and take care of my mother.
I still live in the house that I’ve lived in since I was 12 years old and currently have 5 horses.
I don’t remember much special about high school other than going to classes and the fact that as a senior I had enough credits that I got out at noon so I could go ride my horses. I do remember one time when I was in a class and we could hear Mr. Beasley across the hall reciting Shakespeare and Mrs. Murchison in the room adjacent to his yelling at her students, and it was like they were trying to see which of them was the loudest. I remember most of my teachers but I can’t say that any one was a favorite. I didn’t really participate in school activities other than the Kiva banquet and graduation.
Sandy Matthews
Sandy Bean Weatherly
I’m a mom of 2 kids and grandma to 3 granddaughters and 1 grandson. I moved to Texas about 6 years ago to be with them. I just retired from a rewarding career as a dietitian.
My favorite memories are hanging out in the cafeteria courtyard with my life-long friends. Beautiful fall colors of the scrub oak behind the school during football season. Grateful for good friends, great teachers and wonderful memories.
Shari Danielson Larson
I only attended CMHS my senior year. My parents relocated our family from Sioux Falls, SD after my Junior year. This was a very, very difficult time for me. But I thank all of you for your kindness throughout the year that got me to graduation.
I met my husband at work when I was his secretary. We’re going on 47 years on the 16th of August. We have two children, Adam and Amanda, and two grandtreasures, Kali and Madisyn. We all live in Grand Junction, CO.
Looking forward to connection with everyone after so many years.
Shari Danielson Larson Family
Sherry Lisa Simmons Owen
Thank you, Steve & EVERYONE for making this happen! I’ll send my commentary to the gmail “SOON”! Thank you!
Sonja Stiehl Nelson
I have fond memories of my days at Cheyenne Mountain High. Like Beasley English, where he brought Shakespeare to life as he read every part aloud in class. Mrs. Murchison rivaled Beasley in the "stand up and learn" department when she would send you to the board to do problems while she walked around the room with a ruler routinely striking the desk. The superior academics taught at Cheyenne Mountain High made college a breeze. I never excelled at athletics but I thoroughly enjoyed cheering the Cheyenne Indians to victory as a Prep Club member. I made up for my lack of athletic abilities by marrying a college athlete in 1975. We have been married 47 years and have 2 sons and 6 grandchildren. I retired two years ago after spending thirty years in the medical laboratory industry. I now spend my days traveling, gardening, quilting, bowling and playing cards.
Steve Morath
I have great memories of high school. Even tho I became a hippy and spent a lot of time in the smoker’s field, I enjoyed classes very much, especially with the great English and History teachers, Mr McDonald, Mr Patterson, Mr Haughton, Ms Knutson, Mr Hurst, and Mr Beasley. Altho I never sung nor acted with him, I also learned most of the music theory I’ve ever needed from Mr Porter. Oddly, in view of my future careers, I never took an art class….Sports were never of interest to me, but I wish I had spent more time in music and theater; as well as making friends with more of the wonderful people in our class.
I left Colorado Springs a week after graduation and joined my family in the Boston area. I went to art school there; and graduated BFA from Tufts University. The call of the mountains was too much to keep me on the east coast, and I moved back to the Springs in 1980, the same year I married my wife, Noli, whom I met in art school. We have four children, Ingrid, Anna, Greta, and my son Charles, who tragically was killed in an accident in 2019. He left a son; and we have another grandson also.
I became a more or less full time artist in 1984 and have been so ever since, showing paintings mainly in Scottsdale, AZ. You can view many of my paintings at stephenmorathart.com.
Besides art, I am most interested in music; singing with various theatrical and choral groups around town for many years, also including years as a church cantor, choir director, and musician. I maintain an active interest in studying foreign languages, altho I am not fluent in any; I have enjoyed a number of trips to Europe where my language skills were severely put to the test! I continue to enjoy hiking, in Colorado and Arizona; and enjoy contra dancing (I am president of our small dance association here).
No retirement any time soon from either art or music! I had a short side career in real estate; my license is current but inactive.
I think of those high school years as kind of a golden age. I’ve very much enjoyed working on the reunion committees, and forging new friendships with old classmates!
Steve Troup
I have to be honest when I reflect on my high school days. Some memories are pleasant, and some are very unpleasant. The war in Vietnam was still in full swing. I lost one brother, David, indirectly because of that damn war in the fall of 1971, during my senior year. Thank you JFK and LBJ for escalating an unwinnable war and for the more than 50,000 that lost their lives. The year before, my oldest brother, Brain came close to meeting his make in Vietnam. He was a company commander and took close to a direct hit from a grenade launcher by the Vietcong. Hi is still with us, 100% disabled, but with full mental capabilities. He is rather remarkable with his knowledge of historical weaponry, especially of the French origin. He and his antique gun collection are legendary among his fellow aficionados. My father was a very dedicated military man, West Point, Harvard and Yale graduate. I guess you can only imagine the family dynamics that were part of our everyday life during those years.
Then here is me. I am lucky to have any memory at all from those days. I am lucky to have survived, period. Alcohol and drugs were my go-to as a way to cope. They filled a void and made me feel that I could do anything and be anything. How wrong I was! I do no regret the past, nor do I swell on it, but I do reflect on it from time to time. My self-destructive ways from the past have actually made me a stronger individual today. Through God’s help, perseverance, honesty and self-realization I have come out on the other side. I am sober today and very grateful for that. The disease of addiction has stolen so many lives of our fellow classmates, prematurely. It is a sociological curse that is much worse today than it was then, but nonetheless was very bad. I do not know how I managed to survive when so many others have succumbed. “By the grace of God go I”, I would imagine.
I do have some happy memories growing up in the Cheyenne District, involving my athletic endeavors. I have fond memories of my participation in the sports of football, baseball, hockey, wrestling and track. I also have very fond memories of hiking, camping, fishing and climbing in the local mountains with family and friends alike.
Today, I am sober, still rockin’ and I am a professional retiree since 2004 that trades stock options for profit and fun. I have not run Pikes Peak for 20 years – wow, but I can still run a 10K on a good day. My wife, Cathy, and I, together since 1980, enjoy our summer fishing place up at Sportsmen’s Paradise and like to travel from time to time. We are very proud of our two children, Donovan and Stephanie. They are both married, living in Colorado Springs and working in their fields of endeavor. We are expecting our first grandchild in early 2023. I am sure that Stephanie and her husband, Dylan, will be very responsible new parents. I am looking forward to teaching the child how to fish and to hiking down in the Wild Cat Canyon downstream from Sportsmen’s Paradise once he or she is old enough.. I hope they will be able to keep up with me, ha! Ha!
Susan Reid Stoddard
I have many happy memories of high school – fortunately the happy memories remain, and the not so happy ones fade away with time. However, I may never be able to put to rest Mr. Beasley’s English class memories! But thanks to him I learned a lot!!
Perspective on life is one real advantage to older age.
I am so thankful you have retained the Indian logo for the reunion. What you wrote is exactly how I feel.
Thank you to all of you for organizing this, and please extend my best wishes to our classmates.
Valerie Dotson Milholland
My high school years revolved around horses, so I wasn’t very involved with school. When I turned 16, my parents let me drive to horse shows and that became my life. During my sophomore year, I met Doug Milholland at the Denver Stock Show. We started dating and continued for the rest of high school. We got married two months after I graduated and we just celebrated our 50th anniversary!
We spent our life building a horse training business that took us from Colorado to Utah, then on to Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and back to Oklahoma where we have a beautiful ranch. During our years in Utah and Nebraska, I coached several students and took many of them on to World Championship titles. But after the birth of our third child, I transitioned from training to administering our business.
Our business has grown internationally and we were privileged to have Doug’s love of Reining horses bring us clients, interns, and workers from all over the world At times our home had a revolving door, but we wouldn’t trade that for anything. Reining has taken him to 26 countries and a Hall of Fame induction. Doug is still traveling around the world and I enjoy staying home to teach a Bible study, work in my gardens, and to keep the ranch running.
In our 50 years together, we’ve celebrated our three children, their marriages to wonderful people, 12 grandchildren, and one great grandbaby they’ve brought into our lives.
Valerie Dotson Milholland
Wayne Kruse