This past month I was very fortunate to be able to meet several ASMers, in person, for the first time (or for the first time in nearly 30 years). In two separate Southern California mini-reunions, I connected with members from the classes of 1969, 1972, 1980, 1981 and 1990. It doesn't matter if we are from the same class or if more than a decade separates us. The common bond unites us as a family. More mini-reunions will be happening all over the country. I hope you each get a chance to share this special experience. Check Gus Gonzalez's ('83) web site at http://www.gutech.com/asm for more reunion information.

And now, more voices from the sixties:

From Teresa Goudie (’68)

It's a great idea to get connected!!!! I am a '68 graduate, live in New York, am married and have two children. I am a clinical social worker, work in the school system and have a private practice.

Teresa can be contacted at MTGoudie@aol.com

From Ana Ferrer Illsen (’67)

This is great! I am so excited! Thanks for taking on being the temp class agent for the 60s!

I've lived in Ft. Lauderdale since 1982 and absolutely love it here! This is paradise! I have a wonderful husband, Alex, and three beautiful daughters. My oldest two daughters (ages 25 and 23) are from my first marriage to ASMer (did not graduate in Madrid) Willy MacLean. I got divorced in 1974 and went back to Madrid with my girls, where I met Alex shortly after. We have a 12-year old 7th grader, who is currently in the throes of teenagerism...

I work in Sales for a legal publisher and part of my territory is Puerto Rico, where I will be attending a conference on Nov 18 - 21, so I won't be able to make the mini-reunion on the 20th... SNIFF!

I will contact some of the 60s people who appeared in your newsletter... I can't wait! Count me in if I can be of help to you!

[Ana has already been most helpful, forwarding e-mail addresses and helping Peg and I contact others! Thanks Ana!]

Ana can be contacted at Ana_Illsen@cch.com or illsena@cch.com

From Bettina Guidotti (’67)

I am a psychotherapist in the Houston area. I have lived in Texas since 1968 so I am native practically. I still communicate with Anna Illsen and Sarita Gomez Mola via e-mails.

Bettina can be contacted at jbwhit@flash.net

From Mari Carmen Marin (’67)

I got your email along with a mound of other ASM news. How exciting!! I still can't believe it's happening - what a great idea. I sure hope to make that party in 2001! I graduated in 1967.

I lived a bit everywhere after that. Montreal, Paris, Senegal, Puerto Rico, Miami till I married my husband, Steve, in 1975, and moved to Detroit, Michigan. I know... , like my son says, how could you?? Well, 23yrs later it sure hasn't been boring. We have two sons, (18 and 14 years). I was able to influence our boys with much of what I had learned and enjoyed from having attended ASM. The oldest speaks four languages and the youngest struggles but can understand and converse in French and Spanish and we are now into our second academic year living in Oxford, England.

Mari Carmen can be contacted at CMardigian@aol.com

From Madeleine Goudi (’67)

In an e-mail to Peg Danos Castelli, Madeleine wrote: Ana Ferrer phoned me all excited about the ASMers - she loves reminiscing, so here I am for the record. She probably gave you my email, but this will reconfirm it. I've also volunteered to seek those for whom I might have a lead. We need them all - I felt very old browsing the website with all these kids from the 80s and 90s.

So here I am, living in Miami for now. I am an ex-banker, current beach bum. I have two older kids, Sara finished college and now lives in Chicago; Sam is very slowly finishing school and lives here in Miami. Then I have an 8 year old who totally saps me and he knows it.

I was never one for words, as you might remember, but I'll keep in touch. Ithink this is brilliant and I look forward to seeing you hopefully soon.

Madeleine can be contacted at: MGoudie1@aol.com

From Doug Weldon (’67)

Sorry not to have responded sooner. My family and I have been living in Clinton, NY since 1977, where I'm a professor in the Department of Psychology at Hamilton College. Thanks for being the Temporary Class Agent!

Doug can be contacted at dweldon@borg.com

I am married to a wonderful Brit. We have two children. My son is 20 years old and in the Marines and just this morning called from Kuwait where he will be until the 9th of October. He has been on a six month tour of duty which has taken him to Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand... was on his way to Kenya before the U.S. Embassy bombings. Will set sail for the Emirates then to Australia. So far, so good.

Our daughter is 11 and just like me. At least I know how to handle her. She is a wonderful handful and hopefully all of us can see each other soon and compare long notes.

I worked as a Sales Manager for Mexicana Airlines in San Francisco and in Sacramento for 19 years. Thanks to downsizing, I left the Company. Started my own business where I am now a multi-line representative for various travel related companies. I mainly rep Hertz car rental and City Bird Airlines (Brussels based airline).

Because of the years in the travel industry we have been fortunate to have travelled extensively.

Jill can be contacted at macgsa@jps.net

From Ron Miller (‘66)

I'm currently on staff at the University of Michigan/School of Education. I have a web page <  http://www-personal.umich.edu/~ronalan/ > that gives a little more information as to what I'm interested in. After leaving ASM in 63, I attended the International School of Geneva, Switzerland and then returned to the states where I oh so reluctantly graduated in 66. I went on to attain an AB degree in American lit at Miami of Ohio and went on for my Masters in Theatre. I helped start a Crisis Intervention program in Oxford, Ohio called Together and stayed on as Director for four years and then taught theatre and film a couple of years at Miami's residential college at Western.

I'm married and have two wonderful sons, who are 16 and 14. Both boys share my love of theatre. I've been occasionally cajoled into directing for our local high school. My wife, Mary Ellen, is a registered nurse but is currently doing time in hospital administration.

Thanks for all your hard work! The newsletter is great! I recognize many of the names and it's fun to catch up on what folks are doing.

[Ron is a Media Consultant for the University of Michigan School of Education. He consults with faculty, staff and students on the use of instructional technology in the classroom and in research. I asked for his input on Internet Safety. I feel that some people (like me) are overly cautious and others are not cautious enough. For your info, I include his response here. I welcome further input from anyone else on this topic.]

As to not putting in the names of kids [in this newsletter] that's fine. I appreciate your caution and concern. I face this issue a lot but I tend to fall out on the less conservative side. I feel the best safeguard for these types of things is the ability to communicate with our children. There is a need to give them the knowledge to handle situations they may face and to make responsible decisions. Age is always an issue, but as we tell our kids not to "talk with strangers" (everyone's strange on the web); we must understand that today's world is vastly different and the potential for unsupervised contact with difficult situations is much more prevalent. I don't think we can effectively police this as teachers and it is difficult enough as parents to provide every safeguard. This is not to say that we shouldn't provide the supervision. That is a responsibility we can't afford to abdicate but we must understand that it in no way guarantees us 100% effectiveness. Ultimately its the kids that must provide the good sense. We just need to give them the tools and information to do so. Mistakes will happen and sometimes with disastrous consequences. Not intending to trivialize or sound jaded I can only say, this is life. We do the best we can but we must always do the best we can when it comes to our children.

I suspect this comes up frequently at your school. We have such amazing tools available to us! It is a great time to be in the profession knowing the impact you can have for the good. All success to you as a select member of the world's one great profession.

Ron can be contacted at ronalan@umich.edu

From Vikki (Mortensen) Regier ('65)

I guess since Arne has taken the time to provide some info I'd better do the same. After graduation from ASM I'd planned to attend the American College in Paris, along with Mireya Usano. After checking things out, I decided I liked neither Paris (after Madrid, how could I!) nor the school so I returned to the U.S. with my parents. I went to school at Suffolk University in Boston for 1 semester and then transferred to Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. I graduated with a degree in French and Spanish literature. Why did I select Pitzer? Arne was across the street at Harvey Mudd College and he seemed very happy with the Claremont Colleges.

Through Arne I met my husband, Lloyd; he was a classmate of Arne's. We graduated from our respective schools on Saturday, June 7, 1969, and were married the following Saturday. Except for a too long (almost 3 year) stint in Falmouth, MA, we've lived in San Diego since 1969.

I worked as a library assistant at UC San Diego for three years while my husband got his PhD in oceanography. Then I became a full time parent/class volunteer to our 2 sons. Seven years ago I began working as an English As a Second Language instructor of adults in continuing education. I really love my work and hope to never retire. Although, I would like to get rid of the "political garbage" that always exists no matter what your job.

Your E-mail has prompted me to look at my copy of "El CLARIN" and brought back many fond memories and also reminded me that I've forgotten a lot. Does anyone know what happened to David Seaton, the class artist and authority on tauromaquia?

Vikki can be contacted at moreamps@adnc.com

From Aurelio J. Cancio ('62)

Well, let me tell you about my stay at ASM...I finished High School at a Spanish school, (Colegio Alaman), but I wanted to come to the US to attend college, so I needed to take the College Entrance Tests.

In order to get familiar with studying in English I enrolled in ASM and took several classes, Literature, Math, Calculus, Physics and Chemistry as far as I can remember...(too long ago...hehehe).

In January of 1963, I took the tests and then decided to quit school for the rest of the year. I was accepted at Villanova University in Philadelphia, so I figured I needed a break before attacking the big books...lol. But on June of 1963, I received a call from somebody at ASM, to come to the graduation ceremony and receive my diploma. The graduation was held at the US Embassy, where I did get my diploma.

Unfortunately, I can't remember anyone from those days, but if I see a name I may remember. One of the former students that I saw in your email I do remember. I will try to contact him even if he was in a later class I think he had a brother or cousin that was in my class. I'll let you know if I come in contact with him.

Aurelio can be contacted at ajcancio@bellsouth.net

Gone but not forgotten ...

One of the unfortunate things about alumni searches is the ever present possibility of receiving sad news about former friends and classmates. I am sorry to report that Willie MacLean ('64) passed away in 1988. On behalf of the greater ASM community, I extend our condolences to Willie's family and friends.