Classmate Profiles
Instructions: Hello, Classmate! Our once-in-a-lifetime GOLDEN class reunion is coming soon, and your classmates hope to see you in August! Even if you aren't able to join us, please share below about your after-high school life (~350 words), favorite high school memory/ies, and include a current photo of just you, with your face and hair - or lack thereof. And although your contact information won't be visible on this website, your classmates can contact you via email by clicking on "send [name] a message" link at the bottom of each classmate's profile. Enjoy reading the profiles!
One classmate per profile. To change your profile click Log in. Username = your email.
Donald Williams
| State / Province: | MN |
|---|---|
| Marital status: | Married |
| Children: | 2 |
| Highlights of your last 50 years: | I went to ISU for Chemical Engineering/ Computer Science. I wanted comp sci to do modeling and simulation, but along the way I studied too many instantly dead computer languages, and left that part unfinished. I also loaded up a bunch of economics thinking that a MIAS (MBA-equivalent) would be useful, but reading the economic tea leaves led me to get a job sooner rather than later. I worked corporate R&D for twenty years in areas both mundane and esoteric. I also had the pleasure of some interesting projects including two minor contributions to STS orbiters and two projects for U.S. Olympics. But the best was getting a call from one of the original Whiz Kids to help on a project for the International Year of Tibet. Working with the monks in the Gyuto Tantric Choir to adapt their mandala-building so it could be preserved for the Minneapolis Museum of Art was successful. Their grace and spirit were humbling. If you ever plan to visit the Institute to see the Jade Mountain and visit the mandala, drop me a line ahead of time and I will clue you on the secret where the monks took my error and made it a unique feature of their own. Shortly after 9/11 I left corporate and started a manufacturing business, then segued into consulting, which has been off and on ever since. I plan to get retired for real soon and have no shortage of projects, including a historic Iowa geology paper. |
| Share a high school memory: | Chicago in concert at the Iowa State Fair—twice! I moved to Ames junior year and took chemistry with the seniors. That let me be Dr. Studevant’s lab assistant senior year and support the electroplated jewelry project for Mother’s Day. Kudos to Mr. Hilger, Dr. Wood, Ms. Ward and all the other fine teachers. Telling Mr. J I understood my basketball days were over. Mr. Witmer tossing me out for the wrong color shorts. Playing intramural basketball with Ed, Ben, Goga and Jeff, peaking as just the right time to run through the tournament and win it all. The 1974 AHS Intramural Basketball Championship !! Click https://flic.kr/p/2nZAuc4 Penny poker with Lambert and the boys. Giant Frisbee in the park. Lennie helping me lose three balls in the water trying to golf senior week—“No, not that way!”. Ruth scolding me for comments during Scratchpad entry selection. Late-night runway inspection at the airport. Bat on the loose at the Rocky Horror Picture Show. We graduated during the great top-40 AM wasteland of the early 70’s. Thank goodness for Elton John and concerts at ISU. No wonder we didn’t mind the thunk when the 8-track changed, even mid-song. I wrecked my Mustang and took Dad’s T-Bird to prom, then got my own T-Bird so I could have the experience of winter starting a big block engine in ISU’s north tundra parking lot. |
Tom Wilson
| State / Province: | CO |
|---|---|
| Marital status: | Married |
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Marketing consultant |
| Highlights of your last 50 years: | Let's pick up from where I left off at the 10-year reunion 1974-1983: "First job" - Graduated from ISU in '78. That June I married the blind date a fraternity brother set up. Smartest move of my young life. Susan and I bought our first house in Minneapolis. I leveraged my 1977 summer internship, and I got my first job in the advertising business. 1984-1993: "Kid years" - David was born in '86 and second son, Kevin, was born in '89. We thought about having another kid, but given the "twin history" on Susan's side, we decided against it. Smart move -- you'll understand why when you read about the college years. 1994-2003: "Meteoric rise" - I was now working for the most creative agency in America, Fallon Worldwide was named Agency of the Year by Advertising Age magazine. It was a rush, and it paved the way for me to hold several senior management positions. During this time, Susan and I loved watching our sons play varsity high school hockey, football and lacrosse. We also made many dear, lifelong friends in Edina, Minnesota. 2004-2013: "Leadership and college" - Working at Campbell Mithun, another major Twin Cities agency, taught me the value of listening and becoming a servant leader. I supervised the production of 100+ TV commercials. Los Angeles became my "second home", with Susan joining me, allowing us to visit friends in LA. When college selection arrived, David told us he wanted to leave the Midwest. Mile High City lured him to the University of Denver. David met his future wife Lexie at DU; they have three kids and live in Greenwood Village, CO. Two years later, Kevin also selected DU (private school tuition about killed us), however both our sons graduated in 4 years, so it wasn't too painful. Kevin also met his wife, Britt while in college -- they have two cats and live in Pueblo, CO. 2014-2024: I ended my agency career as President of a midsize B2B agency. It was fun leading clients to make smarter and more profitable decisions. I am now doing brand consulting work -- in the great state of Colorado. We decided to move from Edina to Denver to be closer to our two sons' families. We love Colorado living, and the 300+ days of sunshine ain’t too shabby. |
| Share a high school memory: | My favorite memory is when I was the Editor of AHS student newspaper. The Web taught me the importance of teamwork, meeting deadlines and having to make timely decisions. I had a blast working with a team of talented young journalists. Our advisor was Miss Podolski -- and she was a cutie! I had a great staff that included outstanding reporters, photographers and of course --the zany comics Mike Crowe created! That experience certainly got me ready for college, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from Iowa State. Many heartfelt thanks to the First Semester Web staff, (sadly several have left us) – Dan Busse, Toby Miller, Val Christianson, Bruce Gartin, Jon Dupler, Jerry Herrick, Mary Childs, Robin Haugland, Kyanne McCarley, Catherine Grant, Dick Bailey, Len Griffen, Tim Moody, Tim Weigle, Tracey Stoll, Shera Shirley, Anne Edwards, Sue Trcka, Pam Ellinhausen, Julie Corbett, John Kellogg, Joe Grant, Len McGilliard and Ted Riggs. |
Clare Wilson
| State / Province: | IA |
|---|---|
| Marital status: | Single |
| Children: | 0 |
| Occupation: | Retired Sign Maker |
| Highlights of your last 50 years: | I was born in Colo Iowa and went thru 6th grade there, then Nevada for 3 years and then 3 great years at Ames High School. After graduation I started working at the Department of Transportation and worked my entire 39 year career in the sign shop. I made thousands of stop signs plus any sign you can think of for the D.O.T., a very important job! About 20 years ago I thought it would make sense to live closer to work so I conveniently moved ½ block from work and walked. It was great living so close to work. I retired 9 years ago at age 60. What do I do for fun? I helped in the racing pit and also sponsored a race team for 20 years for friends Craig Elliot and his son Eric. They owned 3 or 4 race cars a year. First racing Street Cars and then Modified class. Every September the Nationals are held in Boone with 1500 cars and it is amazing. I have been an Elk’s Club member for 42 years and I am currently an officer. I have been a Legion member for 7 years and Moose club member for 9. I go to the Elk’s club almost every day hey are open and socialize and talk with old and new friends. As I got close to retirement my friends were asking what I was going to do and I said, I’ll figure it out. I bought a Cricut Vinyl Smart cutting machine and I design my own art and cut decals and art from vinyl. I became a new homeowner January 2024 purchasing my first home. |
| Share a high school memory: | I remember Mr. Ripp and I do remember Mr. Tramp too. I was in his office and Dale said "Clare, if you come in here one more time ..." Apparently. I got into some kind of mischief but don't remember exactly what and I'm sure I didn't do anything. |
Lora York-Shockley (York)
| State / Province: | AR |
|---|---|
| Marital status: | Married |
| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Retired |
| Highlights of your last 50 years: | Traveling with Mark and the boys while he was in the Air Force! |
| Share a high school memory: | The 1972 Mistletoe Dance. First dance with Mark! |