The Latest News

Ed Gultom sends his regards to everyone. He was quite disappointed that he was unable to attend the 10 year reunion. Ed has been working as a Project Manager for a Corporate Bank in Indonesia for the past several years which is what prevented him from returning home for the reunion. The volatile economic situation in Asia last year had a huge impact on the Asian banks which resulted in Ed’s departure from Indonesia. He left the country three days before the outbreak of violence and upheaval that resulted in the president’s resignation. Upon returning to the United States Ed has started working in the import/export business. Currently, he is primarily involved with furniture products, but he also has some commodities and handicrafts. Although his target market is wholesalers and upscale retailers anyone interested in his products can contact him at his email address. Ed says he’s still open to the possibility of returning to Indonesia when the economy stabilizes again. Ed also is very happy to announce his engagement to his girlfriend Debbie. And, by the way, Ed has already cast a vote for Bali to be the location of our 15 year reunion.

Julie Stewart is also happy to announce her engagement to her longtime friend, John. They got engaged June, 14th, the day after her 30th birthday. John proposed to Julie at her favorite place... Disneyland. The wedding is set for June 27, 1999. Julie is working part-time at a preschool while working on her degree in Elementary Education.

Rich Ross says the army has been keeping him busy with trips throughout Southeast Asia. He’ll be spending a month in Utah for winter training and then he’ll be spending three months in Thailand this summer de-mining. In the Fall he will return to the East coast for a few years. Rich says he’s going to miss the mountains around Seattle.

Aaron Smith reports that he and wife Krista, are doing great. Aaron has finished his courses in finance and has been working for The MONY Group for about 5 months now. He is enjoying his new career in the investment industry.

Laura Joseph and her boyfriend spent Christmas in Nicaragua doing relief work in refugee camps with the Hurricane Mitch victims. Laura says it was hard work, but a rewarding way to spend the holidays. Laura will complete her Master’s at the University of Redlands in May. Her graduate recital is April 11th at the University.

After a lengthy struggle, Raffy Yessayan, was granted permanent resident status in the United States on October 8th at 2:30. The judge granted the case without any hesitation due to all of Raffy’s volunteer work in the community and commented "I thank you for all the community services you are involved in." Raffy feels that community involvement is a must and encourages everyone to get involved. His theory is "that you can’t change the world, but you can change and help one person at a time."

John Hussong was partially involved in getting the movie Border to Border put together. The production company did a lot of filming in Ensanada and they asked John to arrange and put everything together for them. John received a very special thanks at the end of the movie. Border to Border won a couple of awards at the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival.

Shandoune Scott did lots of traveling last year. In March she spent three weeks traveling throughout Thailand. In September she went to San Francisco and Las Vegas. Then in December her whole family traveled to Georgia for her brother Braunddone’s (also a former SPA alum) graduation from Life University, after which she spent a week in New York. He received his Chiropractic Doctorate degree. Shandoune also reports that Alizia Lozana is married to her high school sweetheart Mauricio and that they have two children, a boy and a girl.

Suzin (Porter) and Todd Fowler had their second child, and first daughter, Taelor Lynne on October 12th at, per Suzin, "some early hour". Taelor weighed 9 pounds and was 22 inches long. She is pictured here with older brother Kamerin.

Benjamin Wolcott, weighing 6 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 19 1/4 inches, was born on October 28th to proud parents Michael and Melanie (Whitaker) Battistone. This is their first child.

Wendy (Pinner) and Shaun Bertoli welcomed their first child, Austin Joseph on November 17th. Austin weighed in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. You can see other pictures of the baby at: http://hometown.aol.com/wdb68/baby/ index.htm.

Expecting their first child any time now is Sylvia (Ojeda) and her husband Joksan. Sylvia is due on February 10th. They did not "peek" and are waiting for the birth to find out if they’ll be bringing home a son, or a daughter.

Sara (Bates) Kendrick and her husband are expecting their second child on August 10th much to the dismay of the household cats, Lucky and Ethel, who are still recovering from the disruption their first child, Zachary.

Address Updates

Wendy and Shaun bought a house in September so they’d be settled in before Austin’s birth. Their new address is _____________ Riverside, CA 92503. Their new phone number is 909-776-9583.

Sara Ojeda bought a townhouse last year. Her new address is _______ San Diego, CA 92110. Her phone number is the same.

June Jeong’s current address is _____________ Tustin, CA 92782. Her email address is _______________.

Rich Ross’ new email is _______________.

Julie Stewart’s current email address is ______________.

Laura Joseph’s new email address is _________________.

Reach Alicia Lozano at __________________.

Food for thought:

"Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little." - Edmund Burke

Missing Persons

Letter from the Editor

I hope that this issue of the newsletter finds you well rested from the holiday season and already enjoying a prosperous 1999. I renew my commitment to keeping the newsletter active because I truly believe in the bonds of friendship and feel that it is important to cultivate those ties. Some of you know that a friend of mine died unexpectedly last April. He was the same age as most of us, so it really made me appreciate the things that are really important... people. It is my hope that this newsletter will be a vehicle for maintaining strong relationships with one another because the truly rich people are the ones who have good friends. God has blessed as all already in this respect and my desire is not to take that for granted. Happy New Year to everyone. Thanks, again, to all of you who shared information. Submit all news, address changes, etc. to: