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Alumni in the News

New York Ranger Ryan Callahan, '03 has been named to the US Olympic Hockey Team.  According to reports in Rochester's Democrat and Chronicle, Ryan's ability in hockey is described as  ". . . a good penalty killer, top five in the league in hits" by Brian Burke, general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.  In his third season with the Rangers, Callahan has scored 9 goals, 10 assists and 19 points in 40 games and is fourth in the NHL among forwards in hits with 139 and sixth in blocked shots with 40.  The Olympic Team selection process began in the fall of 2008.  According to the D&C article, Burke said:  "We tried to pick a player based on a body of work. The selection committee looked not just for pure talent, but a high hockey I.Q. and speed.  We stressed character, players that can rise to the occasion.  And that's why players such as Callahan, Joe Pavelski of the San Jose Sharks, Ryan Malone of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and David Backes of the St. Louis Blues were given roster spots."  For game schedule: www.usahockeyteam.com  1/29/10

The Hilton Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, in the auditorium of Quest Elementary School, 225 West Ave., Hilton. The Hilton High School Alumni Hall of Fame highlights life achievements of Hilton High School graduates. Congratulations to the four new inductees selected to join the Hilton High School Alumni Hall of Fame's 39 other outstanding graduates: Audrey Cooper, Esq. '74, staff attorney at the NYS Attorney General's office in Rochester, NY; BS State University of New York at Brockport; JD, University at Buffalo; is a resident of Hilton, NY;  Carl Forsythe, MBA '75, President and CEO of Globe Composite Solutions Ltd. of Dallas, TX; BA Biochemistry, Columbia University; MBA Finance, Cornell University; is a resident of Hingham, MA;  Col [R] Kenneth Juergens '78, Vice President, Joint Programs, Oshkosh Defense Corp. in Oshkosh, WI; BS, West Point; MBA with Honors, Babson College; Masters in National Security, US Naval War College; is a resident of Neenah, WI;  Matthew J. Karpenko, DO, '92, Staff Member at Boca Raton Community Hospital in Hematology/Oncology; BS, Syracuse University with academic accolade Research Award, graduate of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine; is a resident of Delray Beach FL.  For more: HHS Alumni Hall of Fame

Ruth Herne Blodgett  '72 and Hilton, NY resident has sold a series of books to Harlequin Publishers. The first book, Winter's End, will be in stores at the end of February '10. The story: "After growing up in foster care, nurse Kayla Doherty's finally found a faith to rely on and a job she loves. But that's all put to the test when she's called to care for surly Marc DeHollander's dying father. Marc's struggling to keep his cattle farm afloat while dealing with his father's illness. He doesn't have time to fall for the beautiful hospice nurse. But as the frigid New York winter turns to spring, can he find a place for Kayla—and the Lord—in his heart? "  Winter's End was reviewed by Romantic Times Review, a romantic novel magazine and website receiving a rating of "4.5 out of 4.5 stars.  Ruth Blodgett's Pen name is Ruth Logan Herne: www.ruthloganherne.com  Book Signing: March 20, 2010   1-4 P.M. Parma Public Library 7 West Ave Hilton, NY 14468  -- 1/28/10

Brian Grinnell '99 hiked the Appalachian Trial this year. He started at Springer Mountain, Georgia on April 6, 2009. He finished 2,178 miles later at Mt Katadhin, Maine on September 3, 2009. His daily journals are available on www.postholer.com  search for "Bushman" which was his trail name. 11/30/09

Col. Kenneth Juergens '78 US Army Retired  Senior Program Director for the M-ATV, a newly designed all-terrain mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle fielded in Afghanistan, at Oshkosh Defense Corp. in Oshkosh, Wisconsin helped design, lead and win the Government and Department of Defense's urgent need requirement for a mine-resistant ambush-protected, the all-terrain vehicle.  He was recently interviewed on ABC National News: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=8930870  He is also a 2010 inductee in the HHS Alumni Hall of Fame . 11/29/09

Major Kristian Willis '86 will be retiring from the US Army in April 2010. He served in multiple theaters - Iraq, Bosnia, Korea. He is currently stationed in California and is about to receive a masters degree in environmental compliance.  He was a Blackhawk helicopter pilot. He will be in Hilton during Thanksgiving 2009 at this home on Butcher Rd. 10/22/09

Polly Sue Jennejahn Tice '76 in memoriam, physical education teacher, administrator died Aug. 13, 2009 in Buffalo.  She was a physical education teacher and Catholic school administrator. She was 51. She excelled in sports, playing varsity soccer, basketball, softball and volleyball at Hilton High School. She earned all-county honors in Monroe County in all four sports during the early days of the Title IX Equal Opportunity in Education Act that promoted equality for women and girls in interscholastic sports.  In 2000, Mrs. Tice was inducted into the Hilton HS Sports Hall of Fame. As a student at Houghton College, she set the school record for rebounds in basketball during her freshman year on the varsity team. She also was a varsity starter in volleyball and softball. Mrs. Tice graduated from Houghton with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, specializing in physical education in 1980. She taught and coached in Honduras after graduation and was a member of the one of the country’s national volleyball teams. Mrs. Tice also taught physical education in SS. Peter and Paul Catholic School from 1988 to 2008. She also established the school’s first prekindergarten program in 2003 and served as its administrator, as well as the lead teacher for the parish school. She and her husband established two churches, the West Side Church of the Living Word and RiverRock on Barton Street, where she also preached. She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Robert; a son, Matthew; a daughter, Jessica Czubaj; and a brother, John Jennejahn. A memorial service was held in Orchard Park.  8/20/09

Three Alumni receive NYS Chancellor's Awards for Student Excellence  Three Hilton High School graduates and SUNY students have received Chancellor's Awards April 7, 2009 in Albany.  The Chancellor's Award recognizes students for their academic excellence [GPA of 3.77 or better], leadership, athletics, community service or creative arts. Only 238 students were honored in 2009 from 63 SUNY campuses.  Students wear a medallion when graduating this spring from their respective colleges.  The Hilton HS honorees are: Janel Kierecki '05 [SUNY Cortland - Inclusive Special Education]; Laura Iafrati '05 [SUNY Geneseo - Biology and Psychology]; and Brian Wallenhorst '04 [SUNY Delhi - Hotel and Resort Management].  5/1/09

Captain Terri Mason '01, a 2005 Penn State University ROTC grad, was awarded the Bronze Star January 9, 2009 in Iraq.  She is the Executive Officer of the 511th Military Police Company from Ft. Drum, NY.  As commander of the platoon, she uses her degree in Criminal Justice at PSU to provide law enforcement support during combat operations.  Capt. Mason is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vic Mason of Hilton. Submitted by her father, Vic Mason.  2/3/09   

Merchant Marine Midshipman Matthew J. Faulks '05 has received a Gold Star at the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY for academic achievement during the first term of 2008-09.  He achieved a 3.5 or better GPA. 1/30/09

Shawn Routly '98  Democrat and Chronicle Jan. 28, 2009  by Justina Wang • E&C Staff writer    Showing the scars all over his body — long ridges that mark the cuts from a kidney transplant, a heart surgery, and operations for an umbilical hernia and to repair a hole in his esophagus — Shawn Routly pointed at the smallest of them all.  A mere 1½-inch line by his navel, through which surgeons at the University of Rochester Medical Center took out both his kidneys in November.  The 28-year-old Hilton resident is believed to be the first patient in the nation to have both kidneys removed this way, in a surgical procedure that requires even fewer and smaller cuts than the types of operations now considered minimally invasive. Routly's surgeon, urologist Dr. Guan Wu.  Routly was diagnosed at 15 with kidney disease, which developed from toxins in his body after he was stung by a bee and contracted poison ivy.  Since then, he's undergone numerous operations, including a kidney transplant and surgery years later to remove the donated organ when it was damaged by medications. Last summer, doctors discovered abnormal growth on his two nonfunctioning kidneys, which had been left in place during his transplant.  PHOTO - Will Yurman, staff photographer at the Democrat and Chronicle  1/28/09

Cory Maggio '05  invited his first law class teacher and Mock Trial mentor, HHS Business Teacher Mary Pignato, to be his guest at the 2008 Supreme Court Holiday Party on Tuesday December 16, 2008. Cory is the son of Gerry and Cheryl Maggio of Hilton and is also a 2008 graduate of SUNY Albany, where he was a Presidential scholar.  He earned a degree in Political Science in three years and graduated with honors, Summa Cum Laude.  He lives in Arlington VA, is working in Washington, DC for a year before he attends Law School working in the Public Information Office at the Supreme Court of the United States. It was Cory’s intention to “try to bring to life the world Ms. Pignato so passionately immerses her students in on a day to day basis.”  According to Cory, Ms. Pignato was the first to teach him about the Supreme Court and instrumental in sparking his interest. Ms. Pignato flew into Baltimore Tuesday morning, took the train to Union Station in Washington and then walked to the Supreme Court building, also known as the "Marble Palace." During her visit to the Supreme Court Building, she was able to attend a public lecture inside the main courtroom, see the Law library, and the spiral staircase. She met Chief Justice Roberts and sang Christmas carols with Justice Scalia. Earlier in the day she toured the Capitol Building and visited the Library of Congress. She said, “other than having my children, that was the most incredible experience of my life.”  1/12/09

Brandon W. Fritts '99, a member of The Summit Federal Credit Union which has a branch in Hilton, is the grand prize winner of the $100,000 Bonus Bucks Sweepstakes sponsored by Digital Insight Corporation for banking online. Brandon was chosen from more than 700,000 eligible entries and The Summit FCU was among 486 participating financial institutions. “At The Summit, we are delighted to have one of our members chosen for this generous prize from such a vast array of people and financial institutions from across the nation,” said Michael Vadala, President and CEO of The Summit. Brandon lives in Hilton and works at Erdle Perforating. 9/23/08

Kimberly Rachow LaPaglia '86 on Disney World Moms Panel  Disney launched a nationwide search for moms who have mastered the art of planning a Walt Disney World vacation. Twelve finalists out of 10,000 applicants were selected to serve on the first-ever online Walt Disney World Moms Panel. Kim was one of the lucky parents selected to serve for one year helping families plan their vacations at www.disneyworldmoms.com  As part of Kim's year-long experience, she has been to WDW for training and media events. Most recently, she filmed video in Epcot that will be shared on the site and did an interview at www.wdwradio.com  In September, she will run the Expedition Everest 5K Challenge along with the Moms Panelists, Cast Members, Media and other guests. In addition, Kim received two free family vacations for sharing her passion of WDW!  Kim also serves as a guest columnist at www.passporter.com  Dreams come true for this stay-at-home Mom!  To contact Kim, nicsmom1500@comcast.net  8/11/08      

Amanda Poole '01 has been named St. John the Baptist Parish's Middle School Teacher of the Year in New Orleans   Amanda has been a math teacher at East St. John Elementary School in LaPlace for two years. She came to the St. John the Baptist Parish school system through the national nonprofit Teach For America program, which places recent college graduates of all majors in public schools with a majority of students from low income families, in an effort to address educational inequities. 6-11-08            

Lt. Nathan Thompson '98  is serving in the New York Army National Guard in Hued Khail, Afghanistan where he is helping build, renovate and open schools as well as provide food, jobs and medical assistance. A civil/military operations officer for Afghan Regional Security Integration Command in Kabul, he is part of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix where he communicates with the village elders, contractors and ministry officials to determine what projects need to be done using basic language skills and a translator. Trained for his position at Fort Bragg, N.C., he is on his second tour of duty, having been in Kabul since April and will not return until December. From Democrat & Chronicle article by L. Toledo 6-1-08              

Capt. Joseph F. Snyder USAF '95, Captain in the Air Force, flying a KC-135R out of Grand Forks AFB, ND, receives an award from 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander General Charlie Lyon. "He goes back and forth to the Middle East. He has been at Al Udeid AFB at Qatar and he earned the highest award on base for the month of April." Submitted by his mother, HHS Teaching Assistant Kathy Snyder 6-5-08            

Jeff Wallenhorst '03, graduated May 2007 with honors from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Applied Media Arts/Animation and a Minor in Art History.  In August 2007 his senior Animation Film was selected one of thirty from around the world to appear in this years Nicktoons Network Animation Festival.  Jeff's film also appeared on National Television and on the Nicktoons Network Animation Festival website this past August.  Jeff and his partner Matt who worked on the film with him were invited to attend a Cocktail Reception, Exclusive Screening, Awards, and a Party at the Nicktoons Network Studios in Burbank, California which they both attended on August 10, 2007.  You can view his Animation Film by going to the Nicktoons Network Animation Festival website or by searching "Mortimer Pigmun and his Time Traveling Chums."  Jeff has taken a position with Little Airplane Productions in New York City animating "Wonder Pets" which is written and produced for Nickelodeon.  Most recently he has been animating a new show for Little Airplane Productions that will be airing in England.  In April 2008 Jeff heard from Frederator Studios informing him that his film has been nominated for a "Freddie Award" for The Second Annual Channel Frederator Awards in the category of Funniest Film.  5/13/08   

PFC Christopher R. Ciaccia '05  Chris graduated from Basic Training at Ft. Sill, OK on April 13, 2007.  He completed his advanced individual training at Ft. Bliss, TX on July 19, 2007 as a Patriot Launching Station Enhanced Operator/Maintainer and is stationed at Ft. Bliss.  He is preparing for deployment to Kuwait in Jan. 2008.   Submitted by his mother, Beth Ciaccia-Thomas  ArmyStrongMom@aol.com  9/11/07  

Tim Kirchgessner '73 would like to get a 1973 HHS Hiltorial yearbook. Please contact: _spencer23@excite.com  or 970-482-2802.  7-27-07  

David LaRue L.S., E.I.T. '85 is working for McMahon LaRue Associates, Civil Engineers & Land Surveyors, 1800 Hudson Ave., Rochester. A Yahoo Group for the Class of 1985 has been established to help alumni connect, share pictures, plan reunions: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hiltonhigh1985  7-13-07  

Jill Olek '99 completed medical school on March 9, 2007, and was awarded her Doctor of Medicine through the University of Sint Eustatius and is starting her family medicine residency in Albany, Georgia at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. 6/1/07  

US Army First Lt. Frank Remillard '01 arrives home to new daughter May 2007 - see video on RNews  5-29-07   On April 30, 2007 Claude Sample, right, accepted his Hilton HS diploma 41 years after leaving Hilton High School from transcript secretary Bonnie Chiella.  Mr. Sample was made aware that Vietnam era veterans are eligible to request a high school diploma if they left school to serve in the Vietnam War.  Mr. Sample joined the US Navy in 1966 and was sent to Vietnam. He served 27 years in the US Navy as boiler room mechanic.  He moved back to Rochester and decided to follow-up on his father, Clyde's, wishes to get his diploma.  He would have graduated in 1968 and would like to know if anyone has an extra Hiltorial Yearbook or ring from that year.  If so, please contact Claude at csample@rochester.rr.com  4-30-07        

Sean Greif ’04, Derek Stoll ’04, Jake Kodweis ’04 and Cameron Griffith ’02's band Gonculator has released “Gonculator’s Family Restaurant” through SubCat Records.  All are students at SUNY Fredonia. www.cdbaby.com/gonculator 4-17-07  

Frances Eugenia Schultz '62, is an internationally well-regarded photographer, journalist and writer on photographic subjects http://www.rogerandfrances.com in the UK.  2-22-07

Matt Twamley '85 is interested in connecting with classmates. He has suffered two strokes and has lost contact with old friends.  Please contact Matt at 52A Northgate Manor, Rochester, NY 14616 - 585-663-2757. 11-17-06

James Marron '82 will be presenting a guitar concert http://www.jamesmarron.com/  on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006 at 3 p.m. at Rochester's Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs St., Rochester N.Y. 14607 -- 585-271-6537 ext.109.  9-6-06

Lisa (Nettnin) Reinbolt '80  -- "looking through the Hilton web pages and brought back many memories.  Back then I was Lisa M. Nettnin and I grew up on Latta Road in North Greece.  I started kindergarten at Northwood Elementary School and followed the Hilton schools through high school.  I should have graduated in 1980 however my life's choices weren't the best and I dropped out.  However in my early 20's I did return to school and received a GED and went on to MCC and to a school out-of-state as a tractor trailer truck driver.  I have also spent a lot of my time working for Eastman Kodak.  I have registered with the site, and hope to be able to look up some of my old friends.  I have one grown son who is 23 and engaged to be married.  I live in the city of Rochester, and my husband Alan works for Coca-Cola on Upper Falls Blvd.  Best wishes and if anyone would like to contact me, I can be reached via e-mail [please put Hilton HS in the subject line so I won't miss it]."  8-31-06

Rick Stiles '05, a bass trombone student at the Eastman School of Music, has been selected to be a member of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas for the 2006 season. The YOA meets for several tours each season, the largest being the summer of 2006: July 9 ­ August 9 where 107 orchestra members in Europe to travel to Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. -- 6/30/06  

Loraleigh Roller Whiteside '99 graduated from the US Coast Guard Academy in 2003 as an Ensign and was Deck Watch Officer and Boarding Officer on the Medium endurance Cutter CGC Tahoma out of Portsmouth, ME for two years. She resides in Seabrook, Texas.  -- Brian Roller, father, May 2006   Michelle Roller '01 graduated from SUNY Fredonia in 2005 with a B.A. in Elementary Education and is teaching at a Magnet School in Houston, TX.  -- Brian Roller, father, May 2006  

Carl W. Forsythe '75  is the President, CEO and Chairman of the Board for Globe Composite Solutions, Ltd. www.globecomposite.com, a privately-held Dallas-based manufacturer of high-performance composite components for industrial and military applications. Carl holds a B.A. in biochemistry from Columbia University and an M.B.A. in finance from Cornell. He and his wife, Sandy, reside in Dallas and Boston.  They have three children: Chip (junior at CalPoly), Emily (sophomore at Cornell University) and AJ (incoming freshman at University of Denver). 5/19/06  

David Bown '96 is an artist living in NYC and has been invited to be a resident artist at Europos Parkas in Vilnus, Lithuania.  He is represented by ARS New York.  1/13/06  

PFC Jason Hasenauer '03 killed in Afghanistan Dec. 28, 2005. 1/3/05  

Paul Colburn '01 is enrolled at the New England College of Optometry in Boston, Mass. He will be in the graduating Class of 2009. November 18, 2005  

Jeffrey Colburn '01 is enrolled at the New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY.. He has been awarded a three-year Military Medical Scholarship which will obligate him to serve three years in the Air Force after graduation. November 18, 2005  

Marine Lance Cpl. Derrick Lee '04, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment.  To see more: click on "News" . . . "Frontline Photos" . . . "Nov. 15, 2005" on http://www.marinetimes.com/  Submitted by his mom, Kelly Ramble. November 17, 2005  

Evelyn Fox Schneider ' 70 writes that "My husband Dennis passed away in 2002 and I have returned to Monroe County....curious to meet with any past classmates from 1970 whom may also have lost their mate. I need to get back into the swing of things and shift my memories to other things from my past now."  September 28, 2005  

Earl Reese '74 and Scarlett Aeckerle Benjamin ''74 were married on Dec 31, 2004.  Earl is retired from the US Army and currently a paralegal.  Scarlett is attending the University of South Carolina to obtain her PhD.  Both are fine and living in Columbia SC. September 26, 2005  

Patricia Gray Scholze '64 would like to obtain another copy of the Class of 1964 yearbook. "Our house suffered a flood and I would like to know if you have any information about how I can get another yearbook." Phone: 585-638-5618. August 2005  

Amy McLean '00 completed her MS in Physician Assistant as valedictorian of her program on August 20, 2005 from DeSales University in Allentown, Pennsylvania. August 2005  

Rob Linton '98 is Station Manager for WGMC in Greece. August 3, 2005  

Matt Hurlbutt '87 is Executive Director of RochesterWorks. August 1, 2005   Andy Butler '02 recently published "New House 5 How a Dorm becomes a Home" on his experiences as a resident advisor at Carnigie Mellon University.  Published by Publish America. June 2005  

Scott Garbutt '01 is now serving in the US Air Force.  April 11, 2005 Debbie (formerly Andrews), class of '81 please call Dave in Buffalo. I'm in the book. April 4, 2005  

Glenn Scheuerman '81 writes "Hilton High will always be the best place anyone could go to receive an awesome education and have fun with their classmates!  Does anyone  have any idea of how to contact Jenny VanHorn (maiden name) (also graduated in 1981)? Just really would like to get back in touch with her."  January 21, 2005  

Dan Grashof '02: "just writing to tell everyone that everything is going well. I am currently in the Air Force stationed in Germany, I remember the day September 11 happened walking between periods and going into my Economics room and seeing the second plane crash live. The impact of that day has forever changed lives in our country and it sure has changed mine.  It is one of the main reasons that I am in the USAF, along with serving all of those I love back home. I will likely be deploying sometime this summer to Iraq for 4 months. I hope and pray that everyone back home is doing well." November 23, 2004  

Steven Snow '77, an opera singer now, wrote in November 2004.  

Denise Mahns '00 has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach in France. 2004.  

Eric Mortimer '02 is now serving in Iraq. 2004.  

Steve Farrington '94 is teaching Spanish at Caledonia-Mumford Central School District outside Rochester.  April 2004  

Jim Cosman '60, is a pro square dance caller from Woodbine, Georgia. March 2004  

Neil B. Johnson '66 from Norfolk, Virginia writes:  "The tug Sea Robin is owned by Allied Transportation, a family-owned company that has been in business for many years.  The crews are union - Seafarers International Union - SIU  http://www.seafarers.org/ .  I have been with them since 1993 and before that I was with Furlough, Inc. on the tug Sea Tern. After High School I joined the Navy and I decided to make Navy my life.  For the first four years I was at sea on three different ships.  The second four years I spent in Yokosuka, Japan on a harbor tug: http://www.navytugs.com/  Later I was on tugs in Midway and Subic.  My military time was all on the water except two years at Guam.  The last ship I was on home ported at Naval Operating Base Norfolk.  Tugs are not just a job.  It is a way of life.  The job is not for everyone, however, those who have this type of work in their blood find everything else just a job.  There are many openings in the industries.  Seafarers International Union has a school at Piney Point, Maryland http://www.seafarers.org/phc/ and takes recruits."    2/04/04