Memorabilia from Ms. Hamblet's class alum families this year include Meg Thenell Wolfe's "I was lucky enough to have been taught by George" t-shirt, Ms. Hamblet's t-shirt from the first SJS girls soccer team and photos of class parent-alums!

The sentiment around the much anticipated class list is not unique to students and parents. Teachers, too, open the list with great anticipation. It is at the first viewing of your class roster that your year really begins to take shape. Name tags, book assignments, seating charts all dance through your head. The possibilities for the year ahead energize you for the upcoming 180 days.

So a few days before school started, I clicked on the email entitled Your Class List. Immediately, 23 names appeared in alphabetical order. This year's list was a treasure trove --- Lacktrup, Read, Mullally --- familiar names. I scanned again and excavated a few more treasures although they no longer held the familiar family name --- two Buonos, one Thenell, one Wickwire, and one Sauvage. Almost 40% of my class was offspring of alums! What was I in for this year?

As the students and parents strolled in on meet-and-greet day, my present deliciously mingled with my past. I couldn't help but notice the familiar features and traits in the faces of my students whose parents and grandparents had graced this community for decades. The mischievous glance, curious expression, the slight swagger . . . all fresh yet strangely familiar.

Our theme this year is Open to Grace. What am I in for? . . .
a whole year of graces through a very real reconnection to those who have shared a history with me at St. Joseph. The decision of an alum to send their offspring to St. Joe's is the greatest compliment we could ever receive. So thank you for continuing to grace this school.

Cathy McChesney Hamblet

Class of '82

Making Writing Cool: Jamie Griffin ('04)

Jamie Griffin and H.B. Augustine

St. Joe's alum Jamie Griffin ('04) and business partner H.B. Augustine aim to make writing cool with their new literary Web application, Prose. Prose is a free Web app tailored to reading, writing and learning that allows users to interact with each other through literary prompts and works. Right now, Prose is gearing up to host a competition for middle school and high school students called "Prose Games." Only students will be allowed to compete, and their school must agree to participate with a secure log-in.     

Griffin found his way to Prose after traveling several routes along the way. After St. Joe's, he went on to Overlake High School and graduated from Garfield High School. He headed to California to the University of Redlands where he played Division III soccer. Returning home to Seattle, Jamie worked in real estate for awhile, but was still searching for what he wanted to do. He met up with partner H.B. Augustine, a local Seattleite and Lakeside grad, who was already involved in a start-up looking at and developing various mobile apps. In early 2014, Augustine had landed on the idea for "something like Facebook or Instagram for writing," and the start-up created Prose, structuring it like a game, allowing people to interact in a competitive ("Challenge") way. Once Jamie joined up, he floated the marketing concept of getting the application into schools.

 Griffin, clearly the marketing guy, readily offers convincing statistics to support the effort. "Only 20% of eighth graders read and write after school on their own time," he says. Prose aims to "inspire people everywhere to enjoy reading, writing, and learning every day" and looks to alliances with students and teachers as an effective way to fulfill that goal. 

Check out the Prose Facebook Page 

Class of 1966 Reunion

Rich Cannon ('66) shared with us: "We had a ball at the reunion with about 52 people including 37 classmates at my house on Friday, July 11 for our 48th eighth grade class reunion, class of 1966.  Kit Comick came from California and Patti Burrell from Oregon.  We had perfect weather and seven of us even ended up in the pool, fully clothed! The two girls in the picture are Gay Bitts and Becky Talevich on a St. Joe's pew I retrieved when the remodeled the church."
 

Class of 1984 Reunion

Val Buono Spannaus ('84) shared with us: "The class of 1984 gathered at Primo Pizzeria owned by classmate Max Borthwick on September 27 to celebrate their thirtieth class reunion! What a great time had by all! We had about 25 to 30 classmates show up throughout the night and also had George Hofbauer honor us with his presence. We are looking forward to the next gathering. If you are looking to get into contact with this class please email Val Buono Spannaus val@roccob.com What a night!"    

The Class of 2004 Reunion is confirmed for December 26 at 6 p.m. at Rhein Haus on Capitol Hill. Contact Emily Morton  emilyamorton90@gmail.com or (206) 849-8456.

Interested in throwing your class a reunion party?

Do you have a proposal for an alumni get-together?
To submit your contact information, or to discuss reunion opportunities, contact Max Andrews, SJS Alumni Coordinator, mandrews@stjosephsea.org

The annual Celebration Dinner kicked off the School Pledge Drive on Friday, October 3. The School Pledge co-chairs, Keri and Andy Read ('80) voiced the reasons why St. Joseph is so easy to support. Their commitment over the years and their leadership this year is highly appreciated. Thank you, Keri and Andy.  

The Hall of Honor Award went to Cristina Murphy, current parent and volunteer extraordinaire. Cristina has helped the school for many years with all sorts of projects through the Parent Association and the Development Office. She recently joined the school staff as one of the point-of-sales cashiers in our newly refurbished cafeteria. Congratulations, Cristina! 

 

Rosemary Gemperle Dunigan ('81) received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Rosemary summarized her life at school in grand detail and made us all feel why St. Joe's is well loved. She and her husband Mike have sent their three children through St. Joseph. We appreciate Rosemary's many talents and dedication to our school and happily add her to the specially recognized, St. Joseph alumni group. Congratulations, Rosemary!