Kathi Vrentas Heller

Our Class of '69, 20-Year Class Reunion Book tells my short story up to '89.
A snapshot since 'Then - fast forward to - Now' shares life's sweet highlights: My . . .
* Terrific children grew, graduated, and flew into life. The Mom stuff now missed (the little league baseball, hockey, skating shows, bowling) - is filled with grandkid's delights (Hannah, Ezriella, Abiah, and Luckson Jr. - all in Sacramento, CA) keep me busy with lots of calls, packages, visiting vacations - +camp, music and ballet recitals cross country.
* Dearest childhood friend, Denise Schwartz, found me through Southwest; we reconnected, and are still in touch - sharing stories of old memories, family and aging with a smile!
* 20 yr. goal, side-lining my 'Career-Mom' priority, to finish my education? Yes, Done. Loyola University, Chicago, IL., BS Legal Administration, 1996. Preceded by Mallinckrodt College, Wilmette, IL., ABA Approved Study, Paralegal Certificate, Litigation Specialty, 1990.
* Goal to retire early - enjoy family? Yes, Done. I retired in June 2012, following 36 years (primarily at Bell & Howell, CRL Industries and Holden Industries, Inc., a private holding company for manufacturing entities), as a Corporate / Senior Paralegal, which opened doors I hadn't imagined! In 2007, in the Holden ESOP, I became one of the top 100 original employee owners; - in 2008, I was elected an officer, Assistant Corporate Secretary, of Holden; and also, - participated as a member of the Corporate Compliance Committee for Business Ethics and Conduct.
* Retirement busy? Oh YES! And, the freedom of no set schedules Mon-Fri - the best! With family across the USA, grandchildren growing in an eye's blink (and faster than I am with technology for IPhone and computer face-timing from Sacramento), Angie and her Bichon Charlie based here in Skokie, we are always busy with the wonders of our Windy Chicago! While I dabble in event planning, personal organizing, paralegal services, writing & photography are my endeavors. Simply - I'm most happy being retired early enough to enjoy (and still recall, ha-ha) the beginnings of senior-hood, social security & medicare; my family and dear friends - stretched across many miles of our USA! God bless.

My only school story is the day I stepped out of ugh-Pollyanna shoes. I was a Junior, and cut school with two friends, a Senior and a Sophomore (brother and sister). We took a bus from Brookside to the Plaza, walked to the Art Institute for a full morning of exploring our favorite exhibits; walked back to the Plaza - had a delicious, relaxed Chinese lunch, followed by ice-cream cones and a bus back to Brookside. An educational, international day, we called it. Beautiful, warm, sunny skies. As we walked back to Southwest High, we passed my friends mother - driving the opposite way! We waved happily, she smiled waiving back. CAUGHT! School wasn't out yet (2:50 pm), parents called! Of course, it was the Senior's fault - Leader of the Pack!
2019 UPDATE: A warm heart & joyful laugh 😆 I’ve had looking at the 1969 yearbook - and remembering our treasured High School days - remembering the Literary Society competition - and the entrance Alethea made - with our homemade boat singing anchors away! That boat (based from a refrigerator box) could only enter through the widest door located at SW - and barely left room for us! Pictures still capture the fun that Debbie Welborn and I had designing the boat! I haven’t a clue how we delivered it to SW or afterwards how during our Alethea member sleepover - the whole group trouped over to Loose Park lake and launched that boat 🚣‍♀️, watching it sail until no more. (Sadly in retrospect forgetting any pollution risks or trouble it might have caused)! The end.

Well, honestly - anyone - everyone. Denise Schwartz, Debbie Welborn, Brett Davis, George Vedros, Becky Leonard - of course. I'm filling out this form years after probably others. Retirement gives one that time to truly see the blessings of life.

So I say - Hello, and send Hugs from Chicago! - with Wishes for good health and a wonderful 2018, 2019 - until a 50th??

We had such a huge class of 600+, I can't imagine what a 2019-50 Yr. reunion might be like!
2019 UPDATE: Thank YOU all of YOU SW Indians who’ve remained the spine of our Class, spearheading our reunions, our website, and keeping so many together with updates, announcements . . . You are very special and remembered dearly for all your ongoing spirit of unity for treasured high school days and our lives beyond. THANKS!