JFKS Class of 94 reunion magazine

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JFKS CLASS OF 9420-year reunion, 5 July 2014

Yearbook-supplement souvenir magazine

WHERE NOW | ROYAL LONDON

HOT Add some harmony to your visit. From contemporary art to country

"Ethan Frome's dried-up cucumber vine, and a jar of pickled cucumbers for Mr. Sterling one or two years later." ––Anonymous

Losing my virginity, obviously. Anybody who says otherwise is lying :-) –Anonymous

I don't remember much. I remember the hallways and some of the classrooms the front entrance of the school. I do know though that the environment at JFK was the best for me, as far as schooling in Germany. JFK has a great mix of people and cultures and was to me bully free, even though I was not a popular kid. I would recommend JFK to anyone. ––Tina Ulrich

Turn on Bunsen burner, stall for 30 seconds...and light. –Anonymous

"Reading Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo for one entire year in Hr. Kowalewsky's German class." –Elke Pahl

JFK MOMENTS

"Talking "Jfkish" or "Dinglish". I loved being able to mix the two languages as they popped up in my mind. Finally there was a place where I could do that. Also, having memorable Lebenssätze of Mr. Peterson accompanying me in life. I have had some of my hardest and nicest moments in life at this school." –Anonymous

in a state of alarmIn September 1990, following the outbreak of the Gulf War, US authorities in Berlin concluded that all American schools were to increase security levels. The result: we had armed GIs in our classes, daily emergency evacuation drills, military jeeps escorting our school buses, and were told not to

attend events with lots of Americans. As Rob Busch remembers, many of the students participated in sit outs, while demonstrations took place with JFK kids stopping tanks at Oskar Helene Heim to the words "one, two, three, four, we don't want this f**ing war".

Despite Friedemann reportedly being late to graduation (almost), Hillary and Hannelore managed to hand out diplomas to the students with the help of Tina Holmes (left) and Brad Moore and to the tunes of Pomp and Circumstance, played among others by Philip. Fortunately, the secret services had previously instructed the students on how to throw their caps. Apparently, the edges of the caps bought were sharp enough to cut off heads, but thanks to the instructions received, we were able to spare our audience the mas-sacre. Nevertheless, this was a memorable moment for all: "Not everyone can say the first lady was at their graduation," Colette Schultz remembers.

"Walking into a nearly deserted school after the morning after the Fall of the Wall. And trying to sit on those boiling old heaters in the winter for a whole three seconds, as otherwise they would burn through ones jeans." ––Nici Keeding

Graduation with hillary

JFKS CLASS OF 94

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Class of 94 IN NUMBERS

WHERE WE STUDIED

9% don't know

The 8th-grade ski trip, Spirit Week, bake sales, car washes, Fun Day, the concerts, shaving cream fights on the last day of school, basketball games, the Germany and the USA trips, school dances, senior prank 94, BUT ALSO hanging out in the park during breaks, ultimate frisbee and the smokey hut, snack breaks in the raucherecke.

"Once I misread the board and sat in the wrong class for three days... " –– Nick Fisher

aBI-Things Abi-Zeit, Abi-Abschieds-feier, Abi-Streiche, Abi-Klassenreise, Abifahrt to Italy with vodka-drinking in the bus... For lots of (anonymous) people, the Abi-Zeit has been the most memorable JFKS event.

School dances, slow dances, skifahrt, basketball games, school pranks, foam parties in the park, spirit week, Essensmarken, Milchreis, always being in love with my English teachers, the white house, my locker and the mess inside, growing up there for 14 years. School was my second home. TIna Homes

Being there for the opening of the new school building. ––Brian Trzaska

My last day, where in Art class I suddenly realized that more people liked me than I would have ever imagined. ––Tim Zerbe

The sound of music Performing in the Choir, being a part in the Pirates of Penzance, Pilgrim Fathers, watching the musicals for the first time, being in the cast of the Wizard of Oz, going to London with the orchestra. Tomara Jones, Mindy Boam, and Kelly Whittier, together with a dozen more Class of 94 members, think musicals were an important part of their JFK time.

last day

of school!

Shaving cream fights, being intimidated by the Smoker's Corner, lunch under the cement stairs, 8th-grade ski trip. I also remember what an amazing education it was, how high the standards were and how much I learned at JFK. I'm very thankful I got to go to school there for a while.

Paris Hunt

"...and then there was the chicken fricassee..."

Also remember winning a food contest in the Aula in front of almost all high school students and teachers ;) (Can still taste the Sauerkraut with chocolate sauce mixture... who's bloody idea was that anyway!?!?!? :) ––Jim Hagen

3

schooL SPIRIT... and park spirit

WHERE NOW | ROYAL LONDONJFKS CLASS OF 94

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Carry Me Back To Old ClayalleeCities don't usually change very quickly, but Berlin is an exception. In the past 20 years, this city has transformed completely, growing and morphing faster than any of us could ever imagine. Here is your personal portrait of a lost city, starring GIs, tanks, Halloween candy, techno clubs, pieces of the Wall, smokey huts, and wine coolers. Read on for your fondest memories of Berlin in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The US Army still here. ––Anonymous

The American flavor to the city. ––Gerlinde Jänicke

Athener Grill nights. ––Kevin Stringer

The military presence, GIs on the bus, living in a place that was (is!) very special! ––Andrea Gall

The times spent at the duck pond and McNair as well as Truman Plaza. ––Tanya Ramsey

The Berlin Wall and having the Allies here in Berlin. Also enjoyed having the privileges to visit the US, British, and French installations. ––James Hagen

"Too much to pick just one thing out. I love Berlin back then in its totality."––Jon Stewart

U-Bhf Oskar-Helene-Heim als wichtiger Dreh- und Angelpunkt in Berlin und der Ku'damm wie er früher war. ––Anonymous

The Outpost, Halloween in Dahlem with American candy, discovering East Berlin with its underground restaurants and parties. –– Anonymous

WALKING IN ZEHLENDORF

GI BLUES

The PX, the Future club in Zehlendorf Mitte. ––Pedram Talai Rad

The Grunewald ––Rob Busch

The sense of community of the American living quarters around Truman Plaza. ––Nici Keeding

Waking up to the sound of tanks passing by once a week under my window on Clayallee. Living in the English-speaking enclave of Zehlendorf. Walking under the semi-destroyed buildings of East Berlin, where any abandoned factory was a techno club. Putting up with grumpy old people on the street. It was a bit if a love-hate relationship for me, but living in Berlin felt very special. ––Solveig Steinhardt


Chaos and lack of government on the East side after the Wall. Traveling through Checkpoint Charlie multiple times a year when the Wall was still up (although I found it confusing at the time). ––Mark Pratt

" I was an Embassy kid and lived on the East side. There was only a small number of phone lines available to dial out of the East and so if I wanted to call anyone I would walk to the other side of the Wall to a phone booth” –– Mindy Boam

Carry Me Back To Old Clayallee

Having so much family nearby, riding the BVG, being able to grab a curry wurst, bratwurst or Doner.Also, being able to witness history when the Wall came down. ––Erik Wolfe

Being free to roam, and see all the beautiful sites. ––Geoff Bixby

School bus pickup and drop off, the US Army bases, bummeln am Ku' Damm, all the fairs and carnivals. And I miss the seasons, especially fall and winter. Yes, lol, am not crazy, I am in the Bahamas and miss snow!!! and colorful leaf hills to jump into... ––Tina Ulrich

Going for a walk outside of my house and having to stop after 500 meters because there was a wall! Going over to the DDR with the Bravo hidden under my shirt. The American Sector and the life within it... so unreal.. especially if i look back now. ––Tina Holmes

Prenzlauer Berg as it was back then. It's a pity it has changed the way it has. ––Anonymous

Concerts! ––Anonymous

Exploring the city by bike, U-bahn and S-bahn. It always seemed that you could never see or experience all of Berlin's beautiful and secret corners. ––Brian Trzaska

Things were less polished and more authentic, but maybe I am just losing touch with the years. ––Frederike Pfütze

YAAM ––Anonymous

Long nights in E-Werk. ––Anonymous

I loved the city's island character and international feeling; I liked the Berlin Wall because it made us Berliners special and made life feel like an adventure. I am happy the Wall came down and that the Iron Curtain opened up, and my fondest memory is me nervously sitting on the Berlin Wall near Brandenburg Gate on November 10th 1989. ––Anonymous

"The island/bubble feel of it. How normal the situation felt back then, and looking back now how thoroughly odd it actually was." –– Carola Berg”

Riding the trains...just relaxing and staring out the window. That and the bakery on the corner! ––Nick Fisher

The Ecstasy ––Anonymous

5

It was still two different cities with different vibes. now Berlin has grown into one city with one new vibe. Good and bad, but it was definetely more interesting then. ––Tarek Esreb

Just how vast and green and mysterious it was to me back then. Going to shows at the Loft, amazing falafels nearby there. Riding the S-Bahn to the flea market. Lots of tipsy nights out and about when I was far too young to be drinking out and about. I also have lots of good memories of exploring the city with my mom (who passed away in 2012). ––Paris Hunt

MAUER FALL Wall down!

––Heather Delisle

No lattes ... what DID people drink in those days? mocca? ––Friedemann Helms

Selling drinks to tourists at the Brandenburg Gate in the mid- Nineties. ––Sean

Fall of the Wall, freedom to go anywhere! ––Mike Jeffress

Mauerfall...on my way to school from Wannsee to JFK I counted about 250 Trabbis passing our bus. ––Anonymous

GI BLUES

FREEDOM

LIVING ON AN ISLAND

Living in an occupied city didn't feel too bad back then... the weekly tanks rolling down Teltower Damm were not threatening but rather fun to look at, Truman Plaza was nice, the Outpost had the movies earlier than other cinemas (and in English), AFN radio (TV was hard to receive for Germans with non-NTSC televisions), PX shopping, wine coolers ... and discovering the nightlife in the "East" Berlin of the early 90s... ;O) ––Alex Siedler

EAST MEETS WEST

Für 23 Pfennig stundenlang telefonieren, Berlin Mitte vor der Sanierungswelle. ––Elke Pahl

I loved the alternative, grunge style. The buzz of the "Wende", East and West Berlin growing to-gether. The art, free spirit and life. I remember going to a party with JFK friends at a Besetztes Haus near Potsdamer Platz, walking on the Platz which was only a field. ––Anonymous

Coming back to Berlin after almost 16 years abroad, I noticed that the city has become more like JFKS. I like that. ––Philip

Christmas markets in downtown Berlin ––Tomara Jones

WHERE NOW | ROYAL LONDONJFKS CLASS OF 94

PETS 17% of us cohabit with one or more animal companions, and there seems to be a predominance of "dog persons" over "cat persons." Pets also include a 4-month-old pit bull puppy named Delilah, a hamster, a dozen fishes, and a Yamatonuma shrimpie. We also had one explicitly pet-averse respondent.

Class of 94 IN NUMBERS

176 members in total 124 successfully contacted 70 completed the survey

WHERE WE LIVE NOW

RELATIONSHIPS

WHERE WE STUDIEDCOLLEGE EDUCATION

NUMBER OF CHILDREN

SUBJECTS STUDIED:

Natural Sciences | Physical Chemistry | Multimedia Producer | Aerospace Engineering | Cross-cultural studies | Counseling | Economics & Management | Communication Design | Politikwissenschaft | History | Social Work | Business Management | Civil Engineering | Mechanical Engineering Technology | Englisch und Geschichte | Comparative Literature | Applied Physics | Coastal Geology | European Business Administration Law | 2. Staatsexamen German | Journalism | Theater | Arts | Business and Finance | Design | Architecture | Communication | Cybersecurity | Medicine | Biology | Educational Leadership | Journalism | Visual Communications | Dentistry | Nursing | Music | Catholic Studies | Middle Eastern Studies | Aeroengineering | Acting | Maxillofacial Surgery | Elementary ED | Law | Nutrition | Bauingenieurin |

WOULD YOU SEND YOUR KIDS TO JFK?

THE 3 MOST POPULAR TEACHERS Ms Barthelemy Mr SterlingDr Peterson

TOP 5 FAVORITE CLASSES

1. English 2. History

3. Art4. Math

5. Physics/Music

BUT WE ALSO LOVED: MRS HEPNER | FRAU KNEER | MR HOLT | HERR WEICHERT | HOEVERMANN | HR KOWALEWSKY | WEIDENAR | MR BISHOP | | MS CASWELL | DR POLAND | MS GREEN | HR WIELAND | HR ZANDER | FRAU HAGEN | MR POTHEN | HR ROOS RAAB | MR AUZENE | NELSON | MR DOUGHERTY | HR HÖDT | MR JOYCE | MR KAMP | DR GUIRGUIS | DR HUMPHRIES | MR TISEL | MR NELSON

AVERAGE AGE OF OLDEST

CHILD: 7,5

52% Germany

29% USA 19% other

84% went to university

16% didn't 41%

in the USA

33% in Germany

26% elsewhere

58% married

19% in a

relationship

single13%

divorced

7%

1% separated

64% said:"Yes, absolutely!"

19%: "Maybe"

9% don't know

6% have kids

at JFK

3% "no way!"

6

35% no

children

16% one kid

35% have two kids 12%

3 kids3% four kids


7

WHAT WE DODIRECTOR AND SOUND TECHNICIAN FOR MOVIE DUBBING | MAGAZINE EDITOR | TEACHER | STUDENT |PSYCHOTHERAPIST|ART DIRECTOR |ARTIST|CONTROLLER|PROCESS & PROCEDURES SPECIALIST|STAY AT HOME MOM|ENTREPRENEUR|MUSEUM EMPLOYEE|PROFESSOR|DENTIST|TECHNICAL WRITER|TICKET SALES AGENT|PROJECT/INNOVATION MANAGER |PHYSICAL THERAPIST|OPERATIONS PROFESSIONAL IN SOLAR TECH|MANAGING PARTNER VANGUARIDSTAS|CIVIL ENGINEER|VP OF SALES |COMMUNICATIONS/ISSUE MANAGEMENT| OUTDOOR EDUCATOR|FEDERAL AGENT|BUSINESS OWNER|SOFTWARE ENGINEER |CUSTOMER SERVICE| KINDERGARTEN TEA-CHER|JOURNALIST|DOCTOR|LAWYER| UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR|COUNSELOR|SELF EMPLOYEED CREATIVE|ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR|ATTORNEY OF LAW|MARKETING ASSISTANT|HR MANAGER|SOCIAL WORKER |WELDER|PRODUCT MANAGER MOBILE APPLICATIONS|NURSE|ASSISTANT MEP PRACTICE LEADER |ENGINEERING|MILITARY| VOLUNTEER FOR NON PROFIT ASSOCIATION FALUN DAFA|TECHNISCHE LEITUNG IN MY OWN LITTE GEMEINNÜTZIGE GMBH|PASTOR/ WRITER|IT SUPPORT|ORAL AND MAXILLO-FACIAL SURGEON |CONSTRUCTION MANAGER|WRITER|LERNBEGLEITERIN, THEATER-PÄDAGOGIN, KOMMUNIKATIONS TRAINERIN |RELIGIOUS SISTER/NUN|SYSTEMS ENGINEER|CUSTOM BIKE DEALER|FREELANCER|ORGANISATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST & COACH|ADVISOR (GERMAN DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION)|DIPLOMAT|FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

HOW MANY CAN YOU RECOGNIZE?

Image provided by Tina Ulrich

ACHIEVEMENTSYears spent in Cape Town or Sydney, visits to Japan, sailing adven-tures across the whole Gulf of Mexico, climbing the Colorado Rock-ies, world trips on a 125cc bike... It's great to hear that most of us are happy and proud of their achievements, and are enjoying life to the fullest. Here are some of your post–JFK achievements: sorry that we could not publish them all!My time at JFKS helped me form an openness and admiration for all people and cultures. I spent a wonderful 7 years living on a houseboat in Amsterdam, cruising through the Amsterdam canals in my boyfriend's little rusty canal boat and enter-ing the houseboat by climbing through the window – very romantic, no wonder I ended up marrying him! ––Friederike Pfütze. I stayed open minded and curious which is something JFKS taught well. I met my wife at a bar in Sacramento while hanging out with my buddies from JFK (Marc, Kevin, Joerg). So yes, everything significant can be traced back to JFKS. ––Sean Nickens. Inducted into the Footbag Hall of Fame 2013 (Yeah!). I still have recurring nightmares about taking the Abi, but I love the good friends I made at JFK. Oh, and my kids speak JFK-inglish!––Carola. After JFK, regular life meant a lot less international peeps with crazy great ways of thinking. ––Mark Pratt. Went to war. ––Mike Jeffress. I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, the Bahamas. I wrote a children's story a book 'The Lonely Driftwood Tree' which I dedicated to my a wonderful beautiful super smart daughter. ––Tina Ulrich. I still do the same things as in school... Organize events, keep myself interested in new things, use my network, go out and party , ask questions, enjoy life with my friends of whom many are still former JFK students! ––Tina Holmes I work on the Katastrophenbaustelle BER. And no, it is not my fault!––Pedram Talai-Rad. Got married and had children when we lived in California. Now, we are back in Berlin with my husband teaching at JFKS. :) –Andrea Gall. I recently realized that I am exactly the same person I was 20 years ago, just a little busier. ––Solveig Steinhardt. I'm still enjoying a German-speaking community here in Seattle! I've been a nun since 2003 and am currently living with my religious community, the Sisters in Jesus the Lord, in Vladivostok, Rus-sia! –Kelly Whittier/Sr. Maria Stella. Learned to speak Arabic. Successfully avoided climbing Mount Everest, getting married and, well. working on getting my dream job.––Philip

WHERE NOW | ROYAL LONDON

Sean Nickens: I wish I could be there, I really miss you guys. It really doesn't seem like two decades went by. I hope you guys party at the reunion the way we did at our prom!! Carola Berg: Even if we are in all parts of the world, there's a bit of JFK in us and it's fascinating to recognize that when someone you haven't seen or thought of in 20 years appears on your radar again.Mark Pratt: Hope y'all continue to not be square and unchanging. Enough people like that out there.Brian Trzaska: It's been 20 years, but with so much of the journey left to pursue, I wish only the best for each of you.Mike Jeffress: Wish I could be there for the reunion!!Geoff Bixby: I really blossomed at JFK and came into my own. It would never have happened if it hadn't been for my great classmates I met (and the teachers too).Tina Ulrich: Greetings from the Bahamas, I don't know if you guys remember me, I only stayed with you until 4th grade. I would love to attend the reunion. Unfortunately, am stuck at the Pink Sand Beach in Harbour Island. I am on Facebook, Tina 'Tropicalsnowflake' Ulrich and would love to see photos and hear from you. Nick Fischer: It's amazing to see how we've all changed and the different walks of life we've taken! Tina Holmes: Thanks Andrea & Solveig for kicking my and everyone else's bum to get this reunion organized!Tomara Jones: I had so much fun and enjoy all the fond memories.Kelly Whittier: I have many memories of JFK! I'm sorry I can't be with you. If you ever come to Russia, it would be great to see you here in Vladivostok! I got to go back to JFK for a day in 2000, when I spent a year in Vienna, Austria, volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center. I love speaking German whenever I get the chance, but sometimes confuse it with Russian now! The website for our sisters is www Cjd.cc.Elke Pahl: Enjoy life, it's very short. RIP Markus Oergel. Nici Keeding: It's crazy to think 20 years have passed, but I hope you are well and enjoying life.

JFKS CLASS OF 94

SUPPORT THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION The Alumni Association is now an officially registered association. Its exciting plans for the coming years include the creation of a networking website, awarding an annual scholarship to JFK students, organizing events to advise students on their future careers, raising funds for the Fun Day, and much more. If you want to support the association, you can do so by becoming a member: request a membership application form at [email protected].

RIP Markus Oergel, Harmony Casey,Frank Buoniconti, Chris Hahn. We wish you could have been with us today.

PHoto albUM We would like to thank Jon Stewart for the eloquent pictures of the 1986 bomb scare ...while the bus and school pictures were "borrowed" from the Alumni Association Facebook page, we hope that's OK!

FUN DAY!FunDay, the bi-annual fundraising fair on the JFKS schoolgrounds, is coming up. FunDay will take place on September 27, 2014 from 11am to 5pm bearing the motto "Building a greener community." An estimated 1,500 students, teachers and parents will walk the school grounds, discovering new aspects of the school and greater JFKS community, meeting old and new acquaintances, enjoying music, food, and games, and having fun! It's a highlight of the year for students, teachers and parents alike, so be sure to save the date!

JFKS CLASS OF 94 NEWS

hellos from afar

GOODBYESClassifieds

Anyone have a digital video copy of our graduation where Ms: Hilary Rodham Clinton and Frau Hannelore present the diplomas to the graduates? If so, please get in touch with me. James Hagen.

FROM A TEACHERAn Eure Diplomafeier erinnere ich mich gut und

wäre auch gern zur zwanzigsten gekommen, werde

aber nicht in Berlin sein. Ich wünsche Euch allen ein

vergnügtes Fest und möglichst positive Erinnerungen

an Eure Schulzeit. Gute Wünsche für Gegenwart und

Zukunft. Fro Tinnappel

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JFKS Class of 94 reunion magazine