April 5, 2008

     On April 5^th, 2008, Rio Lindo Academy celebrated its 45^th Annual Alumni Homecoming. Our best estimate shows that nearly 300 alumni and their families were in attendance, making almost 600 visitors on campus. For the first time ever, nine classes were honored.

     On Sabbath morning, Lyle Bennett (‘70), who spent two years at Rio as a student and 13 years as a teacher, spoke for church. Also, Greg Baron (’78) shared his musical talent by singing “Reunion Day”, written by Steve Reeve (’77). Then the Lindaires, Orchestra, and Hand Bell Choir all performed to give the alumni a taste of Rio as it is today.  

     The afternoon found everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather as they met up with old friends. The honor classes met in different spots around campus to catch up and reminisce about life at Rio. In the evening, several alumni participated in the traditional basketball games. Many of the classes also had dinner off campus where they were able to spend more time visiting and getting reacquainted with their classmates.

     All in all, the weekend was a success. Here are some pictures of this year’s honor classes.

(Left to Right) Greg Steel, Ken Martin, Don Carpenter, Otis Kittle

CLASS OF 1968

Sitting (Left to Right): Frank Clayton, Malcom Dillon, Bob Karr

CLASS OF 1973

Front Row (Left to Right): Rod Benson, Vic Aagaard, Brad Billington, Mike Boyce

Second Row: Lynnette Johnson, Diana Dokos, Betsy Roda, Lori Mallory, Joni Schoeninger, Linda Sears

Third Row: Cookie Ritz, Gayle Timothy, Julie Lobsien, Ellen Zimmerman, Lynn Lukens,
Loritha Graham, Don Amador, Dan Boyce

Fourth Row: Sharon Cummings, Heidi Schindler, Debbie Morris, Loritta Dunford,
Nancy Adams, Denise (Etchell) Chrowl, Linda Stocke

Back Row: Steve Moran, Dan Ferguson, Phil Nelson, Jim Roy, Meredith Jobe,
Calvin Baker, Jeanine Dunken, Rex Shepherd

CLASS OF 1978

(If you can provide the names missing below, please email Brad Benson at bbenson@riolindo.org.)

Front Row (Left to Right; On Ground and First Step): Daryl Ramsland, Bev Roda, Jeanette Mason,
Bonnie Kelsey, Judy Nightingale, Cynthia Ridgely, Shelley Griswold, Cindy Younker

Second Row (Begins Farther to the Right): Pam Caviness, lady with brown hair & glasses?,
Jeffrey Llopis, Eddie Samuels (partially hidden), David Larsen (red tie)

Third Row: LeeAnn Ogle, lady in green?, Mark Spencer (blue plaid shirt), Paul Benson, Jeff Meyer

Fourth Row: Mike Teichman, lady with blonde hair and black jacket? (slightly behind),
Rick Joyce (brown tie), Don Elloway (brown shirt), Bob Bugeja (shaved head), Julie Wightman

Last Row: Dan Curry, Rhonda Lewis (slightly in front), Greg Barron, Jonathan Beitz,
Tom Nivison, Lavelle Rhodes

CLASS OF 1983

Front Row (Left to Right): David Bray, Izett Barnett, Mike Iorga, Eric Haskell

CLASS OF 1988

Front Row (Left to Right): Jeanette (Jarrett) Schales, Karen (Mattson) Travis, Carol (Putz) Zinke,
Nancy (Weister) Wright, Sheri (Ballard) Hansen, John Cho, Tamra (Slaton) Clemons, Erin Scheideman,
Mike Whitchurch, Norman Barnhart, Tammy (Jones) Priest, Mark Henkes, Tonya (Pullen) Henkes,
Eric Eslinger, Mark Cheneweth, Rhonda (Moors) Driver, Stan Caylor

Back Row: Jonathan Johnson, April (Steffes) Weister, Joel Borland, Tommy Chong,
Cary Allington, Trevor Clemons, Roger Graves, Jason White, Scott Hindley, Shawn Voigt,
Darren Smith, Lauren Johnson

CLASS OF 1993