Where are they now?

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

...from Doug Coleman (WG Class of 1973): Colonel JAMES P. COLEMAN III MD, United States Army, Class of 1988 WG High School; HS Class Valedictorian and Senior Class President, Varsity Football Team Captain and All IAC Honoree, Swim Team Captain - IAC & Section IV Champions and Member of the Tennis Team; Pre-Med graduate of Harvard University & Syracuse Medical School; at Harvard JAMIE was a Member of the Frosh Crew Team; currently employed by Schuyler Hospital Primary Care and School Physician for both Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen Central School Districts; also County Coroner; as a Colonel in the United States Army Medical Corps, Dr. Coleman has completed multiple tours of duty to include Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan - he was awarded the Bronze Star for Gallantry in the Afghanistan Campaign; Dr. Coleman is the grandson of Major James P. and Catherine Coleman (US Army), son of Attorney James P. and Ellen Coleman (also a US Army Veteran). Dr. Coleman truly loves Schuyler County and the many recreational activities it affords.

CHRISTINE M (RICHTMYER) REKCZIS, WG Class of 1992: (Christine fondly reminded me she was a proud Member of the Class of 1992, the only Class to have spent eight years with me as Principal - four at the Middle School followed by four at the High School); following graduation Christine received an A.S. Degree in Business Administration from Corning Community College and then became engaged to KEITH REKCZIS - Class of 1991 - they married in the Spring of 1996 and moved to Cortland, NY where Keith began his career as a scientist with Pall Corporation; in 1997 they were blessed with a son, KEITH, JR., who is currently a Junior at WGHS. In 1999 Christine, Keith and Keith, Jr., moved back to Reading Center to be closer to both of their families. Christine began volunteering in the WG Elementary School after Keith, Jr., started school, and soon realized she really wanted to become a teacher. With the support of her family she took classes at Keuka College and received dual certification in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She continued on and received her Masters' Degree in Education with a Concentration in Teacher Leadership. Christine currently is an Autism Specialist for Able2 in Elmira and has been a Special Education Teacher for six years now. Keith received his degree from Keuka College in Management and is currently a Senior Program Manager at Pall Corporation. The family currently resides in Hector, NY along with their two dogs!

JUD SPENA, WG Class of 1972: Jud is proud of his family roots -- dating back to circa 1900 when his great grandparents THE PARADISOS settled on 3rd Street in the Village of Watkins Glen; Jud's grandparents - THE SPENAS - lived on 2nd Street and his other grandparents - THE BARILES - lived on 9th Street. Jud grew up on 5th St. All of his aunts, uncles and cousins (except for one) lived between 2nd and 9th Sts. ("talk about small town and family ties!") In about 1964 while in Gr. 5 Jud got involved in his career path by joining the Squires Drum & Bugle Corps (playing cornet) and credits former Music Teachers ED LINDSAY, CAROL RANDOLPH LINDSAY, MILDRED DENSON, ERNIE TOLMAN and RAY BAILEY for his love of music along with the valuable support & contributions by CHUCK CALHOUN, CARL ISLEY and VERN ALLING for his Squires experiences and inspiration. Jud began college at Brockport State and graduated from Mansfield State (Pennsylvania) with a degree in Music Education in 1976. A Masters of Music Degree from Ithaca College soon followed. To cap that off he earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration at SUNY Cortland. Band Director at five different schools beginning in 1977, Jud settled at the Chenango Valley School District in Binghamton, NY in 1986 and remained there until retirement in 2010 as Department Chair. Teaching, performing, and serving on Boards of the Broome County Music Educators Association, the Binghamton Youth Symphony and the American Federation of Musicians have been Jud's life work and love! With his Squires background he has judged marching bands in the New York Field Band Conference including Championship Contests at Syracuse's Carrier Dome twelve times. Since retirement Jud has remained quite active playing trumpet on the professional level in Utica, Colgate University, Catskill, Elmira, Corning, Hamilton College and with the Binghamton Philharmonic. Married for twenty-five years to his wife Rebecca (who is a cellist and music teacher in Vestal and a member of the Binghamton Philharmonic) they have three children, ALL active in music. Each of their children made it to the All State Level in Band & Orchestra twice! The oldest is a Senior at Ithaca College (majoring in violin performance), the middle child is a Sophomore at SUNY Fredonia (majoring in Early Childhood Education) and the youngest is a soon-to-be Freshman at SUNY Geneseo (to major in Secondary Education). Jud's final comments to me were, "I can't imagine a better place to grow up than Watkins Glen. I really miss the close-knit community and family life, and I get back there whenever I can."

*** See you again in April, hopefully with more graduates and maybe some retired faculty/staff to report on!

(Remember this column depends upon your input. Graduates and retired faculty/staff are urged to send your information to: brianodonnell74@yahoo.com for inclusion in future columns. I'm looking for year of graduation or years of employment plus comments on employment now, membership in organizations, volunteer work, awards/honors, family (spouse/children), and additional information you'd like to share with our readers.)

Photo in text: Brian J. O'Donnell

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This is the third in a series of columns.
For a look at the first "Where are they now?" column, click here.
For a look at the second "Where are they now?" column, click here.