1999 Happy New Year, '99s! Finally, 2012 is here, bringing the madness of an election cycle and, according to some, the end of time itself (let's hope not!). I hope you all made the most of the holiday season with family and friends and that your year is off to a great start. I'm pleased to write that we have lots of news to report.
Heather Harnett Ross writes that she and husband Chris welcomed Max, their fourth child,into the world on May 2, 2011. She adds that, "big sister Bella, 7, was hoping for a little sister but big brothers Ben, 5, and Sam, 2, were thrilled to have another brother." She also notes that Chris is working as an insurance broker at Guy Carpenter and is enjoying his job. Heather also adds that she came across the pond to visit Cassie Miller Birtwistle, who is managing a 100-year-old independent cinema in London. While there she saw Caroline Kaufmann, who was en route to a wedding in South Africa--one of many international weddings Caroline has been able to attend. Finally, in August, Catherine Maxson Pieroni visited the Ross family with her two boys,Joshua, 4, and Andrew, almost 1.
Rich Parent also has exciting news to report, writing that he is engaged to Kelly Wilcox, a nurse at Stanford Children's Hospital. He completed his general surgery residency at Stanford Hospital and is interviewing for a fellowship in laparoscopic surgery. Congratulations, Rich!
The start of the New Year also gives us an opportunity to recognise those '99s who have demonstrated a passion for improving the world around them. The Class of '99 Spirit of Service Award was set up to give these classmates recognition they deserve and inspire others to use their skills and passions to leave their mark. The current economic crisis and the dwindling middle class make their contributions--and those of others--all the more important. If you know anyone whose work deserves to be recognised, please e-mail Danni Downing with a short biography of the classmates, the work they do and the impact their work has had on their community.
Finally, you might want to mark your diaries for the class of '99's "99th Day of the Year" celebrations on April 8. These mini-reunions are a great chance to catch up with long-lost classmates and are scheduled to take place in Boston, New York, San Francisco, the Bay Area, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington (D.C.), Los Angeles and Seattle. If you would like to help put these events together, or if you want to organise one in your city, please e-mail Jeff Fine, class president.
More information about the Spirit of Service Award and the 99th Day of the Year celebration can be found on the class website.
That's all the news for now. I wish you all the best this year and look forward to sharing more updates with you soon!
Tony Perry
tony.perry.99@alum.dartmouth.org