Sandi (Rotar) Plett
Began her Hillcrest career in the all-girl class of 9Q in the Fall of '68, was forced into defection to Canterbury for the '69-'70 school year but managed to sneak back in to Hillcrest by signing up for Russian in the Fall of '70. After 13 years as a public servant, she returned to school, earning a B. Eng. and followed that with a stint in the high-tech industry. The downswing in that sector in the new millennium led her back to school to study Linguistics. She now volunteers in her spare (?) time and teaches English as a second language, in addition to being Co-chair of the Hillcrest High School 50th Anniversary Committee.

 

Jan Cook 

After 4 years at Hillcrest (1966-1970), 6 years at Algonquin – 4 honours diplomas, 3 spouses, 2 kids, 3 cities, 5 homes, 16 jobs, 4 cats and a grand dog – Jan is still looking for a permanent position, living in Ottawa and doing full time voluntary work as HHS 50th Co-Chair. Inspired by a high school drafting class, she worked for 8 years doing electro-mechanical drafting at Computing Devices Co. before a career as an at-home mom and community volunteer for 15 years. Her most recent graduation, as an Architectural Technologist, and working with the city and small arch. firms, lead her to recently becoming a part time professor at Algonquin, yet again back at school, working with T-squares and set-squares, teaching manual Architectural drafting. Having a chance to repeat high school again has been a crazy amount of work but even more fun !!!

 

Lynne (Mundy) Bowes 

Lynne attended Hillcrest from Sept. 1961 until June 1964. After Ottawa Teachers' College, she taught at Uplands Air Base for several years. Lynne completed her B.A. at Carleton, her E.C.E. at Algonquin and took Special Education courses at Ottawa University. She taught Nursery School in Metcalfe Ontario, worked with children with multiple disabilities at the John Butler School on Donald Street, and ended up at Algonquin College as Professor and Coordinator of the Developmental Services Worker Program. Lynne retired in 2004 but continued working for several more years for Algonquin, developing their Graduate Certificate Course in Autism and Behavioural Science.  

 

Ross Baylin
Graduated from the Class of 1969 and then went on to Carleton University.  Although Ross remained in Ottawa his whole live he worked around the world as a lecturer and a project manager/broker for World Bank and other International contracts. He did go to the other side and married a girl from Ridgemont High and he and Suzan have two children.  Ross is the Co-Chair of the Coffee House Committee and is in charge of the1969 Grad Class for Outreach activities and assistant in the Decades Room.

 

Graham Evan MacDonell 

Graham was one of the first year students in 1961-62 and was in Class 11B, which was all-boys until Messieurs Bradley and Benoit transferred ten lovely young ladies in from Mr. Byer's 11A class.  Graham has been the Anniversary/Reunion Committee's Historian and helpful communications advisor and has worked with Committee Secretary Lynne Mundy Bowes in producing a monthly newsletter since last June for grads from the 60s.  Twelve issues of wonderful stories on head boys and head girls, memory pieces by former grads from 1964 and 1965 and nostalgic looks back at Hillcrest, Elmvale Acres, Ottawa and the world in those first years can be found on the website. Graham has a life time of careers and countries that would leave your head spinning. He may be the only person found at the reunion wearing a kilt.

 

Spent five years at Hillcrest before graduating in 1967 then headed off to Algonquin for the two year Journalism program, while continuing to work part-time at CFRA radio.  After Algonquin graduation, he moved to full time at CFRA with most of his broadcast career in Ottawa. In the mid 70s he moved to St. John's, NL for a short stint at CJON radio. Dave returned to CFRA in 1976 and continued in promotion / marketing and program capacities to the mid 90s.  Today, while Dave is still active at CFRA on a part-time basis, he is also involved in marketing and communications for the short line rail industry.  

 

Went to Hillcrest High School from 1966 until 1968 and enjoyed Expo trips, volleyball and “Gotta Wake Up”. It was her parents’ fault that she graduated grade 12 at Merivale High School in 1970.  She acquired a BA (cum laude) from Carleton University, St. Pat’s College in 1974, and worked in human resources over 37 years including owning a consulting firm since 1980. Still in Ottawa and acting as Executive Director of IPMA-Canada but planning to retire in 2012!  Carol married Ross Dunford in 1992 (a wonderful second choice) and has 5 children and 2 grandchildren, who she adores.  Carol is our Fundraising Coordinator.

 

 

Gerry attended Hillcrest from 1967 to 1972. Following Hillcrest he went to work at the Rideau Regional Centre in Smiths Falls (for individuals with developmental disabilities), then Prince Edward Heights Complex in Picton and finally Oaklands Regional Centre in Oakville. He then took on a teaching position at Sault College and coordinated programs including DSW, CICE, and Social Sciences. After 25 years in the Sault he moved to Sarnia and finished his last 5 years teaching and Coordinating at Lambton College. Throughout his 37 year career Gerry continued his education and graduated with a DSW, CYW diplomas and BSc in Human Services and a Master’s in Adult Education. He is now retired and is very much into music, writing and recording songs, traveling, building things and enjoying life. Gerry is assisting with the 1970’s decade room and music.

 

Marsha (Moss) Hartman
After graduating from Grade 13 in 1967 she attended Ottawa Teacher's College.  While teaching a Grade One class at Featherston School, she went to Ottawa University night and summer school ~ UGH ~ what a heavy load! Marsha and husband moved to Vancouver where she continued to teach for the next ten years and took time off to have a daughter (Kristin) & son (Ryan).  They migrated back to the Ottawa area in 1982, bought a 25 acre farm and grew all their own food organically (while continuing to teach).  What a busy life that was!  They moved back into the city in 1993, and in 1990 started teaching at the new Robert Bateman School.  That was quite an experience starting at the ground roots ~
learned what goes on behind the scenes when building a new school. While continuing to teach, she worked with a publishing company producing a new Science program for the elementary school system in Ontario.  Retired in 2001 after many years in the education field.  RETIREMENT IS GREAT! Gives you lots of time to enjoy the grandchildren. Marsha is Co-chair of the 60's decade producing the 1962/63 board.  All the boards for the 60's can be seen in the caf.  She is also working  with Registration and you may see me as you enter the school ~ or maybe not.

 

Laurie graduated from Hillcrest in 1986.  Following high school, she completed a BA in law and psychology at Carleton University and a two-year public relations diploma from Algonquin College.  Laurie has worked in communications for government, high tech and associations.  She is married to her high school sweetheart, Paul Chatigny (class of 1985). They have been married for almost 20 years and have two children, Clare and Bennett.  Laurie is an active volunteer in her community and the chair of the 80s decade room as well as coordinating the class of 1986 25^th Anniversary.

 

Rebecca Hameluck
Attended Hillcrest from 1965 to 1970 and then went to Algonquin College. Rebecca became a Civilian Member with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and after 40 years of service dedicated to designing, developing and rolling out national and international training programs including computer networks, software, security, leadership and executive development, she retired in April, 2010.  Rebecca is on the 50th Anniversary committee and Co-chair of "The Common Grounds Café" sub-committee. 

 

Frank was vice-principal of Hillcrest from 1994 to 1997 and principal from 1997 to 2000. It was a wonderful experience and Frank considers being at Hillcrest one of the highlights of his career.

 

Bob Newell 

Bob taught Geography (and some History) at Hillcrest for 27 years from Sept. 1967 to June 1994. He was involved in Student's Council, field camps, leadership camps and coaching water polo, junior and senior boys and co-ed volleyball during the '80's.  Had great trips with Hillcrest students to Europe for 1 month in 1970, Hawaii in 1985 and several Grade 13 Geography field trips to the Niagara region of Ontario.

It was a great career in a really GREAT school in a wonderful neighbourhood and he has fondest memories of a dynamic student body. Bob retired in 1994 and has been enjoying many super years traveling and volunteering at the National Gallery of Canada.  He looks forward to seeing and chatting with many of you during the reunion.