Cougar Nation Reunion (2024)

23/11/2024

Hey Cougars🐾Here's another "Where Are They Now" update!

Stacie Bittner-Massett, Class of ’89

Since her time serving in the U.S. Navy, Stacie has built an incredible career in nursing, spanning several decades. Currently, she works as a Nurse Manager in Gettysburg, where she takes on the rewarding challenge of supporting families with special needs. Her passion lies in making healthcare more accessible and supportive, helping families navigate the often-complicated care process.

Beyond her nursing role, Stacie is deeply involved in her community. She is part of a nonprofit that creates opportunities and a safe, nurturing environment for individuals with special needs.

On the personal side, Stacie is happily married to her best friend, Matt. Together, they have four children and three grandchildren.

"Family is my foundation, and I find immense joy in spending time with them. I’m continually balancing my professional ambitions with the demands of family life."

Stacie's dedication to learning and growth hasn’t slowed down! She recently began pursuing her doctorate in nursing, adding to her impressive achievements of a master’s in nursing and a master’s in business administration.

Way to go, Stacie—we’re proud to call you one of our own! 🐾

17/11/2024

Hey Cougars🐾

It’s time to catch up with another member of the Class of '89—Rhonda Hahn Gingell

After graduating, Rhonda pursued her passion for helping others, becoming a certified nurse and spending six years at Homewood Retirement Center. From there, she continued her nursing journey, bringing care and comfort to residents in their homes.

In 2006, Rhonda met Kevin, the love of her life. Though Kevin sadly lost his battle with cancer, his memory continues to be a cherished part of her life.

Rhonda is also a proud mom to three amazing young men. Today, she works in Hagerstown, MD, and lives just across the border in Pennsylvania.

Catch up with Rhonda at the Cougar Nation Reunion Event! Have you registered yet?

09/11/2024

Calling all '87-'91 Cougar Alumni 🐾

We need your registrations!

We’re so excited about our upcoming event and can’t wait to see you there. We still need more registrations to make this event everything we’ve planned for it to be. Please register now to secure your spot and be part of something special.

Register Here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cougarnationreunion/1218571

02/11/2024

Hey Cougars 🐾

It’s time for another "Where Are They Now?" segment, this time featuring Dawn White-Lucier from the Class of '89!

Dawn joined the military in 1998, serving in the Army before being medically discharged after a serious accident. While serving in Korea, she met her husband, who was also in the Army.

Dawn and her husband have two wonderful daughters, ages 35 and 23, and a 7-year-old grandson who keeps them on their toes. After living in Clearwater, FL, they recently moved to Jonesborough, TN.

Today, Dawn works as a Veteran Service Officer, advocating to ensure veterans and their families get the benefits they deserve. She has been a dedicated Veteran Service Officer for many years, from Florida to Tennessee.

Family is everything to Dawn—whether it’s going out to dinner, enjoying a cozy evening at home, or spending time on the boat. She has one piece of advice she loves to share: Pictures are wonderful, but take videos too. They let you hear your loved ones' voices forever.

Dawn describes her life as simple, but she has a huge heart. Most recently, she’s been donating her time to help those affected by flooding in Tennessee after Hurricane Helene.

Let’s all give a big Cougar shoutout to Dawn for her service, compassion, and dedication!

Catch up with Dawn at the Cougar Nation Reunion Event. 🐾
Register here: https://buytickets.at/cougarnationreunion/1218571

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween, Cougars! 🎃👻

Hope your night is filled with treats, spooky fun, and some 80's nostalgia! 💀

25/10/2024

Hey Cougar Nation 🐾

The ultimate reunion is happening! Let's relive the glory days, catch up with old friends, and make new memories.

Don't miss out—register now and join us for an unforgettable time: Cougar Nation Reunion Registration: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cougarnationreunion/1218571

21/10/2024

Hey Cougars! 🐾

It’s time for another "Where Are They Now?" segment. This week, we’re catching up with Jim Miller, from the class of 1989.

After graduating, Jim pursued a degree in Public Relations at Towson State University. It was there that he met his future wife, Michele. They tied the knot in 1997 and are proud parents to two wonderful children who are on the brink of their own college adventures. They have settled in their rural home about 20 minutes north of Baltimore, in an area that feels "more like home."

Professionally, Jim has taken on the role of Chief Operating Officer at a rapidly growing property management company, a new venture he started in 2024. His career spans over two decades in the hotel industry, including opening multiple hotels in the Baltimore area and serving as the Corporate Director of Real Estate for MedStar Health.

Despite his busy schedule, Jim frequently visits Thurmont to spend time with his parents and remembers friendships and his Catoctin High years fondly.

Catch up with Jim at the Cougar Nation Reunion Event. 🐾

Register here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cougarnationreunion/1218571?fbclid=IwY2xjawGDuLFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRlkohCRmLSn4d1KKEIWNUjXUpBOnxa4_onAijt4Qswinc1nFgusFaZ-LA_aem_XW2mlhtGJkYcrphjQOOg8w

11/10/2024

Hello Cougars 🐾 Sneaking in a weekend "Where Are They Now?" segment! Today, we're catching up with Ken Simmers from the Class of '89!

After initially working on his family's farm, Ken transitioned to a new chapter when the family farming business closed. He spent the next 30 years dedicated to the glass industry, where he mastered the craft of installing and fabricating various types of glass, from commercial storefronts to custom shower enclosures. Ken has worked for Glass and Mirror Services and Emmitsburg Glass.

Today, Ken continues his expertise working remotely from Thurmont as an Estimator for Cook and Boardman in Charlotte, NC, specializing in doors, frames, and secure entry systems.

Ken shares his life with Gabrielle, his wife of 30 years. They cherish the memories of their son who passed away in 1996, grateful for the year they had with him, despite the challenges. Ken and Gabrielle have two surviving children. When he's not working, Ken loves to hunt, fish, and enjoy quality time with his family.

REGISTER NOW to catch up with Ken at the Cougar Nation Reunion Event!
Get your tickets here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cougarnationreunion/1218571?fbclid=IwY2xjawGDuLFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRlkohCRmLSn4d1KKEIWNUjXUpBOnxa4_onAijt4Qswinc1nFgusFaZ-LA_aem_XW2mlhtGJkYcrphjQOOg8w

08/10/2024

🐾 Catoctin High Cougars Alumni Spotlight 🐾

Hey Cougars! It's time for another "Where Are They Now?" segment. This week, we're catching up with Bobby Follin from the Class of '89!

After graduation, Bobby made his home in the Thurmont area, dedicating his early years to serving the community as an EMT and later as a Paramedic in Frederick County.

His passion for helping others took him to Washington County, closer to his role at Community Rescue Service in Hagerstown, where he continued his life-saving work.

It was in Hagerstown that Bobby met his future wife, Mary. The couple spent several years in Washington County before returning to Thurmont to plant their roots, seeking to be closer to family and for better schools.

They are now proud parents of a Catoctin High Sophomore, who is actively involved in the JR ROTC and the CHS Wrestling team.

Just this month, Bobby and Mary celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary on October 5, 2024.

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
We hope to see Bobby at the Cougar Nation Reunion Event!

Get your tickets here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cougarnationreunion/1218571

04/10/2024

🐾Attention Cougars:

As part of the Cougar Nation Event, we will be holding a special "In Memoriam" segment to honor and remember the classmates we've lost. We want to ensure that we respectfully acknowledge all of our departed friends, and we need your assistance to make this tribute as complete as possible.

🙏 Please share the names of fellow Cougars from the graduating classes of '87-'91 who have passed away, so we can include them in our segment. Please also share any photos or videos you have.

Email us at [email protected]

13/09/2024

🐾 Calling All Cougars: Register for the Multi-Year Reunion Event!

Planning is underway for our first Cougar Nation Multi-Year Reunion on August 9th, 2025, and we need your help. Registering early isn’t just ticking a box—it’s a huge support to our planning efforts, ensuring we can create an epic event.

🔗 Register Here Today! https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cougarnationreunion/1218571

06/09/2024

Hey Cougars! 🐾

We’re collecting photos to create a nostalgic showcase that we’ll share during the event. Don’t miss out on the chance to relive those glory days!

Click the link below and head to 'Photo Album' to share your best high school memories with us!

Don't forget you can also submit your song requests! 🎶 We want to make sure the playlist is packed with the tracks that bring back the best memories, and we need your help to make it happen!

Let’s make this playlist epic together!

https://app.limedj.com/cougarnationreunion/index.php?show=X3HGYE&fbclid=IwY2xjawFIc01leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbmE8dYkCt7niVLastm9wZq-gmAs_c6YGtEt78VobTK4xLp6Y_sctQyhFw_aem_ViwZWUgmTzmiFqpzDbi0iA

31/08/2024

Hey Cougars! 🐾 The vibe of our event night is going to be all about the totally rad music from our favorite decade—the 80s! 🎶 We want your input to make sure the setlist is packed with the music that defined our era.

We’ve teamed up with the LimeDJ app to make it super easy for you to request your must-have tracks. Just click the link below or scan the QR code to submit your song requests and upvote the requests from your fellow alumni. Let’s create the ultimate playlist together!

https://app.limedj.com/cougarnationreunion/index.php?show=X3HGYE

30/08/2024

Hey Cougars 🐾

It’s time for another “Where Are They Now?” spotlight! This edition features a member of the Class of ’87—Jeff Englar!

Jeff currently resides in Washington, DC and Piney Point, MD with his spouse of 26 years, Joe McCall, and their 5-year old English Pointer, Vivienne.

After graduating, Jeff attended Penn State University and majored in Hospitality Management. Somehow he got a job at a bank and has been in financial services ever since. He’s currently a Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo, managing operational and compliance risk for their Consumer Bank. Jeff’s begun dreaming about leaving the rat race and pursuing retirement! In his spare time, he loves traveling the world, having visited almost all 50 states and more than 40 countries! He told us he’s looking forward to his upcoming trips to Scotland, the Faroe Islands and Nepal.

Jeff feels that a multi-year reunion is a great idea because it brings together old friends from across the lines of graduating year. "We all socialized, studied and worked with folks across the grades and classes and it will be great to catch up with everyone." He really appreciates the hard work of everyone who are pulling together this great event.

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

Catch up with Jeff next August! Get your tickets here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cougarnationreunion/1218571

26/08/2024

Hey Cougars 🐾

Catch up with Mike Hahn, Class of '87! After retiring from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office in 2019, Mike has been enjoying life! He married his wife, Christine, in 2018, and now works as a Paraeducator at Waynesboro Middle School. In addition to his educational role, Mike is also the Head Coach of the Waynesboro JV Softball Team. Catch up with Mike at the Cougar Nation Reunion Event!

17/08/2024

Hey Cougars 🐾

Let's catch up with another fellow Cougar - Holly DiGilarmo, Class of ’90. Holly was the Senior Class President and a Cheerleader during her Junior and Senior years at CHS.

Just one day after graduation, Holly moved to Bonita Springs, Florida, where she still resides today. She has two sons, Jakob (30) and Evan (24), whom she considers her greatest accomplishments. After moving to Florida in 1990, she earned her AA degree at FSW in Ft. Myers and later became a Surgical Technician, graduating from Lee County High Tech Center North in Cape Coral. Holly spent over 20 years working for an Oral Surgeon in Naples, Florida until the doctor retired. It was a great career that provided for her and her children and she bought her own home in Bonita Springs in 2011.

During this time, Holly also faced significant health battles. She beat Malignant Melanoma in 2011 and Stage 2 Breast Cancer in 2018, enduring chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries. She’s proud to be a survivor and an advocate for her community in both causes.

Holly has also survived four major hurricanes. Hurricane Irma in 2017 caused a total loss of her home due to flooding, and she rebuilt while battling breast cancer. Now, she vows to live life to the fullest and is known as "HollyStronger" in Southwest Florida.

Today, Holly works for RIG Entertainment, providing DJ services, photo booths, wedding planning/consulting, and game shows. She’s embraced her new role as "DJ-larmo" and has been in the entertainment industry for three years. As she looks toward the future, she’s considering moving back North to retire, saying, “Florida is for the birds… Snowbirds that is! Haha!” Maybe one day, she’ll join the snowbirds and only spend winters in Florida, having had her fill of the heat, humidity, and hurricanes.

Holly can’t wait to reconnect with everyone at the Cougar Nation Reunion. She also extends her gratitude to the committee for keeping the reunion tradition alive and bringing classmates together.

“I love you all and can't wait to see everyone!"

~HOLLYSTRONGER

10/08/2024

🐾 Hey Cougars,

It's official—we're just one year away from the first Catoctin High Multi-Year Reunion Event! We're already in talks with vendors to create an experience - that trust us - you won't want to miss.

Register now at the link below, and tag your alumni pals in the comments who NEED to be there! 🐾

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cougarnationreunion/1218571

02/08/2024

🐾Cougars! We launched a platform to gather your photos to create a nostalgic showcase we will share the evening of the event.

📸 Share your best moments and memories with us!

Upload your photos here: https://forms.gle/2psm2gTf6P335vt4A

Cougar Nation Reunion