We're excited to announce the launch of the 2025 Reunion Giving Challenge! This friendly competition invites classes holding reunions in 2025 to show their school spirit by raising funds to support their alma mater.

How It Works:
Reunion classes can rally together to raise money for one of their high school’s designated funds held at the Madison Public Schools Foundation. These funds directly benefit today's students, staff, and programs.

Ways to Participate:

• Bake It In: Include a donation as part of your reunion registration fee.
• Pass the Hat: Organize a fundraising moment during your event.
• Challenge Classmates: Encourage participation before, during, and after your reunion.

• Make a tangible impact on the future of your high school.
• Earn bragging rights! The reunion class that raises the most funds will be crowned the 2025 Class Challenge Champion.
• Winners will be celebrated in our newsletter, on our social media, and featured on our website.

From Old Friends to New Memories: Highlights from This Year's Reunions

West High Class of 2004 celebrates their 20-year class reunion at Butterbird restaurant.

This summer and fall, the Madison Public Schools Friends & Alumni Network had the privilege of supporting a series of wonderful reunions that brought former classmates together in celebration of their shared history and achievements. Reunions are more than just gatherings; they represent the enduring connections forged during our K-12 education and the bonds that tie us back to Madison and our schools. Each year, alumni from various graduating classes come together to reminisce, reconnect, and celebrate the unique experiences that have shaped their lives.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of these reunions is the opportunity to come "home"—whether to the city that nurtured our growth or to the schools that played a pivotal role in our education. It’s a chance to revisit old haunts, rekindle old friendships, and take pride in the lasting impact Madison has had on our lives. It’s also a time to see who traveled the farthest to be there, adding a fun competitive edge to the festivities.

As Ali Zuba, one of the reunion organizers for the West High Class of 2004, who celebrated their 20th reunion this summer, shared, “I love connecting and bringing people together for a purpose! I think amazing things happen when we come together, and we definitely felt that connection at our reunion. It was like walking back in time, and being proud of how far we've all come in 20 years!”

Similarly, Rosa Thompson, who recently attended her East High Class of 2004 reunion at the Brass Ring, reflected on how much she enjoyed the gathering.“It was great to see people in person, off of social media. We had nearly 100 classmates out of our 500, many of whom traveled from out of town. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did—reliving old memories and hearing stories I had forgotten. I’m really glad I went!”

Rosa Thompson (center right) with Ellie Feitlinger (center left) and two other classmates at the East High Class of 2004 20th Reunion.

Touring the Future: School Renovations and Updates

Many of the reunions included special tours of the schools, showcasing the impressive renovations and updates made possible by the 2020 referenda. The Madison Public Schools Foundation led the "Vote Yes" campaign for these referenda, which aimed to enhance the educational environment for current and future students. It was exciting for alumni to walk through the newly renovated hallways and see firsthand how these updates are fostering a better learning experience. These tours provided a nostalgic yet forward-looking view of how our schools continue to evolve and support education.

MMSD Superintendent, Joe Gothard (center), poses with fellow La Follette alumni at a recent Open House to celebrate the school's renovations.

Giving Back: Alumni Support for Their Alma Maters

In addition to reconnecting and reminiscing, many classes took the opportunity to give back to their schools. Several reunions raised funds to support their alma maters, contributing to initiatives that ensure future generations of students receive the same world-class education that they did. This spirit of giving back reflects the deep appreciation alumni have for their schools and their commitment to sustaining the legacy of excellence.

West High Class of 1974, one of many classes to make a gift to their alma mater, poses together at their 50th reunion.

Proud to Play a Role: Our Commitment to Supporting Reunions

We are proud to have supported this year's reunions by utilizing our alumni network database and managing communications. Our goal was to help make each event successful and ensure that alumni could reconnect and celebrate their shared experiences. The positive feedback from reunion organizers and attendees highlights the impact of our efforts and reinforces our commitment to supporting these important gatherings. We’re glad to have contributed to the success of these reunions and look forward to continuing our support in the future.

Looking Ahead: Planning Future Reunions

As we look to the future, we encourage alumni to take note of upcoming marquee reunions in 2025. It’s never too early to start planning, and remember, the Madison Public Schools Friends & Alumni Network is here to support you. Whether it’s coordinating communications or leveraging our database, we’re committed to helping make your reunion a memorable event.

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported these wonderful gatherings. Here’s to many more years of reconnecting and celebrating our shared history!

Dr. Ramon Ortiz Jr.’s Journey of Achievement

Dr. Ramon Ortiz’s journey from Madison East High (Class of ’91) to his current esteemed position as dean of continuing education at Madison Area Technical College is a testament to the transformative power of education.

Making a Direct Impact on Other Families Who Need It Most

Madison West High School class of 1997 alumna Shana Dall’Osto is the executive director of Roots & Wings, a family foundation created in late 2019 with a special interest in funding nonprofits across four key categories: family safety, health, early learning, and basic needs. For Dall’Osto, it’s her dream job. Not only is the family behind Roots & Wings her very own – her mom is Judy Faulkner, founder of the Verona-based, multibillion-dollar health tech software company Epic Systems – but Dall’Osto also has an extensive background in nonprofits, and a passion for service work focused on early childhood.

The Art of the Pivot: From IBM Exec to Investment Advisor

West High class of 1974 alumnus Paul Hendricks is the managing director for a small, completely independent registered investment advisory business. Based in Charlottesville, VA, his firm uses state-of-the-art information processing technology to provide portfolio management services at a surprisingly modest cost to high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) and small institutions. Simply put, and in his own words, he’s “just a humble guy helping a few of [his] friends amass more money.”

Written by Lisa Gaumnitz

David Aguayo learned to value education from his mother, a daughter of migrant workers, who earned her teaching degree while raising a family. 

He learned hard work and dependability from his father, an Ecuadorian immigrant.

And from Susie Hobart, his fourth and fifth-grade teacher at Lake View Elementary on Madison’s North Side, he learned he could do great things.    

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