Twenty-five years ago today, the Class of 2001 began its final holiday break as students of the Norwich Free Academy. Among them was the affable Andrea Pedersen, a student who brought holiday cheer to all corners of the campus no matter the time of year. We were lucky to be classmates with Andrea, too; just to attend the best high school in the state, she traversed presumably hundreds of miles of rough terrain to and from Sterling, CT.
But the travel didn’t stop with a diploma. In this episode, we learn that after graduation Andrea became quite the globe-trotter and even lived in South Korea for two years! She now joins Red & White @ Silver in a Zoom call from the American west coast to catch us up on the last 25 years of her life. She then recalls NFA memories, including sharing an art class with the subject of our previous episode, Andrew Burnett, though she does have a caveat about his award-winning pottery. Ian, Jim, and Zack dig deep into the controversy, in the process either creating a rivalry or a potential romantic match. We also get to hear from Andrea’s two birds, Icy and Hideaway, for the first 10 minutes of the episode, much to the guys’ delight.
Her name is Andrea Pedersen, now Andrea Low, and she’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
It may come as a surprise to loyal “Red & White @ Silver” listeners, but we were not always the well-oiled machine you’ve come to know, love, and cherish. We made the decision to publish our episodes out of order, and so far you’ve heard only our organized and refined episodes. (Admittedly, we may be stretching those adjectives’ definitions.) What you’re about to hear, however, is our very first recorded episode – Production Code 001, if you will. Please bear with the malformed episode as Ian, Jim, and Zack find their way.
Luckily, our guinea pig was among RWS’s most thoughtful and articulate guests, Andrew Burnett. Three years ago(!), he sat down to talk about his high school memories, his personal demons after high school, and then his rally to becoming the world’s greatest uncle and the proud owner of Drew’s Honeybees (www.drewshoneybees.com). With a bee expert at the table, Ian couldn’t help but generate some trivia questions on the birds and the bees – family appropriate, of course. Finally, if you’ve ever wondered what that world’s worst Winnie the Pooh impression sounds like, Zack is very happy to satiate your curiosity.
His name is Andrew Burnett, and he’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
On December 9, 2000, the Supreme Court told Florida to stop its recount of the Gore v. Bush election, but nothing could stop Yajaira Baez from continuing her senior year at the Norwich Free Academy. Nor could anything stop her after graduation!
In this episode, the guys learn about Yajaira’s fascinating life bouncing between casinos dealing Black Jack, ultimately landing in Philadelphia and rising to… wait for it… pit boss! After coolly mastering the casino world, Yajaira then made a career switch to Merck Pharmaceuticals, quickly earning promotions in yet another Wildcat success story. It’s an inspiring episode. The RWS team asks for the listener’s understanding with our second Zoom episode’s periodic audio issues, most notably hearing Ian’s every unmuted breath as if you lived in his mouth. It’ll be worth it just to hear Yajaira wow you with her knowledge of 90s hip hop trivia.
Her name is Yajaira Baez, and she’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
In a first and last for Red and White @ Silver, Ian, Jim, and Zack welcome an elected representative, four-term State Representative Brian Lanoue! Many of our classmates can attest that Brian has been a political junkie dating back to high school. In fact, in mid-November during our senior year, Brian Lanoue and fellow politico Ian sat in Ms. Binder’s Intro to Politics class, still waiting for the decision on who the next President of the United States would be. Twenty-five years later, these two students recount watching that strange election night with their class in the NFA Library. Jim and Zack also pull a fair amount of interesting stories from the agreeable Representative, including how he set a weightlifting world record. Finally, much to no one’s delight but his own, Ian devised the most diabolical trivia yet, forcing Brian to combine knowledge of weightlifting and presidential politics for each question; Brian’s performance should make proud the entire Connecticut legislature.
His name is Representative Brian Lanoue, and he’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
On November 25, 2000, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” kicked off the holiday season atop the box office; the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments in the Bush v. Gore case in the STILL GOING election dispute; and Scott Sinay just kept swimming through his senior year at the Norwich Free Academy. And what a swimmer he was!
But he was much more than a four-year swimmer for NFA. In this episode, we learn that his interests stretch miles. We also learn how a major car accident shortly after graduation redirected his focus and passions. He now finds himself in Pennsylvania, a practitioner of yoga, and a frequenter of pub trivia. But how does he do in Ian’s trivia about pubs? You’re about to find out in Red and White @ Silver’s first Zoom episode. His name is Scott Sinay, and he’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
In mid-November 25 years ago, we still didn’t know who the next President was going to be, but we DID know Ali Wininger continued to brighten up the NFA Campus during her senior year. In this episode, we learn where she took her sunshine after graduation.
Listen to find out how this Wildcat graduated early from college, her experiences as a counselor, and her important messages about mental health. The panel also breaks down the universal parenting paradox: that we always feel too busy and yet know someday we will miss it. The listener may also be interested in Ali’s side hustle, whelping Great Danes and French Bulldogs (www.highrhodekennels.com), which prompted Ian’s attempt at Great Danes trivia. Her name is Ali Wininger, now Ali Corey, and she’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
Welcome to Red and White @ Silver’s “very special episode.” This week’s guest is co-host Jim Wheeler’s twin brother: Dave Wheeler! And ladies, wait until you get to know Connecticut’s most eligible bachelor. He’s a fit volleyball player, a fireman, a public servant, a savior of tree-topping cats, and if you show him a leaf he can tell you a story about it. His appearance on the podcast made Jim proud, and it made Zack and Ian swoon. Tune in to find out where life took him after NFA, what he remembers about his experiences at our alma mater, and how he does in tree trivia. His name is Dave Wheeler, and he’s not only Jim’s brother, he’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
In the first week of November 2000, Americans went to the polls to decide between Bush and Gore, and we’re still not sure what they said; astronomers discovered four new moons around Saturn, which was much more preferable than discovering four new Saturns around the Moon; and Jim Wheeler began the second quarter of his final year at the Norwich Free Academy. And now, after much demand from our guests and listeners, you finally get to hear what one of Red and White at Silver’s co-hosts have been up to!
Tune in to find out how exactly Jim created “Norwich’s first drive-in movie theater.” Listen as Jim recounts a woman spamming a panic button at the mere sight of him. And what apology does Jim make to the entire NFA Class of 2001? All of that and more as we finally interview one of the RWS trio. His name is Jim Wheeler, and he’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
As the month of October wound down in the year 2000, the Yankees finished off the Mets in the World Series; the International Space Station received its first residential crew; Christina Aguilera invited us to “Come On Over, Baby”; and Kelsey Iovino wrapped up the first quarter of her senior year at the Norwich Free Academy.
Seemingly ingrained in every aspect of NFA culture, it was perhaps inevitable that Kelsey would one day return to the school for her career. When did she return? What job does she hold there? Are the rumors true: did she REALLY get married on campus? She sat down with Ian, Jim, and Zack to answer these questions and more. Considering her deep ties to the school, Kelsey also endured being subjected to NFA trivia. Her name is Kelsey Iovino, now Kelsey Klaeson, and she’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
As early October evolved into late October back in the year 2000, Al Gore and George W. Bush engaged in a series of presidential debates, much to the benefit of Saturday Night Live’s Darrell Hammond and Will Ferrell; the Yankees and Mets engaged in their “Subway” World Series, complete with Roger Clemens throwing a broken bat at Mike Piazza for reasons beyond understanding; and Andrea Chappelle continued her all star career as a Norwich Free Academy Wildcat.
Listen to find out what her parents did to ensure she attended the best high school in Connecticut. And do you remember in what track and field event she broke the state record? Finally, learn what job she took at NFA years after graduation and everything else she’s been up to, including personifying yet another NFA success story, now running Niantic’s successful Lux Pilates Studio. (luxepilatesct.com) Her name is Andrea Chappelle-Pinnock, and she’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
Twenty-five years ago, the movie “Meet the Parents” owned the top spot at the box office thanks to a performance of the up-and-coming actor Robert DeNiro; NASA launched the 100th mission of the space shuttle program, one of many awesome things we don’t do anymore; and Andy Koniecko continued being one of the coolest seniors at the Norwich Free Academy.
Do our fellow Wildcats remember what Senior Superlative he won? How about what Shakespearean play he re-wrote for Mr. Sullivan’s class? Or what fellow NFA grad he married? And guess how many post-graduation hours it took until Andy ended up in a police cruiser? (Hint: it was less than 24.) Tune in to hear Ian, Jim, and Zack get answers to these questions and so much more. His name is Andy Koniecko, and he’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
In the first week of October 25 years ago, the Sydney Olympics closed, marking the last time Americans thought about Australia; a revolution finally overthrew Yugoslavia’s Slobodan Milošević after years of him being just the worst; and Laurie Pasteryak kicked off the second month of her senior year at the Norwich Free Academy.
In this episode, we learn how a lifetime of saying “Yes” to every adventure and job offer led to Laurie’s diverse experiences, including traveling to the remotest destination of any of our guests. We also hear how Laurie became enamored by local history, which included involvement with NFA’s hallowed Slater Museum. Listen to find out what our museum expert thinks is “the best museum in the country,” how she does in Indiana Jones trivia, and which NFA coach once yelled at his players, “Pain is weakness leaving the body!” And if you listen very carefully, you can hear Ian wince when Laurie launches a full assault against Dead White Guy History. Her name is Laurie Pasteryak, and she’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
As September 2000 came to a close, the 3 Doors Down hit “Kryptonite” bumped out Destiny Child’s “Jumpin’ Jumpin’” from the top of the American Top 40, effectively ending Beyoncé’s career; a plucky but doomed search engine called Google celebrated its second birthday; and Nikki Pensis wrapped up the first month of her final year at the Norwich Free Academy. In this episode, the guys learn which fellow NFA grad Nikki ended up marrying, what advice she has for high school graduates who aren’t sure about what to do next, and what sandwich she co-invented in the NFA Cafeteria. We also hear Zack technically sing a song by Des’ree, Ian struggle to pronounce “brewery” more than a few times, and Jim watch all of this in horror. All that and more on this excellent episode of Red & White @ Silver. Her name is Nicole Pensis, now Nicole Reynolds, and she’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
Twenty-five years ago this week, the cheerleading movie “Bring It On” climbed into the box office top spot before impossibly spawning six sequels; Team USA’s Vince Carter dunked over a 7’ 2” Frenchman at the 2000 Olympics in a soaring achievement the withering French press dubbed “Le Dunk de la Mort”; and the gregarious Josh Saari bounced around the Norwich Free Academy early in his senior year. In this episode, Ian, Jim, and Zack learn that somewhere else on campus was Josh’s future wife… so who was it? We also hear about Josh’s career in the food industry, including what it was like to feed students on a college campus during the height of the Covid pandemic. Hint: it wasn’t fun. Ian also subjects Josh to heartbreaking trivia about his beloved but snakebitten Boston Red Sox and Buffalo Bills. His name is Josh Saari, and he’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
In mid-September, 25 years ago, the Sydney Olympics heated up; Madonna returned to the top of the charts with her vaguely titled album “Music”; and Kimberly Lee… was NOT at NFA yet! Tune in to find out what school she DID attend for her freshman year, and why for her sophomore year she transferred to the best school in the state. Full disclosure: for an all-too-brief few months, Kim and Ian were 8th grade boyfriend-girlfriend, a relationship Jim and Zack gleefully (and relentlessly) bring up throughout the episode. Fortunately for Kim, she moved on to greener pastures, including a husband, twin stepsons, and her daughter, Sophie. You may bump into her as the manager of a local Stop & Shop, yet another example of the Norwich Free Academy setting up a graduate for success. Her name is Kimberly Lee, now Kimberly Lee Medberry, and she’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
In September’s second week 25 years ago, Venus Williams won her first US Open, forever retaining bragging rights over her little sister; the musical “Cats” lapped up its last milk saucer; and Craig Demars continued his senior year at the Norwich Free Academy.
The following June, diploma in hand, he left the school’s beautiful campus and ventured out into what became a beautiful life, one in which he got married, had kids, and joined the noblest of professions.
In this episode, Craig joins Ian, Jim, and Zack to fill in the details of where life took him. He also fondly recalls his NFA experience, including telling us which teacher, when Craig was home sick from school, went above and beyond to deliver assignments to his house. Our guest also made sure to keep alive the memory of the genial Jamie Shaughnessy.
His name is Craig Demars, and he’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
Twenty-five years ago, in the first week of September back in the year 2000, the Nokia 3310 mobile phone was released (and no phone has since bested it); Texas Governor George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore found themselves in a tight race for the presidency two months before Election Day swiftly resolved it; and most importantly a young woman named Emily Gauvin began her senior year at the Norwich Free Academy. Just over nine months later she earned her diploma, exited campus, and entered what adults insisted was “the real world.” But what happened to Emily after that? Where did she go to school? Who did she marry? She has HOW MANY kids?! And wait until you hear about her selfless endeavors. Like so many of our fellow graduates, Emily turned into an impressive person, one whose memory is still sharp enough to reminisce about her high school experience as we approach our silver anniversary. Her name is Emily Gauvin, now Emily Gauvin Shrader, and she’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.
'Til the seas become abated...sing it with us! Join us each week as Ian Cheney, Zack Lamothe, and Jim Wheeler catch up with fellow members of the Class of 2001 during their 25th Reunion year.