BIO - Carissa Hauck Havens

Carissa (Hauck) Havens moved to Missouri in the fall of 1999 to pursue a degree in broadcast journalism from the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia. At Mizzou she joined Kappa Alpha Theta, where she is still active as an advisor and coordinated the Centennial Celebration for the Alpha Mu Chapter this spring. Carissa was also active in her church and on spring break home building trips to Jamaica. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Journalism in Broadcast and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (Classical Studies, Religious Studies & Linguistics) in 2003.

In June 2003, she moved back to Yakima and was a TV news reporter for KNDO TV where she covered “exciting” stories such as the first possible case of Mad Cow Disease in the country and the first believed case of West Nile Virus in Washington state. She worked for KNDO until March 2004 when she married Nicholas Havens, from Rolla, Missouri. Nicholas was in medical school at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and the day after the wedding, they were back in Columbia, Mo.

For the past five years Carissa has worked around Mid-Missouri, most recently as an event planner for Inside Columbia magazine, a city magazine for Columbia, Mo and currently as the assistant to the Director of Development and Public Relations for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri, where Carissa had volunteered for the last few years. Carissa is also active in her church where she leads a 20-something Bible study group weekly in her home, and coordinates their volunteer team for the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

The Havens’ will be in Columbia, Mo for three more years as Nick finishes up his residency in Internal Medicine & Pediatrics and then does a fellowship in adult Infectious Disease at the University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics System. Nick & Carissa don’t have any children…yet…but Carissa keeps herself busy with projects, teaching cake decorating, and a small business called Princess Charming gifts which she started in 2008 (PrincessCharmingGifts.blogspot.com).

BIO - Dawn K. (Myers) Evert

After graduating from West Valley, Dawn completed her Associate of Science degree at YVCC, then, in 2002, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Central Washington University. One year into her Master’s program at CWU, she was accepted in veterinary school at Washington State University. While working on her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, she completed her Master’s thesis and earned her M.S. in Biology from CWU in 2005.
In June 2004, Dawn married her high school sweetheart, Andrew Evert. Andrew supported her through 4 long years of veterinary school (3 of which he spent in Pullman with her – a great sacrifice). While in Pullman, Andrew worked in an organic chemistry lab and found his true passion. During veterinary school Dawn worked in a laboratory and helped develop a new test for Ovine Progressive Pneumonia Virus (a sheep disease). Dawn and Andrew also both began studying martial arts in high school/college. Dawn currently holds a second degree black belt in Shudokan karate-do, and Andrew holds a third degree black belt. Together they started a karate school in Pullman, and several of their students have gone on to earn black belts.
Finally, in May 2007, Dawn graduated from WSU with her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and she and Andrew moved back to Ellensburg, WA for Andrew to complete his degree in Biochemistry. While in Ellensburg, Dawn worked as an associate veterinarian at Critter Care Animal Clinic. She also did relief work for Yakima Pet Emergency Service, and in the winter of 2008 she taught a cell and molecular Biology class at CWU.
In June 2009, Andrew graduated from CWU with his degree in Biochemistry, and he and Dawn moved to Vancouver, WA. They are now settling into a new home and new jobs. Dawn is an associate veterinarian at Claus Paws Animal Hospital, and Andrew is working for Antech Diagnostics (a veterinary diagnostic laboratory). They have an energetic dog, Radar, and a mischievous cat, Oni. They hope to continue to have opportunities to travel, spend time with friends, and start adding to their family.

BIO - Jocelyn (Treitman) Cook

Jocelyn (Treitman) Cook relocated to Boston, MA in 2005 where she soon after was introduced to Adam Cook. The two wed in 2008. Adam is the Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of an asset management company and Jocelyn is currently working at the Clinton Global Initiative.

She holds a Master of Science in Global Studies and International Affairs from Northeastern University and a certificate in Design, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation of International Health Programs from the Boston University School of Public Health.

She has lived and worked in both Sierra Leone and Uganda. In Sierra Leone, West Africa, she worked at a medical clinic serving members of the local community injured in the diamond wars and refugees from the Liberian Civil War. During her three month stay in Uganda, East Africa, she worked with The AIDS Support Organization (TASO), and Vi Agroforestry, where she designed and implemented a rural farming project in Masaka District. The project focused on assisting HIV positive farmers, providing them with the skills and tools necessary to increase their income generation, as well as improve their nutrition.

Jocelyn is passionately dedicated to providing a voice to the voiceless and a face to the countless stories of poverty and disparity. Her professional interests are issues related to the delivery of health services, sustainable development and reproductive health to the poor and disadvantaged.

BIO - Gretchen (Mann) Smith

Hello WV Class of 1999!

First, thank you to Carissa and the rest of the reunion crew for putting together this event, I’m sure it has taken a lot of time, energy and preparation. Secondly, I want to complete the “bio” since there may be a small chance I will not be attending the reunion this time around (boo), which is a huge bummer since I really enjoyed my WV experience and feel blessed to say that many of my closest friends to this day are still from our lovely H.S. On a positive note, if I can’t make it, feel relieved that you won’t be cornered into having a deep conversation about love, life and feelings with me which ultimately ends in a hug and a good cry :) Anyhoo, moving on…
Since H.S. I have lived in Portland, Bellingham, Los Angeles and now currently New York City. I have been blessed to have had multiple work and career experiences that include working at a Domestic Violence Shelter, a Wardrobe Stylist, a Regional Manager for a Cosmetic Company and now currently I own a small web based Interior Design and Decorating business (www.getocd.com).

I married in September of 2007 to a “Texan” named Steven Smith who I met through my sister Kindra and her husband while living in Los Angeles. Steve is a Marketing Executive for Miramax films, which is why we now live in New York City. Even though he is a “Cowboys” fan and the guy who convinces us to see movies that look good in the previews but end up not being as good once we have paid $12.00, he is the best man I have ever known and feel so honored to be his wife! GO SEAHAWKS!!!

But I would have to say though that the best and most note worthy life changing experience/ decision since H.S. was when I became a Christian. Truly my relationship with God is my most prized possession and the one thing I feel so thankful to have.

Who knows where life will take me next, but God willing I would love to settle down in the next few years to a simpler life and have a family, but for now I am so grateful to be right were I am!

God Bless,
Gretchen (Mann) Smith

BIO - Heidi Perala (Dahl)

Heidi Perala (Dahl) moved to Ellensburg, WA to attend Central Washington University, graduating in 2003 with a BS in Fashion Merchandizing with a specialization in Design. After working for ten years in the fashion industry, doing everything from special events and visual merchandizing to interim store managing, it was time for a change in careers. Currently, Heidi works for Saybrook University (based in San Francisco, CA) and the Leadership Institute of Seattle as their Academic Program Administrator for the LIOS Graduate College.

In the summer of 2003, Heidi married Kristian Dahl. They met at CWU during their freshman year and they still stay very active, snowboarding, wakeboarding, golfing, and rock climbing to name a few. Kristian is a competitive expert water skier and competes all over WA, last year winning the state title and going on to win his first National Championship title in Bakersfield, CA. Heidi started running in college and just finishing her first half marathon Sept. 7^th and is anxious to start training for a triathlon. She also keeps family and friends constantly entertained with her ever changing hair styles and colors as well as piercings and tattoo additions!

As for family, Heidi’s brother is serving his first tour in Iraq with the US Army and is scheduled to arrive back in WA after being deployed for a year. Her parents just moved from the eastside, after 18 years to Kirkland, WA at the beginning of 2009. Kristian and Heidi have lived in the greater Seattle area for the last six years, the last three in Kirkland, WA. They have no children and are just enjoying being free enough to pack a bag and their skis and head where ever the snow or water is the best!

BIO - Jon Snider

After High School, Jon Snider left the country to live in Guayaquil, Ecuador for two years as a missionary for his church. During that time he was able to grow-up, get sick, and learn Spanish and a little Quichua. His experience in Ecuador left a lasting impression on him for the next 8 years and still talks about Ecuador any chance he can get. When Jon was returning back from Ecuador he had the chance to move back to Yakima or move to San Antonio, TX where his mom now lived. He chose Yakima for some strange reason. Two more years were spent working in the "Wonderful World of Radio." Selling commercials and doing station promotion.

In January of 2004 Jon started dating Carrie Kennington, a print journalist originally from Ontario, OR. Shortly thereafter they were engaged and married in July, 2004. (Yes the same year...but not the same season) Having a wife with a bachelors degree was intimidating to Jon, so he decided to go back to school. YVCC, then to Central in Ellensburg, and fast forward to 2009 and he has a degree in Spanish with a minor in Latin America Studies. Someday soon, the teaching certificate will be finished and he will become a crazy Spanish teacher.

Jon & Carrie have two boys: Dallin (3 1/2) and Justin (1). Dallin is a carbon copy of Jon and people see him at the store with Carrie and know right away that he is a Snider. Currently Jon works for Fisher Communications at KIMA-TV. He became the Creative Services Director for the local Univision Station that they run. His days at work range from shooting commercials at Fiesta Foods to directing the daily Spanish newscast. Jon looks forward to the reunion, but don't worry, he's not going on the Wine Tour.