August 2000

                                                            
Connections

A publication for alumni of the Pasadena Independent School District

Dobie graduate, overseas 
pen pal reunite after 15 years
When Angela (Kennedy) Murphy traveled to Western Europe as part of Dobie High School's People-to-People Student Ambassador Program in 1985, she made a friendship that has stayed strong over the years through constant letters and e-mail correspondence.

During a stop in Vienna, Austria, Murphy became friends with Claudia Felsner, who also was a student attending high school in that country. Since then, the two have talked by phone and written each other throughout the years, but had not seen each other face-to-face.

Until this summer.

After 15 years, the two were reunited during Felsner's visit to the United States in June. Felsner had made plans to travel to Disneyworld in Orlando, Fla. and added a stop to her itinerary to visit Murphy.

"We have talked to each other by e-mail quite a bit," Murphy said. "After not seeing each other in so many years, we knew we had to get together if she made a trip to the states or I made another trip to Austria."

While in Austria, Murphy and the Dobie group interacted with students from Felsner's school throughout the visit. "We met each other and we just hit it off," Murphy said. "We had a lot of the same interests and many things in common. We have kept in touch ever since."

Felsner said the excitement about the recent reunion grew as the time got closer to leaving for Texas. "I couldn't wait to see her," she said. "When we saw each other at the airport it was like meeting her all over again. There has not been much that has changed between us, except for maybe our hairstyles."

Two longtime Pasadena ISD educators retire

Two veteran educators who have played a vital part in many students lives and have held many positions with the district are retiring in July.

Dick Mills, the district's executive director of student services, and Bill Kielman, associate superintendent of human resources, will both say goodbye to the district at the end of this month. Mills has been with Pasadena ISD 34 years, while Kielman has served 35 years in the district.

Mills came to the district in 1965 and taught government at South Houston High School before taking a counselor's position at the school in 1967. He then was offered the counselor's job at Dobie when it first opened in 1968. In 1973, he was asked to head the district's guidance counseling department before eventually moving into Student Services. Mills was promoted to executive director of student services in 1986. In his position, he managed a staff that oversaw duties such as school audits, student transfers and tuition waivers.

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THIS ISSUE

Rayburn Feature                           3  
1967 grad now VP with Reliant Energy            

Pasadena Feature                          4
Blakeslee goes distance 
in first marathon		 Alumni News                                   4    Jensen Elementary marks 30th anniversary

Teachers of the Year                  5-6   
Longtime elementary, secondary instructors honored

Reunions                                        7
Is your class having a get-together?                             

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