|
Dreux American High School
Alumni Association Newsletter
July 2025
| | |
Featured in this Newsletter:
- Message from the President - Paul Krausman '64
- Dreux AHS All Class Reunion 2025 - Update and details
- Alumni Spotlights
- Memorabilia from Michel Picheloup '66
- In Memoriam
- Treasurer's Report
- Facebook News: Newspaper articles from the 1960's about former classmates and about the base closures in France found and posted!
| | MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT | | |
MISSOURI, HERE WE COME!
Greeting Dreuxites:
As the summer melts into fall, the next reunion with the Overseas Brats Gathering is quickly approaching. So far, more alumni from Dreux will be attending than from any other school! The reunion from 2-5 October 2025 in Saint Charles, Missouri, will be a great way to ease into fall and start the month. I hope to see many of you there, where we will have our own reception room. You can find out more information about the reunion at Overseas Brats. (or you can click on the blue links in the next section of the newsletter)
We also have new officers on the board because of resignations. Those at the reunion will vote on all officers as is our tradition, so if you are interested in serving on the Dreux American High School Alumni Association Board, or want to nominate someone, please let me know so we can put them on the ballot. Many thanks for your consideration!
Enjoy the rest of the summer, and when you think of cooler climes, think of October, where we hope to see you in Missouri. Until later.
Paul R. Krausman
President
Dreux American High School Alumni Association
| | DREUX AHS ALL-CLASS REUNION 2025 | | |
2025 DREUX AMERICAN HS ALL SCHOOL REUNION
(held in conjunction with the Overseas Brats Gathering)
October 2 - 5 , 2025
St. Charles, Missouri
Full Standard Registration Fee - $190.00 per person (if pay by August 30)
Hotel Room Rate - $179.00 plus taxes
St. Charles is about 24 miles from St. Louis for those are flying.
Click on the blue links below for more information on how to register for the Reunion and book your Hotel Room.
Click here to Register for the Reunion
Note: they have an optional tour for Friday, but there is a separate fee and sign-up for it.
Click here to book your Hotel Room at the Embassy Suites
Note: Use the link at the bottom of the page to get the group rate of $179.
Group rate and availability ends September 1, 2025. The Room Block is limited so we
encourage you to book your hotel room soon if you plan to attend.
Click here to see the Reunion Agenda that Overseas Brats has posted.
Note: For those that do not wish to go on the optional tour, we will most likely have a casual dinner on Friday evening.
A Dreux Alumni Association Business Meeting will be scheduled during the Reunion. The exact day and time has not yet been determined (but it will not be on Friday since there are people that might want to do the Optional Tour)
Here is the link to the main Overseas Brats website. There is more information available that you can check out regarding the Reunion and St. Charles. Once you are on their site, go to Events, click on "2025 Gathering" and it will show the various pages you can click on for more information about the Reunion.
COME JOIN US IN ST. CHARLES, MO IN OCTOBER!
| | |
Linda Darlene Naylor (Smith) '64
Attended Dreux from 1960-1962
Graduated from Kaiserslautern American High School in 1964
Favorite Memories from Dreux:
Choir and trip to Garmisch in December of 1960
French Class trips to Paris, especially the trip to see Marcel Marceau do a 90-minute show
Liked least about Dreux:
The weather, especially the winds
One of my best friends at Dreux:
Charles Winters from choir. We were both born in Williamsport, PA
Dated:
Ralph Harlon Fisher and Joey Misenka
College/University Attended:
Penn State at State College
Job/career history:
Taught school, worked in IT, was a technical writer, was a journalist, wrote the novel “The Lady Who Quilted Stories” (using the name Shannon Smith)
| | |
Personal Life:
My entire life, from birth through college, I was a BRAT. My dad retired after I graduated. As an adult, I lived in New Jersey, Michigan and Arizona. I raised three children, have four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild
What I like to do in my spare time?
My hobbies are writing, quilting, and puzzles. We travel a lot at my husband’s urging. He makes lists of countries, national parks, state capitals, presidential libraries, etc., we have visited. People find our travels more interesting than my other hobbies. We have visited both the northernmost and southernmost towns on the planet, sailed up to the face of the polar ice cap and toured part of Antarctica. We have sailed the Amazon, crossed through most major canals, sailed the length of the Rhine/Volga, sailed from Moscow to St. Petersburg, crossed the Pacific multiple times, and are set for a four-month cruise next year through the orient and Arabian lands. He never runs out of destinations
| | |
Ben "Junior" Lopez '67
Attended Dreux 1963-1966
Graduated from Rancocas Valley Regional High School (Mt. Holly, New Jersey)
Favorite memories from Dreux:
Hanging out with the guys in downtown Dreux and on the base
Liked least about being at Dreux:
That I had to leave
Some of my best friends at Dreux:
Peter Whisler, Dane Aynes, Jerry Ricci, Wayne Cox, Raul Ortiz, Linda and Sharon Joiner (Joyner), Jimmy Henderson, Patricia Gratten, Latricia Gratten, Charles Brantley, Mike (can't remember his last name), Paul ???, Tom White, Tom Gordon, and some others that I can't seem to remember.
Dated:
Linda (Dee Dee) Joiner (Joyner), a French gal named Dominique and Maria Pappas.
College/University attended:
La Salle Extension University (Chicago) and University of Puerto Rico
Military Service:
Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, Army, 1967
Job/Career history:
Quite a few - I worked as an IBM Senior Mainframe Specialist for McDonnell Douglas Missile systems Division for 5 years, worked for West Palm Beach County and then for Orange County Government (FL) as an IBM Mainframe Operations and Help Desk Specialist where I ultimately retired after 15 years.
| | |
Personal Life:
Father served for 23 years. He was stationed in St. Andres, France. Mom was a homemaker
Traveled extensively with my father while he served
Married in 1969 for 1 year, no children from first marriage
Married again 1971-2013; four children, 3 daughters and a son
What I like to do in my spare time:
Weight lifting
Did a little stamp collecting, coin collecting and sports cards collecting
Married life and raising 4 children took most of my time.
I go back to Dreux, France almost every year to see old French friends and still see my old sweetheart sometimes.
| | |
Donna "Donni" Shields '65
Attended Dreux 1961-1962 Freshman year AND AGAIN 1963-1964 Junior year
Graduated from Ankara High School (George C Marshall Regional HS) in Ankara, Turkey
Favorite memories from Dreux:
Friends, trips and tours, sports, teachers
We had a closeness 24/7 that I didn't even have with my own family
I was Class Treasurer both years I was there
My study hall snack business
My "making beds for seniors" business
Pranks played in the dorm
Twenty one door salutes
Liquid sunshine year round
I had a $12 a month allowance sent from home!
Liked least about being at Dreux:
Being away from home. Homesick mostly on Sundays when it was quiet.
Roommates:
Carol Hutto, (Dorm president), Suzanne Shields (sister)
Some of my best friends at Dreux:
Carol Hutto, Juanita Louviere, Cathy Tudish
Dated:
Danny Dean, Jeff Allen
College/University attended:
LSU (Louisiana State University,) and University of Maryland
| | |
Job/Career history:
Became a program supervisor for the Montgomery County Recreation Department in Montgomery County, MD.
Was the first female sport supervisor on the east coast
Owned my own business "Balloon the Clown and friends". My staff and I organized corporate, individual and group parties and picnics.
Was told by my eight grader teacher from Tunisia (who I ran into in NYC 40 years later by accident), that I capitalize on what I was good at --recess and clowning around.
After 35 years I retired and moved to Baton Rouge, LA. I have been here 20 years now.
Personal Life:
My father was with the USAID and the American Embassy. We lived in 14 countries. We were in Tunis, Tunisia when I went to Dreux as a freshman. We were in Kathmandu, Nepal when I returned as a junior. My older sisters, Cala Shields and Suzanne Shields, attended Dreux in 61-62. I also had two brothers (Rob and Patrick) and a younger sister (Mary)
What I like to do in my spare time:
Coach soccer, T-Ball and volleyball for the YMCA
I was declared the oldest coach in Baton Rouge
Go to water exercise classes 4-5 times a week
Volunteer at three different performing arts/theater centers
Give tours at our Rural Life Museum
Am a member of many organizations working with kids and seniors
Was awarded by the Mayor the "Silver Magnolia" award for community service
Also have a dog sitting business. I have dogs and take care of all types and size dogs.
| | |
Sadly, since the last newsletter in March, we have discovered the loss of some of our fellow classmates, some lost more recently and some several years ago. I went through our directory just checking on people that we never or rarely hear from. I found that we have lost a lot of alumni over the last several years! Those of you who frequent our Facebook page are may already be aware of these losses, but we wanted to make sure those that aren't on Facebook are informed.
Faculty/Staff
Janet Burke – December 2024
Leo Molitor – July 2022
Patricia Waris (Dreux Elem) – April 2025
Alumni:
1962
John B. Mott – September 2024
Michael W. Pratt – September 2023
1963
Michael Brendle – October 2024
Lester “Woody “ Edwards – September 2023
Stuart Hill – January 2025
Barbara Juanita Pring – September 2022
John H. Sherrill – November 2023
1964
Paul Silas Dixon – March 2025
Larry Von Kaenel – August 2020
Kenneth Mattoon – December 2023
David C. Prieto - September 2003
Steve Roberts – October 2019
Bruce Whelan – January 2025
1965
Larry Bamrick – December 2023
Charlie Evans – April 2025
Terry Hennett – March 2025
Alan LiCalzi – January 2024
Linda Minick – February 2023
Linda Wallace – October 2020
Paula Whitehead – October 2022
1966
John Anders – June 2024
Richard Wayne Engstrom – February 2024
Cathy Jackson – December 2022
Charles Rex Parker – December 2023
1967
Douglass McPherson – June 2025
David Taber – November 2018
Our sincere condolences to all their families and friends!
A full list of those who have passed, along with links to many obituaries,
are available on the Dreux website.
| | MEMORABILIA FROM MICHEL PICHELOUP '66 | | COME JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! | | |
The Dreux American High School Group page on Facebook has been a lot of fun! We have 595 members in the group right now. Former friends have reconnected, uploaded photos from Dreux, and have general discussions about their time spent at Dreux. We also do New Find Alerts when we locate former classmates that have not yet been found as well as Sad News Alerts when we discover that former classmates or faculty/staff members have passed.
I have the group as a closed group so only those people associated with Dreux are members. If you are interested in joining us, just use the "request to join" feature on the FB Group Page or send me a friend request and I would be happy to add you!
In June, I posted several articles I found from various 1960's newspapers that highlighted some of our former classmates as well as an article about the base closures in France! Come join us and check them out! Bill Shek '62 recently posted some photos from back in the day as well.
If you are on Facebook and have not already joined the group, here is the link to our page so you can request to join:Dreux American High School Facebook Group
| | COMPLETE OUR DAHS ALUMNI SURVEY! | | |
If you haven't already, don't forget to complete the survey we have put together! It will give us some great bio information for the Alumni/Faculty Spotlight section of the newsletter and perhaps the Dreux website. Be sure to include memories from your time at Dreux as well as what you have been doing since Dreux!
Clink on the blue link to access the survey. Alumni Survey
Quite a few alums have completed the survey...Thank you! I could use some more! Be sure to include enough information and detail to make for great content for the newsletter. If you would prefer to email me some memories of your time at Dreux, that is an option too! Please remember to send a "NOW" photo of yourself to Vicki Key if you complete a Bio Survey. Thanks!
| | |
UPDATE: The Dreux AHS website issues have now been fixed and the site has been updated. The last update before the recent updates was in early January. Lori, who hosts the website for us, figured out a way to do updates using another method that would work with the "antiquated" software that I use. It is working just fine now. Thank you for your patience.
| | BECOME A MEMBER OF THE DREUX ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS | | |
Dues are $40/yr and are based on a calendar year. You can pay for one year or for multiple years if you would like to do so.
Remember that you can pay dues by using a credit card through PayPal. Just visit our Dreux AHS website at www.dreuxalumni.org and click on the Dues/Donations button and you will see the Dues menu for PayPal. I also have the current list of Dues Payers on the Dues page.
If you prefer to pay by check, you can mail your Dues payment to our Treasurer:
Marilyn Hutto Turner '62
2015 Mount Forest Dr.
Kingwood, TX 77345
Dues paying members will receive a copy of our current Dreux AHS Alumni Directory via email.
As always, we GREATLY appreciate any and all support! Your support is what keeps our association going and helps fund the costs to find information on former classmates, maintain the database, website, newsletters, pre-reunion costs, etc. We can't do it without you!
THANKS to everyone for your past and hopefully your future support!!
| | NOTE: The board decided years ago that it was important to maintain a minimum bank balance of at least $10,000 so that future reunions can be planned. | | UPDATING YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION | | Reminder: If your contact information has changed (i.e. email address, postal address, area code or telephone number) and you haven't notified me, please email that information to Vicki Key. I want to be sure that your contact information is correct in the Dreux AHS Alumni Directory and that we don't lose touch with you! | |
Missed a prior Dreux AHS Newsletter?
You can view them on the Dreux website
| | |
In case you missed receiving any of the past Dreux AHS Newsletters for whatever reason, they are archived and available to view on our Dreux AHS website. There is a link on the front page of the website to access them.
(Note: It looks like the older newsletters that have been archived, did not retain the photos that were originally in the newsletter. Might have happened when Constant Contact changed the way they are now archived. Sorry about that!)
PLEASE remember that you can always opt out of receiving the newsletter if you would like, but PLEASE do not tag or report it as SPAM. That really hurts our ability to continue to do these newsletters using Constant Contact and there are many people who enjoy getting them. We certainly hope you don't opt out, but it is certainly your choice. I try not to overwhelm everybody with them, but keep in mind that just prior to Reunions, we may do them more than we normally do.
For those that may have opted out in the past, you can always rejoin anytime by visiting the Dreux AHS website and clicking on "Join Our Dreux AHS Mailing List". We would love to have you back in the loop!
| | |
Dreux AHS Alumni Association Board of Directors
President - Paul Krausman ‘64
Vice President - Charles Brantley '68
Treasurer - Marilyn Hutto Turner '62
Secretary - Dee David '65
Alumni Affairs - Vicki Key ’67
Advisory Board Member- Carol Hutto Krausman '64
Advisory Board Member- Shari Murphy Koziol’64
Reunion Coordinator - Helen Council Miles '61
| | Dreux American High School was open from 1960-1967. The first graduating class was 1961. The school closed in January of 1967. We have a very active Alumni Association. There have been 12 reunions since that first get-together organized by Reunions Unlimited in Dallas in 1993. The last reunion was held in October of 2024 in France. Upcoming Reunion is in St. Charles, MO - October 2-5, 2025! | | | | |
