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40 Year Reunion Announcement!
Golf Tournament
Friday,
July
24,
2026
Hey Fellow Cougars,
Our Shawnee Mission Northwest Class of '86 is gearing up for a fun and relaxed 40th Reunion Golf Outing, and we're looking to round up a great group of folks to make it happen on Friday July 24, 2026
We're aiming for 20-30 more golfers, and this is truly an all skill levels welcome event. Whether you're a scratch golfer, a once a year player, or someone who just wants to ride along and enjoy the day, you're invited!
Spouses, partners, and significant others are absolutely welcome to join the fun as well.
Once we get a solid headcount, we'll lock in the course, time, format, and final cost hopefully within the next few weeks. Right now, we just need to know who's in so we can build the outing around the group.
If you're interested, use the Register Online button below or feel free to reply to [email protected] with the following:
-Your name plus the names of people on your team if you have any or we can put you on a team.
-Skill level (just for planning - no judgment!)
Let's make this reunion weekend unforgettable, both on and off the course. Looking forward to seeing a great Cougar turnout.
Go Cougars!
Thanks on behalf of your SMNW Class of '86 Reunion Committee
$30/per person ($60 with spouse/significant other). Costs cover heavy hors d'oeuvres & misc reunion costs. Bar tabs can be run separately at the event.
Please remit payment in advance of reunion by following methods. Your payment is your RSVP.
Venmo - @Wes-Gaston (4-digits of phone, if asked = 7873)
PayPal - @WesleyGaston
Mail check made payable to "SMNW Class of '86" to:
Wes Gaston
14340 Nieman Rd
Overland Park, KS 66221
To book a room for the event at a discounted group rate, please click the following link:
After drinking my way through the University of Arkansas where I joined the sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, I finished my degree in Elementary Education at UMKC in 1991. I then taught first grade for 5 years. While I adored the children, I was ready to retire. During this time, I met my first ex-husband Jim Kartsonis. We were married in 1993 in our own version of 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding.' It was quite a memorable time!
I have been a full time mom since 1996 when our first son, Alex, was born. I obtained my Master's degree in Elementary Education in 1998. Our second son, Henry, was born in 2001 and our third son, Sam, was born in 2002. They truly are the lights of my life! I feel so honored to have been given the opportunity to contribute to their lives. Being a mom is both the most rewarding and most challenging project I have ever undertaken, but one of them or our dog, Maggie, never fails to make me laugh each day! I spend my time flipping pancakes, baking cookies and attending countless baseball, basketball and flag football practices/games, Boy Scout campouts, swim practices/meets, not to mention school, church, and fundraising committees/activites.
The marriage did not go as planned and officially fell apart in 2004. While divorce is one of the last things I ever dreamed I would experience, it truly has been a liberating experience! Of course, having an amazing family and incredible friends doesn't hurt! The only person I keep in contact with from SMNW these days is Derek Zinger (Stu) and he lives in Barcelona, Spain, so I am way out of touch. Hope everyone is doing well!
***Update***
Many things have changed since I wrote this bio last summer (05). Our sweet family dog, Maggie (Westie), died unexpectedly. She was 14. After much pleading, the boys and I are now the proud parents of two baby Westies, Myrtis and Maebel.
After 37 long years, I have decided to finally grow up and have accepted my first work position outside of education. I am a Neurospecialist for Integra Neurosciences. I love the people I work with and it is nice to be out and about in the 'real world' for a switch! The OR is an amazing place and the work I do with Neurosurgeons is fascinating. The job picked me but I am thankful it did. I never would have dreamed I'd be doing what I am, but I love every second of it. Although, I do miss driving my boys to Pembroke Hill in my pjs. Previously, I was working towards my Ph.D. in Art History but felt a change would do me good for a while...so far, so good.
Lastly, Derek Zinger (my next ex-husband) and I were married in January in a Salsapalooza wedding in Vegas. Nancy Parker (Calliham - 85) was the matron of honor and Dave Nelson (86) was the best man. None of us have any real recollection of this ceremony, but we are sticking to the story for now. Derek is moving back to the US in March to give our newfound life together / romance a trial run. In October, we will decide if he should stay or return to Spain. We'll keep you posted!
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