WVHS Distinguished Alumni

WVHS has been a source of strength and pride for our community since 1975.
The Distinguished Alumni Award was created as a permanent way of recognizing and continuing the rich history of our school. This award honors and celebrates the achievements of our alumni who have walked the halls of Waubonsie Valley and continue to make outstanding contributions to their communities and our society.

2008 Inductee:

Robert J. Millar, M.D. ~ Class of 1977

Dr. Millar was a member of National Honor Society and a was National Merit Scholar at Waubonsie. He was quarterback and captain of the football team for the first two years of Waubonsie's existence, played basketball, and was All-Conference in baseball. Dr. Millar attended Drake University and received his B.A. in Biology with Cum Laude honors. He continued his education at Loyola University School of Medicine and University of Iowa, completing his doctorial education in 1985. Dr. Millar completed his internship and residency at Aultman Hospital in Canton, Ohio. By 1998 he was Board Certified in Family Practice.

Since becoming Board Certified Dr. Millar has been an instructor for Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, a Medical Director of Dover-New Philadelphia Emergency Room, formed a solo practice in Moline, Illinois, and ventured into a family care group practice utilizing a “without walls” concept. In 1991, Dr. Millar joined the John Deere Medical Group of the Quad Cities as a charter member. He was featured in the New York Times for the innovative HMO concept the group developed that caters to quality care.

Dr. Millar ventured back to the Naperville area in 2002, joining Hobson Family Medical Associates and currently with the Lakeside Family Practice. He has also been involved with the Aurora-Naperville Rotary, NCO Youth and Family Services Board, Heritage National Healthplan Pharmacy and Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Committees, and the Western Illinois IPA Budget Committee. Dr. Millar is a member of the AMA, AAFP, Rock Island County Medical Society,
American Geriatric Society, and American Society of Addition Medicine.

2007 Inductee:

Kristy (Anderson) Glass ~ Class of 1997

Kristy was a member of National Honor Society and International Thespian Society. She was a member of the Drama Club, Student Council, Swing Choir, Varsity Singers, Musicals, IHSA Competitions, and Choir.  Kristy was an active student leader as President of Student Council in 1997, All-State Theatre in 1996, and All-State Chorus in 1997.

She attended DePaul University, graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Music. Kristy has sung at the Chicago Theatre, National Theatre, Kennedy Center, Secondstage Theatre, Folger Theatre, and Studio Theatre in Chicago, Washington D.C., and New York City. She has performed for ABC’s Primetime Live, anchored by Diane Sawyer and starred in the infant video series Eebee’s Adventures. Kristy has appeared in numerous print advertisements and is one of the 20 models featured in the Discovery Health Channel series: Runway Moms. She is currently a spokeswoman for Nuvaring. Kristy’s latest project has been her debut album, Picture a Christmas. Her current teaching also includes music teachers of small children and women 18 years and older. Kristy also performs for the Mt. Sinai Children’s Hospital in Manhattan on their closed circuit Kidzone television station.  Kristy and her family currently reside in Long Island City.

2006 Inductee:

Derke Price ~ Class of 1981

The 1981 Salutatorian was a member of NHS, a conference champion on the Math Team, and specialized in Extemporaneous Speech as a member of the Speech Team. Derke was President of the Student Council, was a member of the newspaper staff and performed in nine theatre productions. He played tennis, was a founding member of the WV Hockey team and was the 1980 Homecoming King.

Derke graduated from Wheaton College in 1985 and earned his law degree in 1988 from Harvard University. His is a partner at the law firm of Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, DiCianni & Krafthefer, representing municipalities in northern Illinois in the areas of Municipal Law, Special Districts, Real Estate Law, and Land & Economic Development.

He serves as the attorney for several villages and park districts and is Chairman of the Naperville Plan Commission and is an active supporter of many organizations in Naperville.

2005 Inductee:

Cynthia (Curry) Bell ~ Class of 1986

Cindy was Student Council Vice-President, Pom squad captain, and Homecoming and Prom Queen. She earned her Bachelor's degree at Cedarville University and her Masters in Educational Administration from Wright State University.

Cindy is a recipient of the prestigious Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching. She was also honored as the Math & Science "Teacher of the Year" in the state of Ohio and has been honored by Who's Who of American Educators. She currently teaches in the Indian Prairie School District where she is a perennial recipient of the "Most Influential Educator Award" and is an Adjunct Professor for Rockford College.

2004 Inductee:

Stathis Poulakidas ~ Class of 1988

Stathis was President of his Senior class, President of NHS, and a member of Student Council. He also served as a tutor throughout his years at WV. In Basketball, he earned an All-Conference Honorable Mention award. He attended Illinois Benedictine College, earning his degree in Biochemistry and then his M.D. at Chicago Medical School where he earned numerous academic awards.His residency was at Loyola University Medical Center.

He was a Burn Surgery Fellow at the Shriner's Hospital at the University of California and then at UC-Davis in a Trauma/Critical Care Fellowship. Stathis is actively involved in a number of medical associations and societies and is a Board Certified Surgeon as well as being Board Certified in Critical Care.

2003 Inductee:

Fabien Bownes ~ Class of 1990

A late bloomer, Fabien did not play Football until his Senior year, but he was named All-Conference Honorable Mention. A standout sprinter, Fabien medaled in the Indoor State Track meet in 1990 in the 200 Dash. He attended Western Illinois University Where he was a two-time Conference Champion in both the 100 and 200 as well as a four-time letter winner in both Football and Track.  He was the National Champion in the 200 Dash in 1991 and also qualified for Nationals in the 100 and 4 X 100 Relay. He was also a two-time Olympic Tryout Qualifier. Fabien earned his degree in Communications at WIU and was on the Dean's List.

After college, Fabien played for the Chicago Bears from 1995-99 and then with the Seattle Seahawks from 1999-2002, earning numerous accolades. He volunteered for the United Way and upon his retirement, came back to WV and coached football and track.

2002 Inductee:

Stephen C. Jumper ~ Class of 1980

Steve was Senior Class President and a member of the National Honor Society. He played Football, Basketball and Baseball. He pitched two "no-hitters" in baseball and is on the top-ten list of all-time scorers in basketball. Steve earned his Bachelors in Geological Sciences at University of Texas at Austin and advanced his education at Graduate School at the University of Texas, Permian Basin.

As a Geophysicist, Steve is the President, Chief Operating Officer & Director of Dawson Geophysical in Midland, Texas. He is a member of various Geophysical and Geological Societies and has co-authored several professional and technical papers. Steve also volunteers his time for youth in Little League, Boy Scouts and church.

2001 Inductee:

Kevin Broihier ~ Class of 1987

Kevin was Co-Valedictorian, a National Merit Scholar, an NHS member, Editor for the school newspaper and winner of departmental awards in science, foreign language and social studies. He was active in four sports, helping to set a school track record in the 1600 Relay and serving as Captain of the first WVHS soccer team.

Kevin majored in Psychology at the University of Chicago where his studies included speech perception and artificial intelligence. He the earned his PH. D. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cognitive Science, focusing on models of human language acquisition. He has an active career in quantitative research, computer programming and trading securities in Asian markets.

2000 Inductee:

Dawn (Shuneman) DeSart ~ Class of 1981

While a student at WVHS, Dawn was active in the arts and related extracurricular activities. She was in various choral groups, competed on the Speech team, and acted in and directed Waubonsie theater productions. She graduated from Mankato State in Minnesota with a degree in Mass Communications and Minors in Speech and Psychology. She worked for Public Radio affiliates while in college and after graduation. She also volunteered her time at a homeless shelter and crisis intervention center.

Dawn's Emmy Award winning career focused on broadcasting in numerous venues, notably in the Chicago area where she did traffic and news for a number of radio stations and then traffic and human interest stories for WMAQ-TV. Dawn's real love is writing. She has been published in various magazines and newspapers and continues to write fiction and non-fiction.

1999 Inductee:

Dawn Marie Schaible ~ Class of 1983

At WV, Dawn was in National Honor Society and was a member of the Volleyball and Tennis teams, as well as Flag Corps and Math Team. Dawn attended Bradley University, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She then earned a Masters degree in Space Systems Operation from Florida Institute of Technology.

Dawn works for NASA and has been the Lead Engineer for Environmental Control and Life Support Systems on the Orbiter Endeavor, the Lead Test Engineer for the International Space Station's first US launched element and was a member of the Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center to deploy the first element. She speaks on behalf of NASA at schools across the country and has authored various articles. She has been awarded the Space Flight Awareness Program's highest award along with multiple Certificates of Commendation.

1998 Inductee:

Paul Konrad ~ Class of 1983

Paul was active in the Arts and Student Council. He was Drum Major for the Marching Band, a member of the Concert and Swing choir, and was cast in numerous theatrical productions at Waubonsie. Paul graduated from DePaul Goodman School of Drama and went on to complete his masters in Speech, Radio, Television, and Film from Northwestern University. He studied meteorology at Mississippi State University.

Paul joined the WGN-TV Morning News team as a weathercaster/reporter in 1996. He was previously a weathercaster in Tampa, Florida as well as Montgomery, Alabama and also in Chicago with CLTV. He has won seven Emmy Awards for his broadcast work.
 

1997 Inductee:

Dr. Kurt Warkenthien ~ Class of 1980

The inaugural inductee to the "club" of Distinguished Alumni was involved in all aspects of high school life. He was the 1980 Valedictorian, earning departmental awards in physics and history. He was a three-sport athlete, involved in drama, and was President of the Student Council. After high school, he attended University of Illinois, getting his degree in Biology. He then moved on to Loyola Strich School of Medicine.

He set up his first practice in Monticello, IL, then went to South Carolina and then returned to Naperville where he is a Family Practitioner at Naperville Medical Associates. Throughout his life he has been involved with community service efforts as an advocate for childhood and academic health. He has sponsored athletic teams, volunteered his  time as a physician in shortage areas, served as an instructor/advisor for medical students, provided physicals as a fundraising efforts for local schools, etc. (As a fun fact, he was also a contestant on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire".)