In the first week of October 25 years ago, the Sydney Olympics closed, marking the last time Americans thought about Australia; a revolution finally overthrew Yugoslavia’s Slobodan Milošević after years of him being just the worst; and Laurie Pasteryak kicked off the second month of her senior year at the Norwich Free Academy.

In this episode, we learn how a lifetime of saying “Yes” to every adventure and job offer led to Laurie’s diverse experiences, including traveling to the remotest destination of any of our guests. We also hear how Laurie became enamored by local history, which included involvement with NFA’s hallowed Slater Museum. Listen to find out what our museum expert thinks is “the best museum in the country,” how she does in Indiana Jones trivia, and which NFA coach once yelled at his players, “Pain is weakness leaving the body!” And if you listen very carefully, you can hear Ian wince when Laurie launches a full assault against Dead White Guy History. Her name is Laurie Pasteryak, and she’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.

As September 2000 came to a close, the 3 Doors Down hit “Kryptonite” bumped out Destiny Child’s “Jumpin’ Jumpin’” from the top of the American Top 40, effectively ending Beyoncé’s career; a plucky but doomed search engine called Google celebrated its second birthday; and Nikki Pensis wrapped up the first month of her final year at the Norwich Free Academy. In this episode, the guys learn which fellow NFA grad Nikki ended up marrying, what advice she has for high school graduates who aren’t sure about what to do next, and what sandwich she co-invented in the NFA Cafeteria. We also hear Zack technically sing a song by Des’ree, Ian struggle to pronounce “brewery” more than a few times, and Jim watch all of this in horror. All that and more on this excellent episode of Red & White @ Silver. Her name is Nicole Pensis, now Nicole Reynolds, and she’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.

Twenty-five years ago this week, the cheerleading movie “Bring It On” climbed into the box office top spot before impossibly spawning six sequels; Team USA’s Vince Carter dunked over a 7’ 2” Frenchman at the 2000 Olympics in a soaring achievement the withering French press dubbed “Le Dunk de la Mort”; and the gregarious Josh Saari bounced around the Norwich Free Academy early in his senior year. In this episode, Ian, Jim, and Zack learn that somewhere else on campus was Josh’s future wife… so who was it? We also hear about Josh’s career in the food industry, including what it was like to feed students on a college campus during the height of the Covid pandemic. Hint: it wasn’t fun. Ian also subjects Josh to heartbreaking trivia about his beloved but snakebitten Boston Red Sox and Buffalo Bills. His name is Josh Saari, and he’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.

In mid-September, 25 years ago, the Sydney Olympics heated up; Madonna returned to the top of the charts with her vaguely titled album “Music”; and Kimberly Lee… was NOT at NFA yet! Tune in to find out what school she DID attend for her freshman year, and why for her sophomore year she transferred to the best school in the state. Full disclosure: for an all-too-brief few months, Kim and Ian were 8th grade boyfriend-girlfriend, a relationship Jim and Zack gleefully (and relentlessly) bring up throughout the episode. Fortunately for Kim, she moved on to greener pastures, including a husband, twin stepsons, and her daughter, Sophie. You may bump into her as the manager of a local Stop & Shop, yet another example of the Norwich Free Academy setting up a graduate for success. Her name is Kimberly Lee, now Kimberly Lee Medberry, and she’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.

In September’s second week 25 years ago, Venus Williams won her first US Open, forever retaining bragging rights over her little sister; the musical “Cats” lapped up its last milk saucer; and Craig Demars continued his senior year at the Norwich Free Academy.

The following June, diploma in hand, he left the school’s beautiful campus and ventured out into what became a beautiful life, one in which he got married, had kids, and joined the noblest of professions.

In this episode, Craig joins Ian, Jim, and Zack to fill in the details of where life took him. He also fondly recalls his NFA experience, including telling us which teacher, when Craig was home sick from school, went above and beyond to deliver assignments to his house. Our guest also made sure to keep alive the memory of the genial Jamie Shaughnessy.

His name is Craig Demars, and he’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.

Twenty-five years ago, in the first week of September back in the year 2000, the Nokia 3310 mobile phone was released (and no phone has since bested it); Texas Governor George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore found themselves in a tight race for the presidency two months before Election Day swiftly resolved it; and most importantly a young woman named Emily Gauvin began her senior year at the Norwich Free Academy. Just over nine months later she earned her diploma, exited campus, and entered what adults insisted was “the real world.” But what happened to Emily after that? Where did she go to school? Who did she marry? She has HOW MANY kids?! And wait until you hear about her selfless endeavors. Like so many of our fellow graduates, Emily turned into an impressive person, one whose memory is still sharp enough to reminisce about her high school experience as we approach our silver anniversary. Her name is Emily Gauvin, now Emily Gauvin Shrader, and she’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.

'Til the seas become abated...sing it with us! Join us each week as Ian Cheney, Zack Lamothe, and Jim Wheeler catch up with fellow members of the Class of 2001 during their 25th Reunion year.