Reunion Pictures

Hi! I have had people ask if we can post photos from the reunion online. I have created a group album on PhotoBucket.com. This album is set to Private, so people can only view the photos if they know the URL and password. Email me (heidi@mvhs1998.com) if you would like the URL and password.

Take care! :)

Our Next Reunion

Our next reunion will be our 15 year reunion in 2013. It will be a casual get-together and most likely free. We will be corresponding via email like we did for this one, so please notify us of any email address changes. Thanks and take care! We'll see you in five spiffy years!

"Where Are They Now?" Book Goes Electronic

The electronic version of the "Where Are They Now?" book is online. Email me at heidi@mvhs1998.com if you want access to it. We hope you enjoy looking through it!

We still have some paperback copies available. Let me know if you would like one!

Book update

Hello again! If you want a paperback copy of the book, the cost is $15.00. I have included the cover and a sample page so you can see what it looks like. It is better-than-yearbook quality paper, full color, letter size, and is 96 pages.

How to pay:
1. PayPal (mvhs1998.com/pay.aspx)
2. Mail a check or money order made out to
Heidi Johnson, 618 West 500 North, American Fork, UT 84003
3. In person on Saturday

If you already know you want a copy, please email me back so I can set your copy aside--otherwise it is first-come first-served. We have printed 50 books, but we can print more if we need to. If you want a copy but need it mailed to you, let me know so I can update you on the shipping cost. USPS' flat rate envelope is $4.80, but I am going to see if I can get it lower if I mail the book with regular mail instead of Priority.

For those who want the electronic version, you will be able to download it from our website beginning on Sunday. There are reunion "spoilers" in the book, so that is why you can't get it on Saturday--sorry. (And for those of you getting the paperback copy, no peeking on the fifth page!) The e-version is a PDF and is screen quality, so it will not be able to be printed. The file size is huge when it is saved with print quality and takes about 2 hours to download, so that is why it is only the screen quality/smaller file size. Even then, it will still take some time to download.

We don't want "just anyone" to be able to access the information that is in the book, so you will have to enter a password to download the file. I will email that to you on Sunday along with the book's URL.

Thanks!!
Heidi

What to expect ...

We are so excited to see everyone on Saturday! We hope you have a good time and enjoy yourselves! Here is the gameplan:

11:00am-1:00pm
Bring-your-own-Picnic to SCERA Park's main pavilion, 600 South State Street in Orem. We will provide ice cream sandwiches and ice cream bars. This is a pretty casual get-together, so feel free to wear casual clothes and bring whomever you'd like.

SCERA Park has a nice playground and the pavilion is right next to a large field. So if you would like to bring frisbees, balls, etc., feel free to do so!

All alumni will receive a gift here, too, so be sure to get that before you leave.

The SCERA Park Pool is not part of our reservation; but if you would like to go there, here are some details:
Cost: $5 for ages 14 and up; $4 for ages 4-13; $3 for 3 and under.
Ages 9 and under need someone 14 or older.

6:30-9:30pm
Catered dinner at UVSC's Centre Stage in the Sorensen Student Center, 800 South University Parkway in Orem. Dinner will be served promptly at 7:00pm. We have ordered a few extra meals, so if you know of anyone who would still like to come, they can pay at the door.

There are two parking lots that UVSC has asked us to use: Lots L and D. Lot L is just outside of the Student Center. If you park here, your parking will be validated by UVSC (therefore, free). If you park in lot D, you will have to pay for parking.

This is a more formal gathering, so we recommend that you wear semi-formal attire. You are welcome to dress up more or less, but semi-formal is what we are recommending. We have chosen a Red Carpet theme for this event, and so we will also be giving out some Oscar Awards as well. We will also have door prizes and other gifts that everyone will receive.

Let me know if I have left any questions unanswered--or brought up new ones for that matter. :P

Thanks!
Heidi

Online orders

Our last package just arrived!!

We had a bit of a fiasco with the gifts we ordered. Apparently, the company we ordered from had two days of no production because they were taking inventory. I happened to place my order the day before they stopped production, but there was no indication that that would delay the delivery date ... until I called them two days later! Needless to say, we had to pay an additional $100 in shipping, but they made it safe-and-sound! In fact, they even arrived a week earlier than they said it would, so I don't know why we had to rush it ... oh well, at least they're here!

"Where Are They Now?" book

WOW! The "Where Are They Now?" book took a lot longer to compile than I anticipated! Whoops. I still made the deadline for getting them printed, but I certainly didn't get enough sleep last week. :) I stayed up late every night and even got a babysitter for my baby two days, but I still ended up being awake until 5:15am Thursday night/Friday morning working on the book. Then I got up at 8:00am to finish it! But I got the files turned in on time, so we're good to go. I hope you enjoy the books! There is some good information in there! It is amazing what some people have done over the last ten years.

First package arrived today!

We have ordered some things for the reunion from the internet (surprise, surprise!) and our first package arrived on my doorstep today! How exciting!

I also ordered the gifts today for all of the alumni who are coming. I ordered a few extra as well, because I am sure more people will be coming than what our current total is.

Anyhow ... I just wanted to let you know that we have received some things and we are well on our way!

Reunion cost and payment

We were able to make the cost lower than our original estimate of $30 per adult. Yay! Payment is due by June 21. If you have already told us you are coming, you may pay at the door but there will be an additional fee of $5.00. However, if you are only attending the picnic, you can pay "at the door." Let us know if other arrangements need to be made.

Please let me know if you have any questions or problems. Thanks!!!

How and Where to Pay
Mail payment: Make check or money order payable to Heidi Johnson and mail it to
Heidi Johnson
618 West 500 North
American Fork, UT 84003

Pay online: Visit mvhs1998.com/pay.aspx for appropriate links


Cost Breakdown:

• Picnic only: $4.00 — pay this if you are not attending the dinner; this fee is the same whether you are coming to the park by yourself, with another alumnus, or with guests
• Dinner only, for one: $26.00 — pay this if you are not attending the picnic and you are not bringing a guest to the dinner
• Dinner only, for two: $52.00 — pay this if you are not attending the picnic and you are bringing a guest (or another alumnus) to the dinner
• Picnic and dinner, for one: $28.00 — pay this if you are attending both events and you are not bringing a guest to the dinner
• Picnic and dinner, for two: $54.00 — pay this if you are attending both events and you are bringing a guest (or another alumnus) to the dinner

For those who replied by May 28:

• Picnic only: $3.00 — pay this if you are not attending the dinner; this fee is the same whether you are coming to the park by yourself, with another alumnus, or with guests
• Dinner only, for one: $23.00 — pay this if you are not attending the picnic and you are not bringing a guest to the dinner
• Dinner only, for two: $46.00 — pay this if you are not attending the picnic and you are bringing a guest (or another alumnus) to the dinner
• Picnic and dinner, for one: $25.00 — pay this if you are attending both events and you are not bringing a guest to the dinner
• Picnic and dinner, for two: $48.00 — pay this if you are attending both events and you are bringing a guest (or another alumnus) to the dinner

Reunion Deadlines

Hello everyone!

Here is the list of deadlines as of today:

"WHERE ARE THEY NOW?" QUESTIONNAIRE
We need all answers and pictures by June 12. Anything submitted after this date will only be in the electronic version of the book. Please make sure the images you send me are high enough quality to print (at least 200ppi)--if you need help with this, feel free to ask me. If you need a copy of the questionnaire, you can download it from our website (mvhs1998.com/reunion.aspx). Email your answers and picture(s) to me.

"YES" RSVP
RSVP deadline is June 20. The exception, of course, is those who did not hear about our reunion until afterward. We need to order our gifts for the reunion next week, so those who RSVP "yes" by Monday, June 9, will be guaranteed their gift(s). Those who RSVP "yes" after this date will only receive the gift(s) if we have any extra.

If you can only attend one of the events (Picnic Gathering or Evening Gathering), let us know which you will be coming to. At this point, too, if you have not told us you are coming to the reunion, we are assuming that you are not attending either event--so please let us know otherwise.

If you are wondering if we have your "official" RSVP, look at the Classmates page of our website (mvhs1998.com/classmates.aspx). Names followed by "???" are people we do not have an official answer from. An official answer is one that was received in the last couple of weeks, not one that was part of the March email where we were trying to get an idea of how many people to plan for. If your name is not on either list ("Attending" or "Not Attending"), we have not received an RSVP. If your name is on the wrong list, please let us know.

PAYMENT
I am sorry that I didn't get this email sent out sooner, but I was waiting until we knew exactly what the cost would be for the reunion. However, we haven't heard back from several people who said they might be coming, so that affects the cost quite a bit. If enough of these people say they are coming, then we need to reserve a larger room (higher cost), order more items (potentially lower cost because of quantity), etc. If enough people decide that they won't be able to make it, then we can stay with our current reservation, etc. I have asked them to reply by Monday, so hopefully we will be able to get you the final cost next week. I can say, though, that it will be less than $30 per person if paid by the due date. Those who sent us their RSVP by May 28 will receive the lowest cost.

Payment for the reunion is due by June 21 (not June 7). If you have already told us you are coming, you may pay at the door but there will be an additional fee.

Thank you for your patience and we hope to see you soon! Let me know if you have any questions!

Reply by May 28 to get discount

Thanks to everyone who has already sent us their official RSVP! Everyone who has sent us their RSVP since we sent out the official RSVP request ("Please Reply by May 28" email) will receive a discount on their reunion cost. Likewise, if you RSVP by the end of tomorrow (May 28), you will receive this discount as well.

If you did not receive the "Please Reply by May 28" email, let me know!

"Please Reply by May 28" email

Here is the most recent email that I sent out, "Please Reply by May 28":

Here is what we need for the "Where Are They Now?" book. I have also attached a Word document with the questions, so if that is easier... If you use the Word document to answer the questions and email the answers back as an attachment, please change the file name to your name (for example, mine would be "Heidi_Mickelson_Johnson.doc" or "Heidi_Mickelson.doc").

Also, money for the reunion will be due June 7, but we will send you a separate email about that once we hear back from everyone.

If you have any questions, please let me know!

Thank you!!!
Heidi

P.S. Sorry to any faculty about the Reply date, I know this is a crazy-busy time!


PHOTO(S)
Please attach at least one picture to be included with your page (at least 200ppi resolution). If you attach more than one picture, let us know which one should be your main photo. Also, it would be fun if you can include a picture of yourself from our high-school days. [EMAIL PHOTOS TO HEIDI@MVHS1998.COM]


N/A
If there is anything that does not apply to you or you do not want it included on your page, type N/A so we know the answer was intentionally left blank.


What is in the "MVHS_Questionnaire.doc" file:
"Where Are They Now?" QUESTIONS
1. Contact information
email:
mailing address:
phone:
website:

2. Education
school(s):
degree(s):
major(s):
graduation year(s):

3. Work
favorite job(s):
current job(s):
dream job(s):

4. Places lived and visited
where have you lived (including mission, study abroad, etc.)?
what/how many states and/or countries have you visited?
how many times have you moved since leaving MVHS?
do you live in the same house as high school?

5. Family life
spouse/life partner:
--from our class or rival high school?
--how long have you been together?
children:
current pet(s):
current number of toilets at your home:

6. What is something fun or exciting you have done since high school? (i.e., I finished my basement by myself.)

7. Your favorite teacher or class in high school:

8. What would you change if you could go back to high school? (i.e., I would go back with the confidence that I have now, I would get more involved in school sports, etc.)

9. What are you up to now?

10. Other:


OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
1. We need a definite "Yes" or "No" RSVP for the reunion, and for how many. We need to know this so we can determine the final cost and order favors.

2. When do you want our next reunion: 2013 (15-year reunion) or 2018 (20-year reunion)?

3. The cost of the "Where Are They Now?" book is separate from the reunion cost because you will have the option of a paperback (pricing is still in the works) or electronic copy (free). Do you think you will want a paperback or electronic copy?

4. Optional: Any fun anecdotes from high school that we can use during the program at the catered dinner? If pictures are available, please send them.

Updates

Students who graduated from Timpanogos High School in 1998 but attended MVHS with us our sophomore year are also invited to attend our reunion. We will need their contact information if they want to receive updates, etc.

If you visit our "Classmates" page on our website, you will find a list of people who we are unable to get current contact information for. If you know how to get ahold of any of these people, please let us or them know! We have also posted the names of those who are most likely attending or mostly likely not attending our reunion.

We have also come across more death tragedies, so visit our "In Memory Of" page to see who those people are.

Thank you for all your help!

The date is set!

Thank you for your feedback to our last email!

Our reunion will be held on Saturday, June 28. The day will be split into two events:
1. Bring-your-own-lunch to a local park where you can bring anyone you would like (i.e., family, significant other, etc.).
2. Catered dinner and program where you can bring one guest.

A list of things that are in the works and coming in the near future:
1. A list on our website showing who we do not have contact information for.
2. An email with the questions for the "where are they now" booklet.

Clarification on cost

I sent this email out a few days ago, so here you go:

Hello! I just want to clarify a question on the email we recently sent out ("Please Reply by March 14"). Question 4 reads "We estimate the cost will be about $30 per person. Do you consider this to be a reasonable cost? If not, what do you suggest?"

Many people have asked if this cost is just for dinner and so I want to tell you exactly what the cost includes:
1. Reservation of park facility for the lunchtime gathering.
2. Reservation of facility for the evening gathering.
3. Catered dinner for the evening gathering.
4. Program during the evening gathering.
5. Memorabilia for each alumni.
6. Possibly other related items such as decorations, banner, mailings (though we are emailing as much as possible), etc.

What the cost does not include:
1. The website.
2. Meal for the lunchtime gathering. Each family is responsible for their own grub.
3. Travel.
4. Our time; so we don't have the cost of a professional reunion planner.
5. "Where are they now" booklet, which we will probably make an electronic version.

We will, of course, make the cost as low as possible; but we also want the reunion to be a good, quality experience for everyone who comes.

"Please Reply by March 14" email

Hi! I sent out a new email today. So here it is for those of you who didn't get it (which, if you didn't get it, will you please email your contact information to heidi@mvhs1998.com):

We really appreciate everyone's help in getting the word out about our reunion! We look forward to seeing everyone again and seeing who has changed or is still the same. :)

We have called everyone, but not all of the numbers we have are still "good"--after all, the list is 10 years old! So if you know of anyone, please tell them how to contact us.

We have decided on a theme for our reunion, but we're going to keep that under wraps for the timebeing. (Nothing like a little taunting!)

We do, however, need to get an estimate of how many people will be attending our reunion. This will help us determine where to host the catered dinner and how much the cost will be per person.

Please answer the following questions and reply to this email. Once again, this is so we can get an estimate; we will have a final RSVP later.

1a. Are you planning on attending our 10 year reunion? (Yes, Probably Yes, Probably No, or No)
1b. If no, would you like to be included in the "where are they now" booklet?
1c. If no, would you still like to receive emails regarding the reunion (website updates, pictures, etc.)?

2. Which date would work better for you, June 7 or June 28?

3. Will you be bringing a guest? (Each person can bring 1 guest to the catered dinner.)

4. We estimate the cost will be about $30 per person. Do you consider this to be a reasonable cost? If not, what do you suggest? (Also, the cost may change depending on how many people come. The more people that attend, the less the cost will be per person.)

5. Would you like to help plan or execute the reunion? If so, what?

As indicated by the subject, please reply by Friday, March 14.

Thank you for your time!

In Memory Of

We have added "In Memory Of" to our main website. It lists obituaries for both '98 graduates and faculty of MVHS. If you know of anyone who has passed away, please let us know so we can include that information on our site.

Well, my cats are meowing at me so I better go see what they need.

Networking

We are spreading like a disease on the world wide web! We now have accounts with Facebook and MySpace. The links are over to the right. Feel free to join either one or both!

We are currently calling all of the numbers that we have on file for us alumni, but the list is 10 years old and so not all of the numbers are "good." However, we are still getting ahold of people we would not have been able to otherwise ... so that is great!

Emilee Wager Bailey has joined me and Jennifer in our endeavor to plan our high school reunion, so that is also great! We hope you enjoy what we are planning for you! We are pretty excited...

First "mass" email

I sent the following email out today (we only have a handful of email addresses for our 550+ alumni, but we've got to start somewhere, right?):

Hey there fellow alumni!

Our 10-year reunion is coming up pretty soon, so we wanted to let you know about our website! Visit www.mvhs1998.com to get the most up-to-date information regarding our reunion, which is tentatively planned for June 7, 2008. (You can also be a part of our blog at mvhs1998.blogspot.com.) Details are still needing to be worked out, but we'll keep you posted about what the latest news is as it comes.

If you do not want to receive emails about our reunion, please reply to this email address and let us know.

The most difficult task we have ahead of us is getting everyone's contact information. Please let people know how to contact us, or give us their contact information and we will contact them. Any help you can provide in this manner is much appreciated!

Also, if you would like to help plan our reunion, let us know!

We hope all is going well and we look forward to hearing about the last decade!

Our website is live!

Yay! Our website is up and running! The pages don't have all of their content yet, but at least there's something to look at besides "coming soon!" If anyone has any suggestions on what they would like to see on the website, feel free to contact us! (See "Contact Us" on the website: www.mvhs1998.com.)

As of now, our 10-year reunion is tentatively planned for June 7, 2008. So mark your calendars because we would love to see you there! The more the merrier!