2008 Woodie Awards
Alumni catch up over coffee, poetry
Over cookies, coffee and a poetry reading Oct. 8, the 1970s classes met again to reminisce about Webster and The Journal caught up with three former students.
By: Brandi McMurry
Issue date: 10/13/05 Section: LifeStyles
- Page 1 of 1
Richard Fox, class of 1976
Richard Fox, who graduated in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in political science, organized this year's reunion.
Fox read several original poems at the reunion and said writing is one of his favorite ways to pass time.
"Writing is a synergy of personal experience," Fox said. "But if you are writing about yourself, it is not really that challenging."
Fox belongs to several writing groups where he mentors teenagers. He encourages teens to write poetry and use other creative venues to vent about life's frustrations.
Mary-Elizabeth Sabo-Jones, class of 1975
Mary-Elizabeth Sabo-Jones graduated from the Conservatory in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in theater directing. She is now responsible for designing computer programs as a software engineer.
"It's not that weird if you think about it," Sabo-Jones said. "As a director, you need to see how everyone fits together. You have to look at the entire picture just as you do with software."
Sabo-Jones said the best part about designing software is the allowance for creative freedom. Although she gets paid to work with computers, Sabo-Jones keeps her artistic hobbies in sight. She sings in a concert series at her local church in Boston.
She is also in the process of researching quantum physics, the dimension of time and space that does not exist, for her first science fiction novel.
"I understand the concepts, just don't make me do the math," Sabo-Jones said.
Sabo-Jones, who said she has been writing poetry since she was 10 years old, read several nature poems, including one about her five furry children - her cats.
Jane Ellen Ibur, class of 1974
From the class of 1974, Jane Ellen Ibur and a rubbery, green toy dinosaur named Fred attended the reunion together, along with fellow alumna Ellen Epstein.
"Fred went to school with us," Ibur said. "His enemies were the cowboys and Indians."
Ibur and Epstein became close friends through http://www.Webster.70.com, the Web site for the classes of the 1970s, but did not meet face-to-face until the 2003 reunion.
The two bonded online, Ibur said, adding it is a treat for them to see each other at Homecoming events.
"There are some people here I've only spoken to online," Ibur said.
Ibur is self-employed. Some of her work includes teaching art at the St. Louis County jail in Clayton and at homeless shelters. She also has a radio show on KDHX-FM.
At the meet n' greet, Ibur read poems she'd written, which contained a common theme about women who are overshadowed by their husbands. A poem about "Mrs. Claus" tells of an old woman who makes toys and slaves away for her husband, Santa Claus.
Richard Fox, who graduated in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in political science, organized this year's reunion.
Fox read several original poems at the reunion and said writing is one of his favorite ways to pass time.
"Writing is a synergy of personal experience," Fox said. "But if you are writing about yourself, it is not really that challenging."
Fox belongs to several writing groups where he mentors teenagers. He encourages teens to write poetry and use other creative venues to vent about life's frustrations.
Mary-Elizabeth Sabo-Jones, class of 1975
Mary-Elizabeth Sabo-Jones graduated from the Conservatory in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in theater directing. She is now responsible for designing computer programs as a software engineer.
"It's not that weird if you think about it," Sabo-Jones said. "As a director, you need to see how everyone fits together. You have to look at the entire picture just as you do with software."
Sabo-Jones said the best part about designing software is the allowance for creative freedom. Although she gets paid to work with computers, Sabo-Jones keeps her artistic hobbies in sight. She sings in a concert series at her local church in Boston.
She is also in the process of researching quantum physics, the dimension of time and space that does not exist, for her first science fiction novel.
"I understand the concepts, just don't make me do the math," Sabo-Jones said.
Sabo-Jones, who said she has been writing poetry since she was 10 years old, read several nature poems, including one about her five furry children - her cats.
Jane Ellen Ibur, class of 1974
From the class of 1974, Jane Ellen Ibur and a rubbery, green toy dinosaur named Fred attended the reunion together, along with fellow alumna Ellen Epstein.
"Fred went to school with us," Ibur said. "His enemies were the cowboys and Indians."
Ibur and Epstein became close friends through http://www.Webster.70.com, the Web site for the classes of the 1970s, but did not meet face-to-face until the 2003 reunion.
The two bonded online, Ibur said, adding it is a treat for them to see each other at Homecoming events.
"There are some people here I've only spoken to online," Ibur said.
Ibur is self-employed. Some of her work includes teaching art at the St. Louis County jail in Clayton and at homeless shelters. She also has a radio show on KDHX-FM.
At the meet n' greet, Ibur read poems she'd written, which contained a common theme about women who are overshadowed by their husbands. A poem about "Mrs. Claus" tells of an old woman who makes toys and slaves away for her husband, Santa Claus.