For Part 2 of this week’s “Where Are They Now”, we’re making a stop in Maitland to catch up with Tony Seidule, his brand-new bride, and the family business.

(Also, the Accommodations page and Friends & Family BBQ page have been updated with info, and the Purchase Tickets page is here. One more day to buy tickets!)

Where are you at now?

I am still in Florida and never planning on leaving. I currently live in Maitland with my wife.

What do you do for a living?

After attending college, my Dad offered me a great opportunity to start working as a salesman and eventually taking over the family business, “Magic Business Forms”. It is a printing and promotional products company that has been in the same location (Winter Park) going on 25 years. I feel very fortunate because I love what I do!

That’s awesome! Not many people get the opportunity to continue building something their parents started so long ago. Twenty-five years is something to be proud of. Any other big accomplishments? What do you do when you’re not working?

Spare time is hard to come by these days and I don’t even have kids yet! When I’m not working, my beautiful wife and I are never sitting still. We have traveled so many places; from drinking rum on the beaches in the Dominican Republic, to snow skiing in Park City, Utah. My absolute favorite place would be the Dominican, which is where we went on our honeymoon. My wife and I got to stay there for two weeks at the Hardrock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana. If you ever get the chance I strongly recommend going! Other than traveling I play a lot of softball, golf and never miss a UCF home game—I also fish every time I get the chance. As for big accomplishments, no surprise, it was finding the most amazing women in the world and tricking her into marrying me! Haha!

Now, that brings me to who I want to show off: my beautiful wife, Tiffany Seidule.  I never thought I could be so proud of anyone.  She is a very intelligent, spontaneous and a driven person. She studied Finance at UCF and is now a Corporate Controller at Planet Hollywood!  Also, have to put a little shout out to my brother Nick Seidule, who is an attorney in College Park, Florida at Dellecker, Wison, King, McKenna, Ruffier & Sos, LLP.

Lastly, I have to show you the surprise my wife brought home to me right after our honeymoon ~ this is Mi-So-Kee (long story behind the name).

What a great little family the three of you make! Where do you see yourself five years from now?

In 5 years I see myself living my life the same way I do now: loving my life and everything that comes with it!! I just hope to have a bigger family with a couple little ones running around by then.

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In this week’s “Where Are They Now?”, we’re in Atlanta with WSHS alum (and new HGTV contributor!) Chelsea Rushing Dunbar.

Give us the status update: where are you at now?

I currently live with my family in Atlanta. Although, oddly enough we received an offer on our house this week (it wasn’t for sale!) and we are considering moving back to Florida! It’s a little sooner than expected, but we want to move to Sarasota to be close-ish to both of our families. I moved here from Savannah for an internship at an architecture firm in 2005 and met my husband (Reese, who you will meet at the reunion) and never left! I graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with a degree in Interior Design in 2007. I am now working as an interior designer here in ATL.

What is the most exciting thing you’ve done since graduation? 

We have been really lucky and had some amazing opportunities to travel the world. My husband used to rack up some crazy hotel points traveling every week for work so we have been able to go to China, Belgium, Luxembourg, Amsterdam, Germany, France, Switzerland, Mexico (which is where we got married), Hawaii, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Italy and the Virgin Islands to name a few! That has changed a lot since we had our 2 kids, but we are excited to move to Florida to take advantage of some free babysitting from our parents very soon! Our family spends a lot of time boating, we are obsessed with trying new and different foods, and lately I haven’t had much spare time at all running after 2 kids and working full-time.

What’s the next goal you’re working towards?

ChelseaDunbarInteriors.com

I have been incredibly fortunate to have married a guy who supported me when I decided to start my own company 2 years ago. After graduating college I got to work at a great architecture firm in Atlanta (tvsdesign) for 4 years, designing hotels, international shopping malls, and convention centers around the world. It was an amazing experience, but a lot of long hours. I was pregnant with Gavin and the economy was doing really poorly….so I thought it was a good time to branch off and start my own interior design firm, Chelsea Dunbar Interiors. Things started off slow and I thought it would be part-time while I spent most of my energy raising my first baby. It has taken off more than expected and this has turned into a full-time (sometimes too much time), successful business. I now have another employee and we just began working on a television show for HGTV. We are working with the Property Brothers on Season 4 in Atlanta to design houses on six of the episodes. It is so very exciting and I can’t imagine things being any better than they are now!

How cool! Where are you planning to take all of this over the next 5 years?

In 5 years I could see myself expanding my business even further, hiring more staff, and working in multiple cities. It might even be great to venture into more television design work. At some point, I wouldn’t mind slowing down a bit and opening a high-end furniture and design retail store in Sarasota. For now I will focus on sleeping more and spending as much time with my 2 kids while they are little! Time seems to slip away as I aim to meet deadlines and move on to new projects. My focus is really to have a successful company but to maintain a work-life balance which can be very difficult at times.

For sure. Anything you learned from your high school experience that you’ve taken with you?

It seems that high school for me was really an excellent lesson in maintaining and growing personal relationships. I went to a really small private school before WSHS, so a big high school was a completely new experience. This is something that has really helped me in running a business. I have stayed really active in the community to get to know clients on a social level, which has led to a lot of great referrals and a steady stream of business. I would also say that taking classes such as “leadership” and playing a varsity sport kept me very focused in school and taught me the importance of commitment and taking on new challenges. Something fabulous that I GAINED from high school was a sister-in-law from our graduating class. My little brother married Ally Hock’s little sister, Shelby last year. So I went from having no sisters, to having two, which is great for me since we were already friends and grew up together.

Time to show off! Where’s those beautiful kids?

Gavin is almost three and Peyton is 3 months old. Gavin is a great big brother and absolutely adores his little sister. We are so very, very blessed. We also have a dog and two cats. Our house is very, very busy!

Any parting thoughts?

I will definitely be at the reunion (oops, haven’t bought tickets yet!) and I am really looking forward to catching up with everyone and getting to know others that I wish I had spent more time with in high school. I can’t wait to see you all in October!

Don’t forget to pick up your reunion tickets here before October 19th (just a reminder, they will not be available at the door!)

It’s time for another edition of “Where Are They Now?” and we’re sitting down with Michelle Rodriguez, who’s leaving bearpaw prints (sorry, we couldn’t help it!) in the lives of kids all over the country. Way to go, Michelle!

1) Where are you now and what are you up to?

I live in Oviedo right now, very close to UCF. I work for the YMCA of the USA, which is the national offices of YMCA’s across the country. The offices are located in Chicago, but I work from home and my position requires a very large amount of traveling. I am an education advisor for Youth Development programs. I work with after-school programs run by the YMCA in elementary schools through a curriculum. The communities we serve face a variety of critical issues, including low academics, as well as difficulties with social/emotional behavior. I oversee a total of 15 schools around the United States in very low-income areas. I train directors and staff and I provide resources for these students to be successful! I worked for the YMCA of Central Florida for seven years and I just got promoted to Y-USA in April. It has truly been an amazing journey thus far.

2) What awesome things do you do with your spare time?

I spend a lot of time traveling for work, so in my spare time I like to enjoy time with family and friends and I’m involved in church. I also really love the beach, shopping, relaxing spa days, and going on cruises!

3) What’s the next goal you’re planning to work towards?

My next goal is to continue growing with the YMCA, whether it’s at a national level or a local level. I’d love to become a National Director or an Executive Director for youth development programs. I would also like to finish my Master’s degree and start a PhD. I would also like to start a family!

4) Can you name anything you learned from your high school experience that you’ve taken with you?

I really think the greatest thing I reflect back on from high school is everything I learned from my amazing teachers. Now, being in the field of education, I realize how tough it is is and how much teachers had to put up with us! I thought I knew it all and had it all figured out then. Man, I learned my lesson very quick! I really now understand the value of a good strong work ethic, dedication and most of all passion. I really feel as though the teachers instilled so much excitement and motivation, as well as knowledge and expertise.

5) Time to show off! Any significant others, children or pets you’d like to share with us?

I have the most amazing boyfriend ever…or should I say fiancée!!! We are planning a wedding and the date has been set for 12.12.14. God has truly blessed me with an amazing man and I can’t wait!

6) What’s the coolest thing you’ve done since graduating?

Best experience since high school has been traveling around Europe for a month while in college. I went to seven countries and had the time of my life! We started in Ireland and ended in Spain with a group of about 80 college students. If you haven’t done it I highly recommend saving up for it because it is AWESOME!

If you haven’t picked up your reunion tickets yet, you can purchase them here! Only 6 weeks left to get them! Follow The Bear on Twitter and Instagram for extra info and specials.

Can you smell coffee? That’s because we’re in Seattle for this week’s “Where Are They Now.” Say hello to Dani O’Brien Buckley!

What have you been doing since high school? What are you up to these days?

I graduated from UCF and I worked in radio for quite a few years (during and after college) at local Orlando stations, including 98.9 WMMO and formerly 96.5 WHTQ. It was an amazing and fun experience that I wouldn’t change for the world. I had the chance to work in a variety of departments, including promotions & marketing and advertising sales. I met my husband and some of my closest friends to date in radio, but decided to move on to some new things last spring. I took a crazy leap of faith and started my own business doing contracted marketing and basic web design services, as well as making some extra cash working at a local bar/restaurant — I forgot how fun working in hospitality can be! (Shout out to Ollie’s in College Park!)

That was going well for awhile but I decided with the newfound location independent work I was doing, it was finally time to “get the hell out of Dodge” so my amazing, supportive husband and I set our sights on the Pacific Northwest and haven’t looked back. We moved to Seattle in April of this year (after the most kick-ass cross country road trip ever!) and it’s turned out to be the best decision we could have ever made. Right before our move, some serendipitous things happened and I got offered a job with an amazing company where I’d have the opportunity to be a part of building an in-house inbound marketing agency that is a partner of one of my personal favorite marketing/software companies, HubSpot. The opportunity was perfect — allowing me to continue working from home doing what I really love, but on a bigger scale. So far, so good!

I also blog regularly and I’m an avid writer. I’ve hosted creative writing workshops and have some plans in the works to launch online workshops and different lifestyle design related courses.

What fun, interesting things do you like to do with your spare time?

Since moving out to Seattle, my biggest passion is exploring this region and the outdoors. I’m mildly obsessed with hiking, camping, and road trips—and we pretty much are doing those things every single chance we get. I’ve always been a learning enthusiast and I can’t seem to stop signing up for random workshops or online classes to learn new skills or whatever peaks my interest, so that’s definitely a hobby of mine as well. Oh, and being in the PNW I also spend a decent amount of time trying out every local craft beer—it only seems fair.

Any experiences that you’ve taken away from high school or specific memories you’d like to share?

I’ve always looked back on high school as a fun, memorable chapter in my life. I know not everyone feels that way, but for me it was a busy and easy time filled with lots of close friends, organized sports (which I miss so much), and some crazy memories. I’m sure there are some bad memories too—but I’ve done an effective job of blocking those out. Haha. I’m really bummed not to be able to attend our 10-year reunion because despite how much we get see on Facebook, it would be really nice to reconnect with old friends as well as make some new ones.

If there’s anything I’ve learned over the years, it’s that people change (well, people CAN change, not all people choose to). I believe the people we thought we knew in high school are likely very different now, 10 years later, and it would be fun to connect those dots and re-meet everyone from a fresh perspective and without preconceived judgements.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Currently we live in a condo in downtown Seattle, so no kids or pets at the moment — we travel too much for pets and the idea of kids still freaks me out. However, we plan to eventually take the parenthood plunge (I think), so 5 years from now I imagine having a little person running around. I also hope to be a published author by then (a book about what, I have no idea) and maybe even get paid to travel and speak to large groups of people. That definitely wouldn’t suck.

Enjoy the reunion and Go Bears!! 🙂

Don’t forget, you can purchase your tickets to the reunion here, and follow The Bear on Twitter and Instagram! 

In this installment of “Where Are They Now?” we caught up to 2003 grad Christina Montgomery. Read about her whirlwind decade since graduation below!

Give us the status update: the who’s, what’s, when, and where of your life now. 

“I currently live in Orlando, FL, and have been a professional singer for over 5 years. I sing full-time with the Voices of Liberty, Epcot’s premier acapella group, and am the Chief Operating Officer/IMTA Director for Prelude Talent. I have also been a private voice and piano teacher for over 10 years. I feel very blessed to do what I love twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. ‘Work’ never feels like work.

I left college after my second year to pursue my career in entertainment, but have decided if I ever do return to school, I will pursue a degree in choral conducting. Do I regret it? Not at all! The amount of experience I have gained throughout the last 10 years have helped me to get to where I am today as a performer and in running a business.”

Do you have anyone special that you’d like to show off?

Christina and Franco

“I have been with my wonderful, handsome, and very Italian boyfriend, Franco, for over a year now. He never ceases to amaze me each day with how loving and caring he is—he’s the ultimate gentleman! The thing I admire and love the most about him is his love for God and how he shares that love with others. We have an adorable and spunky white Miniature Schnauzer named Bentley who will be a year old on September 19! He is my pride and joy and is the sweetest little pup ever!”

What is the most exciting thing you’ve done since graduation?

“I have sung for a variety of corporate conventions, was part of the opening cast of ‘Frog Choir’ at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter where I sang for 3 years, am the lead singer for Radio Free—an Asian acoustic trio made up of guitar, vocals, and a beat boxer! I’ve also done some session work for Brock at his studio downtown: Starlight Studios. I love doing theatre shows and I’ve had the privilege of playing Kim in Miss Saigon (a dream role of mine since I was young), Christmas Eve in Avenue Q, and Trix the Aviatrix in The Drowsy Chaperone.”  

“In 2009, I was a contestant in the Miss Orlando Pageant. I learned so much about the Miss America organization and thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn’t win a title, but I did win the talent portion of the competition!

Another highlight was last Christmas: I sang at the Epcot Candlelight Processional that Lea Salonga was narrating! I not only got to meet the original ‘Kim’ in Miss Saigon, and the singing voice of Mulan and Jasmine, but she also signed my Miss Saigon Libretto! It was a really special moment!”

What do you do in your spare time? Any big goals coming up that you’d like to tell us about? 

“In my spare time, I love going for rides on the back of Franco’s Harley Davidson, cuddling with Bentley, spending time with my close friends, reading, and catching up on shows that I never have time to watch!”

Bentley

“My goal is to make Prelude Talent as successful as possible. We opened in November of 2012 and are dedicated to discovering new talent (singer, actors, dancers, songwriters, and models), providing opportunities that are not found in the Orlando area, and giving back to the community. We are members of the International Model and Talent Association and took two contestants to compete in NYC this past July. They were very successful, won multiple awards, and had numerous call-backs from top agents in the industry. Currently, we are in works with an agency in LA and NYC in hopes to get our two contestants signed. IMTA Convention is an avenue that we offer for those interested in furthering their careers. We are also in the process of putting together a huge charity event in the beginning of December to bring awareness to child poverty, which is a continuous growing epidemic in the Central Florida area.”

Is there anything that you learned in high school that you’ve taken with you?

“One thing that I learned from high school was that hard work pays off and you never stop learning. Being in the entertainment industry, there is always room for growth, new things to learn, and only with hard work can you land the next gig or contract that you’ve had your eyes and dreams set on.”

Don’t forget to follow The Bear on Instagram, where we’ll be uploading flashback pics this Friday! You can submit yours at wshs2003@live.com or tag with @wshs2003.

For the third “Where Are They Now?” classmate profile, we headed north to Beantown, USA, to catch up with Adam Minsky.

Give us the status update: the who’s, what’s, when and where of your life now.  

“I moved to Boston, Massachusetts after high school, and I’ve been here ever since! I studied Philosophy and Political Science at Boston University, then went on to get my law degree from Northeastern University. For the past three years I’ve been working as a Staff Attorney for the state of Massachusetts, specializing in unemployment law. I also founded my own private law practice (www.minsky-law.com) on my own time. It is one of the first law practices of its kind, with a focus entirely on student loan law (a brand new area of law). I live with my boyfriend, Josh, who works in health care policy and also happens to be a trained chef (lucky me!).”

What is the most exciting thing you’ve done since graduation? 

Adam and Josh Hiking in Hawaii.

“I’d say two things: 1) Traveling. During college, I lived and studied in London for a semester and saw Spain, France, Belgium, and The Netherlands. I also studied Japanese for two years and spent a month exploring Japan. I’ve been to Bermuda twice. In the past couple of years I’ve been to Hong Kong and Macau, California, Hawaii, and Maine, and in September I’m going to Montreal! 2) Starting my own private law practice was one of the scariest and most exciting things I’ve ever done. I had no idea what to expect—they don’t teach you how to open up and run your own practice during law school, let alone one that focuses on a brand new area of law. But it’s been a huge success and I’ve helped a lot of people, which is really rewarding.”

Where would you like to be 5 years from now?

“I don’t know where I’ll be in 5 years, but I’ve been loving living in Boston and I have no plans to leave. For now, my plans are to keep working at my two jobs and see where they take me. I’d like to travel more (exploring South American and more of Asia would be great). Maybe buy a condo?  We’ll see—I have my own student loans to pay off!”

Can you name anything you learned from your high school experience that you’ve taken with you?

“I don’t know if Mrs. Guzman is still teaching math at WSHS, but the only thing that got me through the bar exam after law school was repeating to myself, over and over again, “You survived calculus in high school, you will survive this.” Also, Mrs. Reeder really instilled in me a love of American history, which is one of the reasons I love living up here—there’s so much history! (Yes, I’m still a nerd.)”

Do you have pets or children you’d like to show off?

Harvey!

“I do have a dog, an Italian Greyhound named Harvey. He’s 5, and I’ve had him since he was a puppy, so we go way back. He is spastic, hilarious, awkward, insanely happy, fairly neurotic, and kind of crazy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way and I wouldn’t trade him for the world.”

Sharing is caring. Know someone who has a cool story to tell? Or have one of your own? Let us feature it in “Where Are They Now!” Email us at wshs2003@live.com. 

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