Saturday, October 16, 2004 at the Hilton Hotel in Bloomington. Coordinating this with the 50^th reunion at the high school. Please contact Marge Thiele at 612-869-1078 for more information.

Friday, July 30, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at Eagles Club, 9152 Old Cedar Ave So, Bloomington. Classmates only, Rave-Ons play, snacks, cash bar.

Saturday, July 31, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. at Discovery Bay – Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley. Classmates, friends, guests, cash bar, hor d’oeuvres, music, candle light. $40 all inclusive, both nights, no breakdown, parking fee included.

Friday, July 30, 2004 – 6:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Edinborough Park, 77^th & York in Edina.

$45/person includes open bar for beer and soft drinks all evening; wine for one hour; appetizers; and priceless opportunity to catch up with old friends.

Also, Saturday, July 31^st at 1:15 p.m. there will be a RHS 1974 pickup hockey game/event at our old Richfield Ice Arena on 66^th Street east of Portland. We have 90 minutes of ice time.

Saturday, August 14^th , 7:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. at Millennium Hotel, 1313 Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis. Ticket price $35 before August 1^st, $45 at the door. Contact Cathy at 952-470-5359.

Saturday, August 21, 2004 – 7:00 p.m. at the Atlas Grill , 200 South 6^th Street in Minneapolis.

Visit Reunion Organizers of Minnesota for more information.

Jackie (Jensen) Saunders (Class of 1969) is the principal of North Lake Academy Charter School in Forest Lake. Following the 2003 Legislative Session, Saunders wrote an editorial describing the "accounting shift" that delayed revenue payments to schools and ". . . the outright distress caused when politicians and bureaucrats try to balance the state budget on the backs of the state’s most vulnerable citizens. . . ."

Steve Lindgren (Class of 1967), has served the Richfield community as a state senator, school board member, and in recent years as President of the Richfield Chamber of Commerce. Steve was first elected to the school board in 1971, at age 21. An editorial at the time stated, "Steve Lindgren was elected because of his knowledge of education in Richfield. Lindgren continues to be involved with the Richfield Schools. In 2003–04, he chaired the Fiscal Planning Advisory Committee and also served as a Chamber of Commerce liaison to the District Technology Planning Committee.

Brittany Piatz (Class of 2005 - percussion), Emma Weeding (Class of 2005 - oboe), and David Kittell (Class of 2006 - flute) were named to the 2004-05 All State Music Groups. The students will attend a weeklong summer camp and perform at Orchestra Hall next February, as part of the Minnesota Music Educators Association Mid-Winter Clinic. Over 2200 students auditioned for the groups. In 2003-04, Weeding participated in the All-State Orchestra.

Stephanie Richards’ senior year was a good one! Last fall, the newly formed Richfield Arts Commission sponsored a teen art contest, with entries from Richfield, Bloomington, and Minneapolis. Stephanie submitted a painting, which earned first place honors. This spring, Richards received a $2,500 Horatio Alger Minnesota Scholarship,

which provides financial assistance to students who have financial need and have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. Congratulations, Stephanie!

Seven new members were inducted to the RHS hall of Fame in a ceremony held at the Northfield Country Club Golf Course June 21st, 2004.

Tracy Carey (class of 1993) is regarded as the best pitcher in the history of the Richfield High girls fast pitch softball program. In 1992, Tracy did almost all the pitching as Richfield finished 22-6 overall. She was a leader in other sports too, as a starting guard in basketball and the starting setter for the volleyball team. Tracy went on to play softball for the University of Minnesota and during the 1997 season she helped the Gophers to their third highest win total ever (37-19).

Michelle Hamren (class of 1992) specialized in swimming and earned five varsity letters. After earning a berth in the state meet as a junior, Hamren was sidelined by a career-threatening shoulder injury in her senior season. Even when she was unable to swim, she fulfilled her duties as captain by attending every practice and encouraging her teammates. After high school, Michelle went on to swim at the University of Minnesota and competed in the Big Ten Championships in three of her four seasons with the Gophers. She is currently a teacher at Centennial School in Richfield and assists her father in the swimming program.

Shannon Hansmann (class of 1995), is one of Richfield High’s most versatile female athletes. She was an All-Classic Lake Conference performer in swimming, softball and basketball. Shannon helped the Spartans break a 14-year-old school record in the 400-yard freestyle relay during the 1994 season and also in the 200 freestyle relay. She was co-captain of the basketball team in 1994-95. Softball was Hansmann’s best sport and the one she played in college. She played at Oklahoma State and the University of Minnesota. Shannon still plays competitive softball and is employed by Health Partners.

Brian Kispert "Krispy" began his career in Richfield in 1965. He was hired as a math teacher and assistant wrestling coach, but his coaching duties soon expanded into football and baseball. Although his wrestling days ended in 1969, he continued to coach football for 31 more seasons and baseball for 36. As baseball head coach he captured two conference titles and two Conference Coach of the Year Awards. His coaching career also included many seasons as head of the American Legion Team. Currently, Krispy is serving as a varsity assistant, mostly due to the fact that he doesn’t trust the current coach to take care of the field.

By the time he graduated from Richfield High in 1984, Jeff Lee held every school record in swimming. Twenty years after his graduation, Lee still holds school records in four events. He won five individual state titles during his high school career. "Even to this day, he’ll show up at the alumni meet and compete with the guys on our varsity," says coach Hamren.

Jake McCoy has taught and coached Richfield kids at every grade level in the school system for 33 years. As a teacher, Jake spent 28 years in the junior high schools and five in the senior high. As a couch, he was involved in the hockey program every one of those years – six at East Junior High and the remainder in the varsity program. He served as head coach for nine years, and was an integral part of the coaching team that led the Spartans to the State Tournament in 1976 (second place) and 1991 (consolation champs).

John L. Peterson, III (class of 1967), moved into Richfield in his sophomore year but made up for lost time by lettering in three sports – football, basketball and track. As a sophomore, he became "the best quarter-miler Richfield ever had," in the words of his coach, Bob Collison. He set a school record in that event, which stood for many years. His senior year John was voted Spartan of the Year, the most valuable player award for that sport. After graduating from Mankato State University he joined State Farm Auto Insurance Company and has remained there for 32 years.

The Richfield Foundation was organized in 1989 by a group of concerned Richfield citizens who felt there was a need for local support of activities and organizations that contribute to the well-being of Richfield and its citizens.

During its eleven-year history, the Richfield Foundation has made numerous grants in support of organizations serving our community, including grants to Cornerstone, Family and Children’s Services, Fraser Community Services, Hampton Place After School Center, St. David’s Child Development and Family Services, Storefront/Youth Action, VEAP, and YouthNet.

In 1997, the Richfield Foundation created the Richfield Public Schools Dedicated Fund (RPS FUND) to support programs and activities within Richfield Public Schools. A committee for the RPS FUND acquires and distributes funds to programs, services, and activities that enhance the quality of education offered by our local public schools.

The RPS Fund is supported by individuals and corporations with an interest in enriching our community’s schools, and by special fundraising events. Contributions can also be made in honor of recent or past staff members through the Spartan Gold Helmet Award. Donors may designate funds for specific purposes such as the RPS Endowment Fund.

Many previous donors have supported the RPS Fund through the United Way, which offers the convenience of giving through payroll deductions (Twin Cities donors learn more here). The RPS Fund does not have a code to fill in on United Way donation cards, but you may still designate the Fund by checking the "Optional" box and writing "Richfield Foundation/RPS Fund."

Many employers will match your donations to charitable organizations. Please ask at your workplace about this easy way to double your giving.

Send contributions to: RPS Dedicated Fund P.O. Box 23462, Richfield, MN 55423

We accept Visa/Mastercard. Please call 612-798-6704 with any questions.

The RPS Fund web site is http://www.rpsfund.