Class of 2015

1969 graduate of South Windsor High School where she was an Honor Roll Student all four years. Received a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Connecticut State College in 1973. She was a member of the Dean’s List and Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education, Class Treasurer (4 years) and Senior Activities Coordinator. Received Master’s Degree from the University of Connecticut in 1977. Teacher at Lyman Memorial High School 1973-2009, English Department Chair 1999-2009, Cooperating Supervisor to six student teachers and Advisor to the Classes of 1981, 1986, 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2005. Received yearbook dedications in 1981 and 2005.

Assistant Girl’s and Boy’s Cross Country Coach (1979-1987), Head Boy’s and Girl’s Cross Country Coach (1987-1997). Coached Girl’s Class S State Champion Teams four consecutive years (1987-1990). Girl’s Champions of the Quinebaug Valley Conference five consecutive years (1987-1991). Girl’s State Open Runner-up (1987), Boy’s State Open Individual Champion (1997)- Eric Blake, present Head Cross Country Coach at Central Connecticut State University and former Olympics Qualifier. Norwich Bulletin Girl’s Cross Country “Coach of the Year” (1987). Connecticut High School Coaches Association Girl’s Cross Country Coach of the Year (1991). Lebanon Education Association President (1 year) and Scholarship Chair (5 years). Secretary of Quinebaug Valley Conference (5 years). Served on CIAC Girls Cross Country Committee (2 years). In retirement, prepares and delivers meals to senior citizens in Columbia, Connecticut. As a hobby, has bred and shown Champion AKC Weimaraners for 25 years.

1997 Graduate of South Windsor High School where she played Varsity Basketball, Volleyball and Track. She served as Captain of all three teams and all teams achieved CCC East Conference Championships. In her senior year she was named All- Conference in all three sports.

In Basketball, Cristi was named All-State her junior and senior years and All-Conference Sophomore, Junior and Senior years. She led the team in scoring and rebounding all four years. She led the team to two Conference Championships, two Class LL semi-finals and one quarter-final appearance in the State Tournament. She was MVP of the Ellington Basketball Tournament her senior year and a three time member of the All-Tournament Team.

She played in the CHSCA Class LL Senior All-Star Game and the JCC Schoolgirl Classic All-Star Game. Cristi is the South Windsor High School Girls’ Basketball Career Scoring Leader (1,386 points) and Rebounder (836 rebounds). She was ranked in the USA Today Top 12 Basketball Players in Connecticut her senior year. Cristi led her Volleyball Team to two Conference Championships and two Class LL State Tournament appearances. She was an Honor Roll student every quarter of her High School career, a six-time student of the month and two time Hartford Courant Student Athlete. She also was a member of the band (flute) and orchestra (violin). Cristi earned a full four year NCAA Division 1 College Basketball Scholarship to Saint Peter’s University in New Jersey. She received a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education (2001) and a Master’s in Administration and Supervision (2003) graduating Magna Cum Laude for each degree. She played four years of college basketball where the team was two-time NCAA Division 1 College Basketball Tournament participants and two-time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament Champions. Cristi was a four-time member of the MAAC All-Academic Team. She was the St. Peter’s University “Senior Student-Athlete of the Year” and selected New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women “Woman of the Year” for involvement in sports, academics and community service (2001). She received the Cross Keys Award for Academics, Athletics, Community Service and Strength of Character and was named St. Peter’s College “Woman of the Year” (2001). She organized and participated in college missionary trips to Mexico City and Honduras and volunteered at blood drives, soup kitchens and numerous other community support initiatives.

Cristi is an International Health and Empowerment Coach at HERBALIFE and previously served as a Sales Rep in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Married to high school sweetheart and fellow South Windsor High School Hall of Famer, Brett Burnham. They have three children and reside in Virginia.

1969 graduate of South Windsor High School and member of the Varsity Baseball and Soccer Teams. Received All Conference Honors in Baseball 1968 and 1969. Graduated from Southern Connecticut State College with a Degree in Health and Physical Education and Central Connecticut State College with a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Taught Physical Education for 21 years and Biology for 14 years. Served as Athletic Director for 13 years. Coached Varsity and Junior Varsity Soccer for 22 years and Junior Varsity and Freshman Baseball for four years. The 1997 Varsity Soccer Team won the school’s first ever Boy’s CCC Championship. Received the Sportsmanship Award in Coaching from the Soccer Officials Association in 2007. Received a Service Award from the Central Connecticut Basketball Officials Organization in 2003-2004. Presented an Excellence in Teaching Award in Biology from The University of Connecticut in 1993. Started the Unified Sports Program at South Windsor High School with fellow teacher Maggie Mortensen in 1985. The Unified Soccer and Volleyball Teams won Championships within a two year period. Retired from teaching in 2010 and coaching in 1997.

1974 graduate of South Windsor High School and internationally known artist. She received a B.A. Degree from Southern Connecticut State University and has studied at Penland School of Crafts, University of Massachusetts and Parsons School of Design. She has been a featured artist on HGTV “That’s Clever” and “QVC”. Keynote Speaker at various domestic and international conferences, universities, organizations and associations. Some of her commissions and collections include “Believe” – Community Health Resources (Enfield, Connecticut), “Wreath Art Installation” – Boston Children’s Hospital (Boston, Massachusetts), “My Friends Place” – Boundless Playgrounds (South Windsor), “Better Beginnings” – Saint Francis Hospital (Hartford, Connecticut), “South Windsor Library” – “Angels of Culture” (South Windsor, Connecticut), “Garden Arch" – Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (New Haven, Connecticut), “Evergreen Walk – The Gabriels II” (South Windsor, Connecticut), “Mark Twain House Ornament – The White House” (Washington, D.C.) “Chef” – Collection of Rocky H. Aoki" (Benihana, Japan), “ISG Mobile Installations – Booz, Allen and Hamilton” (Dallas, Texas/ NY, NY/ London, England). She has had solo exhibitions throughout the United States and internationally including “Angels and Faeries” Holiday Window Exhibition – Bergdorf Goodman (NY, NY). She has taught at workshops, art and craft centers and served as an Adjunct Professor at Southern Connecticut State College. She was an “Artist in Residence” at St. Francis Hospital and Artpark (NY). She has contributed to numerous community projects including Channel 3 Kids Camp, YWCA, Connecticut Human Society and Community Health Network of Connecticut. Karen has been recognized by the New Orleans City Council for Contribution to the Artist’s Foundation Collection, received the “Remarkable Woman in Business Award” from the Hartford Business Journal and the “Nova Award” for Best Overall New Product for 2002 – Canadian Gift and Tableware Association.