Thank you to Michael for the amount of time and effort you put into keeping our class in touch! We can all agree how incredibly fast time has gone. I think most of us were very different people in High School than we are now. I enjoy hearing about each of you and how you have grown.

Thankful to my best friend in HS (Jeff Uslan) for the suggestion, I went to University of Miami for a fun filled four years of college. Upon returning from Florida, I landed my first job as a securities broker for a Wall Street subsidiary firm. I passed my Series 7 and began trading municipal bonds. Although the money was great, I never enjoyed what I was doing.

During that time, I married my husband Bob, and we have been married almost 39 years. Once I was expecting my first child, I knew I was not going to return to being a bond broker. I hated being in an office. I was fortunate to be able to stay home and raise my three children. Matthew, James, and Haley. When they were old enough, I began working in the school in various positions. Although I loved working with the children, I still didn’t feel this was my calling.

While working in the school my neighbor was studying for her real estate exam. I started thinking about a career in real estate as I knew I could still be around when my children needed me. I ended up getting my license that year and have been a full-time realtor for 20 years with no regrets. I truly enjoy what I do and feel like I make a difference in people’s lives. I have even had the pleasure of helping some of our classmates throughout the years!

On a personal note, if you follow me on social media, you know I am a huge Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan. My husband did an internship for the team when he was in college and still has a few connections. We have toured the training facility and have been on the field many times. His nickname, Buc Stevens, comes from a misunderstanding during his fantasy football draft when he was trying to draft the Buc’s defense and was misunderstood. Someone once asked me if he was my second husband!

I have had contact with several classmates and have remained very close with Judy Rabinowitz Kannell and Kathy Kugel Darnell. We take trips together when we can. We have spent time together in Florida, NYC, the Jersey shore, Hawaii, Greece, and with our most recent being our second trip to Las Vegas.

When I am not working, I enjoy travelling and relaxing at the beach but my favorite thing to do is to spend time with my grandchildren.

For more information and to contact me, please email claudiashouses@gmail.com.