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Wheeler Distinguished Alumni
The mission of the Distinguished Alumni Program is to recognize and honor those Alumni of Wheeler High School who have put themselves forward as the paradigm of this ideal. We want to formally recognize Wheeler High School graduates who, later in life, have made significant achievements through their career, athletics, the arts, or who have given back to the North Stonington School System. By honoring those graduates for their achievements, we hope to inspire current Wheeler High School students to follow in their footsteps. Honorees will be selected by a group of educational, community, and current student leaders using the guidelines prescribed by the North Stonington Education Foundation.
Mr. James Patton '88
Mr. James Patton, a member of the Wheeler High School Class of 1988, is honored as a Distinguished Alumni in recognition of his lifelong commitment to peace, human rights, and global development. He earned degrees in Biology, Philosophy, and Art from the University of Connecticut in 1994 and went on to complete both a Master of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University’s Fletcher School and a Master of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School between 2000 and 2004. Throughout his care
Maurice Miner '82
Maurice Miner, a member of the Wheeler High School Class of 1982, is honored as a Distinguished Alumni in recognition of his achievements in broadcasting, journalism, and the music industry. A high honors graduate and member of the National Honor Society, Maurice has maintained strong ties to North Stonington, including ongoing involvement with the North Stonington Grange and regular visits to the family farm where he was raised. Maurice discovered his passion for broadcastin
Dr. Leonard A. Brennan '75
Dr. Leonard A. Brennan graduated from Wheeler High School in 1975. Upon graduating, Dr. Brennan attended Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and Humboldt State University in California. In 1989 he earned his PhD in Wildlife Resource Sciences—Wildlife Ecology from the University of California–Berkeley. Dr. Brennan’s primary research interests include habitat and population ecology of quails in Texas and throughout North America. He has authored over 130 scientific a
Sean O'Keefe '73
Mr. Sean O’Keefe graduated from Wheeler High School in 1973 and from Syracuse University in 1978. He taught at several universities including Pennsylvania State University and Syracuse University. He served many high-level positions within the United States Government. Mr. O’Keefe was the Comptroller at the Department of Defense from 1989–1992 and the Acting Secretary of the Navy under President George H. W. Bush from 1992–1993. He served as the Administrator of NASA from 200
Bruce Wilkinson '73
Mr. Bruce Wilkinson, a member of the Wheeler High School Class of 1973, is honored as a Distinguished Alumni in recognition of his global humanitarian impact and lifelong commitment to serving underprivileged communities. He earned his degree in Economics from Gordon College in 1977 and later received his MBA in International Management from the University of Cambridge. Working alongside his wife, Linda, Mr. Wilkinson has devoted his life to mission-driven work in Africa, foc
Larry Chappel '70
Mr. Larry Chappell, a member of the Wheeler High School Class of 1970, is honored as a Distinguished Alumni in recognition of his lifelong dedication to education, athletics, and community service. He earned his degree in Education from Central Connecticut State University and went on to spend 32 years as a physical education teacher at North Stonington Elementary School, retiring in 2006. In addition to his work in the classroom, Mr. Chappell served as the Girls Cross Countr
Dr. Francis Y. Falck '69
Dr. Francis Y. Falck, a member of the Wheeler High School Class of 1969, is honored as a Distinguished Alumni in recognition of his distinguished career in ophthalmology and public health. He earned his Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of Michigan in 1982 and graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in 1986. A board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Falck is an internationally recognized glaucoma specialist and cataract surgeon. He has served as
Robert Miner '84
Robert Miner, a member of the Wheeler High School Class of 1984, is recognized as a Distinguished Alumni for a lifetime dedicated to agriculture, community service, and mentorship. Raised on his family’s dairy farm in North Stonington—founded by his grandfather in 1920—Robert developed a deep-rooted passion for farming that continues to shape his life and work today. Alongside his wife, Cheree, and their son, Jason, he has built a life grounded in family, hard work, and commu
Jen Strunk (Sanquedolce) '01
Jennifer Strunk graduated from Wheeler High School in 2001. She resides in North Stonington with her husband, Joshua, and their two children, Evelyn and Emmett. Jennifer has distinguished herself as a respected leader in her profession and in the creation of numerous cultural events at the local level. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jennifer created the “Frights and Lights” Parade to provide a safe and joyful way for the community to celebrate and gather. Over the years, the e
Dr. Meredith Milligan '10
Dr. Meredith Milligan graduated from Wheeler High School in 2010. Meredith resides in Concord, New Hampshire, and is a practicing physician at Epsom Family Medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Public Health from Dartmouth College in 2023. Meredith is a highly published author with articles in multiple peer-reviewed academic journals, including Obesity Reviews, Neuropsychopharmacology, an
Karcher “Kasha” Deshefy (McGowan) ’02
Karcher “Kasha” Deshgy graduated from Wheeler High School in 2002. She resides in North Stonington with her husband and four children. Karcher is a positive role model for Wheeler students and the North Stonington community through her career as the North Stonington Animal Control Officer. Karcher shows a tremendous level of respect for the animals and residents of the community and treats them as if they were her own. Her deep commitment and devotion to the health and well-b
Wayne Coats '70
Wayne Coats graduated from Wheeler High School in 1970. Wayne has resided in North Stonington his entire life and, as a child, worked on his family farm. Wayne proudly lives in the house he grew up in with his wife of 46 years, Linda. Together, Wayne and Linda raised two boys, Adam and Justin, who also graduated from Wheeler High School. Throughout town, Wayne is known as a kind, patient, and caring man. He is often described as someone who would “give the shirt off his back”
Cheryl Haase (Lord) '78
Cheryl Haase graduated from Wheeler High School in 1978. She resides in North Stonington with her husband Todd and their four children, Shane, Noah, Raina, and Ayva. Cheryl is a positive role model for Wheeler students and the North Stonington community. She promotes positivity on social media and is always looking for ways to promote happenings in the North Stonington school community. Cheryl balances her family, work, and community involvement through her busy schedule at R
Roberta "Robbie" McCarthy (Reust) ’77
Roberta McCarthy, often known as Robbie, graduated from Wheeler High School in 1977. She earned a Computerized Accounting Certificate from the New London School of Business in 1986. Robbie was hired by North Stonington Public Schools in January 1989, first as a bookkeeper and later as an Administrative Assistant in July 1994, where she remained until 2022 serving the Central Office and all staff of North Stonington Public Schools. Robbie has been married to her husband Chuck
Wanda Breidinger ’77
Wanda Breidinger graduated from Wheeler High School in 1977. She attended the Mashantucket Pequot Academy from 1994–1999, Three Rivers Community College in 2011, and graduated from the University of Phoenix in 2012. Mrs. Breidinger runs a successful floral business, Ladybug Designs, based in North Stonington, Connecticut, where she resides today. Wanda’s business has earned two national awards, the first from WeddingWire for the “Couples’ Choice Award” and the second from The
Carly Buehler ’07
Carly Buehler graduated from Wheeler High School in 2007. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Education. What began as Carly’s senior project at Wheeler High School, in collaboration with Chikumbuso, eventually drove her to change the world long after her graduation. Carly has since raised an abundance of awareness and has helped to fund the Chikumbuso Women and Orphans Project in Zambia. She raise
Terence “Terry” Matthew Bishop ’84
Terence “Terry” Matthew Bishop, a 1984 Wheeler graduate, was always the personification of devotion to his family, his hometown, and his country. Terry served for three decades as a highly respected analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency. At the Agency, Terry was a subject matter expert on Russia and its leadership until the tragic events of September 11, 2001, when he was asked to use his expertise to work on counterterrorism. As a respected member of the Senior Analyti
Linda Costanza ’66
\Linda Costanza graduated from Wheeler High School in 1966. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Bridgeport and a Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut. Linda has had a most distinguished career as the District Social Worker in the North Stonington School System. She has also been an outstanding volunteer in the Town of North Stonington, serving on the boards of directors of numerous committees and organizations. Previous awards include
Marc White ’03
Marc White graduated from Wheeler High School in 2003. A week after graduation, Marc entered the United States Marine Corps. Since becoming a member of the Marine Corps, he has served our country in many capacities and has been awarded many commendations, including various combat ribbons and a Purple Heart. Throughout his military career, Staff Sergeant White has been awarded the Presidential Service Badge for his service as part of President George W. Bush’s security team. T
Veronica Mathewson ’56
Veronica Mathewson graduated from Wheeler High School in 1956 as a member of the first graduating class from Wheeler High School. Upon graduating, she remained in the North Stonington community and started a family, having three children. Veronica began working as the Wheeler High School/Middle School secretary in 1965 and continued in that position until her retirement in 2011. Over her 46 years as the “future of Wheeler,” she dedicated herself to the students and families o
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