Erin Heitmann Walsh

Catch up with the cheerleader extraordinare.

Questions

Favorite High School Memory: Some of my favorite memories from High School revolve around my involvement with Student Council. Homecoming Dance set-up and pie baking for "bonus points" around Thanksgiving were two of my favorites. Sadly, most of my time spent at those events was following around Damon Johnson praying he would notice me enough to enlist my help in a task. Sigh.

Favorite High School Class: This is a tough one! I think it's a tie between Mrs. Tinucci's AP Literature and Mrs. Peter's AP Art History. Oh, I can't forget to mention Mr. Willard for 10th grade English! I'm a school geek, I loved them all. Minus Chem Flex. Definitely did not love Chem Flex. I think it was mutual.

Favorite High School Activity: My favorite extracurricular activity at LHS was cheerleading. I loved cheering, really, really loved it. Cheering for Football, Soccer and Men's and Women's Basketball kept me busy and afforded me an opportunity to meet and get to know all the athletes who participated in those sports. Spring and Summer were devoted to preparation for State competition. Thank goodness all 32 women on Varsity enjoyed each others company because we practiced before school, during school, after school, weekends and throughout the summer.

In high school, I'd spend my weekends: My Father was affectionately nicknamed "Private Eye" by my friends. I spent the majority of my weekends begging to extend my 11:30pm curfew and making-up elaborate alternative stories to tell my parents as opposed to being forthcoming with what I was really doing. Unfortunately, my Dad is also very thorough and often checked on the validity of my stories. So I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to classmates for my Father ruining perfectly good social gatherings. I'm sorry Jimmy Baker, Megan Kimball, Barrett Spiegel, Justin Femmer, Chelsea Tucker, Joey Thompson, Nicole Tempesta, Emily Ingram, Erin Emmons, and a special apology to Katie Schierholz who often stayed behind to take the heat with me. The Private Eye also negatively affected get-to-gethers hosted by members of the classes of 2001 and 2003. I will apologize to them at a later date.

In 2010, I spend my weekends: Not having to scheme anymore has really opened up my weekends. Zach and I love going to concerts, movies in the park and dinner dates with friends. We love taking our dog, Arthur, to the dog park and chatting with other dog owners. I clean my condo every Sunday. Every Sunday.

Any other thoughts to add about LHS or the Class of 2002?
It was a great 4 years that I would never want to do again! :)

What She's Up to Now:

I currently live in Chicago's River North neighborhood with my husband, Zach, and my dog, Arthur. Zach and I met at Mizzou the summer before my sophomore year in college and have been together ever since. We were married June 2009. We are also recent home owners. Buying a home in Chicago really makes you appreciate the little things – like a garbage disposal!

I am currently the Assistant Director of Admission: Grades JK - 5 at the Francis W. Parker School. Public education in Chicago is, unfortunately, very poor. Most people relocate to the Chicago suburbs after having children, or apply for the few select spots and various independent and parochial schools. My job is to interview 180-220 applicants for Junior Kindergarten for approximately 15-18 spaces. A lot of people cry in my office. I, often, cry in my office. I also teach Introduction to Sociology at Prairie State Community College. I have a Masters in Sociology so this part-time gig lets me keep in touch with the discipline.