CLASS OF 1995 | 2026 | SPRING ISSUE

1995 ARCHIVES | HOME
← 1994 | 1996 →

Hi, Class of ’95. It’s good to keep connecting with our classmates, including after last year’s 30th Reunion. This round, I have a couple of focused updates—a fun theme going of our talented classmates in film!

Laramie Dennis (my wonderful first-year roommate!) writes: “I made a movie!! Where in the Hell, an art house buddy comedy about a pair of defectors from the crumbling LA film industry, marks my feature film debut as a writer/director. Justin Ring ’98 executive produced, and Sarah Hirzel consulted on title design. We played a bunch of festivals this past year, scooping up awards including Best Comedy Feature (Poppy Jasper), Best Feature Screenplay and Best Narrative Feature (Queens World), and the She’s On Fire Award (Female Filmmakers Festival Berlin). Where in the Hell will be available on Amazon and elsewhere this spring—watch for it!!”

Soraya Selene writes: “The past year has been wonderful and eventful for me, particularly as I got to reconnect with so many friends around the country. A feature documentary I directed, Who in the Hell is Regina Jones?, screened at numerous festivals, won several awards, and had its theatrical premiere in Los Angeles last June. It [had] its broadcast TV premiere in February. On the festival trail I got to connect with Angela Tucker ’96 in New Orleans (whose documentary about Barbara Jordan, The Inquisitor, you must see!), and I had the awesome experience of bumping into Damon Smith and his lovely family in Martha’s Vineyard, when my film was screening there. I also got to spend time with my bestie Stacey Samuel ’96, who recently moved back to NYC from D.C. She visited me in Los Angeles and graciously watched over my 11-year-old twins while I traveled. It takes a village! More big personal news . . .  after living in Los Angeles for 19 years, I moved to Lisbon with my children this past summer! During my trip to San Francisco for my appointment at the Portuguese consulate, I got to hang out with Diana Ip and Isabella Gralinska. So fun! If any Wes folks are in Europe and want to connect, I’d love to hear from you. It was so wonderful to reconnect with so many of you at Reunion.”

Lastly, big thanks to Bo Bell, my co-secretary for the past nine (!) years. Bo is stepping aside to focus on other things, and I will continue as your class secretary. Gratitude to Bo for his enthusiastic presence these many years!

KATY MCNEILL | mcneill40@gmail.com