Where Are They Now?

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James Wittenborg, Class of 1974

Published: 20 April 2026

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• April 2026 Newsletter

Hi. My name is James Wittenborg, a proud alumnus of Hicksville High School’s class of 74. Although it’s been a long journey to where I am now, Hicksville and the friendships I made over fifty years ago still play a part in my life today. In fact, I’ve made it a point to mention names of classmates and Hicksville landmarks in every novel I’ve written! So how did a student in the 70’s with no interest at all in reading books wind up writing novels? It was something that just came about recently in my journey. After a couple of...

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Wendy Elkis Girnis & Stefanie Cedar Shames

Published: 20 December 2025

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• December 2025 Newsletter

Hal Blackman

Class of 1977

Hal Blackman is a Hicksville High School Class of 1977 graduate. He is the president, CEO, and founder of IST Management Services. Hal built IST into a national company. He graduated Cum Laude from West Virginia University in 1997. Presently, he lives in Georgia. His two sons, Joshua and Sean, both graduated from the Naval Academy and served in the US Navy. Hal was kind enough to take time out of his extremely busy day to update Hixnews.com about his life and accomplishments.

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Stefanie Cedar Shames, Class of 1977

Published: 20 October 2025

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• October 2025 Newsletter

Scott E. Schutzman, Hicksville High School Class of 1977,  has a law firm in Huntington Beach, California. Throughout the years, he has been involved in cases that may be of interest to our readers. One such case involves Theodore Greenberg, another Class of 1977 graduate. Ted won a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for Standing in the Shadows of Motown.  You may enjoy this 2015 interview with Ted. 

               

Thanks to the editor of the Santa Monica Observer, HixNews has permission to reprint this article:

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Wendy Elkis Girnis, Class of 1977

Published: 20 September 2025

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• September 2025 Newsletter

Submitted by Wendy Elkis Girnis, Class of 1977 Many of our age group consider ourselves lucky to have attended school in Hicksville. We had amazing teachers that we fondly remember and still hold dear. One important aspect of the Hicksville school district was the myriad of extracurricular activities available to a broad range of students. Whether you were in the ski club, participated in varsity or junior varsity sports, worked on the newspaper, yearbook staff, or supported the theatre shows, you had a great time with a great group of people. One favorite extracurricular activity for many was participating in...

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Dr. Giedre Kumpikas

Published: 20 July 2025

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• July 2025 Newsletter

Dr. Giedre Kumpikas, previously featured here on Hixnews, has written an article, "The Old Lady Watching the Sea", in the 2025 annual Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School Magazine. Her article starts on page 28.

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Stefanie Cedar Shames

Published: 20 August 2023

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• August 2023 Newsletter

Mr. Joseph Scalia was a beloved English and Creative Writing teacher in Hicksville for 33 years. He taught in both the junior high and high schools.

Mr. Scalia profoundly influenced many students, but Rob Dircks (Class of 1985) and Dave Dircks (Class of 1980) credit Mr. Scalia's teaching with forming the foundation for their future careers. Visit Goldfinch Publishing to see Rob and Dave's unique publishing company.

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