{"id":9397,"date":"2019-04-22T14:21:59","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T14:21:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/?p=9397"},"modified":"2025-04-02T20:56:16","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T20:56:16","slug":"alumni-class-notes-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/2019\/04\/22\/alumni-class-notes-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Alumni Class Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"

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1960-1969\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 1970-1979\u00a0 <\/a>|\u00a0 1980-1989<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 1990-1999<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 2000-2009\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 2010-2015\u00a0 <\/a>|\u00a0 Graduate Programs<\/a><\/p>\n

Submit a Class Note<\/a><\/p>\n

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1960<\/h2>\n

Lowell \u201cZeke\u201d Ziemann \u201960\u00a0<\/strong>wrote a new book titled \u201cA Kaleidoscope of Baseball.\u201d The publication shares quotes, poetry, stories, odd facts, and historical information related to baseball as a national pastime. Ziemann previously authored several books in the Old West genre. He studied mathematics at Augsburg<\/p>\n

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1972<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\"GroupIn September, longtime friends [L to R] Mary (Boraas) Janotta \u201973<\/strong>, Jill Steele \u201972<\/strong>, Mary Lynn (Monson) Ogelsbee \u201972<\/strong>, Lennice \u201cSparky\u201d (Nordaune) Keefe \u201972<\/strong>, and Julie (Hagberg) Swaggert \u201973<\/strong> traveled to upstate New York. The Augsburg alumnae once lived together in Chi House and have been traveling yearly since their graduation. A highlight of their most recent trip was visiting Niagara Falls.
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1977<\/h2>\n
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The Augsburg men\u2019s soccer program celebrated its 50th anniversary this fall with a lunch and reception attended by more than 100 Auggies. The celebration brought together Auggie soccer players from many decades and was led by a host of Augsburg alumni including Darcy Debing \u201977<\/strong>, Gary Dahle \u201979<\/strong>, Mike Kennedy \u201979<\/strong>, Don Potter \u201979<\/strong>, Vinnie Brooks \u201907,<\/strong> Alex Hildebrandt \u201910<\/strong>, and Van Hong \u201911<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1979<\/h2>\n
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Athletic Director Jeff Swenson \u201979<\/strong> has deep family ties at Augsburg. His sister, Marie (Swenson) Hechsel \u201990<\/strong>, played volleyball. Her son, Matt Hechsel \u201915<\/strong>, wrestled; and her daughter, Stephanie Hechsel \u201919<\/strong>, played volleyball. Read more about Augsburg siblings.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\"JohnFormer head coaches [L to R] John Grygelko<\/strong> and Jeff Swenson \u201979<\/strong> were among more than 200 attendees at the Augsburg wrestling program\u2019s 70th anniversary celebration held this February. The reunion took place the same evening as Augsburg\u2019s meet against rival Wartburg College\u2014a competition known as the Battle of the Burgs.
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1982<\/h2>\n
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Augsburg alumni Deb Krueger Knight \u201982<\/strong>, Mike Cunningham \u201910<\/strong>,\u00a0Janice Gladden \u201912<\/strong>, and Cyrus Batheja \u201908, \u201911 MBA<\/strong> offered networking and career advice as panelists at the 2019 Augsburg Alumni and Student Networking Event. Attendees gathered to practice networking skills, discuss career paths, and get to know other Auggies.<\/p>\n

1987<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\"HeadshotRichard Bahr \u201987<\/strong> released a book about homelessness in Twin Cities. \u201cThose People: The True Character of the Homeless\u201d includes anecdotes about people with whom Bahr has worked and seeks to counter stereotypes and dispel myths about people experiencing homelessness.
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Jacquie Berglund \u201987<\/strong> discussed her craft beer company\u2019s social impact and collaborations with local ingredients suppliers. Read more about the new age of artisans.<\/a><\/p>\n

1989<\/h2>\n

<\/div>\"DevaneyDevoney Looser \u201989<\/strong> visited Augsburg University in February to discuss her new book, \u201cThe Making of Jane Austen.\u201d Looser, who was featured in the Fall 2018 issue of Augsburg Now<\/a>, returned to campus for two days to meet with faculty and students. She is a professor at Arizona State University.
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1991<\/h2>\n

<\/div>\"HeadshotGreg Schnagl \u201991<\/strong> published the book \u201cNot My First Classroom: A Guide to Supporting Experienced Teachers in New Roles.\u201d Schnagl earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in business management at Augsburg and also holds master\u2019s and doctoral degrees in education. He is the founder and owner of TeacherCentricity, which supports experienced educators. Schnagl is married to Molly (Fochtman) Schnagl \u201992<\/strong>.
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Matt Swenson \u201991<\/strong> took inspiration from the food truck phenomenon and created a mobile opportunity to buy local art. Read more about the new age of artisans.<\/a><\/p>\n

1996<\/h2>\n

Zoe\u0308 Foat Naselaris \u201996<\/strong> and twin sister Kaja Foat \u201996<\/strong> create fashionable, ethically sourced, one-of-a-kind women\u2019s garments by hand. Read more about the new age of artisans.<\/a><\/p>\n

1998<\/h3>\n
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Scott Erickson \u201998 <\/strong>opened an\u00a0independent insurance agency, State Insurance, in Otsego, Minnesota. The business serves all of Minnesota.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

1999<\/h2>\n
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Tammy Sinkfield-Morey\u00a0\u201999,\u00a0\u201913 MAN, \u201917 DNP<\/strong> received the 2018 March of Dimes Distinguished Nurse of the Year award. She is the first African-American recipient of this top honor, which recognizes experienced nurses\u2019 community service and professional and personal development.<\/p>\n

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Qiuxia Welch \u201999<\/strong> builds community around Belgian beer made with traditional techniques in Minneapolis. Read more about the new age of artisans.<\/a><\/p>\n

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2001<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\"JillOn November 11, Jill Mintz-Hoydl \u201901<\/strong> married Andrew Hoydl. Augsburg alumna Jeni (Eckman) Linnenberg \u201901<\/strong> [pictured, left] was in the wedding party. The Mintz-Hoydl family resides in Denver.
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2003<\/h2>\n
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Linnea Benton \u201903<\/strong>\u00a0moved to Okinawa, Japan, with her husband who serves in the U.S. Navy. Her oldest child started kindergarten, and Benton, who graduated from Augsburg with a degree in English, volunteers in the school library to stay active in her field.<\/p>\n

2004<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\"TinaTina (Anderson) Boe \u201904<\/strong> bought a home in Forest Lake, Minnesota, and works for Aveda as a distribution supervisor. Her daughters are 6 and 8 years old.
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Darin Rowle \u201904, \u201915 MSW<\/strong> accepted a manager role for the Department of Human Services HIV Program. Most recently, Rowle served JustUsHealth (formerly known as the Minnesota AIDS Project) as a director of prevention and coordinated care\/integrated services. Rowle has more than 20 years of experience working with HIV-related concerns and helping people navigate complex social service and medical systems.<\/p>\n

2005<\/h2>\n
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MK Gibbs\u00a0\u201905<\/strong> opened the Mary Katherine School, which is an early education center serving children and parents through infant, toddler, and preschool programs in Bloomington, Minnesota.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\"ErikaErika Hiland \u201905<\/strong> welcomed a baby girl in November.
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<\/div>\"BookAnna (Ferguson) Rendell \u201905<\/strong> released a new book titled \u201cPumpkin Spice for Your Soul: 25 Devotions for Autumn.\u201d This is her third book featuring devotionals for women and moms.
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2006<\/h2>\n
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Ramsey County named Kari Collins \u201906<\/strong> director of community and economic development. Collins worked as a community development manager with the city of Roseville, Minnesota, since 2016. She previously served as an assistant to the city manager of Roseville and as zoning administrator and board secretary for the city of Milwaukee.<\/p>\n

2007<\/h2>\n

Grant Hemmingsen \u201907<\/strong> and his wife. Kari, welcomed a baby girl, Quinn Joan, on January 26. Hemmingsen is the men\u2019s basketball head coach at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.<\/p>\n

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Molly (Shortall) Kaszuba \u201907<\/strong> and her husband, Brian, welcomed a baby boy, Jack, this winter. Kaszuba is an associate director of development at Fordham University School of Law. She and her family reside in Brooklyn, New York.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

2008<\/h3>\n
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Ben Katz \u201908<\/strong> produced a podcast mini-series for the New Yorker and New York Public Radio that tells the story of his wife investigating a family secret.<\/p>\n

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Serial entrepreneur Brian Krohn \u201908<\/strong> demonstrates the breadth of diverse artisan endeavors in today\u2019s economy. Read more about the new age of artisans.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\"TinaThis fall, Tina Nguyen \u201908<\/strong> and her fianc\u00e9 helped connect more than 250 people at Minneapolis\u2019 Franklin-Hiawatha homeless encampment with supplies and blankets. Nguyen also served on the Augsburg University Alumni Board.
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<\/div>\"Image\u201cMN Original,\u201d an Emmy Award winning program produced by Twin Cities PBS, featured Alison Price \u201908<\/strong> and her painting series \u201cWitnessing Waves\u201d in an episode that aired in November. The artwork was created during her undergraduate years at Augsburg and was inspired by the trees of the Mississippi River gorge.
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2009<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\"AnnikaAnnika (Spargo) Eriksson \u201909<\/strong> and Carl Eriksson were married November 17 in Stillwater, Minnesota.
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Lisa Peterson \u201909<\/strong> is taking on the additional leadership roles within the Northland Area Chamber of Commerce as she transitions from serving as its director of tourism to her new position as chamber president. Peterson studied marketing and business administration at Augsburg.<\/p>\n

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Evelyn Tsen \u201909<\/strong> and her husband, Alec, welcomed a baby boy, Abraham Fenlason, on January 18.<\/p>\n

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2010<\/h2>\n
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The Litchfield Independent Review reported that Brandon Begnaud \u201910<\/strong> organized a Christmas cantata, \u201cThe Glory of Christmas,\u201d at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota, where he serves as director of worship and music. A graduate of Augsburg\u2019s music program, Begnaud recruited for, led, and participated in the pre-Christmas cantata that included a choir of 53 singers and 29 instrumentalists.<\/p>\n

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They\u2019re Auggie hockey stars, and they\u2019re siblings. Meet Chris Johnson \u201910, \u201914 MAL<\/strong> and Megan Johnson \u201919<\/strong> in the All in the family feature.<\/a><\/p>\n

2012<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\"EnricoAugsburg Assistant Volleyball Coach Colleen (Ourada) Enrico \u201914<\/strong> and her husband, Zach Enrico \u201912<\/strong>, welcomed a son, George, on May 23, 2018.
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<\/div>\"LeahLeah (Jacobson) Soland \u201912<\/strong> and Cody Soland were married this November in Owatonna, Minnesota. Leah graduated from Augsburg with a bachelor\u2019s degree in social work.
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2013<\/h2>\n

<\/div>\"DoodleyAllyson (Ruedy) Dooley \u201913<\/strong> and Eric Dooley \u201913<\/strong> welcomed twin boys in February named Jason Timothy and Lucas Anthony.
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<\/div>\"HeadshotArianna Genis \u201913<\/strong> was the campaign manager for Jeremiah Ellison for Minneapolis City\u00a0 Council. Currently, she\u2019s merging both her creative and political skills at Wellstone Action as a deputy communications director. Genis also creates a podcast, \u201cLatina Theory,\u201d to unite the voices of Latinx people in Minnesota.
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<\/div>\"BabyShannon (Connaughton) Grindal \u201913<\/strong> and Erik Grindal \u201913<\/strong> welcomed a new baby who someday could be fourth-generation Auggie.
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Billy Mzenga \u201913<\/strong> and his wife, Megan, turned their hand-crafted nut butters into a small business that supports nonprofits in Kenya. Read more about the new age of artisans.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\"BabyAlom (Martinez-Aleman) Walters \u201913<\/strong> and her husband, Seth, welcomed a baby boy, S\u00f8ren James, in October.
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Augsburg biopsychology major Alix Young \u201913<\/strong> taught psychology for two years in China’s Guangdong province following graduation and opened the Brain and Psychophysiology Lab at United International College. Now living in Houston, Young is a coordinator of clinical studies at MD Anderson Cancer Center.<\/p>\n

2014<\/h2>\n

<\/div>\"Lauren'sLauren Webber \u201914<\/strong> welcomed a baby boy in November.
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2015<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Awale “Wally” Osman \u201915<\/strong> and Felecia Zahner\u00a0\u201915<\/strong> served as keynote presenters at Augsburg University’s TRIO\/SSS 50th Anniversary Celebration in November. More than 130 of the program\u2019s students, supporters, and graduates attended the event, which included a reception and dinner.<\/p>\n

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Osman is also a new member of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation\u2019s Community Leadership Network. He also serves as a community innovation program associate at the Bush Foundation and has received accolades from the Center for National Leaders, NAACP, TRIO, and the National Newman Civic Fellowship.<\/p>\n

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Lekpea Kordah \u201915<\/strong> and Barinedum Kordah \u201917<\/strong> found that their brotherly bonds strengthened their Augsburg experience. Read more about the new age of artisans.<\/a><\/p>\n

2016<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Former Auggie women\u2019s basketball player Abbey Luger \u201916<\/strong> teaches and coaches at Transfiguration School in Oakdale, Minnesota.<\/p>\n

2017<\/h2>\n

Kaylee E. Gueltzow \u201917<\/strong> is teaching English in Germany through the Fulbright Program. She lives in Greifswald and is traveling throughout Europe.<\/p>\n

2018<\/h2>\n

Brothers Mustafa Adam \u201918<\/strong> and Shihab Adam \u201922<\/strong> were among four sets of siblings on the 2018\u201319 Augsburg football roster. Read more about Augsburg siblings.<\/a><\/p>\n

Ricki Larson \u201918<\/strong> is a fourth-grade teacher in her first year serving her home district.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\"\"Taneasha Muonio \u201918<\/strong> joined People\u2019s Center Clinics and Services as a substance abuse program manager in May 2018. Just a few weeks before being hired, Muonio completed a case management internship at the People\u2019s Center and earned her bachelor\u2019s degree at Augsburg with a double major in biology and psychology. In her full-time role, Muonio serves 150 patients dealing with substance abuse concerns and works with doctors to integrate patients\u2019 medical and behavioral health care.
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GRADUATE PROGRAMS<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\"DaveAugsburg alumni [L to R] Dave Ogren \u201991 MAL<\/strong> and Eric Galler \u201991 MAL<\/strong> visited Devils Tower, Wyoming, this October and participated in the KannonFall Charity Fun Rally.
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Carola Thorson \u201907 MAL<\/strong> became the vice president of enrollment management at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, in September. Thorson served in several roles in Augsburg\u2019s Admissions Department from 2003 to 2013, and she most recently was the executive director of admission and scholarships at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\"HeadshotIn December, Susie (Emmert) Schatz \u201909 MSW<\/strong> was named vice president and chief advocacy officer for St. Paul-based Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Schatz now oversees state and national advocacy initiatives for the organization. Schatz joined LSS nine years ago as an advocacy manager, and she has received numerous accolades for her work, including the LSS CEO Leadership Award. Since 2011, Schatz has served as an adjunct instructor at Augsburg.
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Physician assistant Sarah Pattison \u201912 MSPAS<\/strong> joined the internal medicine department at Carris Health Clinic in Willmar, Minnesota, where she also assists in urgent care. She previously worked at High Point Family Practice in North Carolina.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] 1960-1969\u00a0 |\u00a0 1970-1979\u00a0 |\u00a0 1980-1989\u00a0 |\u00a0 1990-1999\u00a0 |\u00a0 2000-2009\u00a0 |\u00a0 2010-2015\u00a0 |\u00a0 Graduate Programs Submit a Class Note 1960 Lowell \u201cZeke\u201d Ziemann \u201960\u00a0wrote a new book titled \u201cA Kaleidoscope of Baseball.\u201d The publication shares quotes, poetry, stories, odd facts, and historical information related to baseball as a national pastime. Ziemann previously authored several books <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":9555,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73,68],"tags":[88],"class_list":["post-9397","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-auggies-connect","category-class-notes","tag-spring-summer-2019"],"wps_subtitle":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9397","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9397"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9397\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13696,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9397\/revisions\/13696"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9397"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9397"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9397"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}