It took me a long time to write this because, in all honesty, I haven’t really thought that much about my high school years until recently. Hearing about Jack’s death really awakened wonderful memories of those years. He was a special person and a good friend back then. We have lost so many classmates at such a young age, especially special friends like Susan Schmid, Neil Lamparter, Susan Pugh, and Tony

Ibanez.

 

            I have such great memories of going to the Village Green, the diner in Williston Park, and Hildebrandt’s. Those were the greatest days growing up with no stress or worries. I think we were such a lucky generation and doubt any other will ever live such stress-free and fun times. 

 

            After graduation, I decided not to go on to college (big mistake, but I did take classes several years later) and took a secretarial job in Glen Cove. I then took a position with Sperry Gyroscope which gave me an opportunity to further my skills in editing , which I was really interested in.

 

            I got married in 1962, moved to Hicksville and had a daughter and two sons within the next 5 years.  In 1968 we moved to Dix Hills and I was a stay-at-home mom while my kids were in school. We divorced after 17 years of marriage (which probably should have lasted 5), but the kids and myself actually were a much happier family afterwards.

 

            In 1980 I became engaged to a man who had accepted a position with The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. We all took a trip down there to survey the area and all fell in love with the city and the close proximity to the beautiful smoky mountains and moved there in the fall. About a year later, I decided that I did not want to get married (just didn’t feel right) and the kids and I wound up staying and I am still here after 30 years.

 

            I worked at UT for 4 years and then took a position with SAIC in Oak Ridge for the next 14 years. It was work I really enjoyed and not only primarily did editing, but also got involved in graphics and proposal writing.

 

            After reading other classmate’s biographies, I am amazed at how many have been affected by that dreaded disease….cancer. Two years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and it was fortunately diagnosed quickly. After undergoing chemo and radiation, today I am cancer free.

 

            Today I occasionally work at home as a bookkeeper for a person who owns several restaurants in the area and it is perfect, allowing me to make my own hours and I don’t even have to get dressed if I don’t feel like it. I am also the proud grandmother of 5 and great-grandmother of 1 (hurts to admit this lol).

 

            Hope all is well with all of you.

 

 

                                                Carole Schultz Haimelin