Bessie Hadley:
CLASS OF 1965
Columbia River High SchoolClass of 1965
Vancouver, WA
Arizona State University - NursingClass of 1969
Tempe, AZ
Sacramento High SchoolClass of 1965
Sacramento, CA
Bessie's Story
Life
Grew up in the Air Force - from the time I entered the 1st grade, until halfway through college, we lived the military family life, but never went overseas (although Dad did). Attended 13 schools through high school in Louisiana (Lake Charles), Florida (Dad helped open Homestead AFB), Kansas (both near Kansas City & Salina 10 years apart), Texas (near Galveston), California (We stayed near family in Sacramento while Dad was in Vietnam.), Washington (across the river from Portland, OR) & Phoenix,Arizona (I attended the nearby Arizona State University College of Nursing for my BSRN). Dad retired to Sacramento, CA, and I moved here & have worked here ever since, both in nursing & clerical jobs. I attended a private arts school & have an AA depgree in Fine Arts, Applied Arts, & paint (acrylics & watercolors), sculpt (a beginner)& do photography. I am writing a couple of books for children. I'm still single, having always focused on my career & taking care of babies & children at work for over 20 years fulfilled my maternal urges. Am interested in writing, having been writer, editor & graphics staff for a church newsletter for 20 yrs. Am working on two books for children. Love Harry Potter, Mrs Pollifax, Dick Francis & Janet Evanovich (the last 2 are authors). Love books on astronomy, astrology,archeology, ancient mysteries, gardening & the Arts. Play piano at befginner's level & love music - classical, New Age (with nature sounds), folk, doo-wop, R&B, some country & jazz. Have earned Signature Artist status at Northern CA Artists, an art club at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center. An Elder(not currently active) at my Presbyterian Church. Hope to retire to Humboldt County or some such similar place in 10 years. These last years, ;I've been developing my creative side, having joined a gallery (Sacramento Fine Arts Center), an art club (NCA: Northern CA Artists), and a weekly art studio (Friday mornings at a local church, with several other artists). I have earned Signature Artist Standing, the 3rd of 4 levels, having successfully entered several local & regional competive art shows (and even winning a few awards!). I'm eager to expand my skills into Design, whether it's Interior, Graphic or Web/Graphic, if I can get some funding.
School
Since I grew up in the military, our family moved many times & I attended 13 schools in the process of completing my high school education. I attended North High School in Salina, KS where Ihad 4 years of Latin. Then we moved to Sacramento to be near my Mom's folks while Dad was in Vietnam & I attended Sacramento HIgh School, where I fell in love with Drama, under Miss Slemmons (I saw her several years later at the Music Circus in the role of the Reverend Mother in "The Sound of Music," and was so proud - she was great! I graduated from Columbia River High School (3.41 GPA), a brand-new school in Vancouver, WA in 1...Expand for more
965, #11 in a class of about 300, the high school's FIRST graduating class. I belonged to the Latin Club in Kansas. I was able to be in plays both in Sacramento & Vancouver, playing Miss Brill in "Cheaper By The Dozen" in Vancouver; I loved it! Had very interesting teachers at all 3 schools that I still remember: Mrs Green (English) in Kansas, Mr Silva (English)& Miss Slemmons (Drama & Stagecraft) in Sacramento & my English teacher in Vancouver (funny how 3 of the 4 are English teachers, & the 4th a Drama teacher - I guess those were the greatest challenges, pushing my love of reading & writing to new fields. I remember a lot of other teachers, from 1st grade on, but am running out of space.
College
Attended Arizona State University's College of Nursing & obtained my BSRN (BS in Registered Nursing), graduating in 1969 with honors, somehow.
While I was on break from nursing in the mid 1990s, I got an AA in Applied Arts;, Fine Arts at a local private school. I had to attend a private school because there were no evening art programs at the time. There is still no evening Graphics Arts courses offered locally. I currently attend a Friday morning studio nearby with several new art friends, and have been in several local art shows in the region.
Workplace
Have worked as a staff RN & charge RN for over 23 years at UCDMC & Mercy General Hospitals. Also recently did 9 months at a ADHC (Adult Day Health Care) as an RN, and just started a part-time job as a school nurse for a local school district of 12 schools. Other jobs between my nursing stints were generally clerical (over 8 years in medical records)& good respites. My favorite was at the Dialysis clinic, because I was allowed much independence & choosing of my own priorities & I feel I helped the clinic a lot in managing their records. Was interested but never able to learn enough about Healing Touch & other alternative methods of healing to try to practice them. I now want a job writing & researching for some nursing publication, if I can find one. I don't reach retirement age for another 10 years & want a job that I can enjoy for that period of time.
I need to further develop my creative bug, which is bugging me for neglecting it for so long. I have joined an art club & gallery, and have become much more active with my painting (acrylics, pastels, etc) and work at a local Friday morning studio creating new artworks. I've been exhibiting paintings at Art shows for the last three years (winning a few ribbons & prizes), including the State Fair (twice) and at a local gallery or three. I need to learn how to build a website for selling my artworks, and hope to have it in place for next year (2006). I'm currently working two part-time jobs, one as school nurse and one as church secretary (for the next two months, until they find a permnent replacement) for my church. I'm enjoying both jobs.
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Yearbooks
Reunions
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Photos