Shelly Weigant:
CLASS OF 1979
Marshall High SchoolClass of 1979
Portland, OR
Shelly's Story
These story wizard questions are kinda random so I feel like I need an introductory paragraph (thank you Ms. Donin). As I write this at the age of 47 I find myself married to a wonderful man, Larry, for 6 months now whom I hope is truly my Prince Charming (after kissing a few toads) ... I'm "mom" to three children - Tiffani 27, Michael 26, and Jenni 24 as well as stepmom to Brett 28 and Shannon 25. We like to say we have a 'poker-straight.' I am also grandma, or as they call me, "Lollipop" to three fantastic and fun little girls, Floretta (Sweetie) 14, Tracy (Lovetie) 9, and Emma 4 weeks.
My career revolves around education, first in fitness, and then developing distance learning programs in the Washington community college system. I moved on to public television, producing and marketing programs, and then to the world of museums, both marketing and fundraising.
If I'm going to work somewhere, I need to feel a true sense of purpose, have a lot of fun, and a sense of humor to be able to deal with the day-to-day. I seem to have developed an unoffical job title as "Change Agent." I come into an organization, see how processes and energies can be more efficiently and humanely channeled, and create policies and procedures to realize those goals. All on the salary of a non-profit manager, which isn't much in dollars, but I sleep pretty well at night.
My hero is my grandmother Rose Weigant, an amazing woman who, in the fifties, fought for sex education in Portland schools and learned to craft ceramics at 74. She was the smartest, most loving, and compassionate business woman and mother I have ever known.
I had a life-changing experience in 2006. One of my granddaughters was diagnosed with a chronic life-threatening illness and my father was diagnosed with cancer. Both events helped me to look at my life and get my priorities on track. I made some significant changes and feel that I have found balance again.
I have lived in Washington most of my adult life, with a stint in Bamberg Germany, Atlanta Georgia, and San Francisco CA. I am very happy to be back home in Washington with the people I care most about.
The one person from my past who I'd most like to see again is Lynne Emberg-Brannon, who fortunately, I see all the time, because she truly exemplifies what a "Best Friend" is. We met as juniors at Marshall and she has been my touchstone for 32 years.
I don't think I have many "obsessions," but I do like to watch "The Amazing Race" on TV and play on my Wii. I have no pets because we travel a lot... just grandkids...woo hooooo!
For me, Life's biggest surprise is that we constantly change and reinvent...Expand for more
ourselves in order to continue writing our story. Complacency is stagnation.
I have been lucky in love, and unlucky in love. But I've never given up. It's all about perspective.
I feel that I've finally found my soul mate. Larry is kind, compassionate, witty, fun, smart, cares about the community, and is a great father and husband. We have three homes, one in the mountains, one at the beach, and a condo in the city. I am very much a homebody and enjoy making my 'house' a 'home.' We are constantly renovating one room or another and I think my husband is just indulging my yearn for creativity. I have the most fun when my kids, grandkids, family and friends are hanging out with us at one of our homes.
My kids are the best miracle ever. I have learned what it is to love without judgement. I have survived challenges and the teenage years and I live to tell about it. But the best is being a grandparent so I can play all the time and not worry about discipline and rules.
My favorite teacher at Marshall was Ms. Barbara Donin. Notice the "MS....." she was the first feminist I ever knew and she encouraged me to pursue writing, which has enriched my life and my career.
If I won a ton of money I would set up a foundation to put young people through college... I believe in education... and the grant application would consist of a paper bag, and those of you who have written grants will know what I mean...
My first memorable job was at Elaine Powers Figure Salon in Gresham Oregon in 1982. I got paid $600 per month as the assistant manager. I learned to measure the body parts of really big ladies and never express any astonishment whatsoever. Several years later I went on to buy my own fitness club. Crazy or what?
The weirdest job I ever had was working for a franchise newspaper called the Bingo Bugle. You haven't tapped into your inner writer until you have interpreted the joy of a welfare mom winning enough money in a bingo game to buy a home. Talk about the American Dream.
I have spent the past 15 years of my career marketing and developing higher education programs and belive in the purpose and mission. Part of that was with public television but I am starting to question the viability of P-TV in today's society. Recently I moved to fundraising for museums and appreciate the more direct connection between cause and effect.
All in all I have to say that I really appreciate where I am now in this phase of my life. I am grateful for the lessons I've learned and I belive there are more amazing things in store for me. I am inspired by my children, my grandchildren, and the stories of my friends and family.
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