Stephanie Marquez:
CLASS OF 1986
University High SchoolClass of 1986
Waco, TX
Stephanie's Story
Life
Just thought I would update this thing.
I had so much fun at the reunion in June. I hope all those who attended had a great time as well. For a moment I didn't think we would be able to pull it off, but it came together well in such a short time.
Please look at the reunion pics listed in the albums section on the reunion page.
School
I enjoyed all my years at University High. I loved the school colors too; purple and white. Purple is my favorite color.
I would have to say the teacher I was closest to was my Band director, Mr. Robert Lee. He was like a second father to me. He listened when no one else would or he was the person I would go to for advice when I couldn't go to anyone else. He was the greatest mentor, father figure, and friend. I miss him, but will always have good memories. Other favorite teachers were Mrs. Neil, Mrs.Peebles, Coach Echols, and Coach DuPree. Mr.Reese, one of the principals, was also a great listener and friend.
My best friends were Sheryl Moore, Tina Washington, Deanna Lopez, and Yolanda Garcia, just to name a few. We got into our share of disagreements, but I never stopped caring about them. I run into Sheryl and Tina from time to time; they haven't changed much in the way of appearances. Still look like they did in school.
My biggest crush? I would have to say it was Johnny Arispe, but then again, who didn't like him? He had it all; intelligence, good looks, and a great personality. One thing I thought was funny, was that when my mom and his dad were in school together, his dad had a big crush on my mom; small world.
Would I change anything if I had to do it all over again? For the most part, probably not. The only thing I would have done different is make wiser choices. I became a teenage mom which kind of changed my plans. I don't regret having my son. I loved his father more than anything else in the whole world and never thought we wouldn't be together. If any couple was going to make it beyond those school years, I thought we were, but time does change things.
College
Immediately after high school graduation I started taking classes at MCC. I tried for two fall semesters but just couldn't seem to stay focused. I was busy working, taking care of a baby, and trying to live a young person's life too. I regret taking that time off sometimes, but I just wasn't ready, mentally, for more school.
I went back to college in 1993 and started taking basics for nursing. I wanted to be a Registered Nurse, but after taking all those classes decided I better get int...Expand for more
o a shorter program in nursing to see if I would even like nursing before I applied for the RN program. I obtained my Vocational Nursing Certificate in 1995 and my license in March of 1996.
After working as an LVN for a few years and with the support of a close friend I decided to go back to school to obtain that goal of being an RN. I graduated from Nursing school in May of 2000 and have been busy since.
I met so many wonderful men and women in nursing school. We were all like one big family. We studied together, we ate together, and sometimes cried together.
I was involved in the Nursing club and was nominated club secretary during my second year. The club President, Amber Wehmeyer and I became pretty close friends during that time and eventually went to work at the same place after graduation.
After spending so much time at school, studying, and writing papers, etc....when I graduated and started working I didn't know what to do with my free time. I went from being so busy 7 days a week to only having to work 3 days a week. It was a big shock for me.
I don't know if I will go back to school, but that was the plan. I am just so tired with working nights and having teenagers to chase after. Eventually I am sure I will and when I do, it will be through the UTA program at MCC.
Workplace
I started working at Hillcrest Hospital after I graduated from nursing school in June of 2000. I work on Kidsville, which is HBMC's children's hospital. I started out working days, but now because it fits my life better, work 3 twelve hour shifts from 7p-7a.
The winter months are usually our busiest months and I am so glad those times are over with. We have had some busy days lately, but summer is usually our slower season. Sometimes I work more than 72 hours in a weeks time rather than every two weeks during the flu and rsv season.
Since we have started keeping more of the pediatric critical patients and traumas, we are staying a little busier than usual the rest of the year as well.
I have seen some bad things happen to children which takes a toll on you mentally and emotionally, but knowing you did what you could for the benefit of not only the child, but the entire family, makes a world of difference.
I do my best to keep current on information regarding my job so I attend continuing education classes, read things online, and subscribe to nursing journals. I take my career seriously, but I also have fun being a nurse. My daughter wants to be a Pediatric nurse as well so I guess I have influenced her in a good way.
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