Eddie Vera:  

I entered CCHS in September 1975 after graduating from Castle Hill Junior High School 127 (class 9-1). I lived on Morris Park Avenue between Mathews and Muliner Avenues. After graduating from CCHS in June of 1978 I enrolled in John Jay College for three years working towards a degree in Public and Government Administration until May 1981 when I decided to transfer to Herbert H. Lehman College. This was a difficult time as I was wavering in forging an occupational identity then decided to temporarily discontinue my education. I then worked in several blue-collar jobs for about six years until I met my best friend and queen and her little girl. We fell in love and married shortly afterwards. We were rejuvenated, found sunshine in our skies and looked to the future. After having our second child in 1988 I returned to classes. I re-enrolled in Lehman College and after my first year of accounting studies I worked as an accounting clerk. After my second year of studies (intermediate accounting) I was hired as a junior accountant for American International Group, Inc where I worked for four years and during which time I earned my bachelors degree in accounting in 1991. (My wife earned her associate degree in nursing in 1992 while attending class on a part time basis and subsequently earned her BS in nursing). In May of 1994 we had our third child and I resigned from my position to be our newborn primary care giver, AKA Mr. Mom (don't laugh guys it was an enriching experience, opened my eyes to one of the most difficult jobs in the world [childrearing and parenting], and ma...Expand for more