Laura Gallardo:  

I attended Bishop O'Dowd from 9/67 to 10/70. After so many years in Roman Catholic parochial school, I boycotted going to school period!My folks did not want a truant, so they finally relented!This rebellious act finally convinced my folks I wanted to have the experience of attending public school, before my college years. Boy, did this ever make Fr. Wagner fume..I told him I just wanted a change & was on my way to Oakland High.The rest of my senior year was cool!My debonair,sophisticated,erudite Uncle Albert taught at Oakland High. He was my mentor and idol!I followed him into the teaching profession....For in the final analysis...it is all about forming young minds. "It is what it is", as young folk all around the country evoke as their mantra. One of my favorite motivational sayings resounds: "It's not so much where you are coming from, it's where you are going to, that matters!" I became a substitute teacher for middle school and high school. I found a permanent position as a Geometry teacher. Go figure...!I had many challenges and many laughs being involved with young folk, they are our hope for the future. To Washington and Sacramento: "Let the floodgates of the funds pour into the three R's again. Get every student to high math and science courses from 1st grade on! WE NEED BRIGHT MINDS IN ALL TECHNOLOGICAL FIELDS:IT,ENGINEERING,SCIENCE,MEDICAL, AND INDUSTRIAL FIELDS NOW!" My husband Victor with his passion for life-long fitness, better nutrition and sports paticipation has been the driving force for developing a family of athletes. We have raised six rambunctous kids. They range in age from 45 to 22. The eldest, Manuel, is a professional chef and on his various Culinary Advisory boards to mentor young chefs. He runs, bikes, swims, and exercises daily as do his siblings:Vijay,Victoria"Junior", and Trinidad.Capt. Vijay(USMA,West Point '02), a Blackhawk pil...Expand for more