Cynthia Cunningham:
CLASS OF 1974
Imperial High SchoolClass of 1974
Imperial, CA
Mount Saint Mary's CollegeClass of 1978
Los angeles, CA
Saint Mary SchoolClass of 1970
El centro, CA
Cynthia's Story
Life
I graduated from Mt. St. Mary's College in '78 with a BA in English, in '79 from SDSU with a life teaching credential in secondary education.
Had ACL surgery in February 02 to rebuild my ACL destroyed on a desert trekking/survival course. Knee is doing well and regaining strength. In January of 06, I had another surgery on my knee ... arthroscopic this time.
On the personal side, I moved to Reno in July of 03. I married Bruce Cunningham, class of 75, on 2 October. Between us we have 4 cats, 2 dogs and a bird .. no children. In April 2006, I accepted a position with Sierra Nevada Job Corps. I was an academic trainer in Reading and testing skills. On the 11th of August, I was appointed to head the new learning resource center. It should be quite the challenge but I'm very excited and look forward to it.
I know that you all have fond memories of my father, Sgt. Przytua ... he sends his love! He likes to hear stories from our youth and your encounters with him. My mother was diagnosed in November of 05 with Bulbar ALS, which is a rare form of Lou Gehrig's Disease. There is no cure for this. If you have a spare prayer, perhaps you can offer it on her behalf. My mother died on 17 OCtober 2007.
Email me and let's catch up on what's new with you.
School
If I could do Imperial High all over again ... I would. The four years I spent there were wonderful ... although my freshman year was NOT the best or the easiest. Being a cop's daughter was hard. Getting some of my schoolmates to acccept me as I was and not as they thought I was proved a challenge ... but I believe it went well.
The teacher who inspired me the most was Mrs. Cowne. She told to always be myself and to never compromise who I was or what I believed and I never did. I believe she was one of those special teachers who comes along only once in a lifetime. I was lucky enough to see her at a homecoming game several years ago and she looks remarkably unchanged.
I have many wonderful memories of IHS ... I clearly remember with smiles the night that I was crowne...Expand for more
d Miss IHS. I didn't expect to win but I gave it all that I had ... and did! Another great memory was being chosen to represent my school at Girls' State in 73. Being the Drum Major for two years was also a blast. But none of my school memories would be complete without remembering all of my classmates who added to the smiles of those four years.
Thanks to all of you ... and to those of you with whom I still email ...You were remarkable!
College
I attended IVC, graduated in 76 with a degree in English. Moved on to Mt. St. Mary's College in Los Angeles. While I was there, I pursued my modeling and dance interests while studying toward a degree in English. Graduated in 78 with my BA in English. Finished my course studies toward my secondary education credential at SDSU and graduated in 79 with my teaching credentials.
Workplace
My first job was working at the Woolworth soda fountain for $1.85 an hour. How things have changed! I've had LOTS of jobs and changed careers numerous times since graduating. I've worked in advertising, banking, investment banking, manufacturing, property amangement and education. Each position I have held has given me insight to who I am and what contributes to my happiness in the work world. Of all the positions I've held, I think that teaching 8th grade has been the best and made me the happiest. Teaching isn't a monied field but the rewards are always priceless. Teaching gives you a daily new insight into life because you see it from new eyes and that is, in itself, priceless. I have no idea what I will do next or where I will go next but I look forward to it with excitement and anticipation.
I am now working with Sierra Nevada Job Corps as the Learning Resourace Center Coordinator. I run the resource center - 3000 sq.ft. classroom with 55 computers. The students work on their high school credits in the classroom on the PLATO system. In the evenings, half of the classsroom is opened for students to check their email and do job searches. My room also doubles as a library - rather small but improving all the time.
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Reunions
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