Jane Henkel:
CLASS OF 1974
Lyons Township High SchoolClass of 1974
La grange, IL
College of DuPageClass of 1976
Glen ellyn, IL
McClure Junior High SchoolClass of 1970
Western springs, IL
Forest Hills Elementary SchoolClass of 1968
Western springs, IL
Garfield Elementary SchoolClass of 1968
Maywood, IL
Jane's Story
Life
Well, well, well . . . so you want to know about my exciting life now, eh?? Not too much to tell: actually I am living in the 'frozen tundra' of Minnesota now and have been for 18 years. (By the way, we LOVE it up here--the weather is not for the faint of heart sometimes). I am currently a "domestic goddess", as Roseanne Barr puts it and have been the entire time I've been here. I have raised two delightful/beautiful/smart daughters who fill my life with joy--MOST of the time:):):) As for my 'better half', he is and has been 'on the road' most of our marriage, so I can honestly say that I have raised the girls myself!! Now that they are close to leaving for college, I am at a crossroads in life--trying to 'find' myself again. And, in doing so,I have been contacting many old friends here at classmates.com. Need more info?? Contact me via email. I would love to hear from any and all.
School
My family and I moved to Western Springs in the spring of 1968 (or was it 1969) during sixth grade. My parents moved us there in order to get a better education--or at least that's what they have always said. I was placed in Mr. Clare Larkin's class at Forest Hills Elementary. God, what a horrible class that was. I specifically remember how badly behaved that class was--always throwing spitballs, mouthing-off, etc. We were so bad that I remember that we were kept from visiting the junior high's operettta that year!!Sheesh!! Anyway, I was pretty quiet and alone then, but did meet one of my best friends (then and today) in that class.
Going to high school was a blur for me--especially the first two years. Discovered that it was 'not cool' to be in band, but met many kids there and in chorus that I still call friends today.
I feel that I really 'came into my own' at North Campus, though. Was involved with the Lion and really liked that kind of work. Dated a bit in senior year and had a serious boyfriend then. However, back then, didn't really need one as I had a group of girlfriends that I 'hung' with instead. Those were the days . . . cruising McDonalds, hangin' out at Little Joe's and generally not getting into too much trouble.
I began working after school when I turned 16 and had a car. I did office work, retail and the like. Really came to understand then that a college education mattered so did not even think twice about not attending college after high school.
Now that my own daughters are in high school, I have come to appreciate what a good education I got at LTHS--even though our graduating class was over 1000!! (Love to brag to people now about that--no one I have ever met has graduated with that number of classmates!!!) Life was simpler then . . . and the memories I have are wonderful!!
College
College for me was an interesting experience. I was accepted into University of Illinois, Champaign in the school of Journalism--quite an honor. However, I got 'cold feet' at the end of senior year and decided to stay home and go to COD. Loved the independence that COD gave me and remember it as this little campus in the middle of corn fields; now when I visit, it's all built up and a respectable campus. But, I digress--worked while I went to COD to save ...Expand for more
for the last two years at an 'away' college. Went to Western Illinois in Macomb for all the wrong reasons (love, of course). Once I got down there, could not adjust to the party life of my boyfriend; we broke up. So, came back home and finished the remaining two years at UICC all the while, working to pay tuition and books. College life was not alot of fun for me--living at home under my parents' roof and studying whenever I wasn't working 30-40 hours per week. But, that has made me appreciate what it takes to earn that sheepskin.
Workplace
Soooooo, during my senior year at UICC, I interviewed with many many college recruiters in my major: business. These positions all involved retail work with long hours and selling--yuck, not for me. However, I stumbled upon a rare opportunity to interview with Illinois Bell Telephone (aka Ameritech)in the engineering department. Seemed rather odd that they would want someone with a Business BS degree, but I took that chance. Guess I fit all the minority profiles they were trying to fill, as I was hired two weeks after I graduated--no 'rest for the wicked', as they say. IBT, as it was known then, sent me to numerous schools and training to learn engineering fundamentals. Used this information to design data special service circuits (dedicated lines for business use). Did that for a couple of years and then, love intervened. Met my future husband who was working in Columbus, Ohio at the time; so, I had to move. Transferred to Ohio Bell and there, helped install a new computer design system like was used at IBT. From there, supervised a design team of ten (headaches galore!!). In 1983, transferred out of that department into a marketing/customer service type of job that was titled: Cutover Coordinator. Loved that job!! What it entailed was mass coordination of all of Ohio Bell's departments with their customers and equipment vendors to meet new system cutover deadlines. This job was especially important after the Bell System was cut-up through Divestiture--what a nightmare that was. Anyway, by 1986, my husband was relocated to Minnesota (where we are today) and I was able to take an early 'retirement' at the age of 29--even was an official member of AARP for a couple of years until they figured out that I was still a young pup!!!And, once I got to Minnesota discovered I was pregnant and that was the end of my work outside the home . . .
UNTIL NOW (October 2004)--just went back to work after EIGHTEEN YEARS OFF!! Am now serving with AmeriCorps, our homeland 'peace corps' bringing literacy skills to 3 to 5 year olds!! This is a new concept in the world of education, so if you would like me to 'educate' you on this new initiative, contact me. I would love to explain. . . Anyway, I am a Volunteer Coordinator whose job entails finding volunteers to teach these youngsters. It is a blast!!:):):)
As of 9/15, am no longer employed!! Finished my year of service with AmeriCorps and am again, at home running the three households I call home. Am actively looking for work and interviewing often. Nothing's panned out yet. . . oh well. Guess I will just have to 'bear' staying at home and getting ready for our big move in June 2007.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Register for Free to view all yearbooks!
Reunions
Register for Free to view all events!
Photos
