Janis Hanwell:  

CLASS OF 1975
Janis Hanwell's Classmates® Profile Photo
Falmouth, VA
Rehoboth beach, DE
Milton, DE
Greensburg, PA
Irwin, PA

Janis's Story

4/10/2010 Find me on FB: Janis Perron Hanwell New News: I'm a GRANDMOTHER - covering the gray didn't stop it from happening! Donovan Richard Hanwell was born on January 6th (5 weeks early). He's a cutiepie - with big beautiful eyes, and curly curly air! I am leaving for South Africa in 2 days. I'll be there for about 13 days - out in the schools donating books & working with kids. I am staying an extra 3 days at then end to do the Kruger International Park "thing!" Can't go that far and not stop to check out the wild animals! When I arrive back home, I'm going to stay in NYC for an extra day or so & check out the sites - particularly Ground Zero....Never Forget! Stay Tuned for pictures!! :) BIO: Hi there! You either know me very well OR you are wondering if you EVER knew me??? I guess you could say my life hasn't been anymore dysfunctional than anyone else's. I was born in Boston, MA and moved to Irwin, PA in 1963 where I went to West Hempfield Jr High & Hempfield High School. I was a gymnast, an artist, heavily involved in dance and theater, and I was a tom boy and a little different than the average female of the 60's. Just when I was getting involved in the high school groove, half way through my sophomore year, my family moved to Fredericksburg, VA...talk about culture shock - Yankee girl heads South "y'all." Well, it took a bit of time to fit in, but I got involved in gymnastics, dance, theater, yearbook and the school newspaper. I managed to stay out of the worst trouble, but skated on the edge for a little while. Although my grades were very good, if it wasn't for my art teacher, Sharon, I probably would have skipped the college thing. But now I have BAs in Fine Arts and Art Education from VCU, M.Eds in Special Education and Educational Leadership from Salisbury State University, MD and University of Delaware. I am finishing up my Ed.D. and currently have an "ABD" (all but the dissertation). My first teaching job was in Ridgely, MD at a residential treatment center for multiply handicapped children (Benedictine School)in the middle of a corn field. My plan was to live on the Eastern Shore/Delmarva Peninsula for about three years and then head back for the city life. Well, its now 30 yrs later and in that time I made my way closer to the beach, got married, had a daughter, got divorced, taught school, worked for the Y, got involved in the community and stayed! With many years in the field of art and special education both as a teacher and an administrator, I have spent the last 6+ years as the assistant superinte...Expand for more
ndent for a school district along the coast of lower Delaware. A couple of months ago I took the plunge and retired, but remained on contract to manage a major construction project for the school district. I have been involved in the project since before its conception and am now managing the final stages to complete and move into a 215,000 sf high school with a 15,000 sf field house and new sports turf football field with complete stadium facilities (1 year early). I love it!! I live about 5 minutes from Rehoboth Beach, about 40 minutes north of Ocean City, MD - Yes, there are schools at the beach! I have 2 kids; daughter 22 and son almost 20. My husband, Steve (Yes, after 12 1/2 years we tied the knot a little tighter!), is an aerospace and mechanical engineer and an Army SF guy who is currently doing secret squirrel security gigs in undisclosed locations across the big pond. He has been away from home quite a lot in the years since 9-11 and if I tell you where he is now, he'll "have to kill you (or me ;))!" ha ha! When he's home we try to fit as much fun in as possible - On our list so far: Do the PADI Aquarium Diver certification and 2 dives in the Baltimore Aquarium marine life environment. (I don't think I'll volunteer for the Shark Tank)! Like most folks our age, Steve and I have become part of the "Sandwich Generation" ... We are still taking care of our kids and now our parents need care and support as well. In Aug08, we brought Steve's Mom up from a rehab ctr in Alabama to a nursing home/rehab ctr here in Lewes, DE, and my Mom moved into an addition off our house in December. Sadly, I lost my father June08 and I will always miss him as my mentor and inspiration. The last time I updated this rambling novel, I told you about my trip to Beijing and some of the far out provinces of China just before the 2008 Olympics. I'm sure I mentioned the Forbidden City, Tienemen Square and my meeting the distant grandson, direct bloodline descendent of Confucious, which was awesome, but I forgot to mention that the Chinese government almost kept me in Beijing ... My passport was stolen at the airport when we were trying to get home, but because China's "Big Brother" is always (I mean ALWAYS) watching & listening, it was tracked down JUST IN TIME for me to go through customs & security before the flight. Speaking of flying, I better get busy ... I'll try to update this info every so often. Email me if you want to share your "story." Janis ~08/01/02, updates: 12/05/02, 08/22/06, 3/17/2008, 8/24/2008, 05/03/2009, 8/6/2009, 04/10/2010
Register for Free to view all details!
Reunions
Janis was invited to the
173 invitees
Janis was invited to the
239 invitees
Register for Free to view all events!

Photos

Janis Hanwell's Classmates profile album
After 12 1/2 yrs
us2
Yup, this is it :-)
Steve & Dane
Steve
Just Silly
Three Amigos
Steve
Steve & Mom
JAY HOAD
Gracie is our Angel
Dane's Sr. Portrait
blueroom,summer2006!2
Lacey & her Dad
Doug
Happier Times
Johnny Bravo
Marvin the Martian
With Grace
Register for Free to view all photos!

Janis Hanwell is on Classmates.

Register for free to join them.
Oops! Please select your school.
Oops! Please select your graduation year.
First name, please!
Last name, please!
Create your password

Please enter 6-20 characters

Your password should be between 6 and 20 characters long. Only English letters, numbers, and these characters !@#$%^&* may be used in your password. Please remove any symbols or special characters.
Passwords do not match!

*Required

By clicking Submit, you agree to the Classmates TERMS OF SERVICE and PRIVACY POLICY.

Oops an error occurred.