Ronald Dula:  

Life Retired in 2002 after 31 years of teaching Special Education classes at Coventry High School. Coached football for 22 years, wrestling for 8 years, track for 3 years, swimming for 3 years, and 1 year coaching baseball. By visiting Africa two years ago I have now been on the mainland of all seven continents. I went to Antartica in 2005. I have visited 73 countries of the world and plan on visiting as many more as I can. Until I got arthritis in the knees and hips my favorite activity was hiking and backpacking. I hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail. Went from Mt. Katadin, Maine to Monson, which included the "Hundred Mile Wilderness". I also hiked the AT in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee and North Carolina . One of my favorite places to hike is Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior, Michigan. It is Americas' least visited national park and a great place for peace, solitude and serenity. I've done backpacking in southern Ohio, Colorado, and extensively in southern Utah. I've also hiked from the center of Kilarney, Ireland to the McGillicuddy Reeks, and in Scotland, Germany and Switzerland, and along the Inca Trail in Peru. Done a little hiking in Australia and New Zealand also. Even though I have arthrities and use a cane to walk around I still get to where I want to go, even if it is quite slower than everyone else. I enjoy retirement. As one of my sisters-in-law says, "Everyday is Sunday when your retired." I like that and agree with it totally. It is so enjoyable to do whatever I want when I want. I really do not miss the alarm clock. Life is good at this moment in time. School Maple Heights High School. The teacher that inspired me the most was Hal Smith. He is the one who inspired me to become an educator. He put the idea in my head back in 1961 when I was in his general math class. I based my teaching style on the way he ran his classroom. I haven't been back to a reunion yet for my class but I am planning on attending the 50th reunion if I'm still around in 2013. I never was in the right "clic" in high school but that is okay because I believe I achieved more in life than many of the people who were in the right "clic". After high school, it just didn't matter and by using my God given resources I have done just fine in life. As I look back,I did enjoy Maple Heights High School and am glad I went there. I made good friends there, some of whom I am still in contact with. It was a good place to get a good education and prepare me for life. College College life was great. Since I didn't go right after high school, waiting until I got out of the military and was 22 years old I believe I had an advantage by being older and definitly having a more mature attitude than the majority of students. I had a blast at Tri-C Metro, especially with the members of the United Student Front. You people were the best. I was the President of the Student Union my second year and had some interesting times with that job. The two years I was there were really jumping with the riots and student unrest and all. Going to the University of Akron was just about as much fun. I lived in the dorms the first year and then on off campus housing the next. Our house was better than a frat house. We had 6 guys living there on Rentsler Street and it was one continuous party. I did get on the Deans List most quarters though seeing that I did realize the importance of getting a high grade point average. I even got a 4.0 for two quarters. It was a blast being the goalie of Sumner Halls' waterpolo team. The friends I made at Akron U were terrific. Military The highlight of my life. What a fantastic 2 year stint with Unc...Expand for more