Thomas Canale:
CLASS OF 1980
Simi Valley High SchoolClass of 1980
Simi valley, CA
Apollo High SchoolClass of 1980
Simi valley, CA
Sequoia Junior High SchoolClass of 1976
Simi valley, CA
Kester Avenue Elementary SchoolClass of 1973
Sherman oaks, CA
Crestview SchoolClass of 1971
Elmhurst, IL
Thomas's Story
Life
People wouldn't recognize me today.
I never finished 11th grade. I got involved with drugs, and disappeared for the most of High School. Although I have my share of regrets, Life has been good to me. I went back for my GED at 21. Spent some time in the Navy. Saw the world while I worked on fighter jet-Tomcats. Painted houses for many years as a civilian. Got married and raised a family and divorced in 2007. Went to College at 30 and started my nursing career at 35. Never really left Simi. It's always been home to me, eventhough it's grown over the years. The most important decision I made was at the age of 29 when I gave my life to Jesus, the LORD of my life. I belong to an awesome fellowship, and living for the LORD is the most important goal for my life. I often think about my High School days, and regret dropping out of site. I have few memories and I cherish them dearly. It would be nice to touch base with old friends from the past from time to time, and I hope life has been as good for you as it has for me. Hope to hear from some of you soon, Tom Canale
School
Don't remember much of High Shcool. Too many drugs. My greatest regret was wasting those years on drugs instead developing lasting relationships and good memories. I'd definitely be more involved with school if I had it to do all over again.
I really enjoyed going to dances and parties. The only problem was getting too loaded. There were good times, but by the time I grew up, I got lost in my own life. Never bothered to look up old school friends. But now that I'm starting my life over again, it would be nice to see what happened to my old school friends.
College
Thank God I got my GED at 21 to go in the Navy. Col...Expand for more
lege by itself was hard enough while raising a family. When I started college at 30, I was raising 6 kids. By the time I was done at 35, we had 7 kids.
Moorpark was a nice place to go. Eventhough I hated science in High School, I ended up majoring in nursing science! Go figure!
I completed 27 units my first year and made the National Deans List with a 4.0. Not bad for someone who never finished school.
I never had a problem with school work, I just hated school. I finished with my degree, passed my State Board Exam for RN, and I've been working for Kaiser in the Valley since.
Workplace
After High School, I painted houses for a while. Got bored with that, and decided to see the world by joining the Navy at 21.
Went to Boot Camp in Florida. Ended up in Tenesee for A-School (Aviation Fundamentals). Worked on the hydraulic systems of F-14 (Tomcats). Stationed in Virginia to be near my kid brother Steve. It was good for the first year or so. They never used my training from school, eventhough I finished top of my class in A-School. They found out I was a painter, and stuck me in the paint shop for over a year. Got myself kick out, and came back to California at 23, back to paint houses again.
Went into Business with my best friend. Didn't last very long, so I tried to make it on my own. Got married at 27 to a woman with 5 kids. I realized I need a real career since I didn't have what it takes to run my own company.
Went to college for nursing, and I've been working for Kaiser since 1998. Did one year of floor nursing, and transferred to the ER where I love it. I'll probably do it til I get too old.
I still paint houses on the side, and since my divorce, I don't need to work so much anymore.
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