Nelson Boyette

I have lived in Chicago, IL since 2004 after 2 years in New York. Prior to that, I had spent most of my time since high school in the Jacksonville area. I love Chicago, but the only way I survive the winters is to escape to our place in New Orleans when the cold gets to be just too much for this Florida boy. My partner, Barry and I have been together for going on 7 years and will be getting married this coming October - thank you Iowa!
I first got my psych degree from UNF and after 12 years in the hotel industry, culminating as a corporate trainer and project manager for ADP payroll/HR systems, I returned to UNF in 2001 to pick up a communications/PR degree . I happily made the transition from corporate to nonprofit work in 2002 with stints at St Bonaventure University in upstate New York and Columbia College Chicago, with an offices and staff on the CBS Studio lot in L.A. and New York. Fun times, but turning 40 found me longing for my bed, everynight, week-in and week-out.
Having seen a need in many of the affiliated arts/literary programs with Columbia, I joined forces with a couple of really great and smart people to found a small consulting company, where I am now. Needless to say, I love what I do and the ability to truly affect the lives of people in some small way. My primary client now is Literacy Chicago (www.literacychicago.org) a tuition free adult reading and basic skills training organization with over 1500 adult learners a year. These learners amaze me every day - to have lived a life without the very basic ability to read, and than well into their adult life, find the courage to walk into an office and admit "I can't read - I need your help" touches my heart over and over again.
I get home to Lake City much more often now. It took a few years (over a decade) after my coming out and breaking free of the religious background you all knew me to be a part of for my family to get their head wrapped around that this wasn't just a "phase".
I am looking forward to seeing everyone, which I have to admit kind of surprises me. For many years, Lake City was little more than a vault holding many of the demons from my childhood, and a family that had been lost to me simply as a result of my doing my best to live a good, honest life. Time does heal wounds, and sticking to my values and commitments to live my life fully, openly and honestly has opened a path back to Lake City, and many of you, that 5 years ago I never would have dreamed of.
Travel safe and I'll see you all in June.

As a farm boy living 15 miles and an hour + bus ride (thank you Desi Meeks - bus #23), the bulk of my memories from those years aren't connected to school at all. I envied many of you who were able to engage in clubs and groups and extracurricular activities with ease. So, for me, there are 2 experiences from CHS that I credit for a major part of my life. The junior trip to France and Switzerland and our Sr. trip with Dr. Gause to London. I got a touch of wanderlust that has catapulted me into journeys and adventures far beyond my Lake City boy imagination, over and over again. A partner who speaks 6 languages, has lived in Paris and Russia and practically keeps a carry on packed in the front hall closet, ready to go anywhere..anytime has proved to be my perfect companion.
So, for a small town farm boy, I think it quite amazing that a lifetime of travel and a passion for learning and experiencing so many diverse cultures is what I took with me from lil' ole' CHS.