Venus Chaplinsky Valenty

Yes

Many of you know me from Weston Elem. I attended Weston from Kindergarten through 6th Grade. Then just before I was to start ABIS with all my friends - my parents decided to move to FL. I kept in touch with several friends throughout high school (the old U.S. Mail way), and even flew back to Manville for YOUR high school GRADUATION (and had a blast)!!

I attended St. Petersburg Junior College and then the University of South Florida (Class of 1983). I graduated with a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I currently teach Kindergarten in Clearwater. This is my 25th year of teaching.

In 1981 I got married, but am currently in the process of a divorce. (Nice guy, but a WORKaholic - I've had enough)!! It's time to start enjoying the advantages of having older children - so I'm moving on!

I do have my two wonderful boys listed in the section above: First Born: Vincent - will be 21 years old in March. He is a junior at the University of Florida - GO GATORS!! He was studying Health Sciences (PreMed), but has changed his interest to Engineering. He decided that he didn't want to take care of sick people everyday for the rest of his life.
I'm glad he figured that out before it was too late.

Second Born: Victor - is 19 years old. He is taking this semester off from St. Petersburg College, to attend several Out-of-State Competitions with the Coed Cheer Team he is a member of. He has been a competitive gymnast since the age of 5 and was asked to join a private club competitive cheer team (when he was in 7th grade) to do tumbling and stunting. The team has made it to the WORLD's Championship Competition three times in the seven years he's been on team. This year's World's Competition is April 25 - 26, 2009 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, and his team will be there!!!

I've traveled a little bit with him. but the expenses add up quickly. It's been a lot of fun and I've meet a lot of neat people. I'm disappointed this will be his last year, as he will "age" out.

He did make the University of Central Florida's Nationally Ranked Cheer Team last year, and was awarded a $1000.00 scholarship, but could not get into the college. His 3.2 GPA didn't cut it. (Even with the personal endorsement of the head coach.) So he went back to the private club for one more year.

Now I'm enjoying being a "Semi" Empty Nester. I know many people think of it as a lonely or sad time, but I'm enjoying it. I have an Annual Seasonal Pass to Disney World and go hang out with a friend several times a year. (We ride the rides, shop the shops, and see the sights. Disney is not just for the little kids - it's for the "big" kids too.) I enjoy going out of eat, listening to local bands or musicians, and dancing. I try to catch a few movies, plays, and concerts each year, as well. Then when you live in a place where you have one of the top ten beaches, it is nice to watch a sunset, walk the waters edge, or just hang out on Clearwater Beach.

I am looking forward to October and attending Manville High School's 30th Reunion. I still remember the fun times at Weston Elementary and the friendships I made. I can't wait to reunite with all of you.

Clearwater is a nice place, but I graduated with a class of over 600 students. It just wasn't the "cozy" feeling of Manville.

I invite my dear friends to email, or call anytime. I'd love to hear from you.

Take Care - Venus Chaplinsky

I remember a few "kid things" from Weston Elementary. (Since I didn't get to go to high school with you guys.)

* Mr. Frezza dumping out the "stuff" from Patrick's Knox's desk, and the desk landing on his own foot. He was then out for several days. (4th grade)

* Mr. Frezza pounding so hard on the wall in the classroom that it caused the mirror in the girls bathroom to crack. (4th grade)

* Mr. Lucy and his funny hair cut that we use to laugh at. (6th grade)

* Having to "dress out" for Gym in those ugly blue outfits.

* The time all the girls wrote and signed a letter to the principal complaining about the girl's P.E. teacher. Mr. Frezza made all of us girls stand up as he yelled at us for a really long time. (6th garde)

* I remember Michael Bias and Dennis Cooper calling me, "Curly Joe from Idaho".

* I remember the time when a car horn at Sandy Bohem's house went off and it took them forever to shut it off. Mrs. Cohen was not happy! (6th grade)

* Those stupid Spelling Bees - thank GOD for spell check!!!

* The class trip to Valley Forge and singing "Bum-Bum-Bumble Bee Bumble Bee Tuna - I love a sandwich made with Bumble Bee, Bumble Bee", over and over again. (Until the bus driver made us stop.)

* Snow days and getting to slide down the hill in back of the school. Ice skating on the pond, and being teased because my parents had bought me an actual "Snowsuit". ( I loved it at first, but then hated it!) - Good old "Kid Stuff".

* Remember those ramps in the hallways and we use to see how far the milk carts would roll before stopping. Or we would race one another down the ramps. (Until a teacher would yell at us.)

* I remember when Bonnie Esock and I got to take down the display case in the corner of the front office. Every time someone would walk past we would freeze and pose like a mannequin in a store window.

* I remember how we couldn't wait to be patrols, so that we could tell younger kids what to do.

As I sit here thinking, I'm really remembering a lot about individual people and wonder where or what they are doing now. People who I haven't thought about in years. (Too many to name.)

I'm thankful to have had such a fun childhood, and I certainly hope the reunion will bring many long, lost, friends back to share a weekend. After all, we are not getting any younger. In just a few short years we'll be that big "Five O" = 50.

Thanks for giving me a chance to "remember". I didn't mean to bore anyone.





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