Laura Jeffries Ulam

After graduation I went to Skagit Valley College and graduation with my AA transfer degree but did nothing with it. I got married in 1986 and that I guess was my next schooling. That lasted only 1 1/2 years and we parted on friendly terms. During this time I still worked at John Vanderzicht Pool. Started as a cashier in high school, took swimming lessons as my PE at Skagit and then took Lifeguard course, then took Lifeguard instructor course. After this I worked as the Secretary at the pool. Worked there until 1992. I remarried in 1989 and my son was born in 1991. Left the pool in 1992 to become a stay at home mom. I went back to work in 1994 as a kidney dialysis technician. Moved to Oregon in 1997 for a couple years to be near husbands family. We moved back in Nov. 99 and found out I was pregnant with our miracle baby. (wasnt supposed to be able to have anymore children). Sarah was born in September 2000. So once again in Feb. 2001 I left my job to stay at home with my baby. But at this time I realized that having a baby later in life that I guess I had better go back to school since I would be working forever. I went back to Skagit Valley College and received my ADN (Registered Nurse) degree. During my schooling I divorced after 14 years of marriage. Finished school in 2004, bought a house in Oak Harbor and got a job at Puget Sound Kidney Center (again) and commuted to Everett 3 days a week until the center opened in Oak Harbor in 2005. I currently work as the Direct Care Manager at Puget Sound Kidney Center in Oak Harbor. My son is a junior this year and is looking forward to graduating next year so he can continue on to college to complete his lifelong goal of becoming a Police Officer. My daughter is only in 2nd grade so we have a long ways to go with her. She keeps me busy with cheerleading and softball. In my spare time (whats that?) I like to travel and go camping with high school friends Cindy and Teresa and their families. Life has a way of changing a persons perspective. This past December I lost my brother to cancer at the age of 46. It was a life changing time for me. Here I was a nurse but taking care of a dying family member who was still in the prime of his life was something I never imagined I would have to do. So this year I decided to honor my brother and another dear friend (Nic) I lost to cancer in Feb. and participate in the Relay for Life event. I am co-captain of the Big Nic Bears 2. That is my life up until this point. Who knows what life will bring from this point on. I have enjoyed reconnecting with so many of you on facebook and look forward to the reunion this summer and fall.

My school years found me busy with softball, volleyball, work and partying. (I know, only a few select friends witnessed this). I remember the ski club making a trip to Mission Ridge where we thought we were going to die of frostbite. It was so cold up there. In my sophomore year I was lucky enough to be chosen along with 4 others to participate in a mini exchange program with students in Hope, BC. We went and stayed for 1 week in Hope, BC and then the next week the student we stayed with came back with us and stayed with us for a week and went to school with us. Then the summer after sophomore year I spent a week at Central Washington University for Business week. Do you all remember World Problems? That is the class I will always remember. We had to memorize the World Map. Remember all those test we had to take or we wouldnt graduate? Wonder if they still do that? A fun time I remember is Powderpuff football. We lost our senior year but Teresa and I had fun in the rain tackling the juniors and rubbing their faces in the mud.

Oak Harbor Junior High