Renee' "Barbara" Kraus Ponik

Verna Boyd Gordon

When I was at Evans, I just blended in, and I liked it that way. I liked school, liked most everyone, and enjoyed the show. It's funny in hindsight, when I went to college, everyone there thought I was absolutely crazy fun, I hope I was always fun, just not sure I was certifiable crazy yet. I left that for my legal years (smile).

No, I was going to do social work. Got to college, Mississippi State (father was an alumni, and very cheap to go to school there, cheaper than a Florida school), and "majored" in sociology. Took the basic 2 years of courses, switched to Anthropology (wanted to help communities transition when new or evolving events meant there would be a clash in cultures). Finished up all my course work for the 4 year degree in 2 years, and was asked to present a paper I had published at a national gathering. Long story short, I found out archeologists (at least successful ones) are not always concerned about a cultures heritage. Anyway, left the national conference, and promptly changed majors. Was dating a chemical engineer at the time, decided I was as smart as he was and there you go, my major was chosen. Later married a civil engineer in college for about 2 seconds (seriously, another very long funny story). Graduated single, moved to California after getting a job to work on the Shuttle (it was going to be launched at one time from CA too). After the challenger accident, moved back to FL and got a job with NASA. Been there ever since. Met my husband through my sister's husband, had a son, got married (yes in that order). Went back to school at UCF while pregnant with my daughter, got my master's in Industrial Engineering. Now I do master planning for the Kennedy Space Center, which includes space utilization, real property, and facility management. So did I follow my career path? Not sure I ever really thought about a career path, I did become a mom, that was my real career goal. Not sure how successful I've been at it, but I have to say, I still enjoy each day.

At a disco across town. Yeah, hate to admit it, but since I was a geeky nerd, had to find guys that didn't know that. Usually went with either Elaine Purvinis or Jill Lynn. The memories still make me smile.

Being a taxi driver for my daughter and her friends for part of the night. Then usually watching a netflix film with my husband and son for the rest of it.
UPDATE: Kids are adults now. Both still at home, and I have the pleasure of adding my daughter's boyfriend to the mix. So, my husband and I are watching movies with the 3 dogs & 9 cats. Daughter works at a vet office, she collects pets.

CAR? Are you kidding me. I might be able to borrow my dad's car (brown toyota, which I later had an accident in at college when I borrowed it for a semester, needless to say, even though it wasn't my fault, had to depend upon the kindness of strangers and their cars after that... smile). I carpooled with Tina Newcomb sometimes, but for part of my high school years, I got the great pleasure of carpooling with Cindy Savage and her brother Dale. What a HUNK he was. He also picked up Andy L.? Anyway, thanks Cindy for asking me to carpool. WOW!

Worst, really didn't have any. I actually liked most everyone and enjoyed Evans. Best, well, me and some friends did spike the National Honor Society punch at the end of the year. Now I know if someone was in AA, that was a horrible thing to do, but didn't know it then. Sorry if I harmed anyone! Being the nerd I was, even though it was questioned, no one ever dreamed I would do such a thing.

Facebook: B. Renee' Ponik