Author:
Jana Ricks Munson
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Date Posted: 03:05:12 01/27/03 Mon
Who: Formerly Jana Ricks, class of '79, played the flute
What: Graduated from Texas A&M, class of '83, with a degree in biomedical science. Met my future husband, Doug, my last semester there. He was finishing his master's degree. We married right after I graduated. (Today is our 18th wedding anniversary.) We moved to Mississippi, where we both worked for Miss. State Univ. I worked for 5 yrs as a research technician. Then I switched gears & worked on my Master's of Management, otherwise known as MOM. (Mothers - you know what I'm talking about!) We have 2 children: Matt, 15 yrs old & Heather, 13 yrs old.
Where: We later moved to Emmett, Idaho (about 40 mins northwest of Boise). We have lived here now for 11/12 yrs. Emmett reminds me a lot of Helotes in the old days. It's a fairly small, rural, bedroom community. Doug works for Idaho Fish & Game as a fisheries pathologist. When our youngest started preschool, I slowly re-entered the work force. I worked part-time for awhile as a receptionist at an eye doctor's & as a substitute teacher. When both the kids were in school fulltime, I went to work as a special resource assistant for our rural schools. I enjoyed working with students so much that I did something I swore I'd NEVER do - go back to college! I obtained my teaching certificate 3 yrs ago. I taught 6th grade for 2 yrs. This year, I moved to our Jr. High & High school, where I teach life science & biology. I also was given the assignment of yearbook adviser at the high school. We even have a yearbook from Churchill H.S. in our room! And, would you believe it - our mascot here is the HUSKIES! The amazing thing to me is that since being at the high school, my own high school years have come flooding back to me! I have had so many memories coming back & had been reminiscing quite a lot about my old Ram Band days & looking through my old yearbooks. The band here only has about 8-10 students. That's right - it's no typo! I try not to laugh & shake my head in disbelief. Actually, the newest band director has made some improvement in the band's performance. However, when compared with the AWESOME experience I've shared with y'all ..... what can I say? Right before Christmas, I got on the internet to look up any possible info on my old alma mater & especially the band. Right after Christmas, I got a forwarded message from my brother, Randy (who now lives in Calif.), who had received an e-mail from Mark. I was so pleasantly surprised & excited! I was especially excited to learn about the reunion in April! Alas, my brother's son is going to be graduating from Marine bootcamp that same weekend & my whole family will be attending in San Diego to celebrate with him. So I guess I will have to make a future reunion instead (boohoo). I welcome any correspondance from my former band mates - I'd love to re-establish connections! I'm jealous of all y'all that live close enough that you can still get together for fun! I love living in Idaho, but sometimes I do get lonely for what might have been had I stayed closer to my hometown. If any of y'all want to check out the great northwest, come & see us! After years of basically living on one paycheck (& a state gov't paycheck at that - no one gets rich working for Fish & Game!) the accomodations are humble, but comfortable. Until we meet again ...
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