Mini Biographies - An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Do not get too excited, you automotive freaks out there - yours truly being one of the worst ones...this has nothing to do with Mini-Cooper stories, although bet there are some good stories out there involving the mini back seat of the Mini-Cooper...

One Immaculata gal had an idea - "why not tell our stories on the blog?" Why not, indeed? We should share our accomplishments and thus reinforce our pride in belonging to the Special Band of ILS Brothers and Sisters from '68. The lady making the suggestion proceeded to walk the talk and run with the idea. So here is her story, nice, concise, and to the point.

Marily Benitez - Signum 1968

"I married my High School sweetheart, yes, the Soldier Boy some of you remember and still married...40 years this year and to the same man. Went to college after I was married. We have 2 "children" Frances 38, she's a Captain/Firefighter /Paramedic for Miami Dade and our son Alexis, 31, is a P.E. teacher during the day at a public school, trainer at night and Mortgage Broker in the afternoons, but not much of the latter one lately. My husband Frank is a logistic Director for Latin America for DHL. I did some substituting while my kids were in school, at their school and after they were old enough I opened a non- profit cultural, bilingula, cultural, international organization of poetry and other arts, backed up by LACC/FIU where we do art exhibits, here and abroad, book presentation at Barnes & Noble, meetings at FIU, put out a magazine, have 25 different nationalities, have delegates in other countries and much more.
Marily A. Reyes (Benitez then)"

Our classmate, with "Soldier Boy" - remember that song? - and their "kids."

And then Marily enticed another ILS lady to drop in and share her story with us - this one from Raquel Puig, now Raquel Zaldivar. Here it is, as received, unedited.

Raquel Puig - Signum 1968

"I was married 26 years and then divorced. I started late having children, so mine are rather young compared to everyone else’s. I have two. Robert is 24. He is an accountant . . . still single. Raquel Cristina is my “baby”. She is sixteen. She is very musical: sings and plays the piano beautifully. She dances flamenco like a pro. In addition she is a photographer. She was just invited to join the National Honor Society at Lourdes Academy where she is a sophomore.

I have been a professor at Miami Dade College for 34 years. In addition, I became an attorney 20 years ago and have practiced since. It’s crazy doing two things at once! However, now that I look back I always liked multitasking (I taught Laida Arcia (now Carro) to play the guitar while I was working at Youth Corps – right Laida? ),

Reading all of these e-mails I am convinced that our class was special.

Would someone please tell me how I can get to “our” website???? I need directions. . . .

Cariños,

Raquel"

One thing is obvious: Unlike the guys, Raquel does believe in asking for directions! Not to worry, she has found "us." We hope many of you will find your way to these pages too, and honor this blog with your life experiences. That goes for you too, Infernal Committee types!