Today's Featured Biography

 
Judy Young Robinson

Hi fellow classmates of EHS '61,

Wow,has it really been 50 years since that summer night that we all took a momentous step into our future? I hope these last 50 years have been filled for you all with more happy times than sad, more wonderful memories,and a recognition that YOU are a special soul wherever you are.

OK,hopefully this will be a "brief" rundown of the important points in my life. And on the front end of this,I want to say that I am so very grateful for the people and the experiences and the times that I have lived in and experienced; even those that were sad and difficult - for they were truly the learning lessons and the growth for me into who I am as a soul here and now.

When I left El Dorado,AR in August of 1961,I arrived @ Centenary College in Shreveport anxious to meet new people and start experiencing the world. And that I did; some of my fondest times,friends & memories come from those first 2 years of college. But then one of the greatest loves of my life said come to the U. of Arkansas,and I did. Cy Robinson and I married while still in college, but thankfully we finished school:))I got a BA degree in Spanish and English which I have put to good use. From 1965-1969, Cy went to U of A Medical School in Little Rock and I taught @ Southwest Junior High - I WAS the Spanish Department -@ first kind of terrifying-but then one of so many great mentors/friends came along-the head of the FL dept. @ Hall High School- and also the beginning of my travels to other countries- Mexico in 1966. Before Cy and I left Little Rock,we had two precious little boys - Matt and Mark.

Cy then started a period in the Navy (it was Vietnam era) that took us to Norfolk,VA(internship year for him and more teaching for me), and then it was on to Rota, Spain for 3 years. Needless to say, this was a dream come true for me - traveling all over Spain & Europe, living in Europe- and our youngest son, David was born there - thus dual citizenship for him. I didn't teach while in Spain; just absorbed the country and my family. Cy was the head medical officer on the USS Holland-a submarine tender. When we returned stateside (after experiencing reverse culture shock), we left the Navy to return to Little Rock and the Med Center for Cy to finish his medical training as a urologist.

In 1977, we moved to Lake Jackson, TX where he practiced medicine for 25 years, and I eventually returned to teaching Spanish @ Brazoswood High School, the best high school possible - where I've had the pleasure to teach and have my sons graduate.

Even though there were some hard times (like the serious illnesses and passing of my two parents in 1985 and 1987, while still in their 60's and the demise of mine and Cy's marriage), I wouldn't change my life--because there's so much that would hve been lost w/ any changes. Cy and I are dear friends now - he is retired and living still in Lake Jackson. I tried to get him to go to the reunion, but he prefers to not travel so much anymore.

I on the other hand, can't seem to get enough of traveling- whether with my grands (Matt's kids: Miles-18, Julia -15, Christian-13, or Mark's kids: Peyton -15, Grace Ann-13 or David's kids: Bryn-5 and Parker -1); or w/ family or friends or w/ my significant other, Mick Rollins, or on many trips led by me taking my high school students to Spain and South America. I've had the good fortune to visit almost every country in Europe, one in Africa, all of Noth and most of Central and South America and the Caribbean. But I hope that I'm not finished yet with my adventures! I've still got to do the "Eat, Pray, Love" trip - but w/ Mick, not by myself:))

In 2006, I finally stepped down from my teaching position @Brazoswood (althought I still pitch in now & then here @ Central High School where my grandson, Peyton goes to school). I moved to San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico after retiring. It is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth, and as much as I loved it- I loved and missed my family more; so after about a year, I returned to the U.S. I moved back finally to the state that's always been #1 in my heart - I've lived in VA, TX, LA, FL & SC - all nice places w/ many friends left there - BUT ARKANSAS IS HOME!! I live close to my son, Mark, and his family (he's an attorney who works in the business world now). Matt lives in the Houston area and practices urology like his dad did; and David lives in the NYC area and is a film editor after completing a film degree @ NYU. My oldest grandson, Miles, will be a freshman @ Centenary this fall - so interesting how life goes full circle sometimes.

My life is so full of family, loved ones, travel, writing some, teaching some, volunteer work and of course my spiritual journey - most of all! I am so grateful! I've met many wonderful friends along the way- from school days in El Dorado to my former students who have managed to find me on Facebook and update me on their lives.

I feel that we - the Class of 1961 - have all been so fortunate to come from such a great beginning and see so many historical events unfold before us. I wish you all...Blessings, Love, and Light....and as many healthy years as possible.

Un abrazo grande, Judy

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