Bonnie G. Helt

When I graduated from FCHS school, I was married to Rick Helt. Our marriage lasted 16 years. During that time we had three boys who now has blessed me with six granddaughters to great grandchildren, and two more on the way.

We moved to Arkansas and at that time I became very interested in dogs showing handling and grooming.   Ricky and I didn’t make it and we got a divorce.   My grooming career took off and I had my own professional pet styling shop for 40 years.   It was a great blessing to me.

I was able to acquire five houses in investments, which has worked well since I sold them all except for one for my retirement.   (see retirement)   I’ve been retired two years now have sized down to an 1,800 square-foot house that I remodeled down to the studs.

I’m extremely blessed in life.   And I’m getting addicted to Pickelball.   So I play pickle ball and I’m doing some traveling facilitating a women’s Christian Bible study and believe it or not after 40 years of dog grooming I have a cat.   I won’t be attending the 2023 reunion but I wish you all well.  

Bonnie Helt

               Dante Ciolfi

Hey everybody!  Thanks to Joni and the dedicated volunteers working so hard for all of us, and thanks to everyone posting here.   It's been great to read about what everyone's been up to!

I have so many great memories of FCHS.   Let's build a time machine and go back to an October night in 1970 after a home football game.   I'll meet you at the West entrance foyer sock hop, featuring Greg and Leo's band, playing Jumpin' Jack Flash.   Now, that's a frickin good time!

Back to now- I live in Fort Myers, FL.  My job contract lists me as an online Instructional Associate (listed as a TA on the website) for a couple of courses in Georgia Tech's Master of Science in Computer Science program.  I mentor the student development teams and manage a team of TAs.  I love guiding students in their software engineering projects designed to help nonprofits accomplish their mission.  It does not feel like a job!

Since graduating from FCHS, I've been blessed with a few careers and a lifetime of distance running.   I'm at home running or hiking on a mountain trail, preferably above treeline.   So, about the Florida thing... It's so much fun living down here.  I wake up every day wondering what messed up thing somebody will do.   In Florida, they issued a public health warning to people to avoid oral contact with an armadillo due to the toxic chemicals.

Yeah, I will miss stuff like that when I relocate back to my spiritual home, Taos, NM, which should happen soon.   SAF - that's me - single and foolish (yes, I'm familiar with the true urban slang meaning).   Reach out and say hi. Go Jags! Love you all!

Dante (Ciolfi)
ciolfi2@gmail.com

               Beth Nelson

I am enjoying reading everyone's updates and first submissions to our class Virtual Reunion Section.

I have had several health challenges and am recovering from pulmonary embolisms three surgeries and have finally been released after 67 days in the hospital.  The doctors have called me the "Miracle Mayo Lady."   I am so grateful that it is not my time yet.

The picture in the white dress is when I was getting ready to go to the 10th reunion!!   The 50th will be here before we know it and I would like to be there but with my health issues I am not sure that it will be possible.

Enjoy it for me!
Beth