KAREN ANTHONY

My educational experience was quite different from my parents.  They attended school only through seventh and eighth grade because they left school to help their families.  I on the other hand was able to graduate from high school and continue to college.  Because I did well in school and enjoyed it, my family assumed that I would continue my schooling.  However, I was given complete support to pursue any educational opportunity I chose. 

While in high school, my mother worked to help finance my education.  Because my parents fully funded my undergraduate education at Penn State, I was able to concentrate on my studies.  Choosing a major for my life’s work was agonizingly difficult.  Since I enjoyed different subjects, I vacillated between nursing, medical technology, teaching, etc.  Even into my second year of college, I was undecided.  In the end, my inspiration went back to NHS.  I remembered the enthusiasm of Mr. Pany, my social studies teacher and chose secondary social studies as my major. 

Finding a job after graduation was difficult.  Even then social studies jobs were scarce especially if you were not prepared to coach.  With no job, I decided to continue my education during the summer at Penn State in counselor education.  While I was there, I heard of a job opening in Lancaster County.  I applied, drove to this area I had never seen before and was hired.  I taught at Lampeter-Strasburg High School for the next 37 years and Lancaster County became my permanent home.  I did get to use my counseling skills for one semester in the high school and trained the peer counselors for many years. 

Since retiring 11 years ago, I substitute taught, wintered in Florida near Disney, served at my church, and volunteered for Hospice.  I traveled to my parents’ home in Treichlers at least once a month on weekends throughout the years until my parents‘ passing.  I am grateful for my parents, their values, and their authentic faith.  Even though they did not attain a high level of education, my parents gave me everything I needed to reach my goals and dreams and for that I will be forever in their debt.