Born in 1951 and raised in Lincoln, Illinois.The oldest child of Lloyd and Laura Slayton.I have 3 siblings, Ed - age 47, Cyndi - age 45, Roger - age 43.We lived in the country and had a wonderful childhood.Currently, all of us live with our families in Lincoln, Illinois.Lincoln is located smack in the center of the state of Illinois. Lincoln Community High School ~ Lincoln, IllinoisI was involved in many enrichment activities in high school.Serving on student council all 4 years.Member of the French Club, FTA, and a member of the pom-pon squad.Photographer for the Lincolnite yearbook staff.I was president of my class of 334 students in 1969.Laura (far left in the newspaper photo) ~ Age: 17Photograph compliments of Lincoln Courier Newspaper and taken in 1969.We shipped shoe boxes of goodies to soldiers serving in Vietnam.I became acutely aware of Vietnam and all the young people who were dying there. At the age of 17, I left home for college. I attended Illinois State University.Again, I was a member of the student government body.During my college years, I spent a very enlightening summer working for Easter Seal Society Camp as a counselor for children who were terminally ill, and I carry forever in my heart their affection and what they taught me.I can not look at these old camp photographs without tears falling down my face.In my junior year in college was one of 13 college students selected to tour and evaluate the mental health facilities in Canada.We visited Orillia, Palmerston, and Cedar Springs - Ontario - Canada.Each stop was a look into the life and medical care given to profoundly handicapped individuals in Canada's institutions.This travel also left impressions on my soul.A highlight though was getting to meet Gordon Lightfoot's mother who worked at the state mental hospital in Orillia, OntarioWhile serving on the ISU Student Government Board, I invited my friend, Illinois Congressman Ed Madigan, to come to the college campus.He brought David Eisenhower with him on that trip. They were slated to speak to the students on campus about Vietnam.A question and answer type forum.However, before Congressman Madigan, Mr. Eisenhower and I could completely exit the car, students were throwing stones at us.........we dove back into the car and left.It was a scarey episode to face these student demonstrators.This incident pretty much sums up the reaction to Vietnam topic by college students during that time.After this experience, I no longer was nor cared to serve as a representative of the student government.I was ashamed of the way the students demonstrated hostile behavior.I remain ashamed of the way Vietnam Veterans were treated upon their return to the USA.Personally, I do not believe the Vietnam Veterans ever got a proper "thank-you". FLORIDAIn the winter of 1978, I packed all my worldly possessions into my MGB and hit the highway.I moved to the sunshine state.Immediately, I was employed by a specialized schoolFMHI - Behavior Modification Unit - Tampa located on the campus of the University of South Florida.I worked as an educator in various schools in Florida for 10 years.Most of my teaching experience has been working with children with special needs, physically impaired, educable mentally handicapped, medically involved, learning disabilities, those who exhibit behavior disorders and/or who had been sexually abused.I have been blessed beyond belief by being allowed to be a part of these young people's life along the way.I continued my graduate work studies at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.Prior to my move to Florida, I spent 3 months in South America visiting friends in Santos, Sao Paulos, Brasil.Might say, I was a wanderlust. *smile* I have a PASSION for music.I can name that tune in one note or less. *smile* A passion for nature.Ran a Critter Camp at my home for 6 years.Expressly for little children, ages 3 to 8 to get up closeand personal with all the 100 animals, birds I raised. I love to draw and etch/sandblast glass and mirror. I like travel. I love computer, html, and creating graphics. Reading is a great soother to me...I can't read enough! Calligraphy is another thing I enjoy doing. For the past 7 years, I spearheaded "Veterans for a Change"...a school, home, community project to raise money to donate to local veteran groupsto brighten the days of veterans in the Danville and Quincy V.A. Hospitals in Illinois.To date, over $14,500.00 in "change" has been collected and all of it donated to help veterans. My favorite color is purple. Favorite flower: lilacs My favorite singer is Aaron Neville. My favorite foods are lobster and chocolate.Not together though! My favorite weather ~ rainy days. My favorite author: David Baldacci My favorite song: Old Rugged Cross(but I LOVE all songs). My favorite saying: Kindness cost$ nothing. My favorite time of the day: sunset.(I am not a morning person.) My favorite store: Any lumber or hardware store. My favorite actors: Tommy Lee Jones and James Earl Jones. My favorite actesses: Sissey Spacek and Meryl Streep My favorite movie: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest My favorite book: The Hobbit Love of my life.My sweet daughter, Nicole...age 17. LAURA in YEAR 2000 Daughter, NicoleSenior PhotoGraduates LCHS June 2002 What is important to me?I am a giver. I believe when one gives, one gets back far more than one can imagine.Family is important to me.No greater love than to be in harmony with family.I recognize that my daughter is a "gift" to me.I am blessed to have my sweet daughter, Nicole. Not a day passes, that I do not remind her by telling her "I love you."Nature is important to me.I have a respect and kinship with my environment.I believe in being kind to others.Lifting those less fortunate up.Materialistic things mean nothing at all to me. MOSTLY, I LOVE THE "SIMPLE LIFE". Being honest. Helping others.Keeping a song in my heart.I believe life is short.I want those I love to know it before it is too late.That is what makes me tick.Thank-you for taking your time to visit my website. Laura "Message from ~ LAURA" I am not a veteran.I strongly believe that all schools in Americashould teach their students about the meaning of the word "veteran."I thank God for veterans.Currently, I hold four valid Illinois teaching certificates: Elementary Education K - 9 Special Education, Type 10, K - 12 Social Emotional Disorders, K - 12 Learning Disabilities, K - 12 Presently, working on degree in Computer Science. In May of 1999, after 21 years, I quit teaching in public school. I am now happily employed by the State of Illinois. CLICK HERE TOME! Song Playing: In My Life LAURA MADE AN HONORARY VETERAN FROM VETS ONLINE. Thank-you for visiting!"~ ~ To visit my website, please click on logo button below.
I was involved in many enrichment activities in high school.Serving on student council all 4 years.Member of the French Club, FTA, and a member of the pom-pon squad.Photographer for the Lincolnite yearbook staff.
I was president of my class of 334 students in 1969.
Laura (far left in the newspaper photo) ~ Age: 17Photograph compliments of Lincoln Courier Newspaper and taken in 1969.We shipped shoe boxes of goodies to soldiers serving in Vietnam.I became acutely aware of Vietnam and all the young people who were dying there.
At the age of 17, I left home for college. I attended Illinois State University.Again, I was a member of the student government body.During my college years, I spent a very enlightening summer working for Easter Seal Society Camp as a counselor for children who were terminally ill, and I carry forever in my heart their affection and what they taught me.I can not look at these old camp photographs without tears falling down my face.
In my junior year in college was one of 13 college students selected to tour and evaluate the mental health facilities in Canada.We visited Orillia, Palmerston, and Cedar Springs - Ontario - Canada.Each stop was a look into the life and medical care given to profoundly handicapped individuals in Canada's institutions.This travel also left impressions on my soul.A highlight though was getting to meet Gordon Lightfoot's mother who worked at the state mental hospital in Orillia, Ontario
While serving on the ISU Student Government Board, I invited my friend, Illinois Congressman Ed Madigan, to come to the college campus.He brought David Eisenhower with him on that trip. They were slated to speak to the students on campus about Vietnam.A question and answer type forum.However, before Congressman Madigan, Mr. Eisenhower and I could completely exit the car, students were throwing stones at us.........we dove back into the car and left.It was a scarey episode to face these student demonstrators.This incident pretty much sums up the reaction to Vietnam topic by college students during that time.After this experience, I no longer was nor cared to serve as a representative of the student government.I was ashamed of the way the students demonstrated hostile behavior.I remain ashamed of the way Vietnam Veterans were treated upon their return to the USA.Personally, I do not believe the Vietnam Veterans ever got a proper "thank-you".
I moved to the sunshine state.Immediately, I was employed by a specialized schoolFMHI - Behavior Modification Unit - Tampa located on the campus of the University of South Florida.I worked as an educator in various schools in Florida for 10 years.
Most of my teaching experience has been working with children with special needs, physically impaired, educable mentally handicapped, medically involved, learning disabilities, those who exhibit behavior disorders and/or who had been sexually abused.
I have been blessed beyond belief by being allowed to be a part of these young people's life along the way.I continued my graduate work studies at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.
Prior to my move to Florida, I spent 3 months in South America visiting friends in Santos, Sao Paulos, Brasil.Might say, I was a wanderlust. *smile*
A passion for nature.Ran a Critter Camp at my home for 6 years.Expressly for little children, ages 3 to 8 to get up closeand personal with all the 100 animals, birds I raised.
I love to draw and etch/sandblast glass and mirror.
I like travel.
I love computer, html, and creating graphics.
Reading is a great soother to me...I can't read enough!
Calligraphy is another thing I enjoy doing.
For the past 7 years, I spearheaded "Veterans for a Change"...a school, home, community project to raise money to donate to local veteran groupsto brighten the days of veterans in the Danville and Quincy V.A. Hospitals in Illinois.To date, over $14,500.00 in "change" has been collected and all of it donated to help veterans.
My favorite color is purple.
Favorite flower: lilacs
My favorite singer is Aaron Neville.
My favorite foods are lobster and chocolate.Not together though!
My favorite weather ~ rainy days.
My favorite author: David Baldacci
My favorite song: Old Rugged Cross(but I LOVE all songs).
My favorite saying: Kindness cost$ nothing.
My favorite time of the day: sunset.(I am not a morning person.)
My favorite store: Any lumber or hardware store.
My favorite actors: Tommy Lee Jones and James Earl Jones.
My favorite actesses: Sissey Spacek and Meryl Streep
My favorite movie: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
My favorite book: The Hobbit
LAURA in YEAR 2000
MOSTLY, I LOVE THE "SIMPLE LIFE".
Being honest. Helping others.Keeping a song in my heart.I believe life is short.I want those I love to know it before it is too late.That is what makes me tick.Thank-you for taking your time to visit my website.
Laura
I am not a veteran.I strongly believe that all schools in Americashould teach their students about the meaning of the word "veteran."I thank God for veterans.
Currently, I hold four valid Illinois teaching certificates: Elementary Education K - 9 Special Education, Type 10, K - 12 Social Emotional Disorders, K - 12 Learning Disabilities, K - 12 Presently, working on degree in Computer Science. In May of 1999, after 21 years, I quit teaching in public school. I am now happily employed by the State of Illinois.
In May of 1999, after 21 years, I quit teaching in public school.
I am now happily employed by the State of Illinois.
CLICK HERE TOME! Song Playing: In My Life LAURA MADE AN HONORARY VETERAN FROM VETS ONLINE. Thank-you for visiting!"~ ~ To visit my website, please click on logo button below.
Song Playing: In My Life LAURA MADE AN HONORARY VETERAN FROM VETS ONLINE. Thank-you for visiting!"~ ~
LAURA MADE AN HONORARY VETERAN FROM VETS ONLINE.
Thank-you for visiting!"
To visit my website, please click on logo button below.