ELLEN FRANCISCO VAN SANT
How fortunate I feel to be able to travel to West Palm from Fort Lauderdale to be a participant in the Reunion Committee. It is through my junior high (some grade school) and high school classmates, that I feel so fortunate to have retained their friendships and my other friendships.
After receiving the Mary MacDonald Scholarship (Thetas) in high school, I attended Florida State University. Carolyn Suddath and I were roommates. Carolyn, Barbara Blank & I participated in the Florida State Circus. I was a Kappa Alpha Theta member and still continue with alumnae participation in Fort Lauderdale and in various get-togethers with our 50�s classmates. Several years ago, there was a get-together in North Carolina and I had a chance to see Jane Walker and her husband.
I had planned on returning to Florida State after moving to Fort Lauderdale to be with my Dad who was working for the Gill Hotels (Yankee Clipper now Sheraton). Instead, I started working for First National Bank in Fort Lauderdale. I was a President of our Bank Employee Club and a President of the Venture Club, part of the Soroptimist International Club. I was a part of Carolyn Suddath�s wedding and Betty Sue Hammond�s wedding.
I was introduced to Herb Hayes in 1958 through a co-worker whose fiancee was in the Marines and stationed at Homestead. We married in 1958. When Homestead was closed, Herb still had a year of service so we were transferred to Cherry Point Marine Air Corp Station. It was in North Carolina, where we had a chance to visit Jean and Jon Moyle at Camp LeJune.
After being a secretary at the Cherry Point Officer�s Mess, we returned to Fort Lauderdale. I planned to return to First National which I did until my son, Scott was born. Herb traveled to Pratt Whitney and I worked as a bank night bookkeeper until Sharon was born. We divorced in 1972.
Prior to returning to banking, I was a pre-school teacher, for 4-year olds, at the Melrose Park Methodist Church.
While continuing in Banking, I married Alan Van Sant who was a member of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. With his three and my two children, we had five teenagers. We had memorable times with family vacation trips to North Carolina, New Jersey and Maryland.
Now divorced, I am fortunate to be near and spend time with my children, Scott & Sharon and their families who are in the Greater Ft Lauderdale area. My activities involve children�s education and teaching Sunday School at First United Methodist Church for 4-5 grade. I was married and both my children were baptized at First United Methodist Church. I was a President of Financial Women International (formerly American Institute of Banking) and also taught banking classes for Women in Supervision at Broward Community College while obtaining an Associate Degree. I survived several bank mergers and was fortunate to remain in Broward County. After being in Personnel for 10 years, I was assigned to assist In-house Counsel and remained as a �legal liaison� appearing in court as necessary to authenticate or to represent the Bank in mediation, etc. I was, also, a volunteer when the Broward Center for the Performing Arts opened and continued as a volunteer for approximately five years. One of my highlights was a visit to New York with my daughter, her mother-in-law, her sister-in -law and her two daughters.
I look forward to our 50th High School Reunion, my continued Bank of America volunteer time as a member of the Covenant House Boys & Girls Job Club, church activities and a new member of Toastmasters. I anticipate �in time� to retire from Banking so I can spend more time playing tennis, reading, visiting North Carolina and other travels, doing crafts, painting, and meeting more and greater challenges.
May, 2002
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