Interview by Gainesville High School seniors and Abernathy Cochran interns Philip Mady and Marie Matthews
Meet Helen Perry! Helen just recently retired after a long career at Gainesville High School which included being the cheerleading coach and Work Based Learning coordinator, among other positions. She is married, the mother of three and a grandmother. Helen is a Hall County native and after being a stay-at-home mom raising her three boys, she, at the age of 45, decided that she wanted to go back to school and get her teacher certification at the University of Georgia. After finishing up at UGA, there was a job opening at Gainesville High School.
During her free time, she enjoys watching football and spending time with family. We are so grateful that she has spent so much time helping with this community project, the Faces of Hall County.
Question: Please tell us about your career?
Answer: “I started as a paraprofessional. I subbed in the schools a lot and enjoyed it. I went back to the University of Georgia and got my masters and teacher certification. I taught business, student counseling and cheerleading for a long time and I loved that. As I got older and my kids got older I just couldn’t do everything anymore.”
Q: What are some of your favorite memories?
A: “We have greatest students and it’s just wonderful. All of our students come together from different nationalities or different socioeconomic conditions and get along and I think that’s awesome. Since I don’t coach anymore, I can look back and tell that I don’t think people realize how much time coaches spend with their athletes and their teams. You get to know students so much better when you coach and spend so much time with them.”
Q: How many years total were you at Gainesville?
A: “I was at Gainesville for 23 years and I subbed maybe five years but the reason I started so late is because I stayed home with my kids. I feel very blessed that I had two careers, one being at home with my family and then two, being able to teach. My grandmother was a teacher, she died my first year of college and my mom would often say how proud she would’ve been because she loved teaching so much.”
Q: What year did you graduate?
A: “I graduated from Gainesville in ‘79. My dad went to Gainesville and he played football. And then my brothers and sister, all of us came to Gainesville High. One of my most enjoyable times was when my twins were coaching at GHS, they were coaching many high profile athletes like Blake Sims and AJ Johnson and Deshaun.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A:“It would have to be Poor Richard’s, their prime rib and potato skins are to die for.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Hall County?
A: “Well I have two, and they are two of my favorite people. Abit Massey and Gus Whalen.”
Q: What is your favorite movie or what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “The first movie I remember seeing in a theater was ‘Mary Poppins.’”
Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people?
A: “To live life to the fullest, and know that every day is a gift.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A:“I love Christian music and rock and roll. Laura Story, The Eagles, and The Beach Boys.”
Q: What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A:“The Little Shop – I remember shopping there with my mom for clothes as a little girl. Also, Shirley’s – I remember shopping there as a teen.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch?
A: “Billy Graham. He has influenced many and led many to Christ. I would love to talk to him about his experiences in life and the changes he has seen. Also, I would love to know what he thinks about the future of our country.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “The people, our giving community, and our close location to the mountains, UGA, and Atlanta.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: “I hope to be enjoying time with my grandchildren, traveling, spending time with my family, and pursuing hobbies that I do not have time to do now.”
Q: Even for friends or family, what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “People that know me know that I LOVE football. Needle work is a passion of mine also and about 20 years ago, I was able to take classes at the Royal School of Needlework in Hampton Court Palace in England. That was one of the most awesome experiences of my life, and I got to enjoy it with my mother.”
