Helen Perry is an educator who believes in all of her students and wants them to find great success.  Helen is a Hall County native for all of her life.  She is the Work Based Learning Coordinator at Gainesville High School.  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.
 
Helen is involved with Youth Leadership Hall County, our local Communiversity, and loves to help with the Varsity Football Cheerleading squad. 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.  We thank her for taking time to allow us to interview her.
 
Question: What inspired or led you to your current career?
Answer: “I was a stay at home mom and substituted for teachers when they needed me. I later became a paraprofessional, and at the age of 45, I decided that I wanted to go back to get my teacher certification at UGA.  It ended up working out really well, because my oldest was going to college at the same time.”
 
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: How long have you lived or working in Hall County?
A: “I am a graduate of Gainesville High School, and so was my dad. I have lived here for all of my life.”
 
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: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “One of my favorite things to do is a type of embroidery known as Hardanger. Norway does a ton of it.  So, I would love to go to Norway to take classes for my hobby.”
 
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.”
 
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email Brad Abernathy @ babernathy@gonorton.com.