Barbie Anderton (’80) has spent the past 13 years living and breathing the excitement of adventure, from Alaska to Australia to Guatemala.
Barbie has always been bold, daring and intrigued with exports and animals, says her mom, Bonnie.
Barbie began her global expeditions while attending Texas A&M. As an undergraduate, she studied one semester in Melbourne, Australia, and participated in a Smithsonian fellowship where she attached radio transmitters to seals off the coast of California to study their migration.
She also helped in the rehabilitation of birds and animals during a fellowship with the Nature Conservancy in Florida.
Barbie boarded a Russian boat as a fishing inspector out of Seattle after college. She was responsible for maintaining legal and responsible fishing activities. Barbie was the only American on board and the only one who spoke English other than the interpreter.
Next, Barbie joined the Peace Corps for 2 ½ years and went to northern Guatemala. Her base was in the mountains, working with the indigenous people. She was the first white woman they had ever seen.
Barbie taught the natives how to terrace their land to prevent erosion. She also taught the women about nutrition and basic sanitary practices such as brushing their teeth with a stick wrapped in a cloth.
Even though the staple of the Guatemalan diet is corn, the people had never heard of popcorn. Barbie introduced it to them, and they fell in love with it, especially the children. They wanted it every day, so Barbie obtained some popcorn to plant and taught them how to grow it.
After returning from Guatemala, Barbie was called back to Alaska to count migrating whales near the Arctic Circle, where there was constant sunlight 24 hours a day in the summer.
Currently, Barbie is in Antigua with the Godchild Project. This program sends volunteers to improve the home life of children in the area. While dedicating her time to the project, Barbie also works with marine animals.
Barbie will be in Antigua for six months before she completes her assignment.
Sports Medicine
Dr. John Conway (’74) is practicing sports medicine at Harris Hospital in Fort Worth. John is the orthopedic consultant for the Texas Rangers and has had many well-known patients.
John has performed knee surgery on Nolan Ryan, elbow surgery on Bobby Witt, and shoulder surgery on Jeff Huson. He also assisted Dr. Frank Jobe during Jose Canseco’s surgery.
Back in Town
Kerry (’80) and Belinda Baylis Bradley (’80) have recently moved back to Lake Highlands. They just celebrated the birth of a future Wildcat on July 10, Amberly Kerry Bradley (2012).
Belinda is starting her ninth year as a second-grade teacher at Moss Elementary School, and Kerry is an assistant manager for Chuck E. Cheese.
Making a List
Cindy Spoonts Hershorn (’75) recently moved back and is interested in compiling a directory of grads living in the area. She would like your help. You can call in your information to my voice mail (380-3378) or send it in to me and I will pass it along to Cindy with your name and number.