Hayesville — Keeping busy is an understatement, at least for Carole Repetto, who was born in Largo, Fla., before finding a home in the tri-state area.
After graduating from Largo High School at age 17, she spent a couple years as an intern with It’s Sports magazine, where she was a photographer and writer before moving on to layout design. In 1980, she entered the U.S. Air Force, where she worked in electronic intelligence for three years.
As a child, she had a horse, and in the seventh grade she wanted to take the martial art Tae Kwan Do. She was given the choice to either keep the horse or start taking martial arts classes, as to do both would be too expense. Repetto chose to keep her beloved horse.
About 15 years ago, she decided to take the martial art Choi Kwang Do. She earned her way to the position of second-degree black belt.
“I’m an adrenaline junkie,” she said when asked what else she has accomplished, adding, “I’ve jumped out of planes a couple of times, and I had an opportunity once to go to an airport that had a simulator. They put you in it for about an hour and basically you learn how to fly a plane.
“After you get to the point where you don’t crash the simulator, they put you in a plane and let you fly it. I flew over the beach in Florida, it was a one-time thing and, of course, you have a co-pilot. It was just something I saw and wanted to do.”
Repetto also enjoys running and has taken part in a number of races, including the Warrior Dash. The third time she ran it she won the women’s division.
The Warrior Dash is a 3.2-mile race with obstacles along its path. “There can be anything from water, climbing or fire obstacles,” Repetto said.
She also spent time as a certified fitness trainer, even owning her own business. She would meet people at their homes or the gyms and work with them until they reached their desired fitness level.
Her longstanding career – and the thing she is the most proud of – is her 25 years spent in veterinary medicine. As a certified veterinary dental technician, she has built many bonds along the way.
“It was a heart job,” Repetto said. “They come in as puppies and kittens, then 15 years later you have to put them down. You get to know the families, children, grandparents and after 25 years they become extended family.”
Repetto once earned an award for having designed a display for the Reduction Diet, which is for cats and dogs through Science Diet. Her design paid off with a cash prize of $2,500.
Today, Repetto works at MOOG in Peachtree in final testing. She examines and tests all of the solenoid motor parts that are shipped out to various industries, such as medical, military and airlines.
She has lived in Murphy but today lives in Hayesville with her spouse, Kris. They have a few pets, including two horses, two miniature donkeys, nine chickens, five cats and four dogs. They will soon be adding a puppy to the mix, which they have named Jynxx.