Friday
June 12, 2009
For the first time in my 12 yr academic history, I was up before the alarm and in the tub while the rest of the family slept. This is it! Today is the beginning of my new life. My adult life. My freedom! It wasn't happening fast enough. I was 17 and I knew everything. Time to get on with it!
We'd gone shopping 2 wks before for my new outfit. I chose a white, slightly shorter than knee length, sleeveless dress. The bodice was overlaid with lace. The "empire waist" had a light blue satin ribbon running through it. Coupled with my new white, strappy shoes and nylons, I felt like a princess.
However, graduation as was still hours away.
I put on a pair of shorts and my favorite "peasant" blouse (I wish I still had it although it wouldn't fit), and made cinnamon toast and Lipton tea...no milk, extra sugar. This, or a bowl of Cheerios, had pretty much been my breakfast throughout high school. I'd rather spend the time before 7 hours of confinement smoking than eating. No wonder I weighed only 95 lbs.
As soon as a decent hour had passed, I called Fran. We confirmed our plans to meet inside the gymnasium near the girls locker room about a half hour before the ceremony would begin. Outside of my first kiss, I don't think I'd ever been so giddy. We were "Can you believe it! Oh my God" -ing each other to death. I can only now appreciate how annoying we must have been.
The damper, of course, was that my mom wouldn't be there to see me graduate. Coming from a large family who put work first and education second, (out of necessity, I might add), I know she would have been proud to see me in my cap and gown.
Finally (FINALLY), it was time to get dressed and leave. Although we only lived a couple of miles away...miles that I walked EVERY day regardless of the weather, by the way :)...it seemed like it took an eternity to arrive.
I found Fran right away and we went in search of our other friends. I'd never seen my classmates in such a state of agitation. Even the quiet kids were bouncing off the walls.
Our Principle died suddenly just before graduation. His son was a member of my class. It must have been a bittersweet day for him and his family.
Our Vice Principle soon had us separated by sex. Boys on the boys side of the gym, girls on the girls side. A bevy of teachers had been assigned the task of getting us lined up by height. Why? Who knows, but I found myself grateful for Sue, who's slightly smaller frame put her first in line.
Once we were snaked throughout the gym, the boys were brought over to line up beside us. I can't remember who the second shortest boy in class was, but I'm sure that Sue's partner was John, a boy who always seemed way under the normal growth chart. Even his voice was little.
The band began to play Pomp and Circumstance as we exited the gym and marched to the football bleachers. Once we were seated, the speeches began and I searched for my aunt and brother, but couldn't find them in the crowd.
At long last, Vice Principle D. approached the microphone again and began to call our names. I, of course, tripped going up the stairs to the platform to get my diploma. Actually, it was not MY diploma, but that of a boy in my class I'd taken no notice of in 12 years. When I returned to my seat and told Sue I didn't know who he was, her eyes glazed over with unrequited love. "You don't know who Dave is"? Nope... I offered to trade diplomas with her. The look of gratefulness...well, it's hard to describe. I don't recall who's diploma I ended up with. My class was (and still holds the record) the second largest graduation class in the history of our high school(missed #1 by only 2). They don't call us baby boomers for nothing.
The band began to play our Alma Mater and the whole class stood to sing it for the last time. It was the only moment I got choked up that day. Right after the last note, VP D. announced that we were, indeed, the now graduated class of 1969 and mortorboards flew into the air.
Aunt Evelyn called to me as I was wandering around, looking for the owner of the diploma in my hand, while praying that the person who had mine wouldn't leave with it. She took a handful of (instant) photos and whisked me off the hallowed grounds of GHS. I could not stop smiling!
We went home so I could change and I headed to Joe's (who was home on leave) for the party he threw for me. A smattering of school and drum corps friends was there. I can't remember much of the night, but I'm sure it was fun.
I still have my diploma and tassel, as well as the gift from a local jewelry store bestowed upon all of the female graduates ...a small cedar box by Lane. It sat on my bureau for many years, filling up with odds and ends. It rests in a box of memorabilia in the attic now, tassel alongside a duck diaper pin, the receipt for my class ring and my first learner's permit.
Peace,
Kay
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