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| loved that dress! |
The
school year in Western New York back then ran from the Wednesday
after Labor Day in September until almost the end of June. We had four 10 week quarters with a report card after each one. And we usually
had at least one day of school during the year being closed due to
the snow – we never had so many snow days that we had to make days
up by going longer during the year or sacrificing a holiday or spring
break days. We had lots of snow – but the roads were cleared
quickly, and the buses ran.
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| on Zimmerman |
Graduation
day 1971 was a beautiful hot sunny day in late June. This cute daisy
dress is what I opted to wear under the cap and gown during the
ceremony. I loved that dress! Mom had made it. The daisies were
perfect. I remember this picture of me in front of the back door of
the school much more clearly than the picture is itself –
especially after all these years. I was so happy. My thoughts were
that I was about to get a piece of paper that was valuable – and no
one could take that achievement away from me – no one can deny that
I have graduated high school! Whew!
The
cap and gown, I see from the picture, were white. I would not have
remembered that. Hamburg school colors were purple and white. And not
that it fits in at all here – but our mascot was a bulldog. And the
tassel was gold – to signify National Honors Society – la dee da!
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| can't take that away from me! |
We
were all in the school auditorium and the seniors walked in
alphabetically and majestically to the beat of Pomp and
Circumstance – we had practiced this at length during a
rehearsal. Then we sat in down. I don't recall my seatmates the way I
did for college graduation. I was nervous because each of us would be
walking on stage to state our name into the microphone and accept our
diploma.
I
do not recall who the commencement speaker was or any of the other
speeches. I do remember walking down the aisle and up the steps and
to the microphone. I had cleared my throat ahead of time and tried my
best to speak up and say my name so everyone could hear it. The whole
time I was stressing over how not to trip and to clear my throat and
to speak up, I was also trying real hard to stand up straight –
something my parents were always nagging me about! It was a lot to
keep track of!
So
the walking and talking and straightening my shoulders went all
right, and the powers that be gave me my diploma! Mission accomplished.
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| part of the diploma Hamburg High |
300
20151027 Class of '71
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