Forty nine years ago this month, I experienced one of the most important milestones of my life. In June of 1970, I graduated from Slatington High School. The thing is, after four high school years with one goal in mind, I don’t remember much about that day. I’m not sure why.
Here is what I do remember. I remember arriving at the school maybe two hours before the ceremony. I remember hanging out with friends, some for the very last time. I remember the gown and the cap and arguing which side the tassel starts and ends on. Yeah…important stuff.
It was a hot day. A very hot day. Our graduation ceremony was held in our football stadium, Alumni Field. I don’t remember the valedictory nor salutatory speeches. Sorry Mary Ann and Patty! I don’t remember who the keynote speaker was. But I do remember what he talked about. I guess I was actually listening. He talked about the lyrics of a song that was very popular at the time. The song was called Reflections of My Life by Marmalade (no, not Lady Marmalade). Listen to these depressing lyrics: “The world is, a bad place, a bad place, a terrible place to live, Oh. but I don’t want to die.” The speaker, whoever he was, pleaded with us not to take that attitude into our adulthood. He tried convincing us that the world is not a bad place. I don’t know any of my classmates who felt that the world was a bad place! C’mon man, lighten up! It’s our graduation day!
We got our diplomas from Principal Kemp. We stood as a class one last time and tossed our hats into the Slatington sky. And just like that. Just like that. It was over. Thirteen years of our lives, over in a flash. Adulthood awaited. What a journey it was that ended that night! What a journey it is that had just begun!
Our night ended with a dance at the local Moose Home hosted by the Slatington Junior Womans Club. Thank you, Junior Women! Here is a picture of me at that dance. Do I look scared about the future? Do I look sad that high school was over? Do I look like someone who is just in awe about life and the wonderful world we live in? Choose number three!
A Semi-retired Kind of Life 