Rockway Grads are Lifelong Friends
In September of 1951, four teenage girls settled into a cozy dorm room at Rockway. Yes, Rockway had a dormitory for out of town pupils when the school was first opened. It was in the old farmhouse beside the renovated barn that served as the school.
Two of us were in grade nine and two in grade ten. Breakfast was served early and then we would go back to our dorm room and wait for the warning bell. Our window faced the school entrance and we could watch our classmates hurry to class. Then we would leave for our classes. We were never late. “Lights out” was at 10 pm. However, many nights one of us would spend extra hours “studying”, or reading great novels by flashlight in our bedroom closet.
We got along very well and became good friends. Over the years we kept in touch even when some of us lived in faraway places. Christmas and birthday cards were exchanged and marriages were celebrated along with baby arrivals, hospital stays and deaths in the immediate family. As we got older and less involved with our young families, we managed to get together for dinner or special events.
For the past three years we have met annually for three days at a cottage. We’ve just returned from such a getaway and spent the time eating wonderful meals, reminiscing about long ago things and also attempting to solve today’s problems! We laughed a lot – especially at ourselves!
Since we are all retired, we think about the changes we need to make in our lifestyles, and discuss the trips we have taken and those we wish to take! We have a wonderful time together and will be close friends forever. Sixty-three years doesn’t seem that long ago.
Carol Cressman Steinman, Class of 1954
Photo from left to right: Marilyn Shantz Martin, Mary Hunsberger Schiedel, Carol Cressman Steinman, Verna Cressman Gingerich
Tags: reunion