Oddly
enough, they are human, although the forebears of these creatures believe them
to be of a species called "geniuses." They walk, albeit, not with feet
too firmly planted on the ground. They breathe, sucking air in deep gasps, and
letting it escape so slowly as to produce an unusual sound which can only he
described as follows:
"Oh . . ." or, if under extreme
stress, ~'Uhhhh ..." Their eyes
are mostly bright and shining, either from thinking of the past or dreaming of
the future. They have a parental air about them, except when speaking to other
seniors, or to (please pardon!) a graduate! As a whole, they dress normally. In
fact, the only conspicuous item on their person is a large pin. This is often
painted by talented persons and distorted into a sailor, soldier or some other
thing until all likeness to the original is lost. They feel adult, but do not
always act that way, especially on one day, which is set aside for the purpose
of childish shenanigans. They think like adults, having their own opinions and
ideas, but find it hard to put these thoughts into words. They naturally have
emotions, and at times have trouble concealing them.
This, then, is a senior. A proud, lovable, too-human
being, with an entire life to search for the truth and through his own errors
and experience, to find it.
Four
long years are now only moments in the everlasting book of time. Wise adults say
those years, our high school years, are the happiest of our lives. They
were full of experiences, and now I can sit and think back.
I'll never forget my entrance into Lane. I stared
wide-eyed at the size of the school and wandered around, wondering how I'd ever
find my way. Funny how my English class always seemed to wind up in the boys'
gym. How impressed I was upon entering the beautiful third floor library!
I'll always remember how I couldn't see the sense of swimming in the winter, and
those were bathing suits??? Then came my biology and French regents. I was
so scared, but happy to pass both.
Then I finally reached seventh term. Now I was only one
step away from the top. I took Hygiene then and in our very interesting
driver-education discussion, I often wondered about just how many poles I would
hit.
At long last I became a senior, along with empty
pockets. I'll never forget the day we got our senior buttons. They seemed so big
and we were all so happy. Our senior dances were all successes, and it was so
much fun to be part of the crowd. Remember the day we took our pictures?
Naturally, it had to rain to add to our excitement. When we received our proofs,
many screams were heard throughout the building. Then came the day when we had
to have our prom pledges in. The $64.00 questions
were "Will he be home?" and "Why do the fellows have to be in
service now?" On Senior Day we revived our childhood for the last time, and
at Class Night we hoped to remember our lines. Remember how we rushed to meet
our deadlines for the "Echoes"? And at last, the thrill of our
term-the prom. Everyone looked so beautiful.
Graduation day came and soon it was all over; over
except for the memories. These are the years I'll never forget; never.