ChapterOne
ChapterOne
Hi! My name is Laura Dornay. I’m eighteen years old, I live in Plattsburgh and am a firstyear student at the local college here in town. The year is 1956, and having just graduated from high school this past June, I’m adjusting to my new life as a college student; meeting new friends, adjusting to dormitory life, and sharing a room with another freshman, Diane Feretti, who is also from Plattsburgh and was a classmate of mine in high school.
My new life as a college studentissomewhat different for me because I wasn’t always surrounded by family growing up.My father died when I wasten,and when my mother was hospitalized with severe depression two years later, after my youngest brother was killed by a drunk driver,my younger brother and I were placed in a foster home.Having grown up in a foster home for the last six years, I feel that, while other children my age have a strong sense of family, the roles my mother and father played in my life aresomewhat‘fuzzy’images in my mind. The girls on my floorare my new family now, and I enjoy the camaraderie of my new friends, who unlike me, are mostlyfrom other places, near and far from home. At this time, most of the soon-to-be teachers are female, and many are now my new friends. My dorm group consists of virtually my entire floor and we have quickly developed a ‘working’ creed:Sundays through Thursdays are for learning, Fridays and Saturdays are for me; a view shared by most of my new friends. For us, weekends are fun time, and if we don’t have dates, we usually gather at some local watering-hole or in someone’s dorm room to have a good time and to enjoy each other’s company.Some of the girls have boyfriends back home, so some of them spend most of their time in the dorm, writing letters or doing their nails.The others join the rest of us. This is a truly magical time in our lives, away from the scrutiny of adults, and pretty much on our own, to make our own decisions.
Fortunately, I enjoyed a great deal of trust from Mrs. O’Reilley, my foster mom, who knew I worked hard at my studies and was an Honors student in school; knew that I was polite in company, and that I did my share to help in the work that needed to be done around the farm.Also, I was very fortunate,having received several scholarships to help me finance my education.
Mrs. O’Reilley also knew that I was quite popular, and allowed me wide berth to participate in school activities,like school plays, choir, dances, etc.
Although I enjoy the attention of several young men at the moment, my heart has no preference. While I enjoy their company, there are no serious relationships in my life at this time. I keep, as a constant reminder, my vow to remember the hardships Mom experienced in her life, marrying young and having many children to care for with no time for herself.
I made a promise to myself, that at some point, I will get married and have children, but at the ‘right’ time, and with the ‘right’ man. Until then, I want to be free to enjoy life to its fullest, something Mom was never able to do. I like the young men I date, but none create within me that level of emotion.At times, I wonder if I would recognize that feeling or emotion, were it to present itself. The first week of my freshman year was an orientation week that allowed me to meet some of the other freshman. Mary Lynn Frederick rooms next door and is from downstate, and apparently, from a wealthy family. She is pretty, energetic, and is very outgoing and friendly. She also is sensitive enough to realizethat not all of the other students enjoy the same level of supportshe does, as there is nothing ‘showy’ about her. We were immediately drawn together as friends.
One Friday eveningmy friends and I were seated in a booth at a local watering hole not far from our dorm. Classes would begin on Monday and we were excitedly discussing the professors and the courses we would be taking.
Diane and I are the only girls in our freshman group from Plattsburgh, as was Teresa Hastings, the only sophomore in the group. Mary Lynn Fredericks and Barbara Fisher, rooming next door were from downstate. Mary Lynn has become one of my closest friends, and together with Diane, we would sometimes go out together for pizza and beers.
Earlier in the week, we attended the Freshmen Orientation, where we learned from Dean Ashford and other faculty members the Rules of Conduct regarding curfew hours, guests in dorm rooms, alcohol use in dormitories, cafeteria hours, health-related issues and emergency evacuation procedures.
Sitting anddrinking our beers and snacking, one of the girls asked, “Did anyone notice how few guys there are in our freshmen class? Apparently, teaching is not high up on the list of career fields for males.”
“Yes,”one of the girls replied, “and of the few that there were, I didn’t see many that I would be interested in dating.”.
“Although,” remarked Teresa, “I have noticed that there are a lot of nice-looking guys around town from the air base.”
“Yes!” declared Diane, “I met one of the guys from the air base this past weekend. I was with two friends at Finnegan’s, and there were two guys sitting at the table next to us. We started talking and soon, they joined our table and one of them danced with me most of the night. Before we left, he asked me if he could call me and I gave him my telephone number. I can’t wait for him to call me.”
Mary Lynn asked, “Diane, what will you do if he calls you and asks you for a date? You don’t even know the guy.”
“I know, I know,” replied Diane, “maybe we can go to lunch someplace, so we can get to know each other better.”
Some of the other girls told of their experiences with guys they have met since coming to Plattsburgh to begin their studies to be teachers; and it was obvious that for many, life’s adventures were beginning for many of the young ladies making that transition from adolescence to adulthood. I was thoroughly enjoying our ‘gathering,’ and was surprised to learn that many of the girls had already made ‘connections’ with young men from the air base.
As our discussions continued, and as the curfew hour was nearing, we decided that we needed to get back to the dorm while promising that we would get together again from time-to-time, to share information regarding classes, boyfriends, dates, etc.
I feel my college life was beginning on a positive note, and I’m looking forward to classes beginning on Monday.
