Baccalaureate on the Football Field - Sunday, May 21, 1961

Tonight was baccalaureate. It didn't rain (we had all been holding our breaths and praying) and it was really nice outside on the football field. We had practice this afternoon. The whole affair shaped up real nicely. Mom didn't get any pictures over there tonight, but she took some of me in my cap and gown. I'm glad we were able to bring our honor society pendants home. The blue satin sure looks nice on the white robes. Grandma gave me a necklace that was made in Siam. Mary Ellen gave some of us little folders of stationery. Lorahs had a boy named Paul Robert.

Grandma Kay Is Here - Saturday, May 20, 1961

Grandma Kay is here now. We went to the Iowa City airport to get her. Grandma and Grandpa said they could do chores, so all of us kids went. Phyllis and I went over to the FHA mother-daughter tea. Phyl was in two things, the emblem service and a skit. Mom didn't go (she took us) but went back to the hospital to see Daddy. He will need more rest and they are still giving him shots to ease the pain. As nice as the weather has been, baccalaureate and commencement should have been last night and tonight. I know it will pour before it's all over. Daddy doesn't think he will feel like sitting up even Monday night.

Daddy Is In the Hospital - Friday, May 19, 1961

Daddy is in the hospital tonight and has been since he got home from chores this morning. He had a terrible side ache and said he'd have thought it was appendicitis if he hadn't already had his appendix out. Mom called Dr. Lloyd and he had her bring him in. They still don't know but what it's a kidney stone. Mom didn't teach and was in there all day. I got my hair fixed in town this morning--I went in the Dodge. Back home, I read magazines, spent half my time on the phone, and started cleaning house. We went back to town tonight to do the wash and Mom went back to see Daddy. That's how I spent senior skip day. We didn't go to the hobo party.  

A Danforth Award at Class Night - Thursday, May 18, 1961

Tonight was class night. Shirley Bush is valedictorian and Linda Scott salutatorian. Ross Rhodes missed salutatorian by .1 point. Bob Parcell and I got Danforth Awards. We were given copies of the book, I Dare You by William Danforth. I felt honored but Mrs. Fordyce had given me a hint that I was up for an award. I also got an editor pin and a miniature baritone pin for band. This was the last day of school and kind of sad since it was the last of everything. We had fried chicken for dinner.

A Very Nice Senior Year - Wednesday, May 17, 1961

Tomorrow is the last day of school, the last of all. I stayed after school again to lend my services to the newspaper and yearbook staffs. I didn't do a whole lot on either, but I was there. A lot of the kids were there after school tonight. I wrote the prophecy for the West Chester kids. Fred said he didn't know them well enough. I hemmed my class night dress and Virginia set my hair after I washed it. I could never have dreamed for a nicer senior year. And to think a year ago I was brooding over leaving West Chester.

Two Days of School Left - Tuesday, May 16, 1961

I can't believe that I have only two days of school left. The first two and the last two are the most "treasured" days of school. I spent all evening reading chemistry, and now I've got to "read" the last half of Of Human Bondage. I stayed after school till 5:00 to help work on the annual. That thing has a long way to go yet. I got a nice Fuller Brush comb and brush set from Leets. It will really be nice. I think I'll save it for college since Mom got me the new set last summer. Last two days, here I come.

National Honor Society Initiation - Monday, May 15, 1961

National Honor Society initiation was tonight. It was, thank heavens, very impressive. I gave out the certificates. Mr. Brown read off the new members' grade point averages, although we wish he wouldn't have. Phyllis was second highest with 95.8 and Linda Pence had 96.9. Daddy, Virginia and Ann went over, but Mom had a shower for Wanda Orr to go to. Mrs. Leary gave me a nice half slip for graduation. Today we started planning decorations for the hobo party, and I volunteered for the commencement decorations.