The Senior Door

It was June, 1962 when my family moved from Jersey City to the beautiful suburbs of Rutherford, NJ.  It was an incredible change for me to see trees and lawns on a daily basis.  Both my parents worked and left me to watch my younger sister.  So there I was, in a new town with no friends but a little sister to hang out with every day.  I was used to having friends out on the street and buses to ride everywhere.  Suddenly, I was in this totally new environment. I had to leave my high school friends at the end of my sophomore year.   Each day, as I approached going to a new high school, I would get nauseous with fear.  My sister and I would walk down Pierrepont Avenue to Park Avenue and go home.  I was afraid I would get lost so we didn’t venture any further. 

The dreaded day arrived!!  The first day as a Junior at Rutherford High School.   Terrified, I walked down Park Avenue and my heart was pounding as I carried my brown bag lunch.   I came to the Library and went in to ask where Rutherford High was located.   They directed me and there it was in all its glory.  I wanted to run, I was truly terrified.  I saw the 3 doors.  I chose the center door walkway that seemed like the logical choice.  The kids were dressed so differently from me.   Plaid skirts, white blouses, sweaters over the shoulders, penny loafers and hair in flips.   They stared at me dressed in my “city” clothes.  I froze with fear but,  I thought,  just keep walking.  I felt as if I were in a tunnel with all these kids just looking at me.  It was utter fear but I was told as my hand went on the door.  Hey……..that’s the SENIOR DOOR!!!!!!!  

I survived and made it through the first and second day waiting for the guidance counselors to make up a schedule for me.  

I met Toni Langowski and a few other kids that transferred to RHS that year too.  It was the beginning of a wonderful 2 years with lots of new friends and lots of fun.   My best buddy (and partner in crime) was Doris Petrenko. 

This experience taught me how to interact in new places.  I grew up that day!!