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Many times were were asked to recite memorized material, such as verb
forms, poems, prepositions, and especially the catechism. The
nun would go around the room asking each student a question from the
question-and-answer religion book. I can still recall the first two
questions:
1.
Who made you? (God made me.)
2.
Why did God make you? (To Know love and serve God in this world and the
next.)
Catechism questions were answered in French. Answers needed to be correct,
word-for-word.
In contrast, when entering sixth grade in
Connecticut in 1963, I found I had little to memorize. (This made homework so much
quicker.) Teacher were always asking us hypothetical questions
and opinions. What do you think this parable means? Teachers didn't appear to care if students raised their hands
and did not know the exact answer. We were not disciplined for wrong
answers. They were not considered a waste of everybody's time. Teachers appeared to enjoy listening to
our thinking process.
In Connecticut, students were also allowed and
encouraged to use the teacher's name when responding to a question. In
New Hampshire, this "polite gesture" was considered to time-consuming.
Answers were to be brief and concise. The kind nuns used to tell us,
"We know you respect us by your behavior. Please don't add extra words to
your response."
And respect they got. We listened to
perfection. I can still vividly remember punishments for misbehavior.
I recall when one of my fourth grade friends, Roger Fillion, had to hit his
knuckles with a ruler until he cried. I can recall another incident
when the principal came in with a short black belt (called "une
strappe") and repeatedly hit a student on the hand until he cried. The
principal told the class that the student was lucky because she could have
brought him into her office to receive the "electric belt."
We were all convinced there was an electric belt in her office, so we were
good.
It was in Connecticut that I was introduced to
the dreaded gym class. How I hated that humiliating subject that
President Kennedy had recommended.. I vividly recall sixth grade
baseball season. I can still recall Eugene laughing at me for having a
glove in the wrong hand. I was always the last girl picked for
any team sport.
(Unfortunately physical education classes were
mandatory throughout my high schools years and even into
college. My lowest grades on my transcript are physical education
grades.)
When I attended high school at Norwich Free
Academy, all girls wore beautiful dresses and skirts. I got up early
in the morning to make sure everything was neatly pressed. Pants were
not allowed. In the early 70's some girls became daring and
circulated a petition demanding the right to wear pants. The girls
won! Interestingly enough, however, none of my friends wore
pants to school. We continued wearing our mini dresses.
Although my high school years were in the
Twiggy era when it was fashionable to weigh 100 pounds, many of us had
thick waists. Why? Because we rolled up our skirts once we left
home, so that skirts would be super super short. This made a lot
of bulk around our wait. This was also the time when pantyhose
came to the fore and we didn't have to worry about garters showing.
I attended Eastern Connecticut State College
(as it was then called) from 1970 to 1973. Classes were dynamic
and exciting. Many evening classes ended with discussions at
various locations, such as Dunkin Donuts. There was little stress. Jobs were
plentiful. Life was fun. I joined many clubs & eventually became
President of a handful. I joined the drama society and became a
Shakespearean actress. I contributed to the college's writing
magazine, eventually becoming editor. I traveled to Alabama with a
Habitat for Humanity group. The adventures were endless.
College is an excellent opportunity for change
- for migrating through time. College was the time when I recreated
myself. I had been tired of being the shy wallflower that had
few friends and was picked last in gym classes. I was tired of being a
nobody. I wanted to be somebody. Therefore, when I went to
Eastern, I put on a new face. I made it a point to meet and know
everyone and associate with a large number of people.
I had an interesting strategy for meeting
people: Each day I'd go to the cafeteria at a different time.
I'd carry my tray, look at people at a table and say, "Hi, I'm Louise, I
don't know anyone here. Do you mind if I join you?" In no time I
knew countless people. For the first time in my life I not only joined
clubs but ran for all kinds of offices. I recall being proud of myself
when Governor' Grasso's son and myself had been elected as members of the
Board of Governors. I had truly transformed myself at Eastern and was
so pleased.
Graduate school at Central Michigan University
from 1974 to 1975 was simple. My most complicated piece of equipment
was a hand-me-down manual typewriter which my dad had gotten from his
brother. There were no cell phones, no computers, no DVDs, no/VCRs...
I did not have one password to remember. In fact, at the end of the
school year, all of my possessions were shipped back home to Norwich
by UPS in two cardboard boxes.
I received my Master's degree in 1975 and
that has made all the difference. The door was finally open for me to teach
at the community college level. Obtaining an adjunct position at Three
Rivers in 1979 was a dream come. true! This too, is
another story - another transformative experience.
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