Kerri Ferguson:  

re was always an expectation that fitting in would be easy but it was not so. Our cultures were quite different and I found the pace of American life very frightening. My clothes were deemed unfashionable by some so I quickly had to change the way I dressed, spoke etc to fit in. If it hadn't been for the wonderful friends in my class at East Penn, I couldn't have survived. Your football and baseball were new to me and I quickly became a fan and to this day never miss telecasts of the big games. One incident that stands out for me is when Mr. Peterman, (the home room teacher) kindly invited me to bring an Australian flag into the classroom so that I would feel more "comfortable" each morning as you all swore allegiance to your own flag. Apparently when some parents became aware that there was a "foreign" flag on the wall in the classroom, there were complaints and demands for its removal - but the school stood firm and the Australian flag hung proudly in that room for the duration of the year. It is clearly visible in some yearbook photos. That consideration meant the world to me and remains special to me to this day. I will never forget the wonderful Mr. Barnes who taught me about patriotism - something Australians didn't take very seriously in those days. He remains one of the most special people I have met in my life. One unforgettable moment came in French class when the first snowflake was sighted out of the window. I had never seen snow in my life and when the wonderful Mrs. Blessing became aware that I had not seen snow before, she stopped the class to allow me to go the window with the other students and witness my first snowfall. And oh, those kind ladies in the cafeteria!! They always found a way to sneak a little extra on to my plate!! It was those little kindnesses that have never been forgotten - just ways that some folk found to make me welcome in their own special way. I sure miss their cooking!! School life in the US was so very different than my own country and the culture shock was unimaginable. Some of the best times were when I was invited to speak to some of the junior grades. Questions like "How long have you been speaking English?" and "Do you have a pet kangaroo back in Australia?" made me laugh. What a great bunch of kids they all were. Rehearsals for the Senior Class Play and the Operetta were some of the funniest and best times and I have never forgotten them. One thing I could never get used to was the "informality" of the classroom. In Australia, even when the signal came that the time for the class was over, no one was allowed to move or stand until the teacher dismissed us formally even it it meant that we were late for our next class (and we often were). When everyone just stood up and rushed out of the class when it was over in the US, I sat frozen in shock!! And that crush in the corridors !! I have always considered it great training if I ever decide to take part in the "running of the bulls" in Italy! The spirited debates in the classroom, laughter in the cafeteria, and occasional "brawl" out the front of school always made the days fun. Attempting to continue with my Australian studies by correspondence as well as my US schoolwork was very stressful especially as the work was so very different, but when the time came to leave East Penn, it was one of the saddest days of my life. I have never forgotten any of you or the welcome you gave this girl from "Down Under". First kiss? You'd never guess!