Linda Weesner:  

I'll begin to say that I was not there at graduation. I grew up and went to elementary school with most of you, entered high school and my parents moved us to the West Coast in spring of 1958. I did not want to leave Lake Orion. My life, my friends were there. I argued, fought with my mother; in the end I got on the train and we headed West. So many of you who graduated 1961 class were my friends before that move and over the years I have not forgotten times we spent together. Our elementary school time together as well as junior high and our freshman year. My sister Pat, and brother Larry preceeded me in Lake Orion High, she a valadictorian, he in football. The move West allowed me to be my own person in a brand new enviornment-- be scary or not-- in the high school years that followed the move. My path after my family moving to California was to enter a large school, at the end of 10th grade, in the LA city school system. A great change from small town America. Though I had argued with my parents about the move,if I had remained in Lake Orion I would never have found my current life. That first summer in Southern California I made friends,learned to surf, and entered into a very different culture sprinkled with many ethic groups and different life styles. This exposure lead me to question why for some life always seems to feel safe and comfortable,while others seemingly have a struggle to endure.It seemed natural I would go into a career where people were the center. First-- at 17 y/o I got into hair styling, got my studio apt in Long Beach, and began the quest of an advanced career with a focus on social work. At 21 I married, without finishing the BA degree. During the next 9 years I was a stay at home Mom, then my husband became ill and I knew I needed to go back to school. I liked science, so a registered nurse I be...Expand for more