That's What Friends Are For
As the son of a U.S. Army officer, my family lived in Greece, Louisville, Germany, and Virginia before returning to Louisville when I entered 7th grade. Knowing I would be able to finish high school at Seneca gave me a real chance to participate in my school. For the first time I would know my classmates for more than two years. I joined the Pep Club, became interested in Seneca’s athletic programs, worked in the school office, and served on the Student Council. For four years I managed the Council’s Annual Christmas basket drive. In our senior year that drive provided enough food baskets to help 25 families celebrate this holiday.
Senior Honors Night was a time of celebration and recognition of students who in a variety of ways had made a mark on their class and school. On that night many of my classmates were recognized for their participation or excellence in their accomplishments and contributions to Seneca.
I watched as classmates accepted medallions, the symbol Seneca offered to honor distinguished students, which were then worn at graduation on their mortarboard caps. While I was happy for those deserving classmates who were recognized, I felt disappointed and discouraged that I wasn’t.
The next day, Principal Farmer came on the intercom and asked me to come to his office. My first thought was, am I in trouble? Mr. Farmer, Mr. Wilson, and classmates, Terri Berutich and Sharon Cozine, were waiting for me in the office. Unbeknownst to me, Terri and Sharon, representing the senior varsity cheerleaders, had approached Mr. Farmer about my contributions to Seneca throughout my high school years, including the Christmas Basket drive. Mr. Farmer and Mr. Wilson, who had created the honors list, realized their oversight and immediately took action.
The four of them proceeded to have a recognition ceremony for me right there in Mr. Farmer’s office with Terri and Sharon presenting me with three medallions. I wept openly. This was the first time I had ever received this degree of kindness from any of my classmates. I will never forget what my friends and principals did for me. Today, I’m still actively involved with Seneca, coaching football, working with the SHS Alumni group, Seneca Past and Present, a member of the Class of ’69 reunion committees, and am grateful for every one of my Seneca memories.
I still have those Medallions. More importantly, I still have Seneca friends from 56 years ago. See you at the Reunion weekend!
Grover Sales, Seneca High School, Class of ‘69
Senior Honors Night was a time of celebration and recognition of students who in a variety of ways had made a mark on their class and school. On that night many of my classmates were recognized for their participation or excellence in their accomplishments and contributions to Seneca.
I watched as classmates accepted medallions, the symbol Seneca offered to honor distinguished students, which were then worn at graduation on their mortarboard caps. While I was happy for those deserving classmates who were recognized, I felt disappointed and discouraged that I wasn’t.
The next day, Principal Farmer came on the intercom and asked me to come to his office. My first thought was, am I in trouble? Mr. Farmer, Mr. Wilson, and classmates, Terri Berutich and Sharon Cozine, were waiting for me in the office. Unbeknownst to me, Terri and Sharon, representing the senior varsity cheerleaders, had approached Mr. Farmer about my contributions to Seneca throughout my high school years, including the Christmas Basket drive. Mr. Farmer and Mr. Wilson, who had created the honors list, realized their oversight and immediately took action.
The four of them proceeded to have a recognition ceremony for me right there in Mr. Farmer’s office with Terri and Sharon presenting me with three medallions. I wept openly. This was the first time I had ever received this degree of kindness from any of my classmates. I will never forget what my friends and principals did for me. Today, I’m still actively involved with Seneca, coaching football, working with the SHS Alumni group, Seneca Past and Present, a member of the Class of ’69 reunion committees, and am grateful for every one of my Seneca memories.
I still have those Medallions. More importantly, I still have Seneca friends from 56 years ago. See you at the Reunion weekend!
Grover Sales, Seneca High School, Class of ‘69