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Memories of Lower School Years Reflection on my time in Perkins' lower school in the early to mid 1970's and its impact on my future life. Looking back over 30 years to my own time in the Lower School, it's hard to believe how quickly time passes. So much has happened over the years and Lower School was such a foundation in my life that I felt the occasion of the construction of the new schoolhouse presented a great opportunity to reflect.I came to Lower School in 1970 as a five-year old kindergartener and would remain until my graduation to the Upper School at the end of the 1977-1978 school year. My memories of Lower School are many; from teachers who would forever have an impact on my life (Roz Lanquist) to my first exposure to sports (wrestling, basketball and track), to the sense of community we all felt during the Blizzard of 1978 when we were confined to our cottages for days! In fact, one memory of that infamous storm I have over 30 years later is of getting into trouble the day we were all finally allowed out of our cottages because I climbed one of the massive snowdrifts to my second-floor room! However, probably the best thing that came from my Lower School experience was the foundation it laid for later life. Not only were academics taught in those days, but important activities that helped us to cope with our varying degrees of vision loss. It was during that period that I was first exposed to the low vision aids that would help me navigate the sighted world. Orientation and Mobility instruction during this time did much the same. Finally, sports and recreation programs instilled a sense of "normalcy" that made having a visual impairment "not such a big deal." I can't emphasize enough how this helped my self esteem. In fact, without the foundation laid during my Lower School years, I probably wouldn't be where I am today. I am currently a successful fund-raising executive in a management position at a prominent St. Louis institution (The Saint Louis Zoo). I own my own home and am married with two wonderful (but extremely boisterous) children. How exciting it is indeed to read that the next chapter in the Lower School's history is now being written. |
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