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THE GRADUATION GIFT
The twins Viola and Violet Carr were the only children in their
family to graduate from High School. Why? It wasn’t because the older brothers
and sisters didn’t want an education. Our father, John Carr, thought an eighth grade diploma was more than enough book
learning. After that, it was time to go to work! For some of them it was just
understood that he said NO! He managed to conveniently take them on “vacation”
or move and not return for a major part of the school year. By then, it was too late to enter or the school had lost track
of them.
“Well, how did the twins get to go to High School when the
others didn’t?” California State law required
a child to attend school until at least age 16, but Papa wasn’t going to let us sign up. One day in the eighth grade,
we were told about “Introduction Day.” The school bus took all of us eighth graders from Wilson School to the Chowchilla Union High School for
our special day. We toured the school and met the Principal and counselors. We even ate in the cafeteria! When we finished the day, we were enrolled.
We definitely didn’t tell Papa. We had never defied him.
We told Mama. She knew what Papa said, but she believed in obeying the law. We worked in the farm fields during the summer
to get a few things for school. We bought one dress each and made one outfit. We wanted the white buck suede shoes like the
other girls or brown and white saddle oxfords, but they cost at least $4.98. We bought the “generic” white oxfords
that mimicked the name brands. We needed school supplies. Our binders cost ninety-eight cents each. We each bought a package
of 3-hole punched lined paper, No. 2 lead pencils, a ball point pen, a Pink Pearl® eraser, and a 12” wooden
ruler. We hid them all away until that very first day of school.
Finally, school began. Papa left for work early, and then we
dressed quickly and walked to school. We hurried home afterwards, changed clothes, did our homework and tried to look innocent.
It worked for about three weeks, until some adult told Papa they saw us at school. We just knew we were doomed for fire and
brimstone, but he surprised us. He said since we were already going, we could finish the term. We never heard what he said
to Mama! Papa died in November 1953, just about eight weeks after we entered
high school. Mama did laundry and housework for neighbors and we worked after school and in the summer so we could continue
our education. We didn’t mind, because we loved school.
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| 1957 DIPLOMA |
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| CHOWCHILLA UNION HIGH SCHOOL |
We graduated in 1957 as honor students, with all A's. All of
our class received unique diplomas that resembled an exclusive award, with an engraved brass plaque attached to polished wood.
The twins and eight others received a miniature Aladdin lamp black and gold lapel
pin and an embossed gold seal on the back of our diplomas from the California Scholarship Federation for outstanding academic
skills.
The excitement of wearing that royal blue graduation gown with
the white collar and the cap with the white tassel floats through my mind. We lined up outside the Clarke Auditorium and filed
in. The audience was already seated. The parents, friends and guests of the graduates were so proud of all of us. I remember
speeches and honors. Finally, they began to call the names of the graduates and present the engraved diplomas. They were in
dark green boxes about 6” x 7” and ½” thick. I remember thinking I had heard that students who didn’t
graduate would be allowed to walk across the stage but would receive an empty box. I think I received my diploma very soon,
but it seemed like an eternity. Finally, Mr. Wade, the District Superintendent and Principal, handed me my diploma box and
shook my hand. When all the diplomas had been awarded, we walked off the stage to form a receiving line against the side wall
inside the auditorium. I couldn’t wait to look in that box!
Congratulations! Family
and guests came by, hugged the young ladies and shook hands with the young men. Graduation gifts were given. Some received
watches, rings and other jewelry. A few even received new cars. We were surprised to get a gift. Our neighbor had made each
of us a beautiful white crocheted draw string purse. Mama didn’t have much money, so we didn’t expect anything.
It had taken everything we could accumulate to buy our senior pictures, announcements and our dresses and shoes. The cap and
gown rental was a whopping $3.50 each! Mama had managed a gift after all.
We each received a silk head scarf. It was okay, though. We had achieved the goal and received the greatest gift, a diploma.
c
2005 Double Take
The
Carr Twins
by Viola
Parsons
& Violet Moore
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