Ring Day Ceremony

 

The ring day ceremony, I always remember that day. A rite of passage. On this day we became the  senior class.

In preparation for the ceremony, Sister Elizabeth was showing us how to sing the song “The Long and Winding Road” by Lennon and McCartney which had been released four years before. In order to demonstrate, how it should be sung, one of the rising Juniors sang a beautiful version of it. The class liked it so much that by acclamation, they voted to have her sing it during the actual ceremony. 

After the celebration of mass and the ceremony where each member of the class received their ring, we were all supposed to go back to our classes and continue to the school day. No one wanted to do that. 

Some students produced the idea of going to breakfast to celebrate. The idea gained momentum and all of us wanted to ask Father for permission. Finally, one of the ladies, I have forgotten which one, finally asked Father if the class could go to breakfast and then return to school. Father asked one question and it was: Suppose I let you go to breakfast? How do I know you will return? To myself I was thinking Forget it. It is not going to happen. All of a sudden and much to my surprise,  Father Lechiara yells Moose! Now Father had a distinct was of yelling Moose that was as impressive as the way Coach Grosso would do it; not scary but pretty close. Father said something like Moose, the problem is that I do not know if I can trust these students.  Will they return?  Will they return after having breakfast.  He kind of asked  us and of course everyone said, of course we will. Father went on and said.  I don’t know if I can trust these guys and said to me:  Moose, I can trust you.  Will they return? I said  yes.

I was totally surprised.   Can you guarantee that all these students will be back after Breakfast?  Will you give me your word that each and every one of the students would return after breakfast? Again I said yes. 

I always regard myself as an understated individual.  Why would father ask me of all people? I was kind of pleased and proud he actually asked me.  I was taking a Religion class with him, maybe that is why. He knew my name.  I ended up getting a ride from Victor and we went to the Airport Marriott.  And, we had breakfast.  All the time I kept was worried that half of us would not return.  What will father think then?

We arrived back at ILS and we had time to kill until the next class in the schedule.  Tom Maroon decided to drive some golf balls off the sea wall behind the Ermita.  He said he had some new golf clubs.  I had never used a golf club, ever.  I may have used a putter at the “golfito” or the putt-putt.  I figured how difficult can this be?  So, I watched Tom, and I think Joe Yesbeck drive some golf balls into Biscayne Bay.   I said: Can I try that?  I placed the golf ball.  I think it was just on the cement but I do not remember.  I doubt we had tees available.  I just do not remember.  I remember I yelled Fore!  Golfers do that I heard.  I looked for the ball in the sky.  And heard a strange sound as the sound a quiet helicopter would make as it was taking off.   I looked up and said to myself, Wow, Brother Ramon was right.  The club would spin around its center of gravity.  I then saw the golf club, a #3 wood spinning around its center of gravity and falling into the bay.  I was shocked. I did not realize the center of gravity for the club was so close to the portion which is used to hit the ball.  I also did not know what to say.  To make matters worse a number 3 wood is not that common.  I kept saying what will Tom say?  I felt really bad. Tom said not to worry.  They will get it later.  It may have gone into the little island which could be reached at low tide.  Both Joe and Tom told me the following Monday they were able to retrieve it.  I am not sure if they were just trying to make me feel better.