On Faith
CAROLINE WARD ODA
Saturday, June 2, 2001
TWO SENIORS marched resolutely into my office with another impassioned entreaty that I ease the baccalaureate attire guidelines -- dress shoes were the problem. Cathedral
transformation
for seniorsWell informed on prices, articulate and persuasive as the talented actor she is, Jessica Reid elaborated on the grim prospects of finding appropriate footwear, and who would ever wear that style again, anyway?
Jamie De Costa valiantly contended for leniency in these final miles on the road to graduation.
On the brilliantly sunny Baccalaureate Day, girls piled out of their cars in miniskirts and slippers. Would they cooperate?
HAD THEY COME to see themselves as young adults, or were they still challenging teenagers?
One by one, like butterflies emerging from the cocoon of adolescence, they slipped into the chancel, young women radiant in afternoon dresses and high-heeled shoes.
Now the practice lap. Could they navigate the slippery cathedral aisle?
Gingerly they embarked, slipping a little, wobbling at first, a reprise of their first toddling steps almost two decades ago.
Too soon, they had to form the line for their procession. The class crucifer marched forth, confident and proud.
Two close friends followed, lifting up candles that swayed dangerously and then balanced. Jamie came next, walking carefully, her view obscured by the sizable church banner.
When it came time for class speakers, Lehua Sanborn, a gifted athlete, led off, evoking memories of her first walk down the cathedral aisle as an awed kindergartener wearing a fruit-loop lei, holding the hand of a towering sixth-grader.
Jessica sketched a picture of ethical unfolding as this small class had to learn to forgive and get along with each other.
Brittany Wong, concert violinist, concluded by reflecting on the strangeness of time: "The days we've been looking forward to for so long are as near as tomorrow. Our journey through the adolescence of life has ended."
As the theme from "2001: A Space Odyssey" burst forth from the organ filling the cathedral with waves of jubilation, our eyes gradually cleared of tears, and we realized that these seniors had become accomplished young women as they journeyed through St. Andrew's Priory.
MORE SUBDUED THAN in their nonconforming freshmen year, they were now strong, opinionated and capable individuals with a deep sense of pride.
As the Class of 2001 marched back down the aisle, some winced from blisters, a reminder that sometimes pain accompanies new endeavors. With firm stride and growing confidence, the seniors passed us, smiling, eyes forward, acknowledging us and leaving us behind.
Parents, teachers, ohana, we were being transformed into supporting cast, prayer warriors, mentors and confidantes.
The class emerged into the sunshine, the light and heat of young adulthood, and wiping away our tears, we applauded them.
Caroline Ward Oda is head of school at St. Andrew's Priory.
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