Storm disrupts school event

16 years ago
By Debbie Smith
Special to the Star-Herald

    EASTON — The Class of 2009, along with their family and friends, hustled to get ready for one of their final events at Easton High School, Sunday evening’s Baccalaureate. 

But upon arriving at the school, the sky turned black and the wind began to blow hard. There was a storm brewing, which most of us didn’t realize was the makings of a tornado.
    Upon arriving at the school, we were told by Mr. Wright, the Easton senior class advisor, to immediately go to the basement to the boys’ or girls’ locker rooms. A tornado warning had been issued for the Easton area. All over you could hear, ‘What, a tornado in Easton?’ Everyone crowded into the two locker rooms. There was a lot of chatter among ourselves until the lights went out. You could hear some saying, ‘I’m scared,’ ‘I don’t like this’ or ‘What do we do now?’ But amid the fear of not knowing what was happening outside, everyone remained calm. It was pitch-black except for a few lights from cell phones.
    As I sat there in the dark, I was thinking, ‘We are like a big family.’ Everyone was calming those who were nervous or afraid. Someone was on their cell phone and said, ‘Of course we will still have baccalaureate, this is Easton we’re talking about.’
    After several minutes, we were told to come up and it was decided to go to the Easton Wesleyan Church to continue.
    There was still no electricity but there were lots of windows. We couldn’t play any music because the power was out, but we made out okay anyway. When the graduates marched in, we all hummed the “Pomp and Circumstance” tune. It was certainly different and a night everyone will never forget.
    The chorus sang and did an excellent job. Pastor Dan Blevins, from the Methodist Church, addressed the crowd. He told the class not to expect things to happen the way they think they will and that things aren’t always the way you think they should be.
    Blevins told a story of a man that had gone to the doctor on behalf of his wife. He said he was tired of her not being able to communicate with him because she was so hard of hearing. The doctor asked him how close he had to be before she could hear him; he needed to know in order to treat her correctly. So the husband went home, slammed the door and said, ‘Honey, I’m home. What’s for supper?’ There was no answer. He stepped a few feet closer and loudly repeated his question. Still, no answer. This time, he went to the door of the kitchen and said louder, ‘Honey, I’m home. What’s for supper?’ She didn’t say a word. He then went over, tapped her on the shoulder and said, ‘Honey, I’m home. What’s for supper?’ She turned around to him and said, ‘For the fourth time, mac-n-cheese.’ Blevins’ story proved the point that things aren’t always the way they seem.
    The service ended with a song and then a prayer. I’ve got to admit, it was the most exciting Baccalaureate I’ve ever been to. I’m sure the Class of 2009 all feel the same. God bless you all.

 

Photo courtesy of Debbie SmithImage
     HERE ARE A GROUP OF FRIENDS and relatives of the Easton High School Class of 2009. Everyone was rushed to the basement on Sunday night, May 31, because of the tornado warnings for the Easton area. Pictured from left: Arlene Ladner, Phyllis Nadeau, Marie Hewitt, Rogena Thomas, Lois Ladner and Joanne Johnson (hidden from view). Second row: Norm Trask, Sydney Trask, Katy Cyr, Bradley Trask, Sadie Embelton, Blake Bradley and an unknown person.

 

ImagePhoto courtesy of Debbie Smith
    WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS — Pictured May 31, from left: Bradley Trask,Toni Brown and Megan Davis. They are waiting patiently to see what was going to happen.

 

Photo courtesy of Debbie SmithImage
    IN THE BOYS’ LOCKER ROOM at the Easton High School May 31, friends and relatives waited for the storm to pass so they could get on with Baccalaureate Service. Pictured from left: Jackie Bradley, Nina Trask and Ezalee Smith. This picture was taken in the pitch-black. The lights had gone out.