12/02/2024
Reposting this wonderful story from Linda Romanowski in honor of Chinese New Year!
“It was my first month of freshman year at Hallahan High School in September 1967. In those days, nearly all female Catholic youngsters of high school age in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia attended the oldest Catholic girls school in the United States. Girls from every corner of the city were represented. When the hallway bells rang for change of class, it contracted with a sea of faces, of all races, crowding the corridors.
I will never forget the first time I came in contact with a group of Asian people. A group of students were walking into the building from the direction of Chinatown. I still see them clearly in my mind’s eye.
They were the most beautiful young women I had ever seen. They walked with grace and assurance. Their hair was so gorgeous it made me think of blue-black patent leather. Straight and long and lovely, a dramatic contrast to my unruly wavy and curly hair. Even after all these years, that vision has never changed!
Beyond the physical aspect, I was given the blessing of the great opportunity to get to know and to become friends with several of these young women. These young women were brilliant and kind and funny and hard-working. Because of them, and because of so many other young ladies whose backgrounds were different than mine, I am forever in debt to Hallahan. It’s pending closure this June breaks my heart, as thousands of students were forever changed because they were exposed to one another.
Happy Chinese New Year, Ladies. And to Andi, Jane, Janet, and Rita, you will always be special to me.
Grateful beyond measure,
Linda”
Linda M. Romanowski is a graduate of Rosemont College, in 1975 with a BA in Psychology and Elementary Education, and this past May as an MFA graduate in Creative Non-fiction. She was assistant editor of Non-fiction for Rathalla magazine, Rosemont’s literary publication. Her Italian heritage-based thesis, “Final Touchstones”, earned with distinction, is scheduled for publication by Sunbury Press within the coming months. Several of the essays from her pending book were published on City Key, Ovunque Siamo and the Mario Lanza Institute page. She recently reviewed Ellen Stone’s poetry book “What is in the Blood” for the online Philadelphia Stories 2021 Fall issue. Her poem, “Seen In Translation” was selected for inclusion in the Moonstone Arts Center Protest 2021-100 Thousand Poets for Change.
