Worthington-West Franklin
High School

Worthington, PA

1933 - 1984

OLD RING-NEW FRIEND

Eileen (Claypoole) Hawk

The last weekend in June, 2005 was a sentimental and nostalgic time in the community of Worthington, Pennsylvania and in the lives of all who had ever been a student at Worthington West Franklin School. With much effort and dedication on the part of a number of former students the fourth school reunion was held at the site of our school, in conjunction with the celebration of the town’s sesquicentennial.

My story of remembrance begins long before that date and year.

It had begun 54 years before in the spring of 1951. The end of the school year was in sight. It was time for each member of the class of ‘54 to order the class ring of his or her choice. Following tradition, I ordered my class ring.

Well…that summer I got married. Then came fall, and the beginning of the next school year. I remember looking longingly out the window of our little three room bungalow in the woods above Craigsville with mixed feelings. The world as I had known it was moving on without me.

Soon the rings arrived and it was time to pay for and pick them up. The figure

of $35.00 rings in my memory, although I am not positive of that figure. Whatever the cost, it was a lot of money for a young couple just starting out.

It was about that same time that I heard of a new girl that came to Worthington West Franklin High School and would be joining my former classmates. She, not being among us the previous year, had not ordered a class ring. Long story short, she bought the ring I had ordered and as far as I knew then, that was the end of that story.

Where did the years go? How many of the days of those years can we bring back to mind?

Two thousand five was the fourth high school reunion, and I, fortunately, have been able to attend all of them. At the first one in 1988 (you remember that blistering hot day). I briefly met Helen Travis for the first time, putting together the name with the "new" girl who, so many years ago had done me the favor of buying the "ring".

Fast forward to the fourth reunion, which to me was so special, since many members of my family were able to attend.

It wasn’t long before I ran into many old friends, classmates and relatives I hadn’t seen for a while. I also had the opportunity to talk to Helen Travis again.

The subject of our common bond came into the conversation, and to my surprise,

Helen calmly said she wanted me to have the "ring". Did my heart stop? Fortunately for me, if it did, it immediately started again. I was so moved, I could hardly believe it. "Why would you do that? Are you sure you really want me to have it?" Helen, so generously said she could no longer wear it because of irritation caused by wearing jewelry. (What do you think? Was that the reason? I think she is a generous and loving person).

That was Saturday. Everyone seemed to enjoy the day - taking pictures, reminiscing, and talking to friends from way back when. Helen and her sister both marked their finger with black marker, so Helen would not forget the ring the next day.

Then, came Sunday. She did not forget. She brought it and ceremoniously handed over to me the ring that I had ordered so many years ago, but had never seen. As I looked at it for the first time, several things crossed my mind. The most obvious was, the ring had not been put it a drawer and forgotten. No, Helen had worn it for many years. The next thing as I looked inside the band, I noticed the initials ZEC.

Yes, those were my initials in the ring. So you see Helen Travis and I, Zelda Eileen

Claypoole Hawk have had a common bond all these many years and I consider myself to have a new lifelong friend.