I do not know how or when Carol passed away. I only know that some of us have a lot to answer for. Carol was a rather quiet girl, and seemed a little odd, but that may have been because of a physical fraily or disability, a speech impediment, or because of family issues. I just don't know because I never took the time to get to know her. Not very many of us did. I can't remember if she went to Noble Road Elementary with me or not, but I do remember her at Monticello. She was not generally well liked, but maybe that was (all of these possibilities are my conjecture) because she did not know how to fit in or didn't care about fitting in with the rest of us pubescent (and probably obnoxious) kids. One time we had a talent contest during assembly, and among those brave students who performed was Carol. She did some tumbling and gymnastic routines which were very good and interesting. But there were wisecracks and snickering in the audience while she performed. I remember being embarrassed by the insensitivity and rudeness of that behavior, and felt badly for her having to endure it. I believe she interrupted her performance and left the stage. The incident has stuck with me through all these years, mostly because I did not stand up for her, nor did I apologize to her or tell her I liked her performance. I should have - and those who were rude should have been ashamed. It's too late now to apologise in person, but Carol, if there is any way you can understand this, I want you to know that I am sorry that people who should have embraced differences actually made your life hell. I apologize for my timidness and not defending you. You were probably an amazing person, I'll never know, but I know for sure that you were a person with normal feelings which were trampled many times by thoughtless people. I can only hope that you eventually led an amazing life filled with love. Rest In Peace, Carol.
Siamo d'accordo !! I, too, remember Carol, although I did not know her well. I had a great deal of empathy for her. Very quiet and a bit different from the rest of us. But , what is wrong with that ? Sorry to hear of her passing.
I knew Carol from Heights and she, along with several other girls were either teased, bullied or at best, simply ingnored. Today it wouldn't be tolerated, but back then we all just stayed quiet. I recently reconnected with a classemate (name withheld) who also spoke of terrible bullying. She was told she was so ugly that should die. She said she was not attending the 50th reunion because she has no fond memories of school or the people in it. BTW, today she is a lovely, successful person and I wish I had befriended her back then. But we just didn't know what other people were going through. Did we?
Carol went to Oxford school. I knew her from about 2nd grade. I believe she had cerebal palsy. Her mother was very patient with her. I remember her trying to straighten out a fountain pen nib that Carol had bent over during writing. Remember fountain pens? Ball point pens were just getting started.
I lost track of Carol after elementary school. I did not realize that she actually made it to Heights. Her health was not that good in elementary school. I think our teachers more than once kept us after school without Carol to remind us that her situation was not of her own doing. I think she was mostly ignored at Oxford. I could be wrong.
I would agree with those who have commented on Carol. She had medical issues that none of us had seen before, nor did we fully understand it at such a young age at Oxford. I also did not realize she went to Heights or even Monticello. Schools didn't handle issues like polio, down syndrome or cerebral palsy like we do today. Often kids weren't mainstreamed and often were labeled and isolated. Sadly she went through difficult times in elementary school and I'm sure that was no different in later years. Thank goodness we've learned from our past.
Phyllis House Martin (King)
I do not know how or when Carol passed away. I only know that some of us have a lot to answer for. Carol was a rather quiet girl, and seemed a little odd, but that may have been because of a physical fraily or disability, a speech impediment, or because of family issues. I just don't know because I never took the time to get to know her. Not very many of us did. I can't remember if she went to Noble Road Elementary with me or not, but I do remember her at Monticello. She was not generally well liked, but maybe that was (all of these possibilities are my conjecture) because she did not know how to fit in or didn't care about fitting in with the rest of us pubescent (and probably obnoxious) kids. One time we had a talent contest during assembly, and among those brave students who performed was Carol. She did some tumbling and gymnastic routines which were very good and interesting. But there were wisecracks and snickering in the audience while she performed. I remember being embarrassed by the insensitivity and rudeness of that behavior, and felt badly for her having to endure it. I believe she interrupted her performance and left the stage. The incident has stuck with me through all these years, mostly because I did not stand up for her, nor did I apologize to her or tell her I liked her performance. I should have - and those who were rude should have been ashamed. It's too late now to apologise in person, but Carol, if there is any way you can understand this, I want you to know that I am sorry that people who should have embraced differences actually made your life hell. I apologize for my timidness and not defending you. You were probably an amazing person, I'll never know, but I know for sure that you were a person with normal feelings which were trampled many times by thoughtless people. I can only hope that you eventually led an amazing life filled with love. Rest In Peace, Carol.
Gary Schlachet
Siamo d'accordo !! I, too, remember Carol, although I did not know her well. I had a great deal of empathy for her. Very quiet and a bit different from the rest of us. But , what is wrong with that ? Sorry to hear of her passing.
Sandy Kasdan (Rozelman)
I knew Carol from Heights and she, along with several other girls were either teased, bullied or at best, simply ingnored. Today it wouldn't be tolerated, but back then we all just stayed quiet. I recently reconnected with a classemate (name withheld) who also spoke of terrible bullying. She was told she was so ugly that should die. She said she was not attending the 50th reunion because she has no fond memories of school or the people in it. BTW, today she is a lovely, successful person and I wish I had befriended her back then. But we just didn't know what other people were going through. Did we?
Robert Wagner
Carol went to Oxford school. I knew her from about 2nd grade. I believe she had cerebal palsy. Her mother was very patient with her. I remember her trying to straighten out a fountain pen nib that Carol had bent over during writing. Remember fountain pens? Ball point pens were just getting started.
I lost track of Carol after elementary school. I did not realize that she actually made it to Heights. Her health was not that good in elementary school. I think our teachers more than once kept us after school without Carol to remind us that her situation was not of her own doing. I think she was mostly ignored at Oxford. I could be wrong.
James Paradise
I would agree with those who have commented on Carol. She had medical issues that none of us had seen before, nor did we fully understand it at such a young age at Oxford. I also did not realize she went to Heights or even Monticello. Schools didn't handle issues like polio, down syndrome or cerebral palsy like we do today. Often kids weren't mainstreamed and often were labeled and isolated. Sadly she went through difficult times in elementary school and I'm sure that was no different in later years. Thank goodness we've learned from our past.