Page 19 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2020- Lubbock Online Magazine

Exceptional
Grateful
for My
“Conductors”
AMONG THE MEDALS
AND AWARDS CLAUDE “ nything that can be thought
RECEIVED WERE: of as an accomplishment on
Amy part is a combination of
multiple gracious opportunities.”
My journey began in 1946 when
a beautiful, brilliant woman
gave me passage into this life.
Ernestine Williams became the first
faithful “Conductor” in my life. I
attended Log Bayou Elementary
School and Wolfe Project High
School. In those two academic
institutions, the teachers, whose
names I still remember, taught
beyond the outdated textbooks and
routine teaching plans. They were
conductors who inspired me to
dream.
Lonnie Thompson, my grandfather,
was another skillful Conductor in
my life. He taught me that anyone
could become whatever they
SENIORS
by Dr. Marion Williams
dreamed. Even in the 1950s, he there would be a wonderful send-
firmly believed that women should off with bits of cash, cakes, cookies
be educated in the areas of their and meals, all prepared by surrogate
interests and talents. “If you want mamas, aunts, uncles and church
to, you can become a welder or a members.
banker or a doctor or a farmer or
anything, baby girl.” My dislike College was filled with an exciting
of hoeing cotton quickly ruled out social life such as I’d never
farming as a career. experienced. Events like ballgames,
parties, and dates dazzled me. The
With the guidance of the Conductors academic path my Conductors
in my life, I chose to go to college. It had prepared me for took a back
required hard work by my family, seat. My exciting new world
both on the farm and in domestic was sometimes interrupted with
jobs, as well as scholarships, work academics, but at least during
study programs and loans. One those interruptions, there were role
of my fondest memories is getting models who encouraged me to seek
$3.47 from my little brother during loftier pursuits.
my freshman year.
One of the opportunities I enjoyed
A college education was a source of was a student job at a prestigious
community pride, and the village of national laboratory in the Midwest.
Tillar, Arkansas was supportive in What a source of pride that was
so many ways. After each trip home, for me! I was introduced to the
Lubbock Senior Link 19