**WELCOME******to****Christine's World**

College Hall, Vermont College ~ Montpelier, VT

 Jeannine, Keturah, Forest, and Laura all graduated from Vermont College September of 2003. Susan and I graduated this March 2005. Annie is missing in this picture....

The seven of us started out together March 2002. We were all the newbies. We learned the ropes together. The first week we met we got to learn where everyone was from, five from the west coast and two from the east coast....what a group we were. We bonded immediately.

 That first week together we started a tradition and that was the seven of us would meet somewhere for just one night of chatting, snacking, drinking anything from water to wine. We didn't really get rowdy, however, we did laugh a lot....and maybe even passed a few tears....but it was all okay because from the first moment we met, we knew that we would be bonded together forever.

The next time we met was September 2002. That week we once again got together and chatted, but this time it was different!! They surprised me with a birthday party!! Yes, each Sept. I would celebrate my birthday in Vermont. Laura would always make it special, she knew I didn't like being away from my family for my birthday, so she made sure I had the next best thing, celebrating with my "piggie" friends.

 Yes, I said "piggie" friends. That is the nickname Laura gave us. One day she was in downtown Montpelier at the toystore and saw this tiny little piggie figurines....she decided to buy each one of us a little piggie. So from that day on....we have called ourselves the little piggies of Vermont College.

 It has always been a week of GREAT memories at Vermont College. There's about 50 Adult Degree Program students that take one week every six months and spends it in Monpelier, VT. We come from all over. I think the furtherest person came from Iceland. She graduated in 2003. We come from all walks of life....a woman who was 75 yrs old graduated. She was an inspiration to all of us.

 So many stories to be told and there isn't enough time or space to put a quarter of them here....wish I could.

 So, there you have it....at least a little bit of it.

From L to R BR  Jeannine, Keturah, Forest, Laura
FR - Me, Susan