by Lisa Cipolla
(little onion)

I met Mandy through mutual friends at Lyman. It wasn't long after that we became good friends. We had a couple classes together, and always managed to get in trouble with the teachers because our mouths were always going (hers more then mine of course). But I will never forget what she did for me on one of the worst days I thought I could have. I had just heard that I might not graduate because of one of my classes. I was so devastated I just did not
know what to do. I couldn't even think.

I had a class with Mandy right after I heard. She knew I was upset by just looking at me, she asked me what was wrong, but I just couldn't talk. She kept at me like Mandy always does, she never gives up, that' s for sure. I told her my situation. And instead of being sad for me she said, "There's got to be a way, God always has a way, Lisa." I said, "I don't know of a way." She said, "What if you go talk to the teacher and ask him to help you. Tell him you will do anything to pass his class." I said, "It will never work, Mandy, school is almost over." She said, "Please just try."

So I went to my teacher and begged and pleaded for a way, and sure enough he said, "If you take the final and pass with an A, you'll get a C in my class." I was so happy the first person I talked to was Mandy, thanking her for making me think about my situation before crying about it. When ya think about it - Mandy is the reason I graduated. Thanks Mandy. We had a lot of fun times at good old Lyman high - I miss them, and you.