"Long, long ago and far, far away, in another galaxy--oh, that's Star Wars.  We're not here to honor Star Wars--although I enjoyed the movies--but to honor Ashleigh, Jessie and Joseph as we celebrate their graduation from the 8^th grade.

      In the summer of 1948 my parents, Dr. and Mrs. Jameson, contacted the County Education Office with regard to opening a school on Palomar Mountain.  My mother was a teacher; there were seven students; and Cal Tech had volunteered a building called the "Social Hall".  Permission was given and in September the one room school opened its door to Joey and Suzie Stelick, Carol Traxler and four Jamesons (Morey. Adrian. Judy and me).

     I recently read the lyrics of  "Palomar is my Mountain Home" and memories tumbled one over the other so quickly I had trouble remembering each one.

     Life on the mountain was very different then.  There were not as many year around residents and very few children.

     The Summit was called The Intersection and had two gas pumps.  Wayne Thompson was the owner.  I remember Wayne pumping gas during the freezing rain and snow in the winter   Jessie, Wayne was your grandfather.

     The Bailey House was destroyed by fire years ago yet I can still see it in my mind.  Although she was very old, Mrs. Bailey had a very lively personality, marvelous mind. and an excellent memory.  She could tell stores about the really old, old, days.

     Hap Mendenhall had lived almost his entire life on the mountain and was a cattleman.  His horse was named Blue.  Hap always wore a gun belt, holster and loaded pistol and carried a rifle as well.

     In January of 1949 late one night and into the early morning snow began falling.  When residents of the mountain awakened there was at least five feet of snow on the ground and snows continued for what seemed forever.  We children were thrilled with it while the adults sensed that none of this was going to be fun.  Speaking from experience being snowbound is not fun at all.
     As my graduation was the first in many, many years it was a major event which everyone attended.  The rumor was that Hap Mendenhall took his one and only suit out of mothballs to wear.  The one and only time I ever saw Hap wearing something other than cowboy clothes was that night so I suppose the rumor was true.  I was very honored.

     In a few months you three will be attending high school.  It will be exciting, frightening, confusing and marvelous--all at the same time.  Years from now and from out of nowhere it will seem memories of this school and life on Palomar Mountain will arrange themselves into a wonderful movie that will play again and again in your mind.  These memories will never been that long ago nor that far away and the galaxy will always be with you."