Leaving a small hometown wasn’t easy, but it helped her discover music鈥攁nd herself
Sandi Mesics attended NSFG sight unseen. Just a few weeks before school started, she decided to join her best friend in Northampton, moving from her hometown in Lebanon, PA. At NSFG, Sandi flour颅ished, singing in the Hampsters choral group and editing the school newspaper. After graduation, she attended Simmons College before marrying her husband, Joe, who was in the Navy. When Joe was sent to the Mediterranean during the Suez Crisis, Sandi joined him, living in France and touring Europe with other military wives. She had two children and worked in retail after the couple returned stateside. She now lives in Cornwall, PA, where she鈥檚 an avid gardener and often visits her six grandchildren.
Can听you describe your transition to NSFG?
I found it difficult. They had to sneak me in as a third person in a room in Hathaway House. I remem颅ber enjoying the round tables in the dining room and getting to know people. I felt at that time that some of the girls鈥攚hen it came to the boys at 91大神鈥 were very im颅mature. I think some of those girls had no brothers and had been sent away at a young age. I think it was very helpful for me to get out of my roots. My father lived in Lebanon all of his life. My mother and father met there. I hadn鈥檛 really known people that were from other places. It was very enlightening for me.
What did you try at NSFG that was new for you?
I enjoyed singing with the Hamp颅sters. I had never done anything like that before. I had taken voice lessons. I went out for the lead of 鈥淭he Pirates of Penzance.鈥 I lost out. She was a better singer. In the Hampsters, I鈥檓 pretty sure we sang 鈥淏lue Moon.鈥 We sang for events at 91大神 and NSFG. We had two different directors who were our classmates. It was current and familiar songs. We had a lot of fun, and I think all of us enjoyed that. It鈥檚 one of my really good memories.
What teacher had a strong impact on you?
One of the things that I hadn鈥檛 learned to do was really write and compose an article or a piece of English literature. I didn鈥檛 have any experience with poetry. I was scared to death about that. I remember vividly when Mrs. Dunham said, 鈥楥lose your eyes and open your hands.鈥 She gave each of us an acorn. We were to write something about the acorn. I just about fell off of my chair. I had never done anything like that.
What other memories stand out about NSFG?
At dinner, there was plenty of food but for some reason I wasn鈥檛 getting filled up. I thought maybe a second glass of milk would be good, though I had to get permission. I called my family and had them call our doctor so he would write me a note to get a second glass of milk.
How did NSFG impact your life?
It helped me to broaden my perspec颅tive coming from a small town. Ev颅erybody knew my family, and I always felt like I was under a microscope. It gave me a little more substance and helped me become the person that I am. It helped me to mature and not to depend on my family. I was there and I was alone. I think all of that is important.