 | | | Campolinodo students smiled at the unique annual town-wide photo extravaganza before their Senior Ball in San Francisco. Photo Ohlen Alexander
| | | | | | Behind the sparkles and hairspray, prior to their big night out in San Francisco at City Hall a crush of dolled up students got to pose in their shiny new or rented attire with a parade of parents snapping away at the Moraga Commons. This annual tradition has become a mainstay - a chance to rub elbows and visit briefly with a majority of the Campolindo graduating class.
Although the students are still teenagers, the theme of the evening was sophistication with a variety of long dresses and tuxedos worthy of a Hollywood red carpet. There wasn't a duplicate dress in sight, thanks to a Facebook page set up by savvy young ladies who posted their design choices. Clearly corsages, color-coordinated pedicures and dangly earrings are still popular, and the classic black tuxedo never seems to go out of style. Quite a few of the gentlemen sported a vest in the same color as their date's dress.
Many of these students have lived here for the majority of their young lives, enjoying the subtle change of seasons, nestled safe in the rolling hills of Moraga where laid back golden retrievers and orthodontia are hallmarks of this prosperous bedroom community.
Little do they know that this snapshot in time is the leading edge to a major shift in their lives. Perhaps college is right around the corner - or work, or a combination of the two - with many of their lifelong friends scattering across the country.
Like the town-wide photo-op, the small town tradition will continue with many of the lucky Class of '13 coming home for the holidays - Thanksgiving and Christmas break will see these fresh faces gathering together again on a much smaller scale - mainly because mom and/or dad haven't moved.
They'll reminisce and reflect, and describe their brave new world outside of Mo-town. One small town, one high school, and eight stop lights makes for a tight community - for better or worse.
Hopefully they will look back at this insular 'burb and be thankful for connectedness, safety and a great education.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA