Encountering Students at Villa Julie College
Realizing, Fulfilling 'Who They Are'
Encountering Students at Villa Julie College
Realizing, Fulfilling 'Who They Are'
It's a pleasant fall afternoon in November, and attendance at one particular class at Villa Julie College is guaranteed to be perfect.
No one misses this one.
This class meeting will include presentations unlike any the students have ever seen.
The students aren't quite sure what to expect, but they have ideas, lots of ideas.
You see, the crossdressers are coming to class.
Men in dresses and skirts, high heels and makeup, nail polish and wigs.
This is going to be good.
The panel of "ladies" from the CES chapter of the national Tri-Ess sorority arrives a few minutes ahead of the students. Dr. Kate Thomas, the professor teaching the class, makes everyone feel comfortable. We've known Dr. Kate for years. Each September she shares the latest in gender research and study at our chapter meeting. We have a little nervous energy, but we are all "veterans" of these classroom presentations and are anxious to begin. Janet, Yvonne, Victoria, Rachel, Teri and Barbara make small talk with each other and Dr. Kate.
The students file in over a period of a few minutes prior to our 4:00 PM class time. As soon as they enter their eyes sweep the room pausing momentarily on each of us. The eyes occasionally getting wider coupled with a slight setting of the lips as though they have discovered something. They're too polite to gawk or point but we have their undivided attention. There are about twenty-two young women and three young men in the class. Yes, this is going to be very good. Three hours may not be enough time.
We are seated in chairs in front of and facing the class. We make a special effort to sit like ladies. Our success in sitting properly doesn't go unnoticed by the women in the class. We note that we six presenters are the only ones in the room not wearing slacks or jeans.
