In August 1993, anxious moms and dads checked the class lists posted at Mandeville Kindergarten, hoping to see their child assigned to the teacher they most preferred. When Rachel Edelman reviewed the list, she discovered that Mrs. Waldrip would be teaching her only child. She was initially dismayed, because she had never even heard of the teacher and could find out nothing about her before her son was to begin school.

Rachel soon learned that Roxanne Waldrip had taught for many years in Jefferson Parish and had just recently moved to Mandeville. By the time the school year was over, Roxanne had not only successfully brought together her class and their parents, but had also become the catalyst for establishing an unbreakable bond of friendship among seven northshore women.

Unfortunately, during that same school year, Roxanne's husband died. Rachel and several other moms volunteered in the classroom to help ease the burden for the devoted teacher during her difficult ordeal. Never having known each other before all of their children entered kindergarten together, the special sisterhood rapidly grew close.

The caring group of moms then decided to get together every month and provide their newly widowed friend with a social outlet. The Kindergarten Club was born, and the group's first meeting took place at Roxanne's home. Over the past 10 years, Roxanne and Rachel-along with Diane Justice, Kitty Manuel, Susan Mauer, Kris Edwards and Michelle Hall-have gathered at restaurants, at movies, at each other's homes, at the beach, at parades, at their kids' birthday celebrations; you name it, they've done it.

"Most of the time we bring our kids," says Rachel. "It has given them the opportunity to really know at least seven other kids their age throughout their school career."

Throughout the years, the frolicking females have rescued each other from all sorts of craziness. They have also known that they can always count on each other, even when they haven't been in touch for a few months. The group is diverse; its members are liberal and conservative, church-goer and non church-goer, wealthy and middle-class, employed outside the home and employed inside the home, mother of twins and mother of an only child and mother of many.

As Kitty Manuel was reaching the end of her third-and unexpected-pregnancy, the group surprised her with a shower. "Even though I could see the decorations, I was so befuddled that I could not figure out what was going on! They were delighted that they had fooled me. They showered me with gifts and we played silly shower games. I was surrounded by laughter, good wishes and the love of good friends celebrating life's surprises. It was a perfectly wonderful way to celebrate a new life and old friends!"

The tightly knit group holds special significance for each of the women. For Roxanne especially, their bond signifies triumph over loss. "We became fast friends as the group helped me during the most tragic time of my life."

Says Michelle Hall, "If Roxanne was the spark that started the group, then Rachel is surely the glue that keeps us together." The primary organizer for most of the group's events, Rachel was long ago given the title of "secretary."

Celebrating their tenth year together, the Kindergarten Club is meeting in Perdido Key, Florida in May, when they will honor yet another birthday for Roxanne. What used to be trip planning for fun children's activities to places like Fontainebleau State Park for a campout or a beach trip to Gulf Shores has become planning of a different sort. As the Kindergarten Club enters its second decade, these moms are preparing to tour colleges!

Copyright 2004-2006, M&L Publishing, all rights reserved.

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