Veronica H - Pam's 3rd daughter, Arizona writer and mom to two girls

My mother, Pamela Tiger, was part of the first senior class to graduate from Pequannock high school in New Jersey. In May 1960, the senior class initiated skip day, heading to their cars instead of the cafeteria at lunchtime. Those who had cars packed as many friends as they could into their vehicles and headed to the barn.

That afternoon in May, Pam was driving her boyfriend’s car. A hot car set up for drag racing. While sitting at a red light next to a fellow classmate, Pam heard the other guy rev his engine. She knew he wanted to show off. She decided to give him a run for his money.

When the light changed, Pam stepped on the gas, too. This was her first drag race, and it was up hill. Pam played it cool and shifted whenever the other driver shifted. And Pam Tiger won the drag race up Butler Hill on the inaugural senior skip day for Pequannock high school.