Who were you in High School?
Daily | November 12th, 2008
“True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.” – Kurt Vonnegut
Carrie says: On the outside I was one of the popular, athletic, pretty McCarthy twins. On the inside I was shy, yearning for creativity and my own voice. Age and wisdom is such a gift, found my voice, I am creating and adore being a twin.
Danielle says: The artsy smartsy go-between cliques girl with double shoulder pads, very big earrings, and a hankering to get outta town. Save for the shoulder pads, not much has changed.
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November 12th, 2008 at 4:25 am
I was the popular new girl from out of town. Lanky, looked boyish and was mistaken for a boy many times, hated that. So I stuffed my bra and tried to be someone else. A few years later, I was hangin' free and bra-less! I was a rebel, sassy, artistic, and felt like an adopted member of my family. So glad to be 52 and loving myself because I am ME!
November 12th, 2008 at 4:47 am
I was a bit of a geek I guess. I had a Beatle style haircut(shorter but similar) before the Beatles existed. Much to the consternation of my buddies I wore my Adidas track shoes on the street long before that became a style.
I was an outsider and even at 6'1″ felt 'small' when I looked at the BMOCs on the football team etc.
Years later I attended the 100th anniversary of my school. I had the occasion to meet up with some of the former BMOCs and much to my amazement I towered over many of them.
Seems confidence cannot be measured (not even in metric) but it can be felt. Geez – if only I'd known then….. I still wouldn't go back to High School for any amount of $.
November 12th, 2008 at 5:02 am
Seeker – Seeking for an identity, somewhere to fit in, because of my multi-ethnic heritage. Shape-shifter, rebel and a bit wild. Glad I took that energy and directed it into my creativity.
November 12th, 2008 at 5:48 am
I was all over the place, inside and out. First year, i was a “burnout”, but it was all facade. I looked the part in my denim jacket, concert Ts and hanging out in the “smoking area”. But over the summer I met a different ground and made my entree into the popular group and evolved into a cheerleader. Again, the patina of being part of a group. I looked happy, I mean DUH! I was popular, isn't that the aim of HS? But inside I had no self-worth, I felt like I was an imposter, I was out of sync with my role. Honestly, I think HS spares no one. Popular Cheerleader, Band Geek, Goth Freak… we all suffer a lot the same struggles in our teens.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:05 am
Band geek, girl jock, artsy girl with the big smile and the quarterback boyfriend. Eager to please and not sure of myself but pretty darn courageous at the time anyway. At the time I thought I was kinda meek but looking back, and from what people have told me, I was pretty gutsy and wasn't afraid to say what I thought. Also I was not afraid to go after what I wanted. In any and every aspect.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:06 am
This question is really funny timing because I just joined a Facebook group last night set up for alums of my High School….the whole theme of the group is that we survived the experience from all those years ago.
In HS I was nice to all 'levels' of people. Many of the popular girls were friends of mine until Grade 6 and we were not close anymore so that was a bit awkward. All that is gone now that I've been out 13 years.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:16 am
I loved high school and my teen years. Yes, it's true because that's when I began to bloom and I found my power.
Pre-teen, I was a red haired, freckle faced girl whose ears stuck out and at 5'6″, I was considered tall, towering over my peers.
Then puberty hit. I lost the baby fat, found mascara, and my confidence soared. I was getting noticed. A new art programme was introduced as an option that year and I walked out of a business course on the first day, to sign up. That's where I found my creative self and more confidence.
I was also a rebel, fighting for the underdog and lost causes – as well as getting caught smoking in the staff room. And although I was part of the cool groups, I remained at their edges – not necessarily always my choice. I was different and outspoken, so they were intrigued but wary.
My fashion style got lots of attention (still does) and compliments from the popular, student council president and her peers. That helped my sense of 'self.' Things have changed, but not really. I'm remain at the edges of some things, but it's my choice these days.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:20 am
I started HS in the US after living in Japan for 8 years so I was really counter-cutlrual in NY. Quiet, shy, self-effacing, giggly. By the end of HS I was intellectually alive, emotionally intense and just at the cusp of finding my real voice.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:50 am
I grew up in a town of less than 1,000 people. I was a small town girl with a New York City heart. I was terribly confused. I had no idea how to be a teenager. I feel like every year, it gets a little easier to be ME.
November 12th, 2008 at 7:05 am
i was whoever i thought “they” wanted me to be. i went to three different high schools and was constantly trying to fit in, or to not fit in and be the “bad girl”… my sense of self was so undeveloped! oh, if i knew then what i know now…
November 12th, 2008 at 7:16 am
I was the actor, singer, dancer that starred in all the high school musicals and plays. I was president of the Drama Club, a member of the Chorus, and student council. I LOVED high school. I was very innocent in terms of life experiences, but I was intense, passionate about my craft and getting good grades, and I was extremely confident. I knew myself, and loved making sure that I was NEVER “just like everybody else,” and knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. After I got my braces off, got contact lenses, and got a decent haircut all within the space of about 3 months, I felt like a superstar! I feel like I lost a lot of that during and after college, and I feel like I've been struggling to get it back ever since. I miss the girl that I was.
November 12th, 2008 at 7:21 am
I was the cute, funny girl who loved to party (although not slutty). I never considered myself part of the popular crowd (much more of a fringe/follower), but was surprised by a comment made at my 35th reunion that others considered me so. What I find very interesting is that I was never encouraged to be “the smart one”, even though my parents and teachers must have known that I was capable of it.
November 12th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Rebel wanna be. Pathetic but kinda cute when I think about it.
November 12th, 2008 at 7:44 am
I agree HS spares no one.
November 12th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Smart, sarcastic, and socially sideways.
November 12th, 2008 at 8:47 am
An artsy, curious, angry, confused, friendly, scared, popular, dope-smoking, dropout, on a quest for meaning (and ditto on the shoulder pads, earrings and desire to get out of town). Gave up the dope and the shoulder pads, but pretty much everything else is the same, only softened over the years by life and its great mysteries…
November 12th, 2008 at 10:15 am
I was a Sassy-reading punk rock cheerleader, overachiever, total brain, one of those people that was acquainted with lots of people in all different groups but kept close to a tight circle of friends — most of whom were music fanatics like me, so a lot of my best memories at that time involve us driving into Chicago for shows and various music-related misadventures. After games, I used to change out of my uniform into combat boots, fishnet tights and my army jacket — what a contrast! My junior high years were terrible, but my high school years found me progressively finding who I was. My only “regret” is that I was so focused on getting the hell out (via a good college) that I never quite focused on enjoying the moment.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:40 am
I hated high school. Especially since I moved in the middle of 10th grade and had to start over socially. I hung with a loser crowd – a bunch of mis-matched misfits who had no other friends and not much in common. I was book-smart but dumb with people, popular with teachers but a target to everyone else. Couldn't wait to get out of there, and don't have contact with people I knew then, with one or two exceptions.
Thanks gods for life after high school.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Since I went to 3 high schools, I suppose I had 3 evolutions. I was always a bit of an enigma, but was basically the same person I am now, only more foolish, and having to deal with high school. Being oneself in high school wasn't easy, but looking back I am proud that I was authentic. Some of my best memories: Sneaking to “poetry in hell” every Friday night at a bar called hell in D.C. to read and listen to poetry, pre-slam era. Working to stop Oliver North from getting into the Senate (I lived in VA.), long walks in the woods with friends, boyfriends, or dogs. Worst memories… I am now covering my ears, squinting my eyes shut, and chanting “la la la la la la la”. Pobrecita. I took life so seriously. Thank goodness the Indigo Girls came along “Its only life, after all.”
November 12th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I hung out with the same friends that I'd known since Kindergarten, with the exception of a few that we picked up in junior high. We were all in the Honors and Advanced Placement classes, so I guess I could be classified as a smart girl. I was also terribly shy, so most people who weren't in my circle only knew me by face, not by name.
At our 10 year reunion, it was pretty much the same story. All the people who knew me by face only had to look at my name tag to sort of recognize me. The 10 year was kind of depressing – everyone was blonder and thinner.
November 12th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Closeted.
Much better to be the fabulous out queer woman I am today!
November 12th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I THINK I was the girl who seemed sure of herself, INVENTED the mini-kilt (yes…others claimed they did!), had a tight group of friends, was purely there for the social aspect…but really……I was SO unsure of myself, so self-conscious….a LOT of inner turmoil…..had LOTS of laughs and wore purple Maybelline eyeshadow. DANIELLE was as she says she was….always seemed wiser than her years, marched to her own beat, on the mysterious side for sure, and ALWAYS a sensuality about her…..the girl that guys wondered about……help me out Danielle!!!!!
November 12th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
A bookworm addicted to adult romance series books. LOL.
November 12th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Wait, let me rephrase that. I was a bookwork addicted to adult series romance books AND New Kids on the Block while nursing a SERIOUS crush on Rob Lowe. LOL.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I tied with 2 others for valedictorian. I was in the Service League. I was in Debate Club. I won the French Prize and earned a couple of college scholarships. I was a good friend who had good friends, some of whom I still befriend. I worked hard as a dental assistant part time. I fell in love a lot.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Think Molly Ringwald's character in Sixteen Candles. I always felt like a nothing and never felt comfortable in any group. When I look back on those times though, I was a resilient young woman who was flexible in all sorts of different social groups and settings. I was cute and charming. I wasn't afraid of much of anything. Honestly, I'm still much like the young woman I was in high school.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I was bored out of my mind with the “smallness” of it all, and couldn't wait to escape. Now that I'm a parent I really appreciate what a big difference there is been schools that do the minimum required vs. those that set out to inspire and motivate children.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
A sad girl, a hurt girl. I may have been many things to other people, but mostly, I was in pain. And terrified of living.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I remember your eyeshadow with such fondness. You were Hilarious Sassy Kristen. Alive. And…”wondering” guys aren't as fun as assertive, find-out-for-yourself guys. I always felt a tad on the freak. And as I'm writing this, I'm remembering Richard R and Wayne whosit…wow. THAT's a flashback. Thank God for evolution.
xo
November 12th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Well if it's any consolation, EVERY girl really wanted to be Molly in Sixteen Candles. Afterall, she looked rad' and got Jake in the end.
November 13th, 2008 at 3:06 am
I was a girl who knew who she was on the inside but couldn't get my daily actions to match. I sat in “Country Corner” a part of the high school in the city that consisted of all the people who grew up on farms and rural areas, but I hung out with everyone – except the jocks. I was one who took part but seldom led, like so many girls of highschool. I was smart, I was artistic, I couldn't be bothered with athletics, but I could keep up.
I still carry some of her with me, save the prolific artist focussing instead on going to school for too long to try and make as much as I can . Today I work hard to put my beliefs into action, but unfortunately mortgage bills keep me from doing this fully. Funny (and sad) how we always have something to loose by being ourselves 100%.
November 13th, 2008 at 5:08 am
I was one of the Tuff kids – S.E. Hinton style.
November 13th, 2008 at 9:53 am
I was the girl who'd sit quietly in the back of the class, reading a book or drawing or daydreaming or writing, just doing my own thing…but who teachers would rarely complain about when I did so, because my hand was also usually first up when there was a question to answer.
November 17th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Shy and quiet. I did take dance and theatre, but I was still shy. I also got teased for my different approach to fashion. Nothing weird or outlandish, just different.
Best wishes,
Fashionable Fun