The High School Years

I remember my first day of High School as a sophomore in September 1980. It was totally overwhelming and different from Junior High. My favorite moments would be the fun times I had in cooking class. I met two classmates from the Class of 1981 who were friendly and nice. I enjoyed ceramics because I was able to sculpt my own clay figures and glaze them. In gym class November 1980 they had this program called Outdoor Ed. which meant everyone was to participate by venturing outside in the middle of winter. The gym teacher wanted the whole group to sled down this steep embankment. Then there was the piggyback ride up and down the hill. We all did a cross country run for 2 miles. We stopped to take a short break. The gym teacher said "I will make you run two more miles if I pass you"  The worst part was crossing over the dam on this long metal bar while trying not to look down. I had a fear of heights. In cooking class December 1980 we all baked a gingerbread house and decorated it. In the 10th grade English class the chosen book was the Old Man and the Sea. In my opinion this was the worst book I have ever read. In cooking class people were assigned to make certain dishes in reference to French cooking. I made a white cream sauce which came out very good. I disliked the weight training class because you had to lift these weight machines up and down. One Friday afternoon of exerting myself too much I made my way to my locker. I felt lightheaded and dizzy ended up dropping an English book. I did not realize it was missing until I got home. The next day my homeroom teacher said someone found my English book and gave it back to me. In May 1981 there was an awards ceremony in the auditorium I won the silver medal for Cooking class. I was standing in the lunch line along with another classmate. She commented to me that people liked me, wanted to get to know me but I was too closed off or guarded. I always had this fear of being rejected by people. In September 1981 I returned to school as a junior. I was self-conscious because I had a deviated septum. I decided to have plastic surgery to correct it. I was playing over a neighbor's house back in the 70's when his foot landed in my face. This was not an easy process because I had to have packing put inside my nose. Then I was coughing up blood until I asked the nurse for an injection. I was having difficulty breathing after this operation. I concentrated on my makeup school assignments and homework. My favorite classes were Family Living and Social Studies An Economic View. In January 1982 I took American Literature during the second semester. I enjoy reading the assigned books and also consider this to be one of my favorite classes. In May 1982 I won two certificates for American Literature and Social Studies An Economic View because I received two A's in both classes. Our Family Living class went to Charlwell House Nursing Home for a barbecue cookout. I will never forget that was the best time I ever had. I was talking to the elderly people sitting at the picnic table. I remember that they were very happy to be outside and socializing with other people. In September 1982 I returned to school as a senior. I was taking Writing For Seniors, Social Studies, Math, Typing and Shorthand. The instructor who was teaching Shorthand said "Don't worry it will come to you" in reference to reading shorthand. She was right when I returned home I was able to read the shorthand. I also took a Reading Improvement class where the instructor would conduct speed reading tests. I was nominated for Student of the Month in December 1982 for Consumer Math. I was shocked when a teacher approached me and congratulated me for being nominated. In May 1983 I attended the Senior Prom which was held at the Canton Country Club. I wore this long blue gown with a full skirt with high heels. My classmate and I walked into the country club. I noticed that there was a long staircase which went up to the second floor. I found this to be quite challenging because the gown was extremely long so I had to be careful not to lose my balance. This was definitely one of my favorite moments enjoying the dancing and music. In June 1983 my graduation ceremony took place on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon. I celebrated this momentous occasion with my family, aunt and uncle. We all went out to dinner. I was invited to my classmates Graduation party at his house. My classmate and I were downstairs playing "Pacman" a popular game from the 1980's. My classmates and I went with a group of people to Riverside Park in Agawam. This trip turned out to be a fun day. The only two rides I wanted to avoid were the Ferris Wheel and Roller Coaster. I was so glad that the first day of high school was over and sad when it finally came to an end.