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Curtis Jones
What I wished I had known when I started High School
or
My 40 year High School reunion & How to make the best of High School
Recently, I wrote this for our local high school paper where one of my daughters attended and one is currently attending as a Freshman.
I learned several things at my 40-Year High School reunion in Tucson, Arizona, that might make a difference in how you approach high school.
First, though, let me tell you what happened at the reunion - the first graduating class of Sabino High School in Tucson, Arizona. It quite possibly could have been the most magical experience of my life (besides my kids and wife). The written word, particularly mine, could never convey the magic of the weekend. First, no one cared how successful alumni turned out to be, how rich they turned out to be, whether they were fat or skinny, how nice their clothes were or weren’t, or how famous they turned out to be. The jocks as well as the cheerleaders, the nerds, the stoners ... they all ended up nice as hell. Everyone got along. There was no drama. We were just all glad to see each other.
Why such magic? It turns out, the bonds we form with our high school classmates will probably be some of the strongest bonds we form in our lifetime.They form quickly, they form strong. It is an extremely influential time in our lives. At our reunion, it seemed there was a collective “sigh of relief” when we all got together - almost as if we all needed to get together.
The only regrets expressed at the reunion were people who didn’t, for whatever reason, get involved in activities other than academics and people who didn’t get to know other people in their classes/grades.
Now for the advice part. Know that you aren’t the only person in school that is a bundle of insecurities. Everyone has a story, some unique, some difficult, some even scary. Be kind to everyone - even those who don’t necessarily fit into your “group”. Be nice to the mean, tough football player, the nerdy chess player, the shy goth girl who wears black all the time, the cheerleader. You never know who has a story like your’s and who you will end up being friends with. Assume the best of people - even when they may not completely deserve it. How you treat them may have an effect on their future and certainly will have an effect on your's. By doing so, you may bring out the best in them. And remember - someday, you will also have to see them at your 40-year reunion (which will come faster than you can imagine)!
Take advantage of the experience that may be the most influential, growing time of your life. Work hard but have fun. Meet and experience as many people in your class as you can. Get involved in activities other than academics.
And last but not least, believe in yourself in spite of your situation. It all works out in the end.
Curtis Jones
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