Sharing Memories (Week 13): Junior High Grades 7-8

 

When we left elementary school, in Edmond, OK., we "graduated" to Junior High School. It was somewhat traumatic in that the close-nit group of kids I had gone all the way through elementary with were joined by 3 other schools.  Interestingly it really didn't matter because I was involved in a church group and we tended to do things together at school also.  Most of all,  I loved the movement of Junior High School.  It was a mini High School, we changed classes, had lockers, and could leave if we wanted between 3 period and 4th for lunch. The High School mascot was the Bulldogs and that was true for the JR High also.  We even had school colors the same, gray and maroon. 

Did I say that choosing the courses I wanted to take,and  freedom were several reasons I loved this age.  I could not tell you who my instructors were, but they were okay. I did well in my classes.  Not all A's, but then not all C's.  I have some of my report cards in a box somewhere.

It was in Junior High School that I began my love affair with music.  I chose band as an elective and began to play the french horn. We even learned to march and would occasionally join the HS for a football half time.  We would march in the homecoming parade.  I don't think the parades even exist any longer,

I loved the melodious sounds of the french horn and most of all, I loved the harmonious sounds of all the instruments playing together.  I was an okay player, but just one of the group, not what you would call out standing.  

I also learned about drama.  I had always loved the programs we had in elementary, but they were never anything other than singing in a group or standing in place.  In drama class, we learned to act.  It was so much fun. We performed for the school.   I remember there was one play in which I played one of three witches.  Someone forgot their lines, and I had to ad lib until they were prompted for their lines.
I was on the pep squad, we had a football and basketball team.  I never played sports myself, but enjoyed rooting for the team.
My best friend and I went to church together, were on the pep squad together and hung out at each other's homes. We were friends until we graduated from High School.  Then she married and I went away to school.
Now we try to keep in touch via the internet.

 

This was just before I 'graduated' to High School.  Don't you love the hair. 

Kiddo's, I look at your schools now in contrast to my school then and I will tell you, we were in an age of innocence compared to yours.   I loved the ability to walk home from school, it was only 2 miles.  I loved walking to my aunts house where she made me lunch, then walking back to school for the afternoon classes.    Girls were modest, the boys were dressed in shirts and jeans, no t-shirts back then.  But most of all, there was modest language and actions, with respect to authority.  I will tell you when I saw the changes begin,  I was in High School.  I am sorry I can not seem to find any of my Junior High pictures, if I find them I will post them for you.
Do you agree that things have changed?