High School Reflections

I was in high school from 1999-2003 (graduated in 2003). So yes, I've been out of high school for 13 years. Dang. That seems like a really long time. Anywho, I loved this post when I read it on Erin's blog so I figured TSF readers should probably know about April in high school, right?

Right. But before we start, here's me in high school. I was an officer in a couple of clubs. This might be the National Honor Society or the History Club...I'm not sure. (second from the right)

What kind of student were you in high school (popular, nerd, sport obsessed, choir, etc.)?
This is a strange one because I don't feel like I fit in any of the typical buckets. I was a great student (A's and B's) and also VERY involved in JROTC. I was the JROTC drill team commander and a Battalion Commander of a 300+ person corps. I was also involved in a few Christian clubs with others that went to my church. I didn't play any sports past 9th grade, but I did have a lot of athlete friends. Most people in high school knew that I was a singer and liked to sing so I did that a lot for various events. I wouldn't say I was a card-carrying member of the popular group but I got along with them and they liked me (I think?). I didn't have any enemies and could make friends with the jocks, the nerds, the rednecks, the popular girls and the band people. My senior year I was the Military Ball Queen and I came in second place at the school's Carousel pageant.

About your school. Was it private? Public? How many in your graduating class? Mascots? School colors? 
I went to a public school, Olympic High School in Charlotte, NC. My high school was one of the smaller in the city since at the time there were 12 high schools in Charlotte. I think we had maybe like 250 or so in our graduating class but I couldn't be certain. Our mascot was the Trojan and our colors were red, Columbia blue (which is like Carolina blue or light blue) and white.

About some of your favorite memories of high school or what stands out the most. Any teachers? Specific classes?
I had some great teachers like Mr. & Mrs. Range and my JROTC instructors. They not only taught me high school subjects, but also some important life lessons. I loved any history class and even took elective history classes like European History AP. I have lots of memories from high school but the big moments like winning Military Ball Queen or being named Cadet of the Year were some of the high points. I also very vividly remember Friday night football games.

A piece of advice you would pass on to any child entering high school.
These are going to  be some of the best years of your life. Enjoy them and savor them. Make friends with everyone and especially those that don't seem to have friends. It's much better to get along with everyone than to have enemies so treat people nicely and don't fall prey to cliques that tear others apart. Join a club, a group or a sport. It's a great way to meet people and you may end up making some life-long friends. Don't take life too seriously because after school, the real world hits you. Enjoy.

A piece of advice you would pass on to any child exiting high school.
Some great advice that was given to me at my HS graduation that I think it still relevant today is a quote from the Dr. Seuss book "Oh the Places You'll Go".
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose. 
You're on your own.
And you know what you know. 
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.