Zzzz, The Bell Rang

While the guys played basket ball in my weight training class; I found a bleacher, rolled my sweatshirt up like a pillow, placed it under my head and fell asleep. If the school was set on fire, or the administration made more rules, or if my teacher was giving any instructions, I have no knowledge of it. Zzzzzz, the bell rang and I went home...but that's High School.

38 Days

Another senior assembly. These assemblies are becoming gatherings for reprimands. What happened to good ol' rallies? The rules are: No cell phone use, no wondering the halls without a pass, no tardies and no skipping, (no smiling, no frowning, no blowing your nose, no blinking, no, no, no...) During the assembly there's NO TEACHING happening. With only 38 days left in our senior year is this really necessary. Some say it's the parents fault, others say it's an increase in crime. When did adding more rules ever help. More rules just equal more trouble, more disciplinary action, more rebellion. I say, identify the problem and deal it individually. 38 days until my sentence is up, 38 days until 'Sweet Freedom'...but that's High School.

Aaahhh, Spring Break!

I'm half way through spring break and so far I've been visiting friends and sleeping, reading books and sleeping, swimming and sleeping, going to the beaches and sleeping, shopping and sleeping, sleeping and sleeping. While some enjoy the parties and being on the go, I prefer to soak in the sun and relax. What are you doing on your spring break?

Caution: Pack A Lunch

Half day. Ya, right! The on-line school calendar says today is a half day. When the morning announcements came over the speaker we were told there was a mistake on the school calendar and today is a full regular scheduled day. How can they change their minds last minute? You all know my opinion of the wasted half days and how I usually stay home to study; tricked again, some could say. I did not pack a lunch (since it was to be a half day) and had to call mom to bring money. School lunch has always smelled awful and I have packed my lunch all year, until now. I ordered a taco salad which looked like a small bowl of wilted lettuce covered in dried meat and tasted like burnt popcorn so I threw it out and decided on pre-packaged peaches with a carton of milk. I've learned a new lesson; come prepared with lunch no matter what...but that's High School.

Sick at (of) School

I woke this morning with a flaming throat, but decided to push through the day because I had missed an entire week of school last week attending Teen Pact. By the end of third period my head was pounding, my muscles were sore and the fact that I was shivering in 80 degree weather signaled a fever. My teacher allowed me to go to the nurses office, but the nurse said she wasn't allowed to check my temperature or administer medicine. No medicine, no thermometer, no band aids, no phone? No clue what the nurses are there for. She told me to rest and I fell asleep through fourth period; then the nurse woke me up and told me I had to go to lunch. "I'm not hungry. I don't want to eat. I just want to rest until I can be picked up." I replied. The nurse said I had been there long enough and sent me on my way. Apparently, students visit the nurses office to catch up on the sleep they missed the night before, or to skip class. I suppose it's hard to tell who's telling the truth. Perhaps it doesn't really matter since the nurse can only offer a bed for rest, nothing else. When I returned home, the thermometer read 102.1. I was able to take medicine and sleep without being interrupted. Ahhh, Home Sweet Home...but that's High School.

Teen Pact Leadership Academy

I was granted permission from my school to attend a leadership academy at our State Capitol for an entire week. The leadership academy is for students wanting to know more about our government and impact our country. I heard from House Representatives and Senators; watched them in session; wrote and argued my own bill. The academy placed us in the roles of law makers and provided us with the opportunity to understand our U.S. political system. I was nominated to run for the Leadership Academy Senator position, but in the end I did not receive enough votes and had to accept defeat graciously. I learned more in this one week then I did the entire semester in high school government class. Books can only do so much. Yes, our political system is flawed and at times frustrating. I'm glad to know there are people out there wanting to give students a 'real' chance at success. If our schools were built to resembled banks, courts, congress, kitchens, offices, etc., we all would be better prepared for adulthood and its responsibilities. Imagine, students being prepared to make a difference in our society before graduation. One speaker told us 98% of the U.S. population does not know about our political system or how to get involved. I was given a t-shirt which says "Ignorance is No Excuse/Conquer Your Dreams. I am glad to say I am now part of the 2% and plan to make a difference...but that's High School.

'Crack' Pants

A pair of pants, mysteriously left behind by someone, found their way into my English class. Our teacher picked them up and began going through the pockets for identification. What was suppose to be an attempt at embarrassing the student crazy enough to leave a pair of pants in English class; soon became an embarrassment to our teacher. She warned us she might find something unpleasant and joked about finding a wad of paper with something written on it. When she reached into the back pocket, she pulled out a tiny bag with white powder in it. Our eyes got very big and our mouths shut quickly while she held it up and seemed to ponder what it could be. About 10 seconds later the 'light bulb' in her mind came on and she bolted out of the room like a canon. The police were called and now the mystery of "Who left their pants in English class?' begins...but that's High School.