Every August, I remember.
I remember the giddiness, the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, those brand new crisp white shoes, the never before used lunch box and the mixed emotions of “back to school” time.
I don’t know about you, but my biggest memory trigger are smells. I can catch the hint of something in the air and suddenly, I am back in another time, another place in the blink of an eye.
That happened to me a few weeks ago as I started off on my morning walk. With temperatures hovering around 105 degrees this time of year, the only acceptable time of day is early morning as the sun is rising. So, I take off down the road while it is still partially dark, but I can see the sun beginning to highlight the horizon. Something about the way the sky looked and the air smelled brought me back to the first day of school, 7th grade 1999.
I remember every moment of that day like it was yesterday. Junior high was, for me, the most monumental grade I started. Elementary school days were long over, and I felt like Junior High was the mark of a true teenager. High School was no big deal for me, and I wasn’t even nervous for it. On the other hand, I was so nervous for Junior High to start. Looking back now, I know exactly why too. It was the first year of athletics and having to “make the mile” to be a part of the team.
You see, in my small Texas town, obsessed with sports (namely football), all Junior High girls has to run a mile in under nine minutes in order to qualify for a team. Remember how I said it is around 105 degrees this time of year? That is what I was nervous for…running a mile in the heat! You may also recall this post where I described how I was different than all the other girls. Well, that made the nerves even worse!
Anyways, back to that day. My mom dropped me off to the big school that morning. I was wearing an Old Navy shirt, blue jean shorts and BRAND NEW Nike shoes. Our school at the time was an incredibly old early 1900s school, that was so overcrowded, there were separate buildings for the gym, the auditorium, the office and then a few annex buildings. {Side Note: I adored this school and was sad to only attend one semester before they tore it down}
I waited with all the other people in my grade outside the auditorium for the bell to ring. I was full of anticipation to finally see who would be in my classes! Finally, the bell rang I started my first period class which was math.
The day went by fast, much to my disappoint. All I could think about was athletics which was 6th period! I could barely eat lunch just thinking about it. Lunch was (and was all through elementary too) a turkey sandwich, Doritos, a fruit roll up and a coke. We didn’t know much about health in the 90s 😉
And then it was time for 6th period…the dreaded hour had come. I remember walking outside with all the other 100 girls in 7th grade athletics. It was scorching walking to the old gym. I think we were all feeling terrified by that time. We walked all the way down in the basement to the locker room, and changed into athletic clothes.
The coaches lined us up outside on the road and said that when they yelled go, run! And there we went…
The verdict was, I absolutely DID NOT make the mile the first go round (it took about 50 go rounds for me 🙂 ). After that, it was only one more period left of the day which was Texas history. I barely made it to the class, I was so whipped out and weak from the run.
Then the day was over. I couldn’t wait for my mom to come pick me up! I was so relieved that day was done!
[Tweet “A Back To School Memory…from the 90s!”]
I met up with some old friends a few years ago, and we got to talking about school and old memories. I asked if they remembered the first day of Junior High, they all laughed and said… THE MILE! 🙂
Do you have a back to school memory that sticks out in your mind?
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
Oh man. I can just see it now!
I have way too many school memories to count.
Once, we had a super cute coach and a couple of friends of mine stole his CHIP BAG out of the trash and we passed it around for months. ? why are 11 year olds so weird? And gross… Haha
I love that lol! We had some weird stuff going on back then! We had a cute coach too and he was also a teacher for one of those alcohol awareness classes. We would all fight over who would sit in the front! Aww, the good old days 🙂
I REMEMBER junior high so vividly too! I loved going to the same school with you again after we had been separated for a year. I looked forward to that mile! Lol! I was crazy about running and being the best. I LIVED for track and cross country.
Yeah you were the weirdo who loved to run! lol I loved being in the same school again too. I am so glad we got to go to the “Old Junior High” before they tore it down. My poor rheumatic knees just could NOT do the run, although when I finally made it, I was so excited 🙂
I was always that weird asthmatic kid who couldn’t run so this would have been horrible for me lol. Also I love that you had a Texas history class. I may be outing myself as a Yankee but I definitely never had a history class focused on one state.
Yeah I was not so good either. Having RA as a little kid made running too hard, but I kept trying lol. My parents always called me the little engine who could! Really?? I had no idea other states didn’t have their own history class. That is so interesting! I took many classes designated on Texas history…even in college. I used to find it boring, but grew to enjoy it later on 🙂
Omg!! Wow! Reading your post put me right back to that day! That is so crazy! It even made me feel kinda nervous! Lol it’s crazy what all we have had to do growing up. I miss that old school so bad! Remember at lunch it was like 3 people to one seat! I was telling Jason how we had to wear red pennies every day that we hadn’t made the mile. We were outcasts!! Bahaha!!
OMG I totally forgot about those penny jerseys they made us wear! Funny how they did that stuff back in the day! I remember sitting 3 to a seat too…I miss that old school!!!
Memory trip! Junior High (1977) was a tough time for me – diagnosed with scoliosis, wearing a brace that covered my torso, very shy, new school, NOT athletic by any stretch (except walking). Instead of doing certain phys ed activities, I was in the admin office, doing filing and tardy and attendance slips. I tried to run, but it’s just not my thing – still isn’t to this day (only when chased – LOL). Today, I’m still striving to run a bit in workout classes – but I don’t think I’ll make the mile, and under 9 minutes.
Oh man Laurie, that was rough! I would have preferred doing office admin work 🙂 I am definitely not a runner at all, but love walking. There is no way I could even attempt to make a 9 minute mile lol. Junior High is such a hard time for kids 🙂
Junior High I think is everyone’s worst nightmare. I can’t imagine running in that heat, here in NC, like you, I have to walk early in the morning or not at all on hot, humid days. The memories that stick in our mind have such an effect on us at times and how some we wouldn’t choose to go back for anything. Glad you joined us on Tuesday Talk this week. Your photos captured the times back then perfectly.
Junior High is definitely hard, I am so glad it is a memory of the past 🙂 Thank you Michelle! Have a wonderful day!