I’ve attended many of my high school reunions and loved seeing all my classmates and the teachers who were able to attend. Next summer we will have our 45th. It hardly seems possible. I don’t feel that old.
Last month, I received a note on my website email address asking if I was the Linda LaRoque who taught Homemaking at Everman High School in the early 1980s. I quickly replied that I was indeed that person. A few weeks later, I received an invitation in the mail to attend the early 1980s class reunion.
Oh, the memories I have of teaching there. A few bad ones, but most were good. I was a Senior Sponsor so accompanied the students on their Senior Trip to a dude ranch. They tubed on the river, swam in the pool, and participated in a variety of other activities. One of their favorites was to toss the teachers in the pool. It was all in good fun. One year the pool was out of commission and we sat in a swing, were hoisted up into the air, it seemed like three stories high, and then the rope was released to send us flying down where we bounced against rubber tires to stop. It was fun but I didn’t want to try it twice.
The late 70’s was the time of the afro hairdo. I never could get my beautician to understand I wanted a spiral perm. I always came out with over curly hair. One year during Everman High School’s Black Heritage celebration, I, along with the biology teacher were elected Black History Faculty Queen and King. The kids had a great time with the joke and gave us a rake as a prize.
That same biology teacher was a real character. One year during in-service, he stuck a suction ended arrow to his forehead and walked around. Of course, he got plenty of laughs. He got even more the next day when he showed up with a big hickey on his forehead. At the end of the year, the faculty had a luncheon and awards were handed out. For that stunt, he was awarded the “Green Weenie Award.”
It was fun to see some of my former students and hard to believe they are in their mid-forties now. Most of the former faculty members who attended are like me, retired now and loving ever minute. Though, I do admit I miss being in the classroom from time to time. I guess what I miss most is the interaction with the kids.
Here are a few pictures.
Thanks,
Linda
Isn't it wonderful seeing all those 'kids'? I work at at state university and it's like the mother hen syndrome here. They come in then we send them out of the nest when they graduate. Sometimes we see them but most of the time we go years before they pop into the office again. It's so wonderful to see them though honestly, I have to look close to recognize some of them.
ReplyDeleteToo funny about the fros! I still remember them too!
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading of your reunion! You captured the mood perfectly and the anecdotes made me chuckle. *grin*
How wonderful, not only to have such memories but to be able to revisit them...
Being a teacher is the greatest gift to the world. So... Enthusiastic and grateful applause to the wonderful teachers who give so much!!
--Chiron
Well, it sounds like you had fun! I missed my twenty-year reunion. I had a baby two days before it. Maybe I was lucky? I didn't even know the reunion took place until I bumped into a girl at a store who said "Where were you last week?" LOL. I said "Giving birth." Of course, I weighed 125 that day so she looked me over pretty good. ROFL. I swore my stitches were itching (or worse). Since I had babyclothes I was exchanging, she believed me. ;) Have a great evening. Skhye
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteReunions are always fun. I went to my 45th high school class reunion last year and it was great fun.
I'm sure you were a wonderful teacher, but we need so many more of them.
Sandy
Oh, Linda, it sounds like a wonderful stroll down memory lane. In the '80's, I had a "gypsy" cut. It was shoulder length, with loose curls. That was one of my favorite hairstyles...just wash and go!
ReplyDelete