San Benito High School’s yearbook was distributed this week,
beginning the annual ritual of writing clever sayings to friends
and classmates:
San Benito High School’s yearbook was distributed this week, beginning the annual ritual of writing clever sayings to friends and classmates:
“To a cool person I met in seventh grade: stay cool this summer. Don’t party too hard. Keep in touch. Remember that time we got in trouble in Mr. Jones’ class? That was crazy.”
Creativity is they key with these scribblings, as they will stand forever as a reminder of those wonderful high school days.
The students who signed my book yesterday addressed me in unique ways:
“Mr. Breen…” (unique, no; respectful, yes)
“Mr. B-R-to the-EEN!” (that’s a new one)
“Breen” (succinct, to the point)
“Hey Breenie” (makes me sound like a collectible stuffed animal)
“Wassup Breenster, my super cool amigo” (friendly yet wacky; I like it)
I haven’t looked at my Class of ’87 yearbook in a few years, but when I have in the past the memories come flooding back. Writing that sentence just reminded me that’s it’s been 20 years since I graduated. None of this year’s graduating seniors who now call me odd names were even born yet. I am old.
The closing salvos fired in yearbook signings are interesting as well.
Back to those first few students who signed this year’s book for me, their final words ranged from “Peace out fool … ha, ha, ha, one of your favorites,” to “Well, take care and get a tan,” to “I had a great year, thank you,” to “Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me.”
That’s inspiring stuff – especially the comment about the tan. Aside from my neck, arms, and lower legs, I’m as white as a marshmallow in a snowstorm.
Late May is a time for reflection and sentimentality, when seniors who were so anxious to get out of here suddenly realize that their wish is about to come true sooner than they thought.
The last few weeks of school at any level cause the thoughts of students and teachers (not me, of course) to think about the coming relaxing summer.
In high school, the first symptoms of “senioritis” appear right after Christmas break – about the same time as the flu gets going. Senioritis lasts longer and no shot will prevent it.
But those who suffer from it also start wondering aloud how quickly their high school careers are coming to an end.
Seniors notice that they have danced with their friends for the last time at Prom; honored their parents (or at least sat with them) at Senior Parents Night; and they’ll be going on the grad trip to Disneyland next week. After that, it’s finals, graduation, and then the real world.
Students get reflective about how they should have tried harder when they were juniors or start wondering if they are making the right choice about a major in college. They won’t say it, but many of them are starting to realize that their parents actually are decent, well-meaning people who want the best for their children. Some even praise their teachers when not commenting on the instructor’s poor pigmentation.
Many of these memories are captured in the yearbook. It becomes a prized possession that’s good for jogging the memory every few years or pointing out to your kids that their supposedly cool high school fashion and hairstyle choices will one day look as bad as your mullet and parachute pants did.
Adam Breen teaches journalism and yearbook at San Benito High School. He is former editor of The Free Lance.
