"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. " -Helen Keller

Saturday, July 02, 2011

High School Me

Calliope's Day 2 of blogging summer camp is the perfect topic for me. With my oldest son starting high school in the fall, it's had me thinking a lot about what I was like back in high school. I was much more reserved and kind of quiet in new situations. With groups I felt comfortable in, my louder, wilder side came out but most of the time I came across as the good girl.

I was involved in a ton of things. I was in Girl Scouts through high school. I earned the highest award in Girl Scouts, the gold award, part of the way through high school and was an assistant leader to a Brownie troop during my junior and senior years. In addition to Girl Scouts, I was involved in a bunch of school activities. I was part of the drama club. Drama  club was kind of a big step for me because I wasn't very comfortable getting up in front of people. I was far to concerned about what people would think of me to ever be a good actor at that age. I know I wasn't very good but I had a great time with it and one of our members is still acting today. I was also on the Flag Girl squad for two years which was a lot of fun. I rounded out my activities with being on the yearbook staff for two years and was the assistant editor my senior year. The really funny thing is that despite being able to write a kick ass paper for English class and despite being on the yearbook staff, I never thought of myself as being a writer. In fact, until recently, I never thought of myself as being a writer.

Even though I was involved in a million things during high school, the only times I ever really felt like I belonged was when I went away to summer camps. It's taken a number of years for me to truly become comfortable in my own skin but I really like who I've  become.

What were you like in high school? What groups did you participate in?

3 comments:

Mrs. Gamgee said...

Great post... I can totally see you as a girl scout.

Anonymous said...

I think feeling uncomfortable in your own skin is kind of a prerequisite for getting into high school in the first place. I was a Rocky Horror Picture Show Cast Manager, i chain smoked, I hung out with bad boys, I put out an air of unending confidence and rebellion - but I was an insecure blob on the inside.

Barb said...

I loved summer camps!