Glory daze

How do you extract elation from a memory?

How about confidence? Accomplishment? Pride?

How do you then translate those emotions?

And then, how do you transfer the very same emotions to those who are important in your life?

Ahhh to do so is to discover paradise.

My school days were very different from those of my children. My children have a stable home, with a stable school life and normal expectations.

I grew up in a gang infested neighborhood. I was a minority in my grammar school and looked and acted different then most of the other kids.

My dream was to be accepted into the high school for the “smart kids” A place where I would truly be among my peers. The school was extremely large—over 6,000 student in total. The freshmen class to be accepted in was 1200 students. Although a story for another time, I can tell you ranked 26th upon entry--- although by gradation day I didn’t fare as well. My 4 years were a great adventure that had more to do with head banging than books.

I haven’t written any of the stories regarding my high school years. I don’t have glory days like the jocks or cheerleaders or kids in band. I have experiences and friendships that shaped my life. And on Sunday in November, I transported back in time. I took a passenger with me. Some one who had never seen a school this size, some one who’s only experiences of American high school is white middle class rural America.

The school was packed; it was the open house for 8th graders who wanted to apply for admission. The line stretched 4 city blocks outside the building—just to get in for a peek. Being an alumnus (my high school has the world’s largest high school alumni association) and rule breaker, we didn’t follow the groups or tours. I entered were I wasn’t suppose to, I took my group places we shouldn’t have gone. But with that said and done, I was filled with pride that is amost undescrible as I led this little tour.

What made it all so wonderful was to be able to share this special place with someone who is now very special to me.


It doesn’t seem that long ago when I look at my graduation picture. There are more stories the rocks and the trees and the class room walls and bathroom stalls could tell. I leave them to be told another day.

Here and now, I just want to let the world know you can go back. The journey is better than I could have dreamed. I shared one a small part of my being by sharing the walls and halls of Lane Tech.

Go Lane.