Diary of a 1980s Texas Tween: 16 April 1985

All names have been changed to protect the innocent. Also me.

Today the councilor
from 7th grade and the
vice principal from North
Suburb came and talk-
ed to us and gave us
forms to fill out and a
course explanation book.
I'm going to take honors
reading, science, and
social studies for sure,
and honors, if not ACE
honors, math. for elect-
ives - we had to pick 4 -
I picked home ec, art,
and theatre arts, and
I can't decide between
band or choir. If I take
band, Joan will tutor me on
the clarinet. Now that I
think about it, I'd rather
play the French horn or flute
(so?) I could play piccolo.

I would have to point out here that the only instrument I had played previously was the violin, which fell under the heading of orchestra, not band, and I was not very good at. Clearly the motivation here was to hang out with my new best friend, Joan. However, I picked choir and would remain in it throughout high school. I still cannot play an instrument.

But I will never forget the heady excitement of being able to choose our own schedules for the first time--the power! The freedom!-- they didn't last long. I am pretty sure I got goaded into ACE honors, rather then mere honors, classes across the board. That also lasted throughout high school and into the first year of college at SMU. Ole Miss allowed me to finally embrace my inner slacker.