8th Grade

I’m placed into an advanced art class because I’m “imaginative”. In the class, I frequently get told that I “lack focus and follow-through”. I prefer Art Club. We get permission to paint murals throughout the school building. I paint our mascot – a blue devil – by the cafeteria.

I volunteer at the nursery at Church to get out of going to services because I love babies.

In November, the 7th and 8th grade French classes go to Quebec City. Late at night, Kim, Tiffany, Sandra, and I are building a tent in our room and knock a sconce off the wall. We are informed that we will have to pay the hotel $50 Canadian for it. We think this is a huge amount and are deeply chastened.

I’m deeply in love with a boy in my French class. I’m crushed that he has a girlfriend.

I audition for the gymnastics show at school and don’t make it. I’m not much of a gymnast. After school I go back to the gym and ask our teacher if I can have another audition. Please. Or if I can just help out with the show? She lets me perform a routine on the balance beam and I’m over the moon.

I write a paper on John Marshall Slaton and make it to the State-level competition for National History Day. I don’t win, but I get a wooden trophy shaped like the state of New York.

In May, the 8th grade goes to Gettysburg. I’m “Room Captain” because my last name comes first alphabetically. This means that when we check into the hotel, I’m given four copies of the key to distribute to my roommates. I throw them away, instead, so the girls have to come and find me whenever they need to get into the room.

At the end of the school year, the 8th grade band marches in the Memorial Day Parade. I’m in the front row of the parade block and very proud.

To read other grades, go here.

14. September 2012 by Helena
Categories: Storytime | Tags: Eighth Grade, Junior High, school days | 1 comment