Killer essay, Charlie. Very few writers instill in me a sense of humor, astonishment, nostalgia, and the desire to be a better human -- all at the same time -- quite like you do.
In High School I was a music kid. I took theory, jazz, concert, drum line, choir, musical theater.
I had an amazing choir/theater teacher: Mrs. Beck. Those classes taught me focus, stillness, performance, professionalism, and the intrinsic value of practice.
I barely graduated high school with like a two point something I don't know or care GPA. But I graduated with honors in music and had been celebrated at our baccalaureate as the most accomplished person in music for my little class of 300. The chords that accompanied this honor were pink. Excellent.
I never smoked, didn't drink, and when I asked my dad when I could start dating he told me as soon as I could convince someone to date me. Ouch.
Looking back, I can see now that I was looking for stillness and peace. I was someone who wanted to put beauty back into the world and music was the way I could accomplish that.
Though a surgery left me unable to sing for the rest of my life I will always answer the call to be a backup lip syncer for you Bleecker!
“I was not at school to learn. I was there because you had to go to school in order to play your sport after school.” - I know the feeling.
I didn't focus on what I should have near enough. Sports distracted me from school, and the cheerleaders distracted me from sports. Basically, in high school, I wasn't committed enough to what I should have been. Having the seniors attempt to award me with the superlative for ‘Worst case of senioritis’ as a junior says it all (the school wouldn't allow a junior to get the award, lol.)
Great piece. I feel like I know Charlie better now.
I'm going to take a different direction from all these comments and congratulate you on your memoir! Can we be expecting updates on that? Cause I want to be the first person to buy it (and get it autographed when I come to the US XD)
In high school, I’m not really outstanding,but cheerful to an extent ‘cos I’m the shy type. Like being helpful and caring. Most times late for morning assembly because of hostel chores/duties.
Feel so happy during get together to put away boredom.I’m not the sporty type,but I like to watch it being done, that’s a lot of amusement for me.
I have no idea who I was in high school. I wasn't allowed to be anybody except who my boyfriend at the time required me to be. I often wonder what I would have been interested in or a part of if I had been single throughout those 4 years.
Pretty similar high school profile, but it was girls, multiple sports, being the class clown, and all the while being a secret introvert. I absolutely love that you’re gonna write a memoir. I’m currently listening to Matthew McGonaghy’s biography, Green Lights. I highly recommend it as one of your first memoirs to take in if you haven’t already read it.
Killer essay, Charlie. Very few writers instill in me a sense of humor, astonishment, nostalgia, and the desire to be a better human -- all at the same time -- quite like you do.
In High School I was a music kid. I took theory, jazz, concert, drum line, choir, musical theater.
I had an amazing choir/theater teacher: Mrs. Beck. Those classes taught me focus, stillness, performance, professionalism, and the intrinsic value of practice.
I barely graduated high school with like a two point something I don't know or care GPA. But I graduated with honors in music and had been celebrated at our baccalaureate as the most accomplished person in music for my little class of 300. The chords that accompanied this honor were pink. Excellent.
I never smoked, didn't drink, and when I asked my dad when I could start dating he told me as soon as I could convince someone to date me. Ouch.
Looking back, I can see now that I was looking for stillness and peace. I was someone who wanted to put beauty back into the world and music was the way I could accomplish that.
Though a surgery left me unable to sing for the rest of my life I will always answer the call to be a backup lip syncer for you Bleecker!
I was in high school to go to college, something I'd been waiting for since I was 11.
Also: hairspray. So much hairspray.
“I was not at school to learn. I was there because you had to go to school in order to play your sport after school.” - I know the feeling.
I didn't focus on what I should have near enough. Sports distracted me from school, and the cheerleaders distracted me from sports. Basically, in high school, I wasn't committed enough to what I should have been. Having the seniors attempt to award me with the superlative for ‘Worst case of senioritis’ as a junior says it all (the school wouldn't allow a junior to get the award, lol.)
Great piece. I feel like I know Charlie better now.
I'm going to take a different direction from all these comments and congratulate you on your memoir! Can we be expecting updates on that? Cause I want to be the first person to buy it (and get it autographed when I come to the US XD)
In high school, I’m not really outstanding,but cheerful to an extent ‘cos I’m the shy type. Like being helpful and caring. Most times late for morning assembly because of hostel chores/duties.
Feel so happy during get together to put away boredom.I’m not the sporty type,but I like to watch it being done, that’s a lot of amusement for me.
I have no idea who I was in high school. I wasn't allowed to be anybody except who my boyfriend at the time required me to be. I often wonder what I would have been interested in or a part of if I had been single throughout those 4 years.
Pretty similar high school profile, but it was girls, multiple sports, being the class clown, and all the while being a secret introvert. I absolutely love that you’re gonna write a memoir. I’m currently listening to Matthew McGonaghy’s biography, Green Lights. I highly recommend it as one of your first memoirs to take in if you haven’t already read it.
I love your reflections on high school. You're inspiring me to use the same prompt. Imitation being the sincerest form, etc, etc 🤓.