Autobiography Chapter 8ish: 8th Grade

Preface: I wish to write an autobiography / memoir of sorts. At the ripe young age of 20, I will sort this by year in school (in general). This is the entry for the 8th grade, one of my favorites.

8th Grade. Ages 13,14.

The 8th grade was a fantastic year for me. I remember school being quite easy: I had previously studied the Math course (Ms. Schmidt); English was taught by Ms. Lenenweaver and Mrs. Dubin, two brilliant ladies whom I really admired; Yearbook was largely a joke: I remember doing little work even as co-cheif editor; I didn't have to take Literature Enrichment because Nick and Sam Feldman and I were creating the CD Yearbook; Ms. Jacobs was a source for entertainment in Science; and Mr. Kaplan taught a rigorous and interesting Government course.

Most of my memories of the 8th grade include staying after school every day to create the CD Yearbook with Nick Mulrean and Sam Feldman. Mr. Murphy left us in the room by ourselves and told us to lock up when we were finished. We worked most of the time. But some days we just had fun trying to get floppy disks to stick in the wall by hurling them, sticking scissors in the ceiling, putting floppies in the CD drives, etc. It was really a blast every single day. This year I took trigonometry at night from Phoenix College. The professor was a very nice old man who, when I missed the final, told my mother that I didn't have to make it up and I had earned an A in the class. In reality I had really been slacking off at the end of that course and was worried about failing the final.

I remember my female interests were largely unchanged from the years prior: Claire, Mandy, Jamie, and Heather. Heather most of all, of course. I don't think there is really anything to say about these girls. Really nothing. At the graduation dance (the first dance I had actually attended as I wasn't allowed to work the snack bar or film for the CD Yearbook), Savanah asked Nick, Sam Feldman, and I to dance (collectively). Nick and I quickly squeaked a "Oh, no thank you," while Sam (gay) confidently agreed and they went out to the floor. Strange night.

At graduation, Nick was asked to give a speech. He had to, of course, receive approval from Mr. Kaplan before giving it. As he walked up to the podium, Nick says to the crowd of parents, "I prepared a speech for tonight, but you know, I think I'm just going to wing it. ... I'm kidding; you can start breathing now Mr. Kaplan." That earned a sound applause and laughter from the crowd. I announced various awards for highest grades in certain classes (Art, Science, etc.). I remember not earning the Math Award because the basis was strictly class grades; Greg had a higher grade in math than I. I don't think I was upset. I believed that I had been cheated, but I accepted it.

Overall, this was a great year. One I will never forget.