A LIFE WELL-LIVED...

HIGH SCHOOL The Expectations

For six years, I was lucky to be in schools with the boys and girls I grew up with in the neighborhood. Even before we were able to touch our left ear raising our right hand over our head, we already share memories, that to these days, we collectively recall fondly. Out of almost a hundred, half a dozen were in the Roll all the time for the Honors. Halfway, two of prospective highest honorees moved to different schools, raising my chances of making it to the top. Looking at our Class Photo, taken a week before the commencement exercises, Aloran Central School Class 1968, a boy seated on the left-hand side, his boyish smile, proud for being second. I was seated on the right-hand side, I think I had that smile too, though not as wide. The other guys who moved to other schools also made it to the Honors Roll and to these days, we ramain good friends. Then came High School. The phrase "My reputation preceeds me" was not yet in my twelve-year old mind (almost thirteen), but that was what happened. Aw! That's Alexander? That's when I said to myself, "I have a name". As a normal teen-ager, I enjoyed the attention very much. Students, not only from my class, but also upper classes, speak highly of me, glance at me at every chance, want to start conversation with me. Seniors want me to be in their lineup for the Students Council. Many extend their hands for friendship. But most of all, girls tend to gravitate around me. If there was a wand, it must have been my name - "My name is Alexander The Great", when asked, when I was a little boy. For four years, I was always President of our Class, and in my senior year, of the Supreme Student Council. Many of the students, and even parents, so I heard, think I was a genius. I'd like to think, they were not exaggerating! Yes, being a model student, comes perks, and in exchange, I was under the microscope. One day in my junior year, I was denied entry to our Biology class because the "Hippie" t-shirt I was wearing was in-appropriate for a model student. I couldn't be bothered by those though, besides, there was a girl I want to impress not only with my looks and "genius", but also with my acts. Then came a time when we talked about our plan for our future carreer. Some of us were like, we already knew. Sailors, church ministers, educators, civil servants... and because I was the best in Math, an engineer.