Did you ever have one of those cherished moments when you hang out with a dear friend you went to Junior High School and High School with but haven’t seen in a very long time and she’s with her daughter which is significant because her daughter is the age you were when you used to hang out every day in the lunch room laughing until you cracked wide open?
Well that’s a coincidence! Because something like that happened to Bossy this past weekend.
Bossy and her friend Lauren met in 7th grade at Masterman Junior High in Philadelphia. Meet Masterman:
Bless its heart, Bossy’s doesn’t remember those trees. Mostly because the majority of time Masterman looked like this:
Masterman is a public magnet school, even though Bossy spelled it magnate until three seconds ago when she had a run-in with an online dictionary.
Heading up Masterman was a very, very, wrapped in extra very old man named Dr. Melvin K. McMaster:
And while we’re on the subject of yearbook photos, this was Bossy and her friend Lauren:
Masterman was a very special place where the diverse student body got along and girl meanness wasn’t on the roster. Maybe this was because everyone had to take two subways to school, uphill, rendering everyone too exhausted to argue.
In fact, the only thing that wasn’t happy about this inner city utopia was inner city gym class:
Bossy can sum up her public school experience in this way: Diversity shaped every part of the person Bossy would become.
Which is what today’s Ten-Word Challenge is all about. In exactly ten words, can you share something about your school experience?
And be sure to check back later today for the best school experiences on the web.
Cecily says
May 31, 2011 at 11:52 amHanging with friends and smoking behind the school. Shocked, yes?
Karen (SubMommy) says
May 31, 2011 at 11:55 amI was “mean girled” in seventh grade, changed me forever.
Dr. Liz says
May 31, 2011 at 12:04 pmFollowed the little rules, broke the big ones, never caught.
BOSSY says
May 31, 2011 at 12:08 pmThought things would always be as funny as lunch time.
Patricia @Cooking Cakes and Chemistry says
May 31, 2011 at 12:38 pmgot along with everyone – played cards continuously – school was fun!
Scottsdale Girl says
May 31, 2011 at 12:44 pmOh how I longed for diversity at school….and bigger boobs. Got the boobs (finally).
foolery says
May 31, 2011 at 12:55 pm100 kids, kindergarten-eighth, walk to school, more like family.
corrie says
May 31, 2011 at 1:04 pmI never quite fit in – I was the diversity!
Beta Dad says
May 31, 2011 at 1:06 pmWASPy school across street from CIA HQ. High all day.
K says
May 31, 2011 at 1:23 pmMean girls suck – wouldn’t go back for worlds of riches.
tj says
May 31, 2011 at 1:34 pm…”Wouldn’t go back if my life depended on it. Period.”
…Blessings… :o)
KathyB says
May 31, 2011 at 1:36 pmSplit sessions grades seven and eight. Supper at school, weird.
KC says
May 31, 2011 at 1:46 pmI had so many ‘other’ things going on in my life that school was my saving grace. I loved going to school, loved most of the people and was nowhere near the popular crowd but never offended anyone, was semi-friends with everyone, good friends with a few and was mostly my own person. It was a good stepping stone for me. It is (mostly) remembered fondly.
Teeny Tina says
May 31, 2011 at 1:58 pmIt was a cherished time before firearms and practiced lockdowns.
pkzcass says
May 31, 2011 at 2:52 pmMy late dad went to Masterman; thanks for the memories.
W. Keith N. says
May 31, 2011 at 3:12 pmMaybe my memory subscribes to revisionist history but I, too, don’t remember pervasive meanness in school during the 70’s and 80’s. I DO remember a few fights, but not widespread bullying. I’ve taught high school for 13 years, and the campaign against bullying – both cyber and the traditional live-in-person-wedgying-type – seems to be slowly impacting the way kids communicate and self-mediate.
kathy says
May 31, 2011 at 3:15 pmI went to Catholic school. Trying to block it out.
Annie says
May 31, 2011 at 3:17 pmCatholic Girls’ High School – miraculously, no one was (very) mean.
kathy says
May 31, 2011 at 3:17 pmCouldn’t see the board-had to get glasses much misery
W. Keith N. says
May 31, 2011 at 3:22 pmTwelve years growing up with most of my 63-student class. (Forgot about the ten-word rule in my first post!)
bobbie says
May 31, 2011 at 4:20 pmI didn’t do half the work my kids had to.
Little Miss Sunshine State says
May 31, 2011 at 4:39 pm1970’s. “Open classroom concept” school. Not much learning going on.
Not June Cleaver says
May 31, 2011 at 5:00 pmElementary school and high school were both burned down. Arson.
Suebob says
May 31, 2011 at 6:06 pmI was a nerd but that was fine with me.
Doug says
May 31, 2011 at 6:20 pmI partied like it was 1969…oh wait–it was.
Lauren says
May 31, 2011 at 6:37 pmLearned so much about diversity and tolerance — lessons for life.
Carroll says
May 31, 2011 at 7:49 pmSchool? Awful! Zero diversity at mine — highly valued ever since.
ally bean says
May 31, 2011 at 7:52 pmBook worm. Band geek. Somewhat popular despite who I was.
Carroll says
May 31, 2011 at 7:54 pmOh, and gym class? Uniforms, pinnies and (!) “posture pictures” <-(unclothed!!!)
Bonus words required: All girls school.
Additional bonus words: But still!! (Scarred for life!!!!!)
AngAK says
May 31, 2011 at 7:55 pmditto #27. little diversity(Indiana). now highly valued. big basketball.
Sandy says
May 31, 2011 at 8:14 pmHated so much, would have quit if parents had allowed..
Charlie says
May 31, 2011 at 8:15 pmAttended Christian, Public, Private, and Quaker schools. Never got easier.
Sally says
May 31, 2011 at 8:27 pmThere was a good reason my classmates called me Granny.
Great post!!
Rachel says
May 31, 2011 at 8:31 pmThank goodness it is over. That is all. Done, yet?
whirled_peas says
May 31, 2011 at 9:17 pmFancy private school prepared me little to teach public school.
Liz in Virginia says
May 31, 2011 at 9:53 pmLoved school and laughed a lot — but thirteen really sucked.
Liz in Virginia says
May 31, 2011 at 9:55 pmHigh school years — mom with cancer chaperoned everything: my hero.
Liz in Virginia says
May 31, 2011 at 9:56 pmMy prom date came out to me — at the prom.
Liz in Virginia says
May 31, 2011 at 9:58 pmOne of Bossy’s best posts — introspective, funny: made me think!
Lynn says
May 31, 2011 at 9:59 pmSmall town, same kids always. No social skills come college.
Chrissy says
May 31, 2011 at 10:17 pm(@Liz in Virginia – mine too!!!)
Art, music, literature. Fingers crossed my kid gets that exposure.
Kristina says
May 31, 2011 at 10:25 pmZero diversity. Small town Nebraska. 120 kids K-12. Loved it!
Cupcake Murphy says
May 31, 2011 at 10:27 pmFelt belonging, miraculously, for first time and despite feathered hair.
Liz in Virginia says
May 31, 2011 at 10:51 pmLove Bossy; love Bossy’s council. On-line soul sisters: fabulous!
Catherine McP says
May 31, 2011 at 11:03 pmHighschool, backalley, pot, cigs, MN magnet, Classmate Prince. Oh yea.
Sheryl W says
May 31, 2011 at 11:32 pmChicago , English speaking- yet most didn’t, made me less tolerant ….
GK in MI says
June 1, 2011 at 9:25 am6 foot tall in 8th grade, subject to unrelenting taunting.
heidig says
June 1, 2011 at 10:10 amGym uniforms – jersey material. Blue/White stripe on top (horizontally),solid blue on bottom. One piece nightmare!
bruce says
June 1, 2011 at 2:38 pmBlack jr high, white high, abject fear then fresh air
Beth says
June 1, 2011 at 7:22 pmPaddled for throwing spit wads accidently hitting teacher. Ooops. (1969)
runnergirl says
June 3, 2011 at 8:31 amCatholic grade school, bullies, meanness, but a few good friends.
Denver Girl says
June 5, 2011 at 4:27 pmStudent Council overthrown, teacher strike, Black Panthers attack, 1968-71
Alissa says
June 6, 2011 at 3:30 pmHow could girl scout troop friends make me the joke?
Pat says
June 8, 2011 at 4:00 pmHey Bossy! Hey Lauren! I love when this blog and my life intersect :).
Lori in MN says
June 10, 2011 at 3:26 am“Too short for Junior year” ?!? …teacher called office “to confirm”
moncler discount store says
October 14, 2014 at 4:04 pmHey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
moncler discount store http://www.armando.it/Images/moncler-sale/@@@moncler-discount-store75bs.asp
price canada goose in boxing day says
October 16, 2014 at 6:22 pmGreetings! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Atascocita Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep up the good job!
price canada goose in boxing day http://palae-cykler.dk/wp-content/uploads/2013/canada-goose-jackets-sale-7/02@price-canada-goose-in-boxing-day45ez.php
canada goose kids,montreal says
October 16, 2014 at 6:26 pmHey there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I genuinely enjoy reading your articles. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same subjects? Thanks!
canada goose kids,montreal http://kalymart.com/wp-content/themes/twentyfourteen/canada-goose-jackets-sale-3/@@@canada-goose-kids-montreal9hu.php
expedition pink parka goose says
October 16, 2014 at 6:26 pmI do not know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing issues with your site. It seems like some of the written text on your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too? This could be a issue with my browser because I’ve had this happen before. Many thanks
expedition pink parka goose http://anklebreakershoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/canada-goose-jackets-sale-6/@@@expedition-pink-parka-goose9kn.php
olnocxhlo says
October 16, 2014 at 6:30 pmTen-Word Tuesday – The Remembering Edition | iambossy.com
aolnocxhlo
[url=http://www.g9boq5t74hq905g78125x0ho8agc4mx4s.org/]uolnocxhlo[/url]
olnocxhlo http://www.g9boq5t74hq905g78125x0ho8agc4mx4s.org/
?? ?????? ??? ??? says
October 18, 2014 at 8:13 pm????????????????????????????????????????????????|????????????????? A?????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?? ?????? ??? ???
fuzzy north face jacket says
October 20, 2014 at 11:10 pmMy spouse and I stumbled over here by a different web address and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to looking at your web page for a second time.
montblanc einstein ink says
October 20, 2014 at 11:11 pmHey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
the north face gloves sale says
October 20, 2014 at 11:11 pmThanks for ones marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will come back later in life. I want to encourage continue your great writing, have a nice day!
lv väskor says
December 20, 2014 at 12:13 pmI was studying some of your content on this website and I conceive this site is rattling informative ! Keep on putting up.
lv väskor