You're Not the Only One
Naeva Lemme Monday Period 3
What years were you in middle school?
I went to middle school from 1983 to 1985.
What kind of music, movies, and fashions were popular at the time?
Popular music was...
The Cure, Duran Duran, Pebbles, and Madonna.
Popular movies were...
Terminator, Red Dawn, Sixteen candles, and The Goonies.
Popular fashions were...
Anything Valley Girl style. Things like miniskirts, puffy sleeves, hair bows and bow ties.
What were your favorite activities in middle school? What were your hobbies and interests?
My hobbies and favorite activities were dancing and rollerskating. My interests were journalism, sleepovers, and boys.
What job/interests/activities do you have now? Is there any connection between what you liked back then and what you enjoy today?
I work as an administrative supervisor at the Senior Enlisted Academy. My interests and activities are coaching cheerleading, crafting, being a Girl Scout leader, and jewelry making. There isn't really any connection.
What was the best part about being in middle school?
The best part about being in middle school was walking over the bridge on the way to and from school.
What was the worst part?
The worst part was being bullied and made fun of for being smart, poor, and overweight.
What advice would you give to kids my age?
That it really does get better, instead of trying so hard to fit in just focus on being yourself. Also, it's okay to cry, and don't be ashamed of being different.
How would you describe your middle school self?
I would describe myself as self-conscious, emotional, self-deprecating, anxious, and talkative. I wanted to fit in, but I didn't know where or how.
What were your favorite subjects in middle school?
My favorite subjects were humanities and Spanish.
Do you think there is more bullying now, or when you were in school?
I think bullying is more identified now, whereas when i was a kid, it was considered the "norm", most kids just expected it, and part of growing up was learning to deal with it.