Meme from random journal locator...
We know a lot about each other in our present situations, but what were we like when we were younger? Start out by giving your name (and/or what you were known as) while in high school. The name and town it's located, and the year you graduated. Then answer the next five questions. If you're still in high school, you can answer the questions about your elementary school experience.
Melanie McCranie
Cleveland, High School - Cleveland, MS (except for 11th grade in Natchez)
Class of 1990
1. What were you like in high school?
If I had to think of one word to describe what I was like back then, it would be "innocent". I was the girl who never drank or went to parties that had people doing so. I was really niave about what other people did (I never knew that most of my friends drank when they weren't with me). My senior year, at the Jr./Sr. banquet where Juniors do skits where they impersonate some of the seniors, the girl who was going to play "Melanie: ten years later" wanted to dress up in a nun's habit. That's pretty much how I was seen. The other couple of skits where she played "Melanie: in high school", had her donning an Immanuel Baptist Church t-shirt and raising her hand to answer questions in class, only to turn the question into an opportunity to witness to the room. Of course, they also had her play me as VERY air-headed. I guess that's how people saw me... but I was incredibly smart (just not in the areas that counted back then). I honestly think that everyone would remember who I was, but not really have a specific memory of me (other than class-clownish and/or goody-two-shoes). I was just... there.
2. What kind of student were you?
I didn't do well in school. Classic "under-achiever". My head was in the clouds and I was undisciplined. From 10th grade on, Maureen and Mama spent a lot of time at St. Jude and I was alone (or with grandparents or friends) a lot... and no one really oversaw my education. I don't blame anyone... we had a unique situation. When it came time for exams, though, I always rocked it. I could have a 70 average going into them, then ace the test and come out with a C. That's pretty much what college was like, too. Heck, it's pretty much what every DAY is like now! Ha!
3. Tell a story about your favorite teacher.
Coach Powe taught Civics (and coached baseball). I loved him because he got my humor. He thought I was hysterical (so did Mr. Clayton in 8th grade). He wanted me in the first row right in front of his podium. I had never had a teacher encourage me like that. He had been around the school since the 70's... and on the first day of class, when he read out the roll, he'd ask each kid who they belonged to, so that he could figure out whether or not he knew their parents. When he got to my name, he said, "Who's your mama?" I said "She was Lonnye Sue Sims when she went to school here". He hadn't been there when she was there in the 60's, but I think he knew her just from being teachers. Anyway, then he said, "Are you more like your Mama or your Uncle Dwayne?" I said, "I think Uncle Dwayne" (cause he was funny and goofy). Then he rolled his eyes and said, "Lord, help me... not again". Also? He smoked a pipe (all day!!) and it smelled GOOD!!!
4. What was your best day?
For the most part, I hated school. I never fit in... I was an outskirt friend... and I'd had enough drama in Jr. High (curse you three-way calling!!) to cause me to be gun shy around most people. I was the sort of kid who was more comfortable around older kids or adults and never really around peers. So much of who I was stayed hidden from people. They didn't know I sang (beyond choral stuff), they didn't know I was artistic, they didn't get my humor, they didn't know I was a writer or thought deeply. Basically, there were no "best days" for me. I hated every second of it. I never felt more alone or second rate than while I was there. College was the best thing that happened to me, in the sense that I found people who cared for me and a "family" that wanted to encourage the best in me.
5. What did you learn from your high school experience?
Wow... um.
Melanie McCranie
Cleveland, High School - Cleveland, MS (except for 11th grade in Natchez)
Class of 1990
1. What were you like in high school?
If I had to think of one word to describe what I was like back then, it would be "innocent". I was the girl who never drank or went to parties that had people doing so. I was really niave about what other people did (I never knew that most of my friends drank when they weren't with me). My senior year, at the Jr./Sr. banquet where Juniors do skits where they impersonate some of the seniors, the girl who was going to play "Melanie: ten years later" wanted to dress up in a nun's habit. That's pretty much how I was seen. The other couple of skits where she played "Melanie: in high school", had her donning an Immanuel Baptist Church t-shirt and raising her hand to answer questions in class, only to turn the question into an opportunity to witness to the room. Of course, they also had her play me as VERY air-headed. I guess that's how people saw me... but I was incredibly smart (just not in the areas that counted back then). I honestly think that everyone would remember who I was, but not really have a specific memory of me (other than class-clownish and/or goody-two-shoes). I was just... there.
2. What kind of student were you?
I didn't do well in school. Classic "under-achiever". My head was in the clouds and I was undisciplined. From 10th grade on, Maureen and Mama spent a lot of time at St. Jude and I was alone (or with grandparents or friends) a lot... and no one really oversaw my education. I don't blame anyone... we had a unique situation. When it came time for exams, though, I always rocked it. I could have a 70 average going into them, then ace the test and come out with a C. That's pretty much what college was like, too. Heck, it's pretty much what every DAY is like now! Ha!
3. Tell a story about your favorite teacher.
Coach Powe taught Civics (and coached baseball). I loved him because he got my humor. He thought I was hysterical (so did Mr. Clayton in 8th grade). He wanted me in the first row right in front of his podium. I had never had a teacher encourage me like that. He had been around the school since the 70's... and on the first day of class, when he read out the roll, he'd ask each kid who they belonged to, so that he could figure out whether or not he knew their parents. When he got to my name, he said, "Who's your mama?" I said "She was Lonnye Sue Sims when she went to school here". He hadn't been there when she was there in the 60's, but I think he knew her just from being teachers. Anyway, then he said, "Are you more like your Mama or your Uncle Dwayne?" I said, "I think Uncle Dwayne" (cause he was funny and goofy). Then he rolled his eyes and said, "Lord, help me... not again". Also? He smoked a pipe (all day!!) and it smelled GOOD!!!
4. What was your best day?
For the most part, I hated school. I never fit in... I was an outskirt friend... and I'd had enough drama in Jr. High (curse you three-way calling!!) to cause me to be gun shy around most people. I was the sort of kid who was more comfortable around older kids or adults and never really around peers. So much of who I was stayed hidden from people. They didn't know I sang (beyond choral stuff), they didn't know I was artistic, they didn't get my humor, they didn't know I was a writer or thought deeply. Basically, there were no "best days" for me. I hated every second of it. I never felt more alone or second rate than while I was there. College was the best thing that happened to me, in the sense that I found people who cared for me and a "family" that wanted to encourage the best in me.
5. What did you learn from your high school experience?
Wow... um.