Something Called High School

Tomorrow is the freshman orientation at Central high school. I can remember my first day at that thing called high school.
It was 1972 when I entered high school and it was a mystery to me . I have two older sisters and they went to high school before me but I really knew nothing of it . During the time that I was growing up younger brothers and sisters usually did not visit their older siblings schools plus what is there for a boy to learn from an all-girls school?
So I was in a fog when I entered high school, there were no websites, no touring groups and few opportunities to view your new school. Students today at least have that advantage but little else.
Many of the students tomorrow will come through the doors of Saint Paul Central high school with apprehension . They are coming from schools where they were student council presidents, team captains, band section leaders, newspaper editors etc. They are all coming to Central as freshmen, the low end of the pyramid, the bottom of the heap, the Rodney Dangerfields of the school in that they get no respect. But it has to be that way, for if it was not what would freshmen have to look forward to.
My request to all of you . As a father with a daughter entering high school I say go easy on them but let them know that it gets better each year.
When I entered high school the upperclassmen were not as hospitable . They were out to get you and they made that clear. Lets send a message to the class of 2013. Central is a cool place to be if you come correct.