Back to School: the Summer of '71 - Memoir Monday

The summer of '71 was an exciting time. I said goodbye to high school and had a job lined up as an apprentice draughtswoman for a firm of land surveyors. I did not know it at the time, but that job not only shaped my career but had an even bigger impact on my life, as I would meet the love of my life through a work colleague.

Apartheid was entrenched in SA, and oppression was at its worst with an effective state security system, but there were underground movements fighting for freedom, and pressure coming from the rest of the world to bring this abhorrence to an end.

Wars were being fought in other parts of the world. Young people in the USA played a big role in the anti-Vietnam War movement. As innocent teens we did our bit and made posters with anti-war slogans - the most popular was 'Make Love, not War'!

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So...I thought school was out till I saw Mr. EVW's set paper - Answer these questions to paint us a picture of your high school years.
That should be fun, and easy!

Not so easy when it was fifty-three years ago - good heavens, was it so long ago!!!

Well, here goes, hope I pass the test Sir!

𝙍𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙈𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙧 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡​

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Did you know your current love in high school? ♥

Not at all, he only lived about 18 kilometres away. There was a big rivalry between his school and mine - if they came to town, there would always be a fight on the rugby field or at the Friday night 'sessions' in our local town hall.
I fell for the 'enemy' but he turned out to be the very best life partner I could ever have dreamt of <3

(っ◔◡◔)っ What type of car did you drive?

I did not have my driver's license yet, and no chance of a car either - we were five children after all! After the third baby boy was born, my one brother asked Mom Lily when she was going to 'hatch' a baby girl again :) The fourth baby boy was an 'accident', but Mom always said it was the best mistake she ever made!
So, long story, but no car when in high school;)

(っ◔◡◔)っ What kind of work did you do?

I worked as a waitress in my aunt and uncle's coffee shop, The Percolator where I had a gentle introduction to the working world.

(っ◔◡◔)っ Where did you live?

In a small Kwazulu Natal town, New Germany, founded by German settlers. My father worked in one of the textile factories which the town was known for.

(っ◔◡◔)っ Were you popular?

I went to a dual-language school and whereas most kids made friends with those from their mother tongue, I had friends on both sides. Likely my curious nature as I like to see how the other side does things. I guess it made me popular with some, but not so with others; the types I would in any case not have chosen as friends though.

(っ◔◡◔)っ Were you in band or choir?

I love music, and singing, and felt dejected that I did not pass the audition for the choir.
I did play the piano for Volkspele though. Loved the piano, but not that style of dancing, which was very 'un-cool' in the eyes of a wanna-be hippie with John Lennon glasses ;)

(っ◔◡◔)っ What did you do after your graduation ceremony?

We did not have a graduation ceremony, only a Debutantes' Ball where girls in their final year of school were introduced to 'society.' I only went because I wanted a new dress from the groovy 'Up and Down the Stairs Boutique.' Went back home with my parents who were also at the ball!
That collage shows me curtsying to the mayor and his entourage, looks like I'm a tad off-balance ;)

(っ◔◡◔)っ Ever get suspended?

No, only did detention, I cannot remember what for. I only remember getting into trouble that day because I missed the last school bus and my Dad had to fetch me from school.

(っ◔◡◔)っ If you could go back, what experience would you relive?

When I was chosen for the school's Rhythmic Dancing team and went to Cape Town to take part in a National Festival, it was super exciting. I'd love to do that again with the same group of girls.

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you ever skip school?

No, I only 'played sick' a couple of times when I'd not studied for a test. My best friend did the same, we sometimes both ended up in the sick room at the same time. Don't get me wrong, I was a model pupil till Grade 10, but then things changed, my focus went to extra-curricular activities of a more funky kind!

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you attend football games?

We did not have football in school, only rugby. My best friend and I were bookworms and only went to some of the matches. I had a crush on a hunky blond, blue-eyed boy who wasn't even aware I existed, but I could watch his every move on the rugby field 😅

(っ◔◡◔)っ What was your favorite subject?

Languages - Afrikaans, English, and German, the latter was my best subject, but I can't even speak it today!

(っ◔◡◔)っ Do you still have your yearbook(s)?

I have the ones from 1968 and 1969. I featured in both as I was awarded bursaries and prizes for academics. No prizes for the last two years though!

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you follow your intended career path?

No, I was accepted at teacher's college but turned it down to become a survey draughtswoman. The best decision ever, I not only had a happy career working with fabulous people but also met my hubby through a co-worker, Sylvia.

(っ◔◡◔)っ Do you still have your high school ring?

Never heard of that, so the answer is, no.

(っ◔◡◔)っ Who was your favorite teacher?

Our Art teacher Mr. Gebhardt, also became our class teacher one year. We could be ourselves, he made us laugh, and one cold winter's day we made toasties over a contraption he fashioned using a small heater - don't ask me how, but it only happened once. I think Mr. Gebhardt may have done detention after that, as the aroma of cheese toasties wafted down the passages 😅

(っ◔◡◔)っ What was your hairstyle?

Shaggy dog - short on top and raggedy long sides and back. The headmaster called me into the office the first time I arrived at school with that hairstyle and asked if a lawnmower had run over my head!
He was a lovely man, and was very amused at this apparition! Not long after that, many more girls arrived at school with the same hairstyle 😅

(っ◔◡◔)っ What were your favorite shoes?

Long white boots (worn with 'hot pants')

(っ◔◡◔)っ What was your favorite food?

Waffles and cream with a double thick Malt Milkshake.

(っ◔◡◔)っ Who was your favorite singer?

Not so much John Lennon only, I was a big Beatles fan.

(っ◔◡◔)っ What cologne did you wear?

Revlon Charlie - an iconic brand from that era, it was more affordable than Chanel and Estee Lauder!

(っ◔◡◔)っ How old were you when you graduated?

18

(っ◔◡◔)っ Did you have any nicknames?

Not at school

(っ◔◡◔)っ What high school did you attend?

Pinetown High

(っ◔◡◔)っ What year did you graduate?

1971

(っ◔◡◔)っ What’s changed the most about the world since you graduated?

A technological explosion - need I say more, it was 53 years ago!

(っ◔◡◔)っ How have you changed since high school?

My mind thinks I'm still 18, but my body tells a different story! I'm still all starry-eyed despite being knocked out periodically by personal tragic events.
It has made me a little wiser and made me realize to expect the unexpected, and to make the most of every day, because tomorrow may never come.

(っ◔◡◔)っ If you could time-travel and tell your teenage self something what would it be?

They say, once a worrier, always a worrier. However, stop worrying before it becomes a habit. You may not believe so, but it all works out for the good in the end; God's planning is perfect. Don't beat yourself up so much! You can try to change the world around you, but you cannot take the blame for things beyond your control.
Above all, take good care of your health, never stop walking, and remember your body needs good nourishment - the phrase you are what you eat is so true! Don't wait till it's too late to change bad habits.
Lastly, don't forget to be kind to yourself, you only have one chance at life!

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