I've been thinking back to that vulnerable age of 11 and 12. Before I pushed myself to join the dance team, I was shy. For those 2 years, I'd take home the list of extracurricular clubs to join. Yearbook? Too many popular kids. Debate? Too many smart kids. FBLA? Too many popular AND smart kids. Geeky Stacy would never fit in, so she joined nothing. But then, I joined the dance team. Despite that, I was still geeky Stacy inside, though (still am!)
@dancinyogi
I am pretty sure that was around the age that I was a Royal Canadian Air Cadet. Similar to the ROTC here in the USA, but in Canada (and not 100% the same), I wanted to be a fighter pilot. But constant turmoil at home and a total lack of support saw me drop out a year later. It is a disappointing chapter in my life. I did get to fly a glider a couple times though.
Stupid parents...
@dancinyogi Nerdy metal head with a mullet, trying to figure out computer basic after school. I was discouraged by my parents from participating in anything extracurricular in school because they didn’t want you to have to pay money for something or have to be involved. Years later spoiled my own kid with whatever he was interested in. Showed my parents, who were still indifferent to what their grandchild may have been up to.
@dancinyogi It's interesting because I don't think we had any of those options in junior high (now called middle school). I turned 12 after 7th grade started. Sports and orchestra/band; I don't think there were any after-school clubs until high school.
@dancinyogi I played multiple instruments in the band. I started with flute, but also played alto sax, the oboe and a brief attempt at the French horn (my arms were too short for trombone)
@dancinyogi Things were basically good at 11, but age 12 is when the bullying really kicked into high gear as I went into seventh grade. Band was—thankfully—my safe haven. I cut so many classes to attend PM band practices, if only to avoid the bullshit that went on in the hallways.
@dancinyogi I went from trumpet to baritone horn to French horn and finally landed on tuba. My band director was amazing. He let me borrow any instrument I wanted just for shits & giggles. Studied the tuba in college & still play.
Def couldn't pay me to go back. Eighth and half of ninth grade were even worse. New, awkward kid in a different school and different state. Could NOT have been timed worse.
@dancinyogi I was pretty much the same back then as I am now--smart enough, but the introvert's introvert, not a joiner. And it's been a long time since I've seen 11 or 12.
@dancinyogi band and speech. which is weird since I have never loved public speaking (even though it's been part of many jobs) and I've discovered since am not that talented musically.
@jbonewald I almost tried out for band, but not for an instrument. I tried to be a flag bearer but kept hitting other kids with the flag (accidentally). Baton twirling was out. What instrument did you play?
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