GAY GEISER-SANDOVAL--Educationally Speaking

To the graduating Class of 2000:

Well, I thought I had come in contact with all of the Newport-Mesa

district’s Class of 2000--what with all of the spectating I’ve done. But,

I don’t know all of you.

Some of you, I’ve known since kindergarten, when room moms used to plan

the parties, then stay and watch too.

That year, you learned to sit on your bottoms while raising your hands

and waving your fingers, hoping the teacher would call on you. One

moment, both boys and girls would be inside playing house together and

the next, you’d run outside to play on the jungle gym and be superheroes.

Each week, you would discover the marvels of newfound friends, as it was

their turn to be the very important person in your life.

Treats were plentiful, book work was limited and life was good.

First grade was more of a challenge. The school day was longer, the

playtime shorter. The alphabet letters you could readily identify in

kindergarten now had to be decoded in books and grouped into words and

sentences.

But there was still time for painting, sharing during show and tell, and

listening to stories. There was still time to whisper secrets and play on

the swings.

Life was good.

The years past swiftly until one day, the girls and boys seldom played

together at recess. The games became more competitive, and school teams

faced cross-town rivals. Looking adorable wasn’t enough to carry the

school program; now you had to sing in various languages in three-part

harmony.

Seventh grade brought puberty, with the awkwardness of tall and developed

girls, while the boys were still waiting for their growth spurts. Your

class decided to cover up the changes by wearing the baggiest clothes

possible, making it hard to know how changed the bodies really were

inside.

While you couldn’t talk directly to the object of your affection, gossip

chains were formed to pass on the necessary information faster than the

speed of light. Sometimes, couples were “together” and “apart” before

they had physically passed each other in the halls that day.

Since high school, I’ve watched you perform in choirs, plays, sports,

mock trials, senior exit projects, on TV and in class. I’ve seen you at

dances, parties, dinners and just hanging out in your favorite spots.

I’ve read your stories, news articles, poems and group projects. I’ve

watched you work as a unit. I’ve witnessed your exhilaration and

disappointment about college admissions.

I’ll never forget your look of sleepiness and anticipation as you

strapped on your packs at 5 a.m. to begin your senior trip.

You’re not perfect all of the time. Nobody is.

But, overall, I have to tell you how much I have enjoyed knowing you and

hearing about your daily traumas and triumphs.

You are polite, respectful, kind to each other and appreciative of those

who have striven to make your life better. I can tell by the way you look

at your parents and teachers that you already realize how much some of

them have done for you. In an era of the “me” generation, you are there

for each other.

Life is still good.

I am addicted to my daily dose of news about your life, so keep in touch.

E-mail me from wherever you are, about whatever you are doing.

Things won’t always be perfect or what you expected or even what you

hoped for. But, you’ll make it. You’ve always been “that special class.”

* GAY GEISER-SANDOVAL is a Costa Mesa resident. Her column runs Tuesdays.

She may be reached by e-mail at o7 [email protected].

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