I can remember years ago telling Jon to be sweet to the freshmen in high school. After all, although he was now an upper classman he should be able to remember how it felt to be new in a school.
Well, it has been a LONG time since I was a freshman and although I do remember what it felt like to be new in a school, since that was only last summer, I have to say this new crop of freshmen has me ready to murder at least one of them just to set an example.
I guess I was so easily accepted last year, much easier than I ever thought I would be, that I got spoiled. I always tried to be friendly, but not pushy. I tried and still try to stay away from groups unless invited in. I hate adults who stick their nose in with young people and just want to be “one of the kids.” I am NOT one of the kids. However, I am one of their classmates so I want to be and have been accepted as such for almost a year and a half now. Next semester I will be a senior (not a senior citizen but a member of the senior class)and as such deserve a little respect from the freshmen. As their elder I should get that respect anyway!
I told a freshman story in one of my last posts. Well, today it happened again. I was waiting for ballet class and in walks a group of freshmen. One of the girls looks at me and says “Now why are you here?” I have to say I was put off immediately so I merely said, “For ballet class, just like you.” We have been in this class for a week and a half and she has seen me every day! Then she peers at me and says, “SO, what is your major?” To which I answer, “musical theatre.” “It is??” she responds and turns to her compadres and laughs. And yes folks, she is still alive and walking the campus even as I write. See I can be benevolent!
I remember last year one pretty girl coming up to me while waiting for auditions. She sweetly put out her hand and offered me her name as we shook hands. I told her my name and she asked if I was a freshman. She looked puzzled but never lost her smile or kind tone. I told her I was a new student but technically a second semester sophomore due to transfer hours. She welcomed me and moved on.
Since then Karen and I have had some great heart to heart talks as she was house manager while I was box office manager last year. She never again questioned me and we got along swimmingly. Almost no one else questioned me. Before that same audition last year a freshman named Joe said to me, “You know, you have an advantage over all of us.” I asked him “How so?” He said, “Well, you will get all of the older parts automatically.” I told him, “Actually, part of what you are here to learn is how to do makeup and play those older parts, so you can play old or young. I on the other hand am stuck playing old. If they had makeup to make me look as young as you, believe me I would wear it every day!” He agreed that I had a point. (I believe my point was made last week in spades!)
But never was last year’s freshmen class like this new group. So Jon, I apologize. Sometimes freshmen do deserve a little abuse to straighten them out. And I may be just the one to give it to them!
