Chapter 11: The Junior High Jungle

New School

My seventh grade school portrait
My seventh grade school portrait

Mom sent me off on my adventure the first day of 7th grade in September 1978.

With my D-4 pass in hand, I caught the “big bus” around the corner on Willow Street.
It was intimidating at first, with a new school (Hammarskjold Jr. High on Rues Lane, East Brunswick; since completely rebuilt and unrecognizable) and tons of new kids.

My homeroom teacher was Mr. Belcheff, and on the other side was Mr. Decesare. We were in the “portable” classrooms.

I eventually got used to getting around the place, and like every rookie, was awed by the oldest in the school, the ninth-graders. They were HUGE.

I soon became aware of one kid who was a year older, who also went to my church. I’d seen him in Walther League (our church youth group), and he was in the eighth-grade confirmation class.

musicnotes-tiny“I Don’t Know If It’s Right” by Evelyn “Champagne” King
Evelyn ”Champagne” King – I Don’t Know If It’s Right

My fancy began when Mom happened to point out that M. resembled Larry Wilcox. Unfortunately, my crush on M. got hot fast but I was scared to death to approach him.

The HJHS I was soon familiar with
The HJHS I was soon familiar with

He was one of those lofty, unreachable jocks who were simply on a different social wavelength. I had quietly confided my feelings to two friends in Confirmation class, Nancy M (daughter of Mom’s nursing friend Judy) and Michelle H.

Soundtrack to "Grease"
I got this for my 12th birthday

Well, this somehow got out to goofball Roger H, who was in M’s class. He wasted no time informing M. of my lovelorn plight. I was mortified.

How humiliating—especially since M. was no more interested in me than Larry Wilcox himself. That was a year of pining, hoping to see M. in church and in the halls at school, and envying everyone he hung out with. One time, I found out he was taking a 9th grader, Holly W, to the dance. With such sophisticated competition, 7th grade me was doomed.

Nick Gilder’s Hot Child in the City reminds me of visiting my old friend Barbara B. Barbara gave me the Grease soundtrack album for my 12th birthday in November, when a few friends shared a nice lunch with me at Farrell’s and came back to my house to hang out, dance, and listen to music.

musicnotes-tiny“Whenever I Call You Friend” by Kenny Loggins and Stevie Knicks

Kenny Loggins – Whenever I Call You Friend

Mom was usually working when we got home from school, but since I was technically of babysitting age, Mom trusted the situation, as I’d demonstrated enough maturity at the time. Steven went out on his bike and I liked to hang out watching TV in the house letting the junior-high stress evaporate.

When I started at Hammarskjold with its much larger pool of kids, I met quite a few classmates of middle-Eastern descent, including two girls named Usharani, a brother and sister Ruby and Raju R, and Ranjan G.

Though predominantly Caucasian by nature, East Brunswick’s schools increasingly reflected a more diverse population, including Black, Middle-Eastern and Asian kids. We all went to class and hung out together, and I never heard of any racial problems.

musicnotes-tiny“Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)” by The Bee Gees

Bee Gees – Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)

The Orchestra was conducted by a thirty-ish staffer possessing a loud mouth, a militant manner and wacky sense of humor; one Gordon J. Tedeschi. (Mom and I would later joke that I was “stuck” with Mr. T all through high school and beyond, in various ensembles, as will become apparent later on in the narrative.) While Mr. T was tremendously talented musically and got results, he had a rather abrasive manner that sometimes put us off.

I started private violin lessons with Mr. T, and was a member of the school orchestra as a second violin. Goofy Ron L was my stand partner for most of junior high.

First Visit to World Trade Center

World Trade Center Skyline
World Trade Center Skyline. WE WILL NEVER FORGET

I had my first communion that October. To celebrate my special day, our family went into New York City to see the World Trade Center and ride the Staten Island Ferry.

Don’t Look Back by Boston was a big hit then. Dad had witnessed the Towers’ construction over a period of several years while on the job in the NY area.

We were captivated by their sheer size and stately beauty! On the top floor, I remember tapping on the thick glass of the window, marveling how sturdy and fortress-like that place seemed.

musicnotes-tiny“Don’t Look Back” by Boston

Boston – Don’t Look Back

astropop
Astro Pop. It lasted all day!

We gazed across the way to the other tower, with the big antenna on top. It was an incredible experience.

Who could imagine what would take place 23 years later, and the inevitable resulting shift in global political climate.

Steven and I got Astro Pops (clear, rainbow-colored lollipops in a cone-shape) in a gift shop, and they lasted all afternoon. It was a rainy, cool day that wasn’t great for sightseeing, but I was thoroughly impressed with the World Trade Center Towers. They seemed invincible.

Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty, Time Passages by Al Stewart, Double Vision by Foreigner, and Hold the Line by Toto were popular.

Mom was still being monitored regularly, and seeing Dr. Wu, her oncologist. Mom’s story of their first meeting described a rightfully perturbed and impatient Lucille in his waiting room, as she lingered for over an hour. When she finally eyeballed him in his office that day, she declared that SHE TOO was a medical professional and ought to bill HIM for HER time.

Needless to say, the Doc was taken by her spunk, and sheepishly admitted fault, rendering an apology. And so began a warm and caring doctor/patient relationship that lasted until the end. “Lucille was different,” Dr. Wu affectionately told Dad later on, describing her strength, wit and will to fight the damned disease.

musicnotes-tiny“What A Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers

Doobie Brothers – What A Fool Believes

Since I was regularly plagued by migraine headaches since I was a little kid, Mom used all her professional know-how and connections to get me the best treatment possible. These attacks were controlled pretty well by a host of strong medications. Mom brought me to a neurologist and biofeedback clinic as well. It was handy to have a Registered Nurse in the house!

King Tutankhamun Visits The Big Apple

King Tut Gilded Burial Mask
King Tut Gilded Burial Mask

That was also the time that Mom took me into New York City to see the King Tut exhibit at The Met with her friends.

We caught a bus from East Brunswick into the city, and it was exciting to be out of school for the day and included in Mom’s outing.

I remember seeing the gilded burial mask, which hasn’t left Cairo since that tour.

I attended another King Tut exhibit at Discovery Times Square years later with my husband, and remembered that first special trip with my mom. I took my time as an adult, enjoying learning about every piece.

When our group returned to East Brunswick that day, we had a nice dinner at the Sandalwood in the Sheraton hotel. What a great day with Mom.

musicnotes-tiny“He’s the Greatest Dancer” by Sister Sledge

Sister Sledge – He’s The Greatest Dancer

Of course Tut’s American tour gave entertainer Steve Martin plenty of material to goof on. His Saturday Night Live routine and radio single went viral (or what would have passed for pre-Internet “viral”).

Projects

Felix Salten's "Bambi"
Looks like a “real book” to me.

One incident stands out as an injustice that happened in one of my classes and pointed to a teacher’s obvious ignorance.

Ms. Zila, who taught Language Arts, assigned us to write a book report on our favorite work of literature.

Naturally, I chose Felix Salten’s Bambi. As soon as I declared my intention, she dismissed it as “not a real book” and told me to select another. I was taken aback and very upset. Bambi was more than a Disney movie. I swallowed my 12-year-old indignation and knuckled under.

Now, I wish I would have protested this. But teachers held ominous power back then. I forget what my second choice was.

Another time, we were assigned a task to come up with a product advertisement and present it in class. Goofy Ron L and I teamed up to put together a ditty on a hair tonic, “Super Grow.” I’d created a label and slapped it on a bottle of Mom’s Phiso-Derm shampoo. I know, it was lame.

musicnotes-tiny“Keep On Dancin'” by Gary’s Gang

Keep On Dancin’

Superman Poster
A 1978 blockbuster. © Warner Brothers

Another assignment was to make a kite and then test it outside on the soccer field. I chose a “Scott Sled” and made it with dowels that Dad cut for me, duct tape and large lawn bags. I think it remained afloat for about a second before meeting its demise in the cold grass.

We were also assigned research and preparation of a speech on the subject of our choice. Gawd, the very thought of a speech gave me fits. But I dutifully went to the school library and gathered up enough information for an outline and notecards. My speech was on wildlife conservation. I recall a passing reference to the National Audubon Society. I used my best news anchor’s voice. I think I earned a B.

We also sold magazine subscriptions, hoping to cash in on the grand prize, a pop-up TV/VCR/radio unit. I was disappointed when Leni V’s name was announced over the PA, but I got some HJHS stuffed toys.

HJHS had some cute occasions like “Hat Day” and “Hush Day.” On Hush Day, everyone would receive a button in homeroom (green for boys; white for girls). The object was to avoid talking, lest the closest person to you immediately confiscate your button.

One day, I lost mine to scheming Chris K. He noticed the ring I was wearing, Mom’s Peridot birthstone, and asked if it was a diamond. By the time I corrected him, his outstretched hand indicated I’d been hustled.

Keep quiet, or lose this!
Stifle or give it up!

Those with the most buttons at the end of the day “won”. No doubt the teachers must have adored Hush Day.

That spring brought the Three Mile Island crisis, in which a large part of the region feared the rupture of a hydrogen bubble. It was all over the news. Nothing happened, but I recall feeling genuinely scared.

New Jersey also experienced an earth tremor that year, which can only be described as a mild flutter. I didn’t feel anything in school, but Mom did at home.

Chapter Twelve: On To Eighth Grade

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