Imagine your teachers as teenagers: working tirelessly over projects, sneaking in late to class, or making debatable fashion choices. Once upon a time, the same teachers who fill our days with homework and tests were students, facing each challenge and uncertainty just as we do. Today, we’re stepping back in time to uncover a side of them we rarely hear about—their teenage years, filled with questionable choices, lifelong lessons, and stories worth remembering. Some of our teachers were star athletes, competing with passion and pride; others could often be found in quiet corners, poring over novels, or filling sketchbooks. Nostalgia has a way of bringing the past to life, reminding us of simpler and more comforting moments we might otherwise forget. I sat down with a few of these teachers who were ready to let us in on their favorite high school memories, moments that shaped them, and choices that still make them laugh—or cringe—today.

The stories our teachers shared give us a window into their teenage years and the type of students they used to be. Most spoke about their favorite memories being shared with friends or school events where one would be bound to make good memories to look back on, like trips around the country for clubs or graduation. While many of these memories revolve around experiences with friends, teachers also mentioned things they believe would “surprise their students,” like a certain French teacher nearly quitting in 11th grade French or one even admitting to having skipped class a couple of times. These experiences impacted each teacher differently, much like how they would impact us; our years here are ones to remember and cherish; whether it is just enjoying time with the people around us, they will be ones we remember and might even make the horrors of school itself worth it.

High school itself has changed in terms of education and curriculum, yet it seems to be a lot less than you’d think. There's a noticeable shift in the times we live in compared to ones of previous decades, but are they truly that different? Take the movie “Mean Girls” as an example of this; it illustrates the social hierarchy of the time—even while being exaggerated—it manages to capture the nuances and experiences of teens in a way that made the movie define the era of its time.  Looking back at it, you can see how this movie's principles, while remaining a classic, can also be applied to our lives in this modern day; it describes the timeless essence of our teenage years, friendships, rivalries, and the social dynamics we may see in our daily lives as students here. Throughout the movie, you see friendships breaking apart, being made, and healing—things we see and experience through our years here. It focuses on the dynamics and relationships between people, whether romantic or platonic. This movie resonates with teens now just as much as it did years ago.

These stories, both in media and in real life, highlight that while each generation may navigate its own version of high school, the underlying themes of growth, belonging, and discovery are timeless. We can use these years to create memories that will last, ones we can enjoy when we look back upon, not regret. Whether high school itself in the curriculum has changed the fundamentals stick. One day we’ll look back on our high school experiences, either regretting the choices we made here or being brought back to fond memories, wishing we could go back. 

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