Marquette High School - Explorer Yearbook (Alton, IL)

Page 6 text:

I remember the day before I started school at Marquette, My dad said to me, “I know something on which you can bet . . . You may not believe it, but despite all the heartaches, hardships, and strife. Someday you’ll look back and say, ‘My years of high school were the best of my life.’ ” I listened closely to what my dad had said; I really thought it through. So thus I started as a Freshman with an optimistic view. I survived the first few days with all the accompanying worries and fears. And so I settled down to labor for four long dreary years. The teachers were relentless, and drove us students like slaves. And they constantly gave out “ ninth hours” to try to make us behave. I crammed for exams, and did hours of work. I did reports and assignments ’til I was going berserk. I began to think my dad was crazy, from what he had said. By the time high school is over. I’ll probably be dead. But through all the blood, sweat, and tears, I somehow survived. At last I’m a Senior, and I’m still alive. Looking back now, I remember all the good times I had. I suppose that high school really wasn’t that bad. I have made friends, whom I’ll never forget; If it wasn ’t for high school, we would never have met. How can I forget all those great parties and dances, And the wonder and thrill of my teenage romances? At the Explorers football games, we had such a blast. But now all of that fun is part of my past. Being here at Marquette has really changed me a lot; I have the education and knowledge for which I had sought. I gained maturity and wisdom along the rocky way, I am ready to face tomorrow and the challenge of today. Well, senior year is almost over, and graduation is soon in sight. Looking back to what my father had said, I suppose that he was right.