Those High School Nights

Photograph by William Hohe

Nostalgia is a funny thing. It can be the inspiration we've been looking for on those dark days of our present; a framing device to reflect on one's sense of the world and how far they've come - a sort of self-characterization development across your own history. Or, it  can be the rose-colored memories that hide the mouse trap beneath its fuzzy surface, baiting us to disengage from reality to bask in our "glory days"  - a means of escape from an unrelenting life.

William Hohe's strikingly beautiful photograph that finished as a finalist in the NY Times' second annual photo contest for teens, embodies a teenage spirit that is both wistful and haunting in tone. As a teacher, I'm drawn back to my high school nights, sitting atop  the bleachers in the pep band, belting out the iconic notes of Chicago's 25 or 6 to 4 as the football team battled on the sacred inner grounds encircled by the track.



I had to be there. There was no choice. Well, there was always the fail an elective-you-should-never fail option, of course. There was no choice.

   

Photo courtesy of cbmn on Flickr

Bleachers are synonymous with high school - sporting events, pep  rallies, graduations, homecoming, and myriad other forms of suburban school traditions. Yet - strip away the crowds. Send the band home. Let the cheerleaders and football players, the "popular" students in school, enjoy their parties when the parents are out of the house. The janitors? Already sealed the last lock of the day.

Despite this one girl having her face brilliantly omitted in favor of an "any teen" shot approach, she engages in the innocent path of walking across a row in the bleachers, her hands extended just so to keep balance. Seriously, is there not one person who cannot relate to this simple child-like test of skill? William Hohe says it best:

"The common misconception in the adult world is that children and teenagers must always have a reason, an idea, a purpose for their actions, rather than walk and explore aimlessly."

This one girl embodies the essence of youth - the exploration, the curiosity, the carefree pursuit of simple delights. This is a great teenage escape from what Hohe refers to as "hover-parenting". And, please, let's take a moment to revel in the warm amber antidote that captures a sort of dream-like quality to the photo. There's a feeling of unity through shared solitude and freedom. We've all been here - maybe not the bleachers exactly but rather the moments when we feel no one's looking - singing in the shower, dancing to music or even just when an idea or emotion pops into your head.

As a teacher, I can only hope all students can break away from the rigid structures enforced in schools and at home to dabble in their own form of expression, exploration, and enjoyment.