When you read the essays Masks and High School's Secret Life you will discover common themes such as Whites comparison of student groupings being "Tribes" as well as Grealy comparing them as "Cliques". Both writers show how these groups utilize the school's cafeteria as a proving ground and a local communication network. While in this environment White is able to express observation of loneliness by certain "Tribes". Grealy gives us a more personal view and experience that she herself had endured. Finally, White expresses how a few of the outcast tribe members feel when they are approached by one of the natural helpers and even though they were there asking for something. It showed just how the small amount of group interaction had a positive effect on the outcast member even if just for a short moment. Grealy describes her positive group interactions taking place on Halloween once, as an Eskimo when she was younger and then more recent in her adolescence while wearing a mask. She showed how the interaction with others made her feel so good inside.
The school lunch room did reminder me of the past and just how somethings do not always change with time. When I attended school we had our tribes, folks like to dress like Tom Cruz from Top Gun, preps, rockers, smokers, skaters, etc.. We had folks that played sports, band, or like to host the party. Clothing was important for deciding just which group you belonged to folks would make fun of you if you had last years style and then you were an outcast from the group. When I attended school I did play sports, dress nice, and could be a clown at times. I was also kind of shy around girls so I did not interact a lot with the groups of gals. I had two close friends that I had grown up with since the 2nd grade. One was what you would have called a nerd he had a 4.0 and played the violin and is now an MD. The other was not motivated in school work and just liked to have a lot of fun and now travels for an IT company. Outside of school you never would have guessed them not to have been popular but in school no one ever noticed them in the hallways.
I enjoyed talking to many of the groups throughout my school and getting to know and understand different folks. I transferred my last two years to another high school which allowed me to observe different folks and how the interactions differ from School District to School District they are not all the same. One thing I have always experienced even to today is some loneliness from groups due to my battle with my weight. I am not the biggest guy but I have always struggled with my weight and how I look. In school it made me feel awkward during dances and other functions that folks would be looking at me or judging my appearance or what I was eating. This has stuck with me for the past 20 years and is something that I always try to make sure is not past onto others as everyone is different and has special attributes that they bring to a group no matter how they look or what they wear.
Christian Davis
The school lunch room did reminder me of the past and just how somethings do not always change with time. When I attended school we had our tribes, folks like to dress like Tom Cruz from Top Gun, preps, rockers, smokers, skaters, etc.. We had folks that played sports, band, or like to host the party. Clothing was important for deciding just which group you belonged to folks would make fun of you if you had last years style and then you were an outcast from the group. When I attended school I did play sports, dress nice, and could be a clown at times. I was also kind of shy around girls so I did not interact a lot with the groups of gals. I had two close friends that I had grown up with since the 2nd grade. One was what you would have called a nerd he had a 4.0 and played the violin and is now an MD. The other was not motivated in school work and just liked to have a lot of fun and now travels for an IT company. Outside of school you never would have guessed them not to have been popular but in school no one ever noticed them in the hallways.
I enjoyed talking to many of the groups throughout my school and getting to know and understand different folks. I transferred my last two years to another high school which allowed me to observe different folks and how the interactions differ from School District to School District they are not all the same. One thing I have always experienced even to today is some loneliness from groups due to my battle with my weight. I am not the biggest guy but I have always struggled with my weight and how I look. In school it made me feel awkward during dances and other functions that folks would be looking at me or judging my appearance or what I was eating. This has stuck with me for the past 20 years and is something that I always try to make sure is not past onto others as everyone is different and has special attributes that they bring to a group no matter how they look or what they wear.
Christian Davis
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