7th Grade Class at Our Lady of Lourdes School, 1961. I am in the back row at the right. View full size.

I had 35 girls as classmates; from the 5th to 8th grades the girls and boys were separated into same-sex classes, as it was believed at the time to be less of a distraction for students, so their focus would solely on getting an education. Still had a diverse group of students in March, 1961. I believe we would all pass our tests and be promoted to the 8th grade together.

It was in the 7th grade that I realized what the coveted position of being one of few teacher's pets entailed. Being an only child, I felt lucky to have a first cousin attending the same school in a grade ahead of me to act as the big brother I didn't have, so when I discussed my new class position with him he just laughed at first and then schooled me on the reality of how the other students would soon treat me differently. Frankly, I didn't believe him, but a week later I noticed the change in attitudes and I also noticed that whenever the teacher was away from the classroom I was asked to monitor everyone's behavior and report any activity to her with names and what that person did or said: a rat fink, oh no. I definitely did not want to have that label because at lunchtime I wouldn't have anyone to jump rope with, and that was my favorite activity during that time period. I would be stunned, and outcast!!!

Did know that I was also being monitored and reported on as well and before long, I no longer had my desk right next to the teacher's, and in fact I was closer to the back of the room, not that far away from the ones who the teacher had said didn't want to learn anything. I noticed my friendships were never the same, as I learned a lesson for myself from that brief experience: enjoy the company of others but not to depend on having it when you may need it the most, and self-reliance; stand alone and stand strong, if need be.