1964

If I could go back in time, I would go back to the summer of 1964.  I was out of high school since June, bowling with my friends, driving around town with a pretty girl (Peggy) [Peggy Jean Boggs Collier died on March 1, 2019 at the age of 71] in my dad's 1957 Plymouth Savoy with the big fins & push-button transmission, and going body surfing at the beach.  I had a tan.  It just never got any better than that.  I was working six nights a week scorekeeping for about a dollar an hour plus tips (plus $0.25 or a coke for a "111" in the seventh frame - if that happened).  I lived at the bowling alley and at the beach.  [JAM 8/20/2010]

I completed my Seal Bearer goal during the first semester of senior year with A's in English 4, French II, Trigonometry and Chemistry.  For good measure, I did it again in the last semester of high school.  Yearbook quotes: [JAM 6/17/2019]

"Now for your thrill.  I'm about to sign your annual.  You're a real 'tuff' guy, stay as sweet as you are now.  It's been fun having you in my french class, making me feel inferior.  So, to one 'tuff', neat, sweet guy, from one 'tuff', neater, sweeter, girl.  Love ya, Judi Wertz"

"Isn't it great?  No more Jablan.  Good luck, pal, we'll see you around.  Bradley Wahl"

"Jerry, It has been a distinct pleasure & honor to count you among my best friends!  You are one of the nicest boys on campus and I really mean it.  Best of luck always - although you won't need it!  Best wishes always from a friend.  Jon Lefler" [Student Body President]

"To a great liberal.  Best wishes. Louis Larson" and "Jerry - You did it again in Trig.  Best wishes for a successful future.  Good luck always. Louis Larson"

"Dear Jerry, It sure has been fun these past four years, especially in Latin and French.  Best Wishes Always.  Love, Sue Roberts" [GAA, CSF, FBLA, Drama, Steering Committee, Rooters Club, Glee Club Pianist, surfer]

"- Jerry - Lots of luck in the future.  Hope you do well in college.  Your friend John Reed" [RIP]

"What's wrong with being right?  Phillip 'B' McAfee" [RIP 1946-1966]

"Jerry, You are one of the most wonderful, sweetest, and gentle boys I have met at Norwalk High.  Your journey through high school has been successful.  May you have continued success.  May God bless you.  Remember me always.  A friend always, Nina Valentin"

Bowling Average: 180 (Norwalk Bowl)
                            179 (traveling league)
                            184 (Wonderbowl Downey)
                            189 (Dutch Village Bowl)

High Game: 269 (Norwalk Bowl)

High Series: 685 (Norwalk Bowl)

I graduated 13th in the NHS Class of 1964 with a 3.55 GPA.  This picture is on graduation day with my grandmother, Marian Booth and my step-great-grandfather, Eugene Schall.  The photo was taken at my parents' house at 14535 Studebaker Road.  [JAM 6/11/2020]

 

A long retirement leaves one much time for introspection.  Lately I have been thinking about high school and why I was not very popular.  I am naturally a shy person but that could not be the only reason.  I believe that the main reason was that I was an outsider who had transferred from a different junior high school.  Over 90% of my classmates had attended Corvallis Junior High and they had groups of friends at Norwalk High School (NHS) from day one.  Most of my friends from junior high went to Excelsior.  There were 20 of us who came from Los Alisos, but I was the only one of them in the college prep program.  At the beginning of freshman year, there was not a single person in any of the six classes who I had known.   

Throughout high school I did make friends, but they were generally in fringe groups:  CSF, math & science nerds, and some who were interested in bowling & golf.  I think this was true for others who transferred from non-Corvallis schools.  I reviewed the history of several transfers I knew.  There were no transfer students who ever became class officers.  Allen Lee and Mary Scott were Seal Bearers in CSF.  Jerry Stein and Daryl Grob were in Speech & Debate.  Sally Hamilton was the yearbook editor.  Joe Ruiz was a straight-A student and a friend of mine in math & science classes.  He was one of the surfers.   

The most popular boys at NHS were the varsity athletes.  NHS also recognized academic achievement but, not in the same way.  Every year there would be a special assembly to award varsity jackets to those who had achieved some arbitrary distinction in one of those sports: football, basketball, baseball, track and field, swimming, wrestling.  From that day forward, they would wear that jacket every day (or so it seemed). 

It was not the same for academics.  At some point we were told that we had earned the academic sweater because of grades.  I don’t remember if we had to buy the sweater.  There was no class assembly for it.  Those of us who wore the sweater were certainly not viewed as being on the same level as the varsity.  In fact, I think it identified us as class nerds more than anything else.  It said: “Hello, I am not an athlete.”  There were some, like Jon Lefler, who earned the jacket and the sweater.  I do not remember ever seeing Jon wear the sweater. [JAM 8/21/2022] 

 

My life may have been different if I had gone to Excelsior with the friends I knew.  Who knows?  I suppose that I did not try so hard to break into one of the Corvallis cliques.  My main goal was the college prep thing.  NHS provided the courses I needed.  I do like my fellow classmates and enjoy discussing class experiences.  But it is disappointing that nobody remembers me at reunions.