121

One of the advantages to not working as much is the ability to take my daughter, Emma, to various doctor appointments, school events, and soon, her job.  Emma and I often talk about school and the differences between her high school and mine. There are differences in size, demographics, and socio-economic statistics. Of course, there are also fifty years between our high school careers, so a lot has changed regarding school culture.

Emma is a freshman at Parkland High School, arguably in the best school district in the Lehigh Valley. Her class is just short of a thousand students! It is made up of all races, all religions, and a plethora of ethnic backgrounds. It is known as a rich and snooty  school, but there are trailer parks  as well as McMansions in the huge geographical district. It stretches from Laurys Station in the east to Fogelsville in the west and from Neffs in the north to Breinigsville in the south.

I went to Slatington High School, now known as Northern Lehigh. Our graduating class was 121. We were all white, probably all Christian, and all middle class. Our district stretched from Friedens in the south to Lehigh Gap in the north and from Slatedale in the west to Walnutport in the east.

We all knew and, for the most part, liked each other. Emma knows only a small fraction of her fellow freshmen. So which is better? I loved my school and still do. I have great memories. I go to class reunions to see people I grew up with. I keep in touch with more online. Thank you Facebook! I doubt that Emma will go to reunions. I hear that from people who went to big schools.

So, again, which is better? My lily white middle class school was nothing like the real world. Emma’s is exactly like the real world. I suppose they both have their advantages and disadvantages. But, I wouldn’t have given up my wonderful high school experience for anything. My classmates are like family.