I can relate to much of this, from the "class clown" role to the non-affiliation with any given faction.
These days, I think we're more at risk of gravitating towards a specific group, thanks to filter bubbles and the prevalence of all sorts of segmented niche forums. For better or worse, it's way easier to find "your crowd" these days.
I was a band geek. I was a part-time nerd on the chess team and computer programming class. I found that running cross country did not change my caste... probably because I wasn’t any good!
I was the smartest person in my school. The tested me and got a similar result as my mother had we she hired someone to test me. Basically, I was the smartest person in the room I was in including the teacher.
How is it possible that I've lived for 52 years and JUST learned the origin of "prep"? I honestly always thought it was just a fashion thing. And I took college prep classes in high school. 😂😂😂
I was a Theater nerd and played football and baseball. Its funny looking back how some looked at me weird for being apart of different social groups. I feel more kids need this nowadays. But the grips of social media and echo chambers are holding onto these kiddos these days.
"Prep" is the diminutive form of "preparatory"- as in "Preparatory School". These schools were so-called because they existed to "prepare" wealthy high school kids for college and beyond. And the students had no qualms about flaunting their wealth...
I've gotten more familiar than I should be with middle and prep school politics watching television animation, as a lot of shows aimed at a middle school audience by necessity depict this life- although I think their default setting of the preppers as bad guys is rather biased....
I said it slightly differently in this piece, but I think both are right: "Preps were the polar opposite of skaters. They dressed neatly, emphasizing brand name clothing at all times, showcasing their wealth whenever possible. These kids were so-called because they were preparing for college, destined to go on to big things in life."
I agree that kids preparing for college tend to get a bad rap, and get lumped in with people who flaunt their wealth, but this was certainly more endemic during the 80s. It was "cool" to make fun of poor kids, at least in that group. Kind of disgusting in retrospect, but also a sign of the times.
Guess every person has to look around and decide, at every stage in life, where do they fit or not... to navigate life successfully. That school experience throws us into the mix , some more prepared to adapt or choose who they want to be.
Non-affiliated lost girl over here, what a terrible time of life. Or I was a prep and secretly wanted to be a skater... Glad we all survived. Thanks for the mention!
I would have been the other type of kid. Way, way too nerdy to be in a band (at least back then), and I never got involved with the skate style during my school years! It was just so awkward all around.
I can relate to much of this, from the "class clown" role to the non-affiliation with any given faction.
These days, I think we're more at risk of gravitating towards a specific group, thanks to filter bubbles and the prevalence of all sorts of segmented niche forums. For better or worse, it's way easier to find "your crowd" these days.
Very true. Those who are able to (or forced to) navigate between groups are fewer and further between as a result. We really need those connectors.
I was a band geek. I was a part-time nerd on the chess team and computer programming class. I found that running cross country did not change my caste... probably because I wasn’t any good!
Ha! It took time for wrestling, and this is all based on my own fuzzy memory, so I'm sure there was more to it than just that.
Prep = Preparatory School, 1 year between High School and College to get a bacalaureat to enter in to European colleges.
I just learned what a bacalaureat is.
It was ingrained in me. I think by 5.
Would you have identified as a "prep" or "preppy" as I've described them here?
Haha! No.
There was a picture of the top 6 SAT scores. 3 were "preps" the other 3 where in slovenly jeans and old oxford shirts.
I was I of the 3 "others."
I was a year younger.
I was first.
My SAT scores kind of sucked (at least compared to the truly smart kids in my school; there were a few 1600s and 1590s, I think).
I was the smartest person in my school. The tested me and got a similar result as my mother had we she hired someone to test me. Basically, I was the smartest person in the room I was in including the teacher.
This and five dollars will get me a latte.
How is it possible that I've lived for 52 years and JUST learned the origin of "prep"? I honestly always thought it was just a fashion thing. And I took college prep classes in high school. 😂😂😂
Ha! I guess I did, too.
I wish more people would navigate this world with an open heart and mind. I love your goat cocoon butterfly artwork!
Thanks, Krystal!
I was a Theater nerd and played football and baseball. Its funny looking back how some looked at me weird for being apart of different social groups. I feel more kids need this nowadays. But the grips of social media and echo chambers are holding onto these kiddos these days.
Yes, 100%. I think we had a similar experience growing up. Sport-nerds seems like a weird divide to bridge, but you and I did this.
"Prep" is the diminutive form of "preparatory"- as in "Preparatory School". These schools were so-called because they existed to "prepare" wealthy high school kids for college and beyond. And the students had no qualms about flaunting their wealth...
I've gotten more familiar than I should be with middle and prep school politics watching television animation, as a lot of shows aimed at a middle school audience by necessity depict this life- although I think their default setting of the preppers as bad guys is rather biased....
I said it slightly differently in this piece, but I think both are right: "Preps were the polar opposite of skaters. They dressed neatly, emphasizing brand name clothing at all times, showcasing their wealth whenever possible. These kids were so-called because they were preparing for college, destined to go on to big things in life."
I agree that kids preparing for college tend to get a bad rap, and get lumped in with people who flaunt their wealth, but this was certainly more endemic during the 80s. It was "cool" to make fun of poor kids, at least in that group. Kind of disgusting in retrospect, but also a sign of the times.
Guess every person has to look around and decide, at every stage in life, where do they fit or not... to navigate life successfully. That school experience throws us into the mix , some more prepared to adapt or choose who they want to be.
Non-affiliated lost girl over here, what a terrible time of life. Or I was a prep and secretly wanted to be a skater... Glad we all survived. Thanks for the mention!
It was awful for us! But hey, here we are, bearing all those scars and finding our own way in the world. Sure, it took a few decades...
what makes us stronger...also makes us writers
This is such a great essay, Andrew. It's focused on you, but we can all see ourselves here too, and it's beautifully written.
Thank you so much, Jeff! This is always amazing to hear.
I would have been the other type of kid. Way, way too nerdy to be in a band (at least back then), and I never got involved with the skate style during my school years! It was just so awkward all around.