"I want to be forever young..."

It's crazy hearing that song (mixed with Jay-Z, of course) on the radio now. Every time I hear it, I have flashbacks to high school, and my town's tradition of Sportsnite. Sportsnite started at my high school in the 50's and was created to give young girls something to do with their time while their sweethearts were off playing football or basketball or soccer after school let out. Contrary to what the name would lead you to believe, Sportsnite did not involve many sports; in fact, the whole thing was based around group dances that were choreographed, rehearsed, and performed in order to be judged. Months of planning went into this, and everything from team spirit to organization to dances tocostumes were judged and awarded points on one Friday night in April. Months and months of hard work, all for one evening of fun and excitement.

The seniors at the beginning of Finale, doing a little skit:

Black team my sophomore year, right before results:

Being hula "boys and girls" for Folk.. that's me and my bff J up front!

(personal photos)

My school's colors were black and gold, so they named the two teams Blackies (seriously) and Goldies. Each team had to pick a theme and go with it - my senior year, we were Blackies at the Beach (I never saw the implications of calling a group of white girls Blackies until I moved to Philly. Yes, we were sheltered). There were dances for the 9th and 10th graders, one for the 11th and 12th graders, a folk dance, rhythmic dance, and finale dance. There were cheerleaders who had to come up with three original, lengthy cheers that the rest of the team had to hash out a beat to. There were banners, spirit days, relay races, volleyball (a sport!), props, captains, costumes galore. In writing this, I am 100% sure that it this impossible to explain and something that one must experience in order to grasp. Either way - after the one night when everything is put on show, the two teams come together and hug it out before finding out the scores and who won. The song that we walk out and hug to? Forever Young. The original Forever Young sung by Alphville, that never ceases to bring a small tear to my eye and a wave of nostalgia over my mind.

I bring this up because, as I mentioned, this song is now all over the radio again for the graduating class of 2010. It's so strange, as I am too graduating from massage school, but no longer am I "young". This song is meant for those 17 and 18 year olds just about to embark on their life journeys, and it is such an odd sensation to realize that I am well past that point. I recall having a conversation with my best friend J about this concept of being on to "the next chapter" in our lives. Things get so hard when you grow up. You never realize it in the moment, but high school and our teenage years were some of the best. That is what they mean by forever young. But at this point.. I'd rather sing to myself "Forever youthful", as corny as that sounds. Life is still a work in progress.

5 weeks to go...