Back in the day

High school back then was simple; no phones, just face-to-face chats and focusing on schoolwork. Students hung out at school or in parking lots. Life moved on, but the struggle of fitting in and figuring out oneself stayed the same.

“I was always busy, and I was at school from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day,” said Sara Speck, English teacher and cheer coach who graduated from Bellevue West High School in 2018. Speck said that her school also dedicated 20 minutes to Silent Sustained Reading (SSR) daily.

Dan Podjenski, an AP science teacher who graduated from Creighton Prep High School in 2009, said that students had cell phones, but they could only call or text because the internet was too expensive to use otherwise. “We had to go to the computer lab for websites, and we had to hand-write papers and then type them,” said Podjenski.

“There were no cell phones, and we were all involved in a lot of activities,” said Stacy Stambaugh, English department curriculum specialist who graduated from Blair High School in 1986.

Jake Iverson, a math teacher and cross-country coach who graduated from Clearlake High School in 2014, said that if a student got three tardies, they would get suspended. Students also had to hide their cell phones from teachers otherwise they were automatically taken.

Deana Colón, a journalism teacher at South who graduated from Omaha Central High School in 1983, said her school was very strict, and she never observed anyone getting into trouble. “We had 10 periods, and they were each about 37 minutes long,” said Colón. Colón also explained that at the time, high school in OPS was only grades 10-12; ninth graders attended junior high with seventh and eighth graders, and elementary school was kindergarten through sixth grade.

Toni Diel, a substitute teacher at South, graduated in 1960 from Wichita East High School. Diel said that she went to a very large school which had three different buildings and five stories. “We only got a three-minute passing period, but we didn’t always have to go to another building,” said Diel.

“My school isn’t as good as it used to be; we used to be a powerhouse for sports,” said Speck. Speck also said that her school is now on block scheduling, and she cannot see herself sitting in a 90-minute math class.

Podjenski said he believed that his era was better than Gen Z’s. “You weren’t under constant social media, and no one would bully you as much,” said Podjenski.

Stambaugh also believed that her era was better. “We communicated with each other more, but the technology students have today is a plus,” she added.

“Generation X turned out to be awesome, and we learned how to be independent while learning critical thinking skills on our own,” said Colón. Colón believes that no phones should be allowed in any school building. No phones “allows kids to be kids with no distractions,” said Colón.

Both Speck and Iverson agree that they wish South students showed more school spirit.

“I wish there were more opportunities for the staff to socialize and get to know each other on a more personal level,” said Stambaugh.

Speck said that her school was preppy, and a lot of the students wore statement necklaces and Nike Air Forces. “We were not allowed to wear hoods or hats while in school,” said Speck.

Iverson said that a lot of kids in his school wore shorts that went past their knees along with long socks and pierced ears.

Podjenski said that Polo brand shirts and American Eagle clothes were popular. “Juicy Couture tracksuits were popular as well along with emo and punk style,” he added.

Diel and Colón said that penny loafers were popular. “I wore a lot of sweaters and penny loafers, but I also wore a lot of pink and black and new wave style clothes,” said Colón.

Stambaugh said she and her classmates wore a lot of stonewashed jeans with rolled cuffs. “The tighter the cuffs, the better,” she said.

All the teachers said that their lessons were delivered through lectures, and they had a lot of textbook work. They also agreed that much their class periods consisted of taking notes from those lectures.

“My school did an after-prom party that lasted until 3 a.m. where there were carnival games,” said Iverson.

“Since I went to an all-boys school, I got to go to the all-girls prom as well,” said Podjenski. Podjenski also said his school would breathalyze the students to make sure they were not drinking.

“We didn’t have a homecoming week, only a homecoming dance,” said Diel. Diel also said they had a bonfire a lot of the students would go to.

“After school I usually had practice, then I would go get a $1.07 (a large soda at McDonald’s) and hang out at Walmart with my boyfriend,” said Speck.

After school, Iverson would go to practice or work if it was off season. If not working or at practice, Iverson said he would hang out at his friend’s house and be home before dinner.

Most of the teachers would have practice or work after school, but for Colón, she would go home and study for four hours and then put on an album and chill before bed.

Stambaugh said her favorite moment of high school was when she was selected as a recipient for the super attendance scholarship at graduation; no one knew who was going to get the award until graduation.

Colón said she was also excited for graduation. “My favorite moment was when I graduated and walked out the door,” said Colón. Colón stated that she was ready to go to college and become a journalist. “I never looked back,” she added.

“In high school, you want to belong in some way, and high school students tend to have insecurities,” said Stambaugh.

Regardless of the generation, South teachers went through a lot of the same ups and downs as today’s teens do.