9th Grade

Front and Center with the Student Body Officers

The summer between 8th and 9th grade was a bit of a transition point in my life.  Little by little, the peaceful innocence I had enjoyed during my younger years began to fade. I found myself in a battle between following Christ and becoming more drawn to the ways of the world.  My friends were facing a similar challenge and some of us fared better than others.  There began to be a divide among us.  On the weekends, choices were made.  There were often 2 competing parties on the same night, one with drinking and “making out” and a different party for those of us who chose not to do those things.  It was hard to watch some of my friends choose to “party.”  Some wholeheartedly embraced the party lifestyle, some went back and forth between the 2 groups and some of us stuck to the clean parties.  I did my best to stay away from anything that would offend the spirit.  On occasion, a “good” party would turn a little wild or an R-rated movie was chosen and I would go home early.  Once, I showed up to a party where no parents were home, there was beer and cigarettes, so I left.   I got in trouble because my dad said I smelled like cigarettes, but I can honestly say, I never smoked or drank or did any kind of drugs. Go me!  This year was also a year of fights.  I hated when my guy friends got in fights.  Fighting is scary and stupid.  One of my best friends had a knife pulled on him while I was standing right next to him.  I was terrified.        

My 9th grade year was pretty much a repeat of my 8th grade year.  As a student body officer, I planned events, supported our sports teams and made daily announcements on the PA system.  I also got to lead the school in the pledge of allegiance and national anthem once a week.   

I didn’t do band in 9th grade, but I made “Central Singers.” My mom had a beautiful singing voice and I grew up singing all the time. Our family sang out loud and proud on road trips,  I sang in the ward choir and participated in many special musical numbers in sacrament meetings throughout the years. 

That year, I was a starter on the school basketball team at the 3 position and our team did really well.  We made it to the semifinals in region but lost by 1 point.  I definitely cried on the bus drive home.  The most points I scored in one game was 11.  That may not sound like much, but when the final score is often in the low 30s, 11 isn’t bad.  

I was also on the mock trial team and got to attend seminary every day.  Even though I really struggled with geometry, I was a good student.  At the end of the school year I was one of 5 recipients of the Noel Z. Tanner award.  This award was voted on by the faculty and given to students who excelled in academics and citizenship.  I was also honored at a luncheon at the University of Utah because my G.P.A was top 10 in my grade.

As I was reading through my journal, I noticed a few things. I had sleepovers all the time. (oh how the times have changed)  MIndy Scothern was my best friend.  We spent a ton of time together because we were both officers and both in Central Singers.  We had so much fun together.  Once we sang the song “Evergreen” together for the school talent show.  Another time, we went skiing and got stuck in some deep powder in the trees.  We laughed so hard Mindy peed her pants.  Fun memories!  During this time, Bart would often come over to play pinochle or billiards.  During spring break that year, our family went to Disneyland.  With my mom being sick, we didn’t do a ton of trips, so this was a big deal. Also, I wrote many times how much I love Christmas.  It’s true, I love the lights, decorations, smells, sounds, and good will that comes along with the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ!   

Toward the end of 9th grade we had “Lagoon” day.  It was a lot of fun hanging out with my friends.  At one point we saw Brian Blamires, alone, looking around on the ground.  We asked what he was looking for because we wanted to help him, but he said he was looking for a quarter so that he could call his mom to come pick him up and take him home.  We gave him a quarter and went on our happy way.  Later, as I thought about it, I felt terrible.  He was all alone on Lagoon day, why hadn’t I invited him to come hang out with us? I felt bad about it all summer.  For the next 3 years, I made an effort to sit by him at lunch and he became one of my friends. 

On the last day of 9th grade, all of the Central Singers were invited to a cabin at Bear Lake. We ate some good food, sang, talked, laughed, played games, went boating.  It was a great way to end our years at Central Davis Junior High. 

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