by Toni Anne

Created on: March 13, 2009

If I only knew then what I know now, how differently my life would have turned out. Honestly, I have no regrets, only that my senior year of high school didn't last a little bit longer. Ah, what a fun year that was. The mid 80's was a time when heavy metal was the rage, shoulder pads were a must in every outfit, and Tom Cruise was the idol to swoon over. Sitting back now, recalling the times when I was young, carefree, and thought I had the world by the tail brings back some of the greatest moments in my life.

Indian River High School was a fairly new school in the Chesapeake area of Hampton Roads, Virginia when I attended in 1984. Built in 1976, it was only one of two in the area at the time. Oscar Smith High was our rival. Home of the Braves with blue and white school colors marked the entrance of both our football stadium and the gymnasium. This was also my first and only year attending Indian River. I had transferred over the summer due to moving.

I didn't have any problem making new friends. My only disappointment was not being able to play field hockey that year. I was a good player and had made city-wide left wing player of the year at my old school. I loved the excitement of it, the camaraderie among the players, and my coach had been a great inspiration to me. But, moving was unavoidable and it was a new beginning in an old chapter of my life.

Tara, Michelle, and Cyreece were my new best friends. They introduced me around and it seemed I found a place to fit in. I also remember Billy Banks. He had to be the cutest guy in school and he was a Senior like me. I wondered if it would be possible to take him to the prom? I wasn't sure but gave it a shot. When I'd gathered up the courage one day to ask him, even though it was early in the year, he smiled giving me a friendly hug and said he was already taken. He and his girlfriend had been dating for two years and they'd be going together. I shrugged it off and went on from there. It didn't hurt to ask. I was bold like that then. Even Cyreece got a kick out of it.

Notable events in my senior year included the Miss Indian River pageant I entered at the encouragement of my buddies. They figured having a female "jock" represent them was cool. I made the roster but chickened out before the finals. I attended my first rock concert with Tara, which was Ozzy Osbourne with Metallica as the opening act. For those of you who know the band, that might take you back a few years. And, of course, the Friday night football

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