High Life / A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : HOT TOPICS : High School Memories Are Made Of . . .

Years from now, after friends have scattered and yearbooks have long been packed away, perhaps you’ll hear a song on the radio or see a face in the crowd that reminds you.

The song might be one you remember from prom night, and the face might belong to the person who sat in front of you for four years in English classes.

Hot Topics wonders, “In years to come, what do you think will stand out as your most vivid memory of high school?”

“My most vivid memory is of that girl who never seemed to notice me.”

Owen Yano, 18,

senior, Ocean View

“When I got mono and was gone for two months and a big rumor spread that I was dead.”

Jessica Lopez, 18,

senior, Valencia

“Cramming for tests minutes before them, and hanging out with friends.”

Aman Thind, 17,

senior, Capistrano Valley

“The loss of friendship. People who were friends going into high school didn’t end up friends at the end.”

Sandy Sternshein, 18,

senior, Los Alamitos

“My first day at school when I was harassed by seniors so much they made me cry.”

Rita Mercado, 18,

senior, Connelly

“When our Valencia song-leading squad made it to the U.S.A. National Finals so unexpectedly and claimed the third-place trophy on television.”

Jenni Shevlin, 17,

senior, Valencia

“All the experiences like sports and the performing arts. And, of course, my girlfriend.”

Jon Breeden, 18,

senior, Los Alamitos

“Discoing with Blondie, and nights with Becky and Topper.”

Shannon DuVall, 17,

senior, Capistrano Valley

“My experience with the play ‘Guys and Dolls,’ as we slept every night during rehearsals for an average of four hours.”

David Chieng, 18,

senior, Ocean View

“ASB cabinet because of all the fun, crazy things that we do.”

Tracy Dazis, 18,

senior, Los Alamitos

“The burping contest.”

Denise Ching, 18,

senior, Connelly

“The respect that I have grown to know for all teachers and administrators of Los Alamitos High School and the Orange County High School of the Arts.”

Damien Lorton, 17,

senior, Los Alamitos

“Weekends.”

LaRisa Moore, 18,

senior, Capistrano Valley

“The great friendships and the good times we’ve had, especially toilet-papering the school after a football game late at night.”

Stefanie Springosky, 17,

senior, Los Alamitos

“Putting panty hose on Oliver’s car.”

Christina Chang, 18,

senior, Connelly

“The day I got accepted to the college of my choice, knowing I would be leaving high school and had somewhere to go.”

Lisa Mohanty, 17,

senior, Ocean View

“Three years of trying to win in Mock Trial Competition. . . . Next year’s team is going to win.”

Christine Caron, 17,

senior, Valencia

“Playing football and baseball all four years. Each year was a new and exciting experience. It was a great way to become active and meet new friends.”

Tyler Cashman, 18,

senior, Los Alamitos

“AP (Advanced Placement) dread.”

Veronica Briseno, 18,

senior, Capistrano Valley

“Our most vivid memory was the day-to-day gleaning of knowledge and intelligence from our omnipotent teachers.”

Susan Chang and Jenny Allen, 17,

seniors, Ocean View

“Friends.”

Doug Frost, 18,

senior, Capistrano Valley

“Learning that it takes a long time to find out who your true friends are. There were some people I thought I’d be friends with forever, but it just hasn’t turned out that way. People grow apart in high school.”

Sam Kubernick, 17,

senior, Los Alamitos

“Accidentally setting off the alarm in the library.”

Alyssa Leong, 18,

senior, Connelly

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

Would you break a date with a friend if “something better” came along?

Responses gathered by Justin Chan (Capistrano Valley), Janet Bester (Connelly), Trisha Ginsburg (Los Alamitos), Felice Wu (Ocean View) and Michael Chen (Valencia).