HIGH LIFE: A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Special Memories Are Worth Reliving

Although reliving the glory days of the past is generally a habit of older people (such as your parents), nothing prevents high school students from remembering the good times.

Hot Topics wonders, “If you could relive a moment or experience from your life, what would it be?”

“The day my brother was born. It was Christmas and I wanted a dog. Instead, my parents had a son.”

Claudia Mojica, 18,

senior, Villa Park

“The days when my best friend, Tim, and I would ride our Big Wheels till the street lights went on and talk about how we wanted to be Aquaman when we became older and marry Wonder Woman.”

Mike Tortorice, 18,

senior, Woodbridge

“My last moments with my grandfather.”

Wendy Holt, 16,

junior, Esperanza

“When I witnessed the birth of a child.”

Mark Wersching, 18,

senior, Ocean View

“When I went to Beijing and saw the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Just being there was like reliving history. I got to know more about my heritage.”

Jennifer Wong, 15,

sophomore, Kennedy

“I would relive the moment in my life when I first held my nephew in my arms (when he was still cute).”

Barbara Brunet, 18,

senior, Rosary

“My first year in high school, so I could get better grades.”

Colbey Phipps, 16,

sophomore, Kennedy

“My birth.”

Emily Fields, 16,

sophomore, Santa Margarita

“Jumping off a cliff at Lake Powell.”

Eric Lindsey, 14,

freshman, Esperanza

“I prefer to live in the present and not harp on the past.”

Farsam Shadab, 18,

senior, Santa Margarita

“The days when I was just a little toddler, right before I started kindergarten, and maybe during kindergarten. It was so carefree and fun back then.”

Lynne Do, 13,

sophomore, Kennedy

“Birth--so I could start all over again.”

Matt Calabria, 17,

senior, Servite

“I would relive the moment when my boyfriend of a year and four months first said, ‘I love you.’ I was so happy.”

Kelly King, 17,

senior, Rosary

“I would want to relive my days in kindergarten, because I didn’t have any problems or worries, and I didn’t have to worry about screwing up my grades.”

Doris Nguyen, 17,

junior, Loara

“I don’t want to relive any moments. I’m happy as things are.”

Beth Schock, 16,

sophomore, Newport Harbor

“I haven’t had any experiences worth remembering. The best years of my life are wasted in the classroom.”

Mike Robertson, 17,

junior, Newport Harbor

“My eighth-grade graduation, because I won a couple of awards, and it was one of the few times my father told me he was proud of me.”

Ruben Gonzalez, 17

junior, Pacifica

“I would relive my high school years, because I had so much fun. As I look into my future, I see all the responsibilities that I must take. But as I look back, I see all the good times I shared with my friends in high school.”

Carmen Jan, 18,

senior, Loara

“When my family went to the Grand Canyon (because we) spent time with each other and had fun.”

Helen Do, 16

sophomore, Pacifica

“Being a kid all over again, and believing in Santa Claus.”

Colette Hory, 15,

sophomore, Dana Hills

“I was at Magic Mountain on Viper with a guy I liked, and fireworks started going off. It was one of those one-in-a-million things.”

Debbyie Ralphs, 16,

junior, Southern California Christian

“Being born. Maybe I’ll remember it this time.”

Jessica Lineham, 15,

sophomore, Fullerton Union

“I would relive my 16th birthday. I got to go to the Angels-Twins game and meet some of the players and managers from each team.”

Aimee Green, 16,

junior, El Toro

“When George Bush was thrust from the presidential throne by an overwhelming victory by President Bill Clinton.”

Romina Boyolini, 17,

senior, Ocean View

“When I could eat all the calories in the world and not fret about gaining excess weight.”

Cindy Wu, 16,

junior, Dana Hills

“Beating La Habra High School in girls’ basketball.”

Nadia Hoerner, 15,

sophomore, Fullerton Union

“I would relive the first kiss with my friend whom I’ve been going steady with for a year and half.”

Jodi Smith, 17,

junior, El Toro

“Watching ‘A Room With a View’ in Mrs. Newitz’s class. It was my favorite movie.”

Zabel Ouzounian, 17,

senior, Villa Park

“I was in Mexico during spring break, and I met a guy from Bakersfield. I saw him every day for a week. We became very good friends.”

Esmeralda Pulido, 17,

junior, Southern California Christian

“I’d like to go back to my youth in Pomona. I had a nice house.”

Tim Runion, 17,

senior, Servite

“My seventh-grade year, because I had great friends who made me laugh and I had a lot of fun.”

Rebecca Stuenkel, 15,

sophomore, Lutheran

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

What things are too personal to discuss with others?

Responses were gathered by Tina Toochinda (Dana Hills), Traci McCrimmon (El Toro), Kelly Fullerton (Esperanza), Brian Singer (Fullerton Union) Abby Fung (Kennedy), Cara Wilson (Loara), MaryAlice Perez (Lutheran), Dan Eastmond (Newport Harbor), Susanna Lee (Ocean View), Diana Mueller (Pacifica), Lara Lagos (Rosary), Tina Ghattas (Santa Margarita), Henry York (Servite), Rosalind Blames (Southern California Christian), Darice Liu (Villa Park) and Mamata Kene (Woodbridge).