Dr. Jackson,
Your recent posting had me thinking back to my long ago ZEX year.
Just a week or so ago I would imagine the newest freshman class got
mustered into MLS.
I remember how, as a freshman, the attitude and personality of the
upperclassmen changed once the parents started to wander off after that
"enrollment" Sunday and the dorms became pretty much devoid of adult
supervision. True, there was the occasional tutor, but the ratio was something
like 2 tutors for over 140 male dormers leads to pretty thin coverage.
It was definitely an "interesting" experience. Whenever I read about the
plebe year at military academies, or about English boarding school (such as
Robert Graves' autobiography "Goodbye To All That") I always find myself doing
an "experience comparison".
Although I have not kept in contact with my old alma mater, nor have I had
any children who have subsequently attended MLS, I have been told the hazing
that was so common during freshman year has all but disappeared. Considering
the age of a freshman in the dorm at MLS (13 or 14 years old), the "traditional"
hazing would be a lawsuit waiting to happen, especially in today's litigious
society. In addition, the proliferation of cell phones with camera and video
capabilities, as well as access to email, would tend to help police overt
abuses.,
Our former pastor, who was about 30 years younger than myself and also an
alumni of MLS, would often go on about the hazing of his freshman year.
He then made it known that he was a "townie".
Uh-huh....home every night, and home all weekend, every weekend.
"Boy, Pastor, that sure must have been tough" ....eyes rolling....laughing
hysterically (in private).
I will say this about the hazing...
While I never look back on my high (prep) school with fond nostalgia, I am
proud of having endured that time without letting it break my spirit.
I even must confess that I look with some disdain on those students who
entered MLS in their sophomore (or later) years and avoid that "trial by fire"
ZEX year.
To a certain extent, I don't consider them to be full fledged alumni. The
same can be said for townies; sorry guys and gals, you just never had the full
experience.
Ok, I guess that makes me a bit of a snob, and maybe even a little mentally
imbalanced (denigrating those who did not "suffer" enough).
Trust me, I have no right to "look down" on anyone.
Well, that's enough of walking down memory lane.
I will probably wake up screaming again tonight.
Just joking...my therapy sessions have finally silenced the night
terrors.
Grumps
