I could feel it in the air yesterday.  It was a beautiful 72 degrees, the sun was shining, the sky seemed a little brighter shade of blue than normal and I couldn’t wait to fall asleep to the sound of crickets and crisp 60 degree air flowing in my window!!  Ahhhhh Fall… it’s glorious!  When I think of fall I think of soccer practice, changing leaves, the approaching holidays, friends and most of all a new year of Oasis!!  For middle school students, the first thought that without a doubt comes to mind is SCHOOL.  So, we thought we’d find out from over a 100 students what they are looking most forward to as they all go back to school next week.  Here’s what we found…

The 5th most popular answer(s)… Lunch and Lockers

This one was a virtual tie so I included both answers.  My first thought was that the food must be a whole lot better now than when I went to Middle School.  Or maybe, so many chose lunch because it’s when you don’t have to think about anything other than food andyou get to hang with friends and play dumb games like bloody knuckles.  I’m pretty sure this is the most dramatic hour of the day.  It’s when relationships start and end… over between bites of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and with the smell of grease in the air.  Romantic and mysteriously wonderful, I know!  

Jacob Rowe from Hart was one of the “lunch” votes.  He wrote… “Decent Food.”  His answer made me wonder what he was eating all summer! lol 

The other answer is a little tougher to figure out because it seems like most guys don’t give a rip about their lockers.  But then I realized, of all the students that gave this answer, the HUGE majority of them were girls.  To them, lockers are a statement.  They speak volumes about the inner most parts of their hearts!  Sounds weird guys, I know, but it’s true!  Pay attention to a girls locker and you’ll discover all kinds of secrets about them.  How much makeup means to them, who their favorite Jonas Brother is, the maximum number of mirrors that can fit in a 12″ metal door, if they’re messy or organized… I could go on forever!

The 4th most popular answer(s)… Sports and New Clothes

This one came in with 20 votes.  Students wrote about being excited to try out for football and basketball, run for track and go see football games.  I can’t even tell you the sadness I felt when I noticed that not one of these answers mentioned the greatest sport on the planet… soccer.  What’s going on? 

I just knew this would be one of the answers.  21 student are expecting mom and dad to shell out hundreds for a new look.  Who doesn’t like getting a new wardrobe once a year?  What was funny about this one is that a bunch of guys wrote about their excitement for “new shoes” while mostly girls didn’t want to limit the choice to just their feet.  Caroline Retel from Iroquois wasn’t just excited about new clothes but the whole experience of “shopping!”

The 3rd most popular answer… Teachers

I was actually happy to see this one.  It shows there are a bunch of people out their making a difference in the lives of students!  I’m racking my brain trying to remember just ONE of my middle school teachers from Green Middle School in Ohio.  I’m drawing a blank at the moment… I did have the best 6thgrade teacher on the planet named Mr. Barrett.  He’d play basketball with us everyday at recess and was an incredible man of God.  But, 6th grade was my last year of elementary school at Chapel Hill Christian School.  My 2 years of Middle School have been conveniently blocked out of my mind forever I guess which is one of the reasons I love being a Middle School Pastor… to give some positive memories!

The 2nd most popular answer… Classes

Over 50 students gave this answer.  15 students mentioned band/orchestra like Emmalce Loscher from Oakview who plays the trombone and Julianna Spencer from Walnut Creek who plays the violin.  Gym got 8 answers, classes in general got 7, choir 4, math 3, art 3, computer ed. 3 and then a bunch of people excited about languages like French, Spanish and Latin.  One student wrote “Dodgeball.”  I didn’t know that was a class, but I’m pretty sure this student just likes pounding smaller people in the face with a ball and not getting in trouble for it!!

The most popular answer… FRIENDS

Almost 70 students gave this answer.  It makes sense!  It’s part of who we are as people.  We want to be accepted by others.  So, be a good friend this year and follow the commands of Jesus when he says love God with everything you’ve got and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22, Mark 12, Luke 10).  Just make sure you realize that ”neighbors” include everybody, not just your bff! 

Honorable Mention Answers

Leah Clifton from Avondale- ”I’m looking forward to not being bored anymore.”  2 others also gave this answer!

Josh Bowling from West- “I’m looking forward to GIRLS.” Only 4 guys and 3 girls admitted this one.

Rachel Maldonado from Ruether- “I’m looking forward to school dances.”  This reminds me… my one memory of a Middle School dance was standing bored with a bunch of guys on one side of the gym, finally getting the guts to ask “Jackie” to dance, asking her out and getting shot down! 

Michael Kirby from Oxford- “I’m looking forward to running for student council.”

Lance Dunbar from West- “I’m looking foward to School ending, Christmas break and Easter break.”  13 other students also mentioned next summer and holidays!

Carter from Oakland Christian School- “I’m looking forward to less chores.”  Nice!!

Kayla Bloodworh who is homeschooled wrote “(1) continuing to sleep in, (2) finishing before lunch, (3) extra vacations, (4) DVD classes and (5) funny teachers.”  We’re all just a little jealous!!

Roger Gudobba who is a parent wrote “(1) peace and quiet, (2) kids learning, (3) one step closer to leaving for college, (4) peace and quiet and (5) PEACE AND QUIET!”  He is one of our fearless elective teachers and very insightful as you can see!!

Finally, Natalie Dillard from Boulan Park- This is exactly what she wrote… “I can’t wait to do new homework!”  Wow!!!  And she wasn’t alone, 2 other students also wrote down “homework” as their answer!!  Knowledge and wisdom really and truly are powerful and wonderful things!  Get Your Learn On!