Raze the memories, keep the building

Someone left this link on my Livejournal a few days ago. They know I'm a former student of Thomas, one of the many to breathe its asbestos and stumble down the stairs. One of the only movie style schools in all of Washington county, huge stairs, moldy walls, creaking lockers, spooky theater. The full shebang. And in design and construction far superior to its successor Hillsboro High School.

And really, that loss of design and such a fantastic old building makes me sad. I posted a mournful update to Facebook when I found out. And one of my school friends insinuated we should dance on its grave. And she's also completely correct. Junior high, for the vast majority of us, is an awful experience. As much as I'm an awkward adult, I was 50000000 times worse in junior high. I was tall for my age, I had no idea what to do with my hair and I had the typical after school special problem, my parents had just split.

I'll spare you the details, suffice to say I didn't really have anything to do over the summer that wasn't band or softball until I hit 9th grade. And then the world opened up. My freshman year was fantastic. Something clicked and I became a little less awkward. Plus, geeks were starting to get cool. Thanks grunge.

So, I have mixed feelings. On one hand I want to raze the building and kill every tiny little memory embedded in its walls. On the other, it's a great building and not a type that gets built that often anymore. I say raze the memories, keep the building.

Go to JB Thomas or the old Hillsboro High School? Share your memories

Going to be turned into playing fields apparently