Senior Column: Jordan Hall

There isn’t always a certain, known factor that causes awkwardness. It could be nature or nurture. Maybe it’s contagious. But no matter the cause, I’m awkward — pitifully and helplessly awkward.

I think sophomore year EHAP was my downfall. Every time we had to do a presentation, I would somehow get stuck teaching a lesson about childbirth or prostitution in medieval times. My topic, Cromwell’s England, was void of all content concerning the birds and the bees in the 1600’s. I had never felt so confident. But of course, it only went downhill.

While talking about the church in my presentation, a flood of awkwardness burst into the room. I accidentally blurted out “bitches” instead of “bishops”. My face turned bright red and my hand shot up to cover my mouth. Everyone in the class, including Chaffee, couldn’t help but laugh. Somehow, I managed to get through the rest of my presentation, only to go to the nurse claiming I had diarrhea so that I could go home to my trusty bed and assume the fetal position until I forgot about the whole day.

After that emotional bruising, I swore to myself that by the time I graduated, all of my awkwardness would be non-existent

Now as a senior, I’ve never lived up to that promise. This year has probably been the worst for my awkwardness. I started off the year with a definite low. I was driving down Mission after school when a cop pulled me over. I wasn’t speeding, nor was my tail light out. The policeman had just witnessed me screaming the lyrics to “Wrecking Ball” and holding a forkful of BRGR mac and cheese out the window to cool it down.

Later in the year I had another extremely sad encounter, but this time it involved social media. While home alone on a Saturday night, I accidentally Snapchatted Cooper Johnson, who I only know through choir, three times. One of the pictures even had the caption, “SOS I just Snapchatted Cooper Johnson what do I do?”. I was scared to walk into choir that next Monday. Thankfully, Cooper was kind about it and, as far as I know, no one else knew. Until now.

Even though I have become more awkward since high school started, I’ve recently learned to be proud of it. At East, being weird has not only become accepted, but encouraged by the student body. I’ve only gotten weirder through high school, and my fellow SMEasters embrace it. If I had gone to another school, it’s likely my awkwardness would’ve been beaten out of me. I probably wouldn’t have much confidence and I certainly wouldn’t have the guts to write about my awkwardness in a column.

My classmates have laughed with me through my most pitiful moments, and have taught me to enjoy my uncomfortable memories. So I say thank you to my Lancers, for teaching the weirdest of us all to not only be themselves, but love themselves, too.