A Moment With: Stephen Barrow

“High school is neither a democracy nor a dictatorship – nor, contrary to popular belief, an anarchic state. High school is a divine-right monarchy. And when the queen goes on vacation, things change.” – John Green

This interview is by no means the entirety of Stephen Barrow's life in high school. Though the moments he shared in this interview serve as a great reflection of how much we as people grow and how much we will experience in life. Hopefully these memories and lessons he shares will help to guide future generations to be all that they can be and enjoy their time here.

The Interview: Class of 1978

Q: What was your time in highs school like? What was your favorite memory during that time?

High school in the 70s was a lot of fun - I began to come out of my shell (yes, it's true. At one time I was more reserved!) and developed into the person I am today. My favorite memories have to be lunch when all of my friends and I would get together and just be goofy and hang out in the commons during our lunch. Later on, Senior year when we all had our driver's licenses, we'd hang out and go to the Rockaway Townsquare Mall, which opened in our Sophomore year, and hang out on the weekends. Believe it or not, it was a happening place at the time!!! I still have a small handful of friends from high school that are my closest friends to this day. The person I consider my best friend and "partner in crime" also still lives in Randolph. We've been friends since September of 1971 - you do the math, lol!

Q: If you could tell your high school self one thing you know now what would it be? Why is it important to tell yourself that?

Oh, only one thing!!! Nope. I'd have to tell me to...

1) Study more

2) Stop sweating the small stuff

3) Go and have more fun earlier in high school

4) RHS is only the beginning!

Q: What made you decide to come back and teach in Randolph? Were there any teachers that influenced you while you were in high school? Did they change how you thought or what you planned to do with your life after high school?

I became a teacher later on in life after I already lived here (some of just don't know when to go!!), and had another career. When I decided to go transition into education I was a substitute teacher for about 18 months to get my "feet wet" and while it was a dream to teach in the same high school I graduated from there were no guarantees. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. And am extremely thankful for the opportunity I have been given.

Q: How has the school district and even the schools themselves changed since your time attending them?

Hands down it has to be how Randolph has grown and developed. When my family first came here in 1968 the population was around 13,000 people and by the time I graduated in 1978 it was 17, 000. The population is estimated (2019) to be over 25, 000 people!! The town's population has just about doubled in 50 +/- years. I went to 6th grade in what is now Center Grove. Back then it was two schools in one building! The front was the Intermediate School (which I graduated from in 1974) and contained grades 7 and 8 and the rear of the building was known as the Annex and contained grades 3-6. This period was a period of tremendous growth in Randolph and there was a need for a new larger high school. This new high school was started while I was finishing up in the Intermediate School and opened at the beginning of my Sophomore year in 1975. My Freshman year was spent in the "old" High School which is now the Middle School. High school students now have so much more choice when it comes to course selection and there are so many high school sports compared to when I was a student! There were no AP classes and Honors classes were still relatively new. Most of Ironia was still farmland. All of the schools have had to have additions since I graduated due to continued growth in the population- some of the schools have had more than one addition!!

Q: What lessons have you learned from coming back to teach that you otherwise would not know?

To appreciate both the student and the teacher, both of whom have their own challenges.

Q: What advice would you give future generations going into high school?

High school can be tough emotionally as we become adults and discover who we are - high school is only the beginning, not the ending! For some students it can really be tough, but trust me it only gets better for ALL students. Find the things you are passionate about and investigate them full stop. You do NOT have to be great/perfect in everything - you'll burn out and not be happy. Be happy and comfortable with who you are.

Senior Year Choir

Interview notes:

High school is a unique time in our lives and may not always be easy but it is something that years after graduating will be looked back on with fondness. We will grow and we will not be the same people who entered that building the first day of freshman year but we will be prepared despite every reason we think we are not. The lessons we learn here last a lifetime and though things may look different than they used to, there will still be amazing moments to share.

I would like to take a moment to thank Stephen Barrow for his willingness to help me with this project but also for the wonderful life lessons he has taught me over the years. Despite never having had him as a teacher I have met and experienced the wonderful personality he has through passing conversations and speech and debate. His impact on students is one that most probably is not expressed to him daily but does deserve to be. Please if you would take a moment to acknowledge and thank those teachers who have given up much of their time in order to be there for you and many other students. Their impact is profound but sometimes we forget to take a step back and see that.