Jackson Landers:
CLASS OF 1992
Clarksville Middle SchoolClass of 1992
Clarksville, MD
Atholton High SchoolClass of 1996
Columbia, MD
Clemens Crossing Elementary SchoolClass of 1989
Columbia, MD
Jackson's Story
Life
First of all, I want to make it clear that I did not wind up dead or in prison, as many of you (and our teachers) probably supposed. Also, I apologize for all the hairspray. It was totally uncalled for.
In 1992, I moved to Charlottesville, VA. This was literally hours after the big 8th grade graduation dance. I spent my last 2 high school years working up to 3 jobs at once, writing and doing volunteer work for political campaigns and causes. I dropped out after my junior year and applied for early admission to Hampshire College in Amherst, MA. After a year at Hampshire, I ran out of money and had to transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. Several years later, I once again ran out of money and went to work full time for the Virginia Historical Society as a gardener. I actually really enjoyed the work and sometimes miss it.
In 1999 I moved back to Charlottesville, VA to get married to Tricia Smith, to whom I had been engaged since the age of 17. I also started a new job as an insurance broker with a small firm that I am now gradually purchasing.
Around 2000 I started doing a lot of political work again. I regularly work as a political strategist for major-party candidates for local, state and federal office.
On December 30th of 2003, my first daughter, Ida Landers was born. She is much smarter and better-looking than I will ever be.
I'm leaving out a lot of fascinating biographical information which really needs to wait until I either have a book deal or the statute of limitations runs out. Whichever comes first.
Most of you from my class at Clarksville Middle School who are reading this, I have not seen since waving good-bye on the way out of the dance at the end of the year in 8th grade. It has been a long time. What, like 12 or 13 years? This means that you're getting old. Ha.
Probably I have pictures of you wearing 'SKIDZ' with Sebagos. Perhaps striking a Vanilla Ice pose with raised eyebrow and hands grasping at the opposite shoulders. Sweet Jesus, imagine the blackmail possibilites. Note that The Cure has finally assumed it's rightful place in the pantheon of hipness while Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer are now reality show rejects. I am vindicated, dammit.
I can't find my year book with your last names and most of you are totally unknown to Google (I'm easily google-able). Despite my profile on this site, I of course did not attend Atholton High, but since most of my friends did I wanted to pop up for that class in order to get in touch with people who might not remember to check middle school listings.
School
I had a crush on Jamie Brand for years but for some reason never did anything about it.
I learned absolutely nothing in any of my classes. I never paid the slighest bit of attention or did any homework. Except for shop. Shop class with Mr. Romanczeck (sp?) in 7th and 8th gra...Expand for more
des ended up being one of the most useful classes in my entire educational history, including college. Shop class was where I learned how to use power tools, which came in handy when I started working on guitars in high school and more importantly when I bought a fixer-upper house and renovated it. I am now an avid amateur carpenter with a lot of cool toys that I know how to use safely. Thank you, Mr. Romanczeck. I'm sorry to say that I still usually skip the goggles.
To tell the bitter truth, middle school was pretty much a complete waste of time except for friends and shop class. Did any of us really learn anything in 'social studies?' Thank God I had the good sense to spend a lot of time at the public library where I could absorb some actual history and geography. What was all the 'GT' stuff for? Did making crap out of cardboard or whatever really extract some extra measure of raw human potential? I really don't think so. I spent my GT time sitting in the library reading about the Haight-Ashbury acid scene of the late 60's under the pretense of researching the origins of rock & roll. In retrospect, I'm amazed at some of the books they had there for kids.
Wait, I actually liked gym sometimes, too. Even though the uniforms were stupid. Weightlifting was fun. So was floor hockey. And dodgeball.
My favorite piece of middle school BS is how at the begining of 8th grade they rounded us all up into a double classroom and gave us a 'serious' talk about how this where it starts to *really* matter and you have to get good grades starting *now* or you'll never get into college and you'll flip burgers for the rest of your life. I did absolutely nothing in 8th grade and never paid a price. You can totally ignore homework and there really are no consequences. I spent my classroom time with a notebook on my knees, leaning up against the front of the desk so the teacher couldn't see what I was writing. I was generally drawing spaceships or writing short stories (also usually about spaceships). I have no idea what was being discussed half the time. Yet I had no problems getting into a good college.
Jamie Brand. There's a redeeming value of middle school. The chick who you have a crush on and would never even come into contact with otherwise. If I was single I would probably go on some crazy, John Cusack-type mission to track her down and woo her. If it was a movie, Drew Barrymore would play Jamie (I know they look nothing alike). I'm thinking Toby Mcguire could play me. Billybob Thornton would play the evil, scuzzy boyfriend who takes her for granted. The soundtrack (all culled from '89- '90) would be awesome.
Workplace
I started out digging ditches for minimum wage when I was 14. Now I'm part owner of a rather profitable insurance brokerage. There were some other things inbetween of varying interest. So things have worked out nicely.
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Reunions
