Back to School, Locker Panic & Apparently My ‘Pimp My Ride’ Era

Hello, Shortridge!

I rolled up to Shortridge High School from 4–7 p.m. for their Back to School Bash, and let me tell you—the halls were alive with all the feelings that come with the start of a new school year.

Students were picking up schedules, walking the halls, finding classrooms and experiencing the annual rite of passage known as trying to open your locker while pretending you are absolutely not panicking.

There was food, community partners, teachers and staff everywhere, and families getting the lay of the land before the school year officially gets rolling.

And then, of course, there was me.

I had parents, teachers and students pop inside throughout the evening—including students who graduated last year and came back to visit, and current students who seemed mildly horrified by the realization that high school is going by WAY faster than anticipated.

One of my favorite things about the night was how many students came in looking for books not for themselves, but for their younger siblings. One recent graduate picked out books for her first-grade cousin, which just about did me in. A mama of four stocked up on enough books to keep everybody reading for quite some time.

Then there was one young lady who spotted a book she wanted, left without it and apparently went to work on Dad.

She returned.

With Dad.

She got the book.

Atta girl.

A few students were so jazzed about Sylvia that they asked if I would be at Shortridge every day this year. While I appreciate the enthusiasm, I do have other places to be. But what a compliment.

And then came perhaps my favorite review of the evening.

A dad stopped, looked me over and asked:

“Were you on Pimp My Ride?”

Sir.

No.

But also…thank you?

am a 1965 Avion who has had quite the glow-up, so I will happily accept this assessment.

Beyond the books and locker struggles, what stood out most was just how incredibly sweet everyone was. The staff, students and families made the whole evening feel welcoming and genuinely excited for a fresh school year. There was such a strong sense of community—and a whole lot of people looking out for siblings, cousins, kids and one another.

Not a bad way to kick off another school year.

Thanks for having me, Shortridge. And to everyone still fighting with their locker combinations: Godspeed.

XO-Sylvia