Excerpts from my 8th grade diaries. I had moved to a tough city school from a cushy life in Phoenix. I was extremely unpopular — alternately taunted, bullied, and completely ignored.

February 28, 1978
Day rating: Star-plus (star = excellent day)

I won the spelling bee. Yes, friends, I won. I won. I now represent the entire city of White Plains for the Westchester championship. If I win that, I go to Washington DC to the Nationals. I still can’t believe it. Actually, I was higher than a kite before. But now I’ve really sorta gotten it into my system. So, the next one is April 5th at Pace University at 10am. Ooh, what if I win??? Well, I’ll think about that later on. I’ve got a lot of time.

I’m supposed to get a plaque! The first REAL award I’ve ever gotten! (Excluding certificates and fruit rolls.) I’m very, very, very happy. Well, I don’t wanna dwell on it, in fear of a bloated ego. But one more “yahoo.” YAAAAAAHOOOOOO!!!!!!!

March 1, 1978
Day rating: Circle-minus (circle = average day)

My name was announced on the loudspeaker at school today, “best wishes and congratulations.” They played it up a lot, though, and a lot of people misunderstood, thinking that I was already qualified for the Nationals and that I was going to Washington DC. In Math, Mr. Hall wrote a word on the blackboard, and then turned around and asked “Did I spell that right, Becky?” I’m modest, and I wish he didn’t do that, because everyone was firing questions, and making me blush. But the highlight of that moment was that Gilbert Cooper [drawn hearts here] looked at me with kindness and (what I guess was, in respect to the moment) interest (about the spelling bee, not me, of course.) I don’t know why I like him, though; he’s been nasty to me at other times, but he’s funny. The way he writes commercial jingles on the blackboard … I like him, I guess.

April 3, 1978
Day rating: Circle-minus minus minus minus

My dad and stepmom were going to see “The Goodbye Girl” but they came back early because they had a fight. I hate it. It’s only 8:30pm, but I am writing early because my spelling bee is DAY AFTER TOMORROW! I’m so nervous! The suspense is killing me. Oh well, I’ll see how I do when I see how I do.

The Academy Awards are on. John Travolta [drawn hearts here] was nominated for “Saturday Night Fever.” I hope he wins, the dear.

April 4, 1978
Day rating: Circle

I must get a good night’s sleep because of my SPELLING BEE TOMORROW!!! I was horribly nervous before but now I am totally pacific and a bit depressed. I think I tried a little too hard to not get my hopes up. I am trying so hard to be happy with the cliche “It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose, etc.” but I really want to win, but that is the dream of every other finalist. Shit. I was so confident before that I’d whip ’em, but well, forget about the buts. I won’t talk about it any more. End of bee conversation.

Gilbert came up to me in Science and poked his pen in the foil surrounding my bunsen burner.

Good night! Hope the Bee goes well! Stay tuned!

Part Two is here.

The photo above (click on it for larger view) is from my yearbook from 7th grade, when I was slightly more popular. I am in the top row, third from right. I did not appear in the 8th grade yearbook.