Scene from Olympia High School - 1988

One of the saddest moments of my life was the day the Wonnacotts moved from Rochester, NY to Westchester, PA.  I actually cried on the way home after saying goodbye.  I loved the whole Wonnacott family and knew how much we'd miss them.  Their home was the most exciting place to be -- with kids coming from or going to various adventures.  Paul was able to spend a half-day with me at school (we attended different high schools) just before, or maybe it was just after they moved.  I believe this was in 1988, during my senior year at Greece Olympia High School.  We were eating lunch in the cafeteria, when Paul noticed that one of the stoners was making fun of me.  I had the typical skater hair style of the 80's at that time, with extremely long hair in the front, and almost shaved in the back.  It was a gorgeous new wave look, but largely unappreciated in my high school.  Olympia was not a preppy or new wave school -- sweat pants were more fitting than paisley.  So, a new wave haircut was grounds for constant ridicule and I had basically gotten used to it.  Well, Paul found this mocking completely unacceptable and decided to take action.  What he did next was the sort of thing I dreamed about doing many times, but never had the courage.  He stood on his chair and began a beautiful rant.  He pointed to the stoner, and said to the rest of the cafeteria, "This druggie scum is laughing at my best friend and that is pathetic.  Look at him, he's a complete loser.  He'll be pumping my friend's gas at Exxon in a few years.  We shouldn't sit around and let these stoners make us feel bad for being smart, dressing well, and trying.  They're scum, so let's say it to their faces."  After he finished and sat down, students actually started applauding.  It was right out of a Revenge of the Nerds movie or something.  I always knew Paul was fearless, but this took the cake.  You could not ask for a more loyal friend