name: cara
grade: 8th
the year: 1998
state: Worth, IL
High school: Worth Jr High School (go rams!)
So I was a huge pumpkins fan. this photo is a scan of what I gave my best friend Tracey in 8th grade. "Sandoz, Mr Busekros [Social Studies Teacher] made fun of James [Iha]! Nooo! Have a great year in high school (riding in the bus with DAN!) and I'll have a great year with Vince.. er.. I mean in high school. this is a really gay note so sorry. Love and Pumpkins, C'Ara." Sandoz was my pet name for Tracey (from the cover song from smashing pumpkins' 'pisces iscariot' album called "Girl Named Sandoz" and my pet name was 'Bugg' as seen on my dog tag necklace, taken from James Iha (guitarist of Smashing Pumpkins)'s dog, Bugg Superstar.)
My other necklace hanging down and out of view is a pentagram, because I thought I was a Wiccan (we all did, don't front). I signed my name (as well as all my homework) "C'Ara" like D'Arcy, the bassist from the Smashing Pumpkins. We were dorks, I know. But I was the only one I knew with my hair like that (Just like James Iha's during the Mellon Collie era). I know, I know... School sucked- but people kind of left me alone and I had good friends/rivals and we all defined ourselves by what music we listened to. it was US (Alternative kids, or alterna-geeks) vs the Preppies/Trendies. What a battle, what a battle. I always had to wear jackets over my shirts for how "obscene" they were, especially once I got into high school. I guess the administration didn't appreciate "American by Birth, Antichrist by Choice" plastered across the back of my tshirts. My jeans would be ripped with safety pins all in them, graffitied in sharpie markers with Smashing Pumpkins, Tori Amos, Manson and NIN lyrics all over them, and all I wore were band shirts. My glasses were awful and I didn't understand what makeup was. I was an A student, Honor classes, etc all that. Straight edge too back then. I am still obsessed with the Smashing Pumpkins, but I've toned it down." -- Cara