ANNA MONICA / L’Observateur / August 22, 2000

It happens every year, it’s a certainty, and the scene is the same all over in store after store. On the first day of school, and perhaps even before, thestores are swarming with well-meaning parents and their demanding or “know what I want” kids, getting the necessary school supplies. Really, that day hasto be a merchant’s dream and a profitable one because there are so many kids who need so many supplies, or think they do.

Some schools, as I understand it, offer packages that can be purchased there so it’s easy for the parents and the youngsters are sure to have the necessary supplies without any mistakes. Nonetheless, everyone else, andthat is a lot of them, is out there shopping.

I don’t like to miss it and find excuses to go to the store on the day when most non-parents would rather not. When school starts, the stores becomerowdy, unkempt, and in my opinion, portray signs of real life as it was intended. So, the kids are growing up and many of them know what they wantand can make their own decisions, even if the parents don’t agree. To me it’sfun to witness; for the parents it’s frustrating, but the frustrations settle down to begin again next year.

So I went down the aisles to get an up close and personal look and started picking out a few people and asking questions. Among those shopping andcooperating with my curious inquiries were Latania Mixon of LaPlace, shopping with daughter Tiayameika, a student at LaPlace Elementary. TinaJeandron of LaPlace was filling a basket with supplies for Haley, a third- grader at Ascension of our Lord and Elise, in pre-K.

In another aisle I found Susan Walls, who admitted that her daughter, Brittany, a student at Leon Godchaux Junior High, was more interested in looking at clothes than at school supplies. Susan was proceeding with theschool supply shopping while admitting that her daughter thought “mom is cheap.” Atlantis White of St. James Parish, in the 11th grade at St. CharlesCatholic, was accompanying her mom, Marvis, while Terance, a sixth-grader at Paulina Elementary, stayed home.

Angela and Christopher Andry were a mother and son combo I encountered who had just about finished their shopping without altercation. Twelve-year-old Nicole wasn’t shopping that day for supplies to take to Garyville Magnet School.

Not all school shopping was being done by parent/child, however. I met upwith a number of high school students who didn’t mind asserting their independence and competence in deciding for themselves what they needed.

Ashley Ladner, Brandi Madere and Renee Castenada, students at St. CharlesCatholic, stopped to chat with me and were extremely pleasant as were Brooke Lemoine and Nicole Matthews, who also attend St. Charles Catholic.It’s probably been a number of years since their parents had to accompany them to buy supplies, but it was obvious these young ladies were having a good time shopping while enjoying their friendship.

Then I met up with Ashley Fox, who has a scholarship and will be starting her first year at UNO. Ashley was almost giddy about her soon-to-be newadventure into the world of education. “I am excited to start the new schoolyear and live in New Orleans,” she said. Her friend, Sara Clayton, also wantedto make a statement. “I go to East St. John strictly for the education (whichshe considers very good). I am not too big on a social life.” Sara can boast ofa 3.5 average in school.When parents are shopping with their children, before school or around any holiday, the most common expression heard throughout the world, I think, is “Mama,” as they beg, plead, bargain or demand when in the stores. But forall of you who have already graduated your offspring out of elementary and high school, surely you won’t be left out. You are probably busy getting yourwashing machines and dryers in top condition because, you know, college students do come home on the weekend, dragging plenty dirty laundry behind them.

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