Hi SFA HS Class of '83,
Our next offering is another terrific, wise, funny and poignant post from Martha Hall Clay, who tells us a bit about her HS memories, her move to Cali and back, and her family. Say hi to Martha and share a memory!
THEN:
What is your memory of arriving as a freshman at Austin High in 1979?
I remember feeling giddy and very young. It was comforting, though, to know at least some sophomores and a lot of freshmen, obviously. The halls seemed so crowded, and the classroom locations/schedule were intimidating to figure out. I still have dreams about not knowing my schedule or where to go next. Interestingly, I have taken my dog to SFA as a therapy dog this past year, and the school looks pretty much the same. I remembered the cafeteria layout and that you could look into the library from the 3rd floor.
What activities were you involved in during your years in high school?
Sadly, I participated only in the Red Jackets, and it was just one or two years. Some of my friends were on the tennis and gymnastics teams or the football team, and a couple were cheerleaders. I hadn’t pursued any sports enough to play in high school as I did NOT come from an athletic family. I did work afternoons of senior year in a doctor’s office, where I had been employed that prior summer.
What were your favorite classes and who were your favorite teachers?
I did love my French class, and Madame Molberg was a fun teacher. She took maternity leave and during that time, our substitute teacher taught us lots of slang and the “Parisian” pronunciation versus the more southern pronunciation and proper vocabulary that Madame liked. She was very irritated by our new Parisian attitude upon her return to the classroom. Mr. Glover was one of my favorite teachers as well, and I liked his science class. A coach who taught my health class was a riot though I cannot remember his name. Mr. Gilliam was an EXTREMELY dry Spanish teacher who started every single class with a joke. Most were excellent and we each had to tell a joke to the class before the semester was over. My Spanish isn’t completely helpful, but I do remember how to ask for the check in Spanish: 'La cuenta, por favor!'
Any memories that really stand out, at any point in your four years?
I had a particularly disinterested History teacher (Martha something, blond hair) who taught us in the most boring way. She was pretty bad and I tended to get in trouble in her classroom. Once I was called to Ms. McGee’s office because my locker had a “dirty” poster inside, which was decorated by a friend of mine. She saw the poster when the door was open and made me call my mom to tell her about it. Mom and I thought it was ridiculous. And in French class, in order to avoid some sort of punishment, Tad Davis offered to sing for the class. Of course, he was incredible; we all gave him a behavior pass for that performance. When I started driving my mother told me I couldn’t leave campus for lunch because the period was too short to get there and back driving safely. Soon after that, she pulled up right beside me on Lake Austin Blvd. as I was taking several friends to lunch (probably the Hip Pocket, where Juliet’s is now). I’m sure she took away the keys for a while.
Anything you would go back and do differently?
If I could push restart, I would join more clubs and participate much more in school opportunities. My kids now have been involved in so much at their school, and it makes such a memorable high school experience.
What is your most vivid memory of senior year at Austin High?
I barely remember the graduation ceremony, or much else that is respectable. I do have memories of a “liquid breakfast” at Mt. Bonnell before one of our last days at school. Not proud of that, frankly.
What advice would you give your teenage self now?
Pretend you’re 50+ and feel that confidence, rather than suffer through the insecurities of high school. And get involved at school!
NOW:
Where did life take you after high school?
After a short college search, I ended up in Plan II at UT. Though still in Austin, I didn’t feel like I was going to school in my same hometown; experiences in college were very different from those in high school. From there I moved to LA and got an MBA at Pepperdine, staying in LA for five years total. That was such a perfect period in my life to be there, and I loved my time in LA. I still feel like a California girl and spend lots of time in San Diego. After moves through Tyler and Dallas, where I met my husband (Greg), we spent 6 years in San Diego, 5 in Dallas, and returned to Austin 13 years ago. Frequently I run into friends I haven’t seen in ages - some since graduation - which is a great benefit of returning in Austin. Luckily I live very near my sister and to my mother. And though it was heart wrenching, I spent my father’s last moments by his side, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. I’m sad to see what my hometown has become: traffic, rude drivers, impossible reservations needed at so many restaurants, and a shift to conservativism that makes me uncomfortable. Some people love the growth and changes, but I don’t. That makes for interesting and sometimes heated conversations with Greg, who is a hotel developer. He definitely sees the direction as positive.
What are you doing now?
After years of being a professional in the cable TV industry, and then telecommunications (VoIP), I chose to stay home with my girls as much as I could. We have three, and our oldest is from China. Suffering from fertility difficulties, my husband and I went through the extensive adoption process, and in 2004 we finally received the best reward: an 11-month old darling baby girl! Serendipitously, as soon as our adoption paperwork was completed, I found myself pregnant. My second daughter - Meredith - arrived 6 weeks after our China Baby (Juliet) came home, keeping our household very happy and super busy. And three years after that, I gave birth to our third and final daughter, Eloise. She is a member of Class of ’26 at Austin High! My oldest daughter graduated from Austin High last year, receiving her diploma in the same Burger Center that I did. She and my middle child will both leave for college in August, so there are big changes coming our way. To ward off boredom and to stay out of my remaining daughter’s hair, I found employment working for Leigh Chiu Designs where my boss is the former Leigh Greeven, also class of ’83! Her office has a vibrant energy and I learn a lot in an industry I’m unfamiliar with.
What could young people of today learn from our generation?
I would suggest to let go of some the ideas our generation held on to, such as going straight to college from high school (or even at all), and instead working for a bit or travel, if finances allow. My college learning experience would have been so different if I had greater context to apply to my classes, and perhaps I would have had more confidence to participate in extracurriculars on campus. And to VOTE!!!!
