By Katie Mercigliano ’14

As the end of high school approached me, I came to a sudden and shocking realization. A realization no one really wants to ever have in their lifetime, and most people can’t even admit to themselves. But here is my confession; my name is Katie…and I love the 80s.

 Before this moment, I had never been shy when expressing my scorn for the 80s. And I still do hate Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, glam rock, Billy Joel, hair that looked like a birds nest, shoulder pads and cheap neon spandex. But even if something seemingly sucks (like the 80s), there’s still that possibility of awesomeness that can arise from the ashes of hair-teasing cheesiness. Here’s a little 80s reference-overloaded philosophy to show you what I mean:

Whether you’re in a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away or you’re in the Fast Times at Ridgemont High, times may change me, but I can’t change times (that is, unless I’m Marty McFly). And in those times of need, when you’re Holding Out for a Hero, we all know who you gonna call. Because like the Ghostbusters, there are heroes all around in any time.

From the ones who go up to the six fingered man and say, “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die,” to the ones who are told (spoiler alert), “Luke, I am your father.”

The ones who are Gonna Raise Hell and the ones that are just Raising Arizona.

The ones who get the girl stand outside their window holding up a boombox and blast Peter Gabriel or the one hit wonder who just sings Come On Eileen over and over again to a catchy Irish jig (even though we all know it’s not that Blood[y] Simple).

The Ferris Buellers who take a day off so they can live life rather than just learn about it (and even sing at a parade).

The Ralph Macchios that taught us how to stay golden (Ponyboy) and how to wax our way (on and off) into becoming the karate kid.

The dancing gophers who always get away from the Bill Murrays trying to blow them up.

So if you’re a teen feeling Under Pressure about the future, or you’re wondering Where Is My Mind? You should embrace the awesome truths revealed in the 80s (albeit, mostly by John Hughes). Because there will always be a Darth Vader or a Hans Gruber or a Ted McGinley or a Johnny Lawrence (actually, any character played by Billy Zabka) trying to bring us down. And we are the ones who have to say Don’t Bring Me Down. Because each of us is a Velocity Girl (or boy) with a Good Feeling, saying, “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want because I Want to Break Free on the Road to Nowhere,” thrusting our fists up in the air saying, “Don’t you forget about me.”