As 7th graders, we’ll never truly experience what it was like to grow up in the generation before us—but Mr. Ogaz did! Our 7th grade language arts teacher had some fun and memorable teenage years.
One of Mr. Ogaz’s favorite parts of high school was being involved in the school newspaper. That experience sparked his love for writing, photography, and digital art—passions he still enjoys today.
Like many of us, Mr. Ogaz found school challenging at times, but he excelled in the classes he enjoyed most. While he earned mostly B’s and C’s, he received A’s in his favorite subjects.
Sports also played a big role in his teenage life. Mr. Ogaz was on his school’s soccer team and played club soccer at a Gold level for PSG. And as you can see from the photo, he also raced dirt bikes!
There were some differences between then and now. One big change was the rise of cell phones. Mr. Ogaz said texting in class became common as phones became more popular. He added, “With different smartphones and social media, it’s way different now.”
One of his favorite memories from that time was his 8th grade trip to Italy. He visited iconic cities like Rome, Venice, and Florence—and tried what he calls “the world’s best gelato” in each one. He also went on backpacking trips that sometimes lasted up to two weeks, which he says helped inspire his path toward becoming a teacher.
As you can see, Mr. Ogaz had a pretty amazing middle and high school experience. While a lot has changed over the years, some things—like following your passions and making great memories—remain the same.
