Katrillion.com; August 18 2002
By: Valerie Nome


Pop Stars Share Back-to-School Memories

The back-to-school sales signal that it's time to line up the lunchbox and get in tune with one's studious side.

While it may seem like a drag, new wardrobe additions and hanging out with pals are two definite pluses of going back to the books. And don't forget the school dances!

Dealing with bullies may be feared, but imagine if you were alone in a class of your own. Many superstars, including Aaron Carter, Mandy Moore, even *NSYNC's Justin Timberlake, were.

Justincase, who recently recorded a single with Michelle Branch, are a brothers-sister trio, and two of them are schooled on the road.

"It's cool because sometimes I don't have a whole day to devote. Sometimes I'm doing promotion all day," Hannah, 15, said. "But I can get a few hours in at night. And then, another day, when I'm not doing anything, I can study all day."

Then there are the transition periods. Middle school graduation -- making the big leap to high school -- can be awkward.

Marion Raven, 18, of M2M fame, had a rough time in eighth grade.

"In Norway, we change schools in eighth grade," she said. "It's so weird to start over again as a new kid. I didn't like that."

Even today's fashion plates weren't necessarily runway models in high school. Where were their stylists when they needed them?!

"In eighth grade, remember that store 5.7.9?" Willa Ford said. "Well, I had this matching outfit. It matched from head to toe. And I wore a bow! People still come up to me with those pictures. It's so embarrassing. I always ask my mom why she let me wear that and she tells me I wanted to wear it."

If school isn't your thing, stick it out. Britney Spears sounded bored with high school, but she had bigger things in store.

"I've done the prom thing, but it's only once a year," she said at the beginning of her pop career. "When I was home two years ago, every weekend we'd go out and do the same thing."

"It was fun for a while but I started getting itchy to get out again and see the world."

If you agree with Britney, you can follow Aaron and start a band during your scholastic years. At the age of 6, Aaron formed Dead End with two of his elementary schoolmates. They even performed at the local library!

School has something for everyone, even your favorite stars.






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