Page 327 - PINE CREST 2005

In the hot Florida sun, boiling temperatures can be avoided in various ways.
But as far as I’m concerned, there is only one escape from the eternal summer oven that looms over the
city of Ft. Lauderdale...

the slip n’ slide.

I have passed many hours sliding and splashing down the lengthy yellow chute, bruising abs and scrap­
ing palms in order to reach the mecca of inflated vinyl that lies at the end. To me, this portable kiddy-pool,
constructed with a diminutive perimeter and an extensive length of knotted garden hose, is more than just a
refreshing dip after the agonizing collapse on the sliding mat 18 feet foregoing—it is a haven.
Immersion into the glistening, grass-infused water makes the cut from a protruding rock through the
vinyl worth the blood. It makes Florida worth the heat. It makes the slip n’ slide worth the ten dollars. It is
the conclusion of the journey, yet the commencement of the fun. The more injured and aching when I force­
fully hit the end, the more indebted I am to the inflated polyurethane there to catch me.
My summer experiences on this backyard contraption recommended for “kids ages 6-12 and not exceed­
ing 5 feet tall or 100 lbs” can be likened to our personal, academic, and extracurricular experiences here at
the Pine.
Each step of the running start, the position of the launch, the length of the mat, the firmness of the
ground beneath, and most importantly, the wet-soaked vinyl, all contribute to the reward of the dousing
sensation. Likewise, there are people, experiences, and opportunities we are indebted to for building a suc­
cessful glide to the finish.

To our parents, lifelong friends, and PC lower school community: thank you for giving us the inspiration
and guidance to achieve a powerful running start and an ideal push at the perfect angle for optimal sliding
along the journey.
To the middle school: for teaching us that the reward requires effort, for demonstrating the proper way
to glide through the years, and for always offering a smile along the way, we are forever indebted.
To the administration, chaplaincy, and guidance department: from the opportunities you’ve offered, and
the qualities and high morals you continue to foster, we’ve been able to participate in many facets of aca­
demic life that continue to prepare us for a long slide with maximum splash velocity into an impacting
career.
To the Pine Crest Alumni, benefactors, parent associations, and friends: as any frightened five year-old
in a skirted, floral-print, one-piece bathing suit will tell you—sliding at high speeds into a wall of inflated
plastic can be scary—unless someone goes before you and shows you how its done.
And to my classmates: if we hadn’t cheered eachother on, from the muddy sidelines, would any of us
have ever risked the jump?
Whether showing individual self-expression in the arts, playing on a sports team, showing leadership in a
club, or cultural diversity through expression on stage-each opportunity helps build the same exhilarating
slide to a rewarding destination. Debating in political lectures, observing and partaking in performances of
every sort, and meeting people in the community from different backgrounds than our own have helped
teach us the skills, qualities, and morals to not only build a rugged raceway, but a fun one to the finish.
With teachers to act as the plastic stakes that keep this runway on track, and the knowledge they’ve
offered, acting as friction-fighting water, I know that I, and the rest of the Class of 2005 are ready to plunge
into the excitement ahead.

We’ve slid as fast as we can. We have the battle wounds to prove it.
Now we just need someone to give us directions to the Adult Pool...

-Rachel Quigley