A Group of High School Misfits Went to Saturday Detention 30 Years Ago Today

On March 24, 1984 a group of Shermer High School students walked into Saturday detention, completely unaware of the day that lied before them.

Laughs, tears, transformations, monkey business, a little pot smoking and ultimately, newfound respect of who they were and the lives they led all make up the classic, 'The Breakfast Club.'

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the movie date that Andrew Clark, Allison Reynolds, Claire Standish, John Bender and Brian Johnson went to detention under Mr. Vernon's watch.

They walked into the Shermer High library seeing each other as Mr. Vernon saw them -- each a typical high school stereotype of a different mold. But while Mr. Vernon's views didn't change that day, the five members of the "Brat Pack" certainly did.

Everyone who lived during and loved the '80s can identify with 'The Breakfast Club.' They can probably tell you how old they were and where they were when they first watched it. It's the ultimate coming-of-age movie for film-lovers and teenagers, and was the crown jewel of John Hughes' many genius movie creations.

My favorite part of the movie? Brian Johnson's letter, of course.

Brian Johnson: Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. What we did WAS wrong, but we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us... In the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is ... a brain...

Andrew Clark: ...and an athlete...
Allison Reynolds: ...and a basket case...
Claire Standish: ...a princess...
John Bender: ...and a criminal...
Brian Johnson: Does that answer your question?

Sincerely yours,

The Breakfast Club.

And you can't forget about the brilliant ending to the movie, cemented into movie lore forever with Simple Minds' "(Don't You) Forget About Me" playing in the background.

The End: 'The Breakfast Club'