Rant Four Months in the Making
By Keith Zimmer 

 I've been holding back on this subject for almost four months now, however, I just can't hold in the anger any longer. I wasn't quite sure if I could complete these thoughts without offending some people that I consider friends, but  if I didn't write this then I would totally be a hypocrite. When I was first given this column I told everyone I would hold nothing back – I said I would be 100% honest, all the time. With that said here goes nothing. 

 High school was a struggle for me, that I will never lie about. I wasn't the best student–and most of the time I let an inflated ego disrupt my better judgement. When I was in high school I hated it. I couldn't wait to get out of that place called OFA. Now I wish nothing more but to go back. Sure, I missed out on a lot of opportunities by being bitter toward my classmates, not playing sports, and not being the "model" student but at least I finished. 

 During my tenure, I started school one year late, put back in the first grade, and got kicked out of OFA in 9th grade for making fabricated threats toward other students but again at least I finished. I am very proud of the fact that I graduated high school, sure, I was 19 years old but it is an accomplishment that no one can ever take away from me – or so I thought! 

 The class of 2004's graduation ceremony was in essence no different than any other ceremony before it. It was a fun, traditional event that gave the class of 2004 a proper send off, yet something about that day still angers me too this day. It seemed that not only was this the day of graduation for the succeeding members of the class of 2004 but also for the people that took the easy way out – the people who felt getting a GED was more fitting than a true high school diploma. 

 I saw certain people at graduation that I hadn't seen in two or three years, people who chose to leave high school for the "greener pastures" of the real world. I couldn't help but feel cheated, why is it that I had to struggle through all 12 grades for a diploma only to see people who quit school get the same honor? When I got kicked out of school it was not only an option for me to get my GED, but it was suggested by my family, friends, and even my guidance counselor. Did I do it? No. Did I take the easy way out? No. I fought for the honor of being a real high school graduate. I never wanted to be just another person that accepted a GED as "good enough." I guess I will never understand why the work that I did was rewarded just the same as someone who quit--what I finished. Honestly, think about it, is that fair to give someone who quit something the same honor as someone who completed something? I know the term quit is harsh, but how else should I put it? These people quit, plain and  simple. Since when did school reward quitting? I thought school was meant to teach values that will carry a person through life? Is enabling quitting really what a school should be teaching? The answers to those questions couldn't be more crystal clear–or could they? 

 In closing, please, do not think I am trashing on everyone who gets a GED because that is not my intent. I realize under some circumstances that leaving school is the best option – sometimes it is the only option. I genuinely sympathize with all the people in those type of situations–I would never try to kick someone when they're were down. If you have had a preventative situation effect your life then please do not take this personally because this rant is not meant for you–but--to put down the lazy people who left school for the sake of leaving, with no real reason other than an a pure lack of tunnel vision and thought for the future. Just think if you got a rewarding feeling from "graduating" with the class of 2004–imagine how good it would have felt if you actually did it for real. 

 If you have any questions or comments about this article or anything in general, please contact me at keithzimmer@yahoo.com