I Hated School

by Keith Zimmer
 At a time when I should be looking forward to the rest of my life, I find myself looking to the past. It's been about six months since I graduated from Owego Free Academy and I must admit, now that I am gone, I miss OFA with an unmistakable passion. 

 In 10th grade I almost quit school, got my GED, and took the easy way out. As I was about to quit, I was taken aside by my Global History teacher Mrs. Brown. In a total act of unselfish caring she explained to me exactly how quitting school would affect the rest of my life. She gave me the confidence to realize my full potential, and she did it because she saw something in me that not many did at the time. After hearing her words I had to stay in school, I had to graduate, and I had to turn myself into the person I knew I could be. Without Mrs. Brown I wouldn't be writing this today. Words cannot even begin to describe how much I appreciated that talk we had. Without it, I would only be a shell of what I have become today.

 Even after Mrs. Brown gave me the strength to continue on, I still never thought I would miss OFA. I claimed to hate high school, as many students do. In essence I never really hated it at all. I was immature and I couldn't appreciate the benefits of a good high school education. Instead of having fun, going to dances, and playing sports like most of the other students, I was anti-school spirit, portrayed an arrogant attitude, and caused trouble for teachers and other students just for the "fun" of it. In the end, the only one who missed out was me. I kept myself from having the time of my life in high school; I was my own worst enemy. I would see other students having fun in school and I would often wonder "how, this place sucks." 

 As I look back on it now, I realize OFA didn't suck. It was actually the security blanket that kept me away from many harmful situations. I knew that no matter how alone I felt or how down I was about life, that I could always go to school and see all the teachers and friends that made me feel good about myself.

 In closing, I ask, no, I beg all of you to live your high school experience to the fullest. High school is the gateway to the rest of your life – live it like you have nothing else to live for. Don't hate school just because you feel stuck in senseless drama and buried by homework; embrace all of the experience because the real world is brutal. 

 Participate, participate, participate. I cannot say that enough. Go to dances, go to pep assemblies, go to bottle drives and other fund raisers. If you don't like something, go to school board meetings and try to get it changed. Lastly, play or at least go and support all student athletics. I made the mistake of passing up on all of the great events OFA put in front of me, now I wish I could go back and re-live those moments. 

 Take my advice and live these days like they are greatest time of your life – because they are!