By Marcelle Dorenkamp
I first entered Mini-school with an overwhelmingly negative perspective on life. I thought, ‘Yes! Now I can just slack off and skip whenever I feel the need to do so’, but boy, did I have another think coming. I did skip, and as a result of that I used up my eight absences within my first two weeks in the program.
Randy decided he needed to have a little chat with me… and my parents. He warned me that if I skipped out any more that I would be dropped from the program. He explained that if I continued to slack off I would be in Mini probably as long as Lauman or Mason. This scared me, but I was young and ignorant and didn’t listen. In the end, his speech had little impact on my performance.
However all the Mini-School teachers continued to encourage me. They tried as hard as they could to make me understand just how much potential I had within me. The following year it hit me. I wanted to succeed, I wanted to care, I wanted to show them I did have it in me. I needed to prove it to myself. I began listening and participating, and eventually I found myself caring. I got angry at the people who showed no respect for the program, completely forgetting that I myself, was once the same way. I was frustrated that no matter how many times or how hard I tried to explain it to people they just didn’t get it. I then understood how difficult it must be for our teachers.
From that point on I felt as if I was a true Mini-student. How can you feel as if you are a part of something if you don’t care about it? I don’t know where I would be today with out Mini-School. This program has opened my eyes and I honestly feel that simply being a part of it has truly brought out the best in me. I only have one regret: I didn’t take the opportunity to go on more trips. That’s where it happens.
That’s where you grow. I can’t even begin to explain my appreciation for all that Doug, Randy, Ramona, Pauline, and Joanne have done for me. I thank all of them so very much, and I don’t know whether to thank Randy for helping me graduate on time or hate him.
I never thought I would actually want to stay in school longer than I had to. You know there’s something good going on when kids don’t want to leave. I can only hope this program will continue for many years to come so more students can receive the support and understanding they desire and deserve.