Reardan High School has a benefactor who offers a scholarship to all students who pursue post high school education. Students merely have to earn a 3.0 GPA and complete the application. Simple, but still some failed to take these tiny steps. One student received 17 scholarships. 17! The list went on and on, and although amounts were not announced the total had to be quite impressive. Was she the smartest, most talented, most clever of the 72 graduates? Yes, in the fact that she (and her mother) had researched every available scholarship in the system. Often she was the only applicant in the entire state and so naturally she was granted the award. Upcoming seniors and parents - take heed. Research now; begin the application process, double check the excellence of grades, and you too will be rewarded.
A four-year degree or other specialized training is not for everyone, but it does provide opportunities that would not exist otherwise. At a local celebration I observed former students who were home from school for the summer or on a break from GBC. As a whole they were happy, excited, thrilled to share adventures, and exuded a special confidence. There is nothing quite like achievement to encourage further success. A second group of young adults seemed more secluded. They had found jobs here or stayed at home or with friends, and while they had grown as individuals, they did not emit the same degree of enthusiasm as their peers.
I encourage parents and upcoming seniors to chase a dream, venture beyond the safety and security of home, and attempt something new. Regardless of the type of training or degree pursuit, living independently (or semi-independently with the cost of tuition, room, and board) develops self-determination, the ability to navigate the world with fresh eyes and ideas. Nevada's higher education offerings are diverse and academically sound. In-state tuition is reasonable and when accompanied with scholarships, pre-paid tuition or the Millennium, it's a terrific bargain. My great-nephew is heading to the school of his dreams (Washington State) where he will pay $25,000+ per year. Expensive, yes, but what a glorious chance to learn, grow and expand his potentials.
The high school writing proficiency retake topic concerned what the writer would do differently if given the chance. A majority wrote that they would have listened to their teachers, gotten better grades and applied themselves to the diploma goal. Many commented that as a result of effort, they would be graduating and that they would not have had to take this "silly writing test" over again. Oh, adolescents are so full of hindsight wisdom.
On a separate note, many of you know that I am serving on the Nevada Alzheimer's Plan Task Force. At our first meeting many topics were discussed including the growing number of people who live beyond 80 and 85, the increased risk of Alzheimer's and other dementias with age and the question of how to prepare our state and our wallets for the onslaught of individuals requiring assisted or long-term care. I have already tried to ensure my future by telling my three children that Mom could possibly be viewed as a "pass-around-gift" later in life. At this point they each nod, laugh and agree. But many on the task force fear that after the next generation, those who follow will be less inclined to donate their mid-life years on caregiving responsibilities. This sort of shocked me, knowing my children and their friends and reflecting on the wonderful students I've taught.
Let me know. Was their fear of non-caregiving children/grandchildren a reality? Are we raising self-centered individuals who cannot see beyond a personal, narrowly focused perspective? Should we be apprehensive? Can we alter this course? While this article is entitled "Know Your Schools" I am wondering, do we know the school residents? What is their outlook on their future with needy parents?
Gini Cunningham's education column appears the third Tuesday of each month in the Humboldt Sun. She can be reached via e-mail: gini.cunningham@sbcglobal.net.
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