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High School???

J

JD Seller

Well-known Member
I am batching it for today and the last few days. Wife visiting family. Anyway that leaves me with too much time to think/ponder things. LOL

I have talked about how I started working before high school an was married during my Junior and Senior year. As for classes and learning I KNOW I did not miss out on much. I took all college prep classes and had a 3.5 GPA. Had 25 credits and only needed 15 to graduate. So that leaves social and activities. I have a few friends from school but not more than two I would call close. I did not do any of the sports and clubs activities. I really found the majority of my class mates to be so immature that I had little to nothing in common with them. I did not care who won a "game" the night before. Who was dating who meant nothing to me either.

So my question is...... Did I really miss out on all that much???

Socially I think MAYBE. I am not comfortable in large groups of people unless it is a business meeting/setting. An example is I have spoke in front of large groups of people (250-300) in a business setting and had no trouble. I have been to much smaller social gatherings and been extremely uncomfortable. So maybe just interacting with family when I was younger might have been a draw back.

Activities: Well I place little value on sports. I should say watching or just being fan. I do not understand how people can get so involved in these "games" that it rules large parts of their lives. The current college basketball tournament is a read example. I would be hard pressed to name more than two teams that are still in the thing. Now playing sports I can understand the enjoyment there. I liked playing basketball up until I was in my mid fifties. My knees just can't take the pounding anymore.

How does these things relate to my life today??? If I set down with a group of none farm men or women I find them difficult to talk to. I do not drink. I do not pay attention to sports. I have few hobbies that are not directly related to farming or working. So I guess I am a pretty boring fellow. LOL Sure not the life of a party.

When I see all the stuff the kids today do it is kind of mind boggling. They are busier than people that work for a living. This club/sport/group. They seem to be always running here and there.
 
Whether or not you had been more social in high school or not has nothing to do with the way you are today. I was an outcast all through school. When I went off to college, I found a few people that shared interests. I still talk to a few college friends from time to time, but are not chums. The folks I went to high school with, I don't care if I ever hear from any of them again.

It is just the type of person you are. I moved to North Dakota in my early 30's. I very much enjoy it here, but the most of my social life comes from the pulling club I am a member of, and the occasional stop at the coffee spot in town to hear the older fellow's stories. When I go visit the inlaws in a much more poulated area, I am ready to leave after a few days. There is just too much humanity for me.

I also don't understand spectator sports. But then I am sure most people think I am nuts for hauling an old tractor around all summer to drag a weight for a few minutes each time.

The biggest thing to remember is that we live in a place where we have the opportunity to do as we wish, and not be conscripted to a particular lot in life.
 
I am 62 yrs old and I would really like to go back and do high school again at this age. I could really get a lot more out of it today. I did just enough to graduate but hated every minute of it. I just wanted to be home working on the farm. I was picked on in school as being the farm kid so "you stink" was common. I was not dressed in the cool latest fashion of the day but had to ware practical clothes so was picked on for that. I did not want to and could not participate in any sports as had to be home to do farm work. I could not join 4-H as Pa said "you got all the Go_ dam_ 4-H you need right out there in the barn. So to sum it up I wouldn't trade my upbringing for anything in the world.
 
JD. I never went out for sports in school because my dad needed me at home after school to help with chores and farm work. I don't feel that I missed out on very much. I was still very social except with the jocks. I have very little interest in sports today and I'm totally lost when people start talking about them. I think there is too much emphasis on sports in school today. A kid could get straight A grades all through school and nobody would mention it. If a kid makes a touchdown they talk about it for weeks. I have found among my friends most people who are interested in mechanical things, tractors and cars, usually are not very sports minded.
 
Im with you on watching sports. I remember going to High School on Monday morning and everybody was talking about the big game and the big play. Which I knew nothing of because I was building something in my shop. For a while I thought there was something wrong with me. But then I figured it out.... there was something wrong with them watching TV all Sunday afternoon. I played in sports High School but it didn't consume me. I still had do to milk before and after school with meant in the dark in the winter months. Id say I've done way better than the others that made sports their life. I keep reminding the kids that place too much on sports, Name a professional athlete from our home town? None of them can because there are none.

IMHO sports is the "new religion" Think about the parallels between sports and religion;
The fans are religious about there teams, don't say anything bad about their team, theirs is the only true team.
They know all the stats and history of their team like the bible and can quote the verses to you...... just ask
They worship their teams on Sundays and a have a few other days that are sacred and can't miss
They retire jerseys that were worn by special players that they treat like saints and sometimes bow down to
They fellowship on their Tailgates before and after the big games or small games or no games
They wear and display their mascot
Most sports nuts can quote the rule verse by verse
and it goes on and on

How many religious TV channels are there???????...... As many as the number of ESPN Channels,,,,,,,,,,,,

Woooooooooooo........... Amen
 
I feel like Flying B, I did enought to get out of that dump, I wanted to quit but dad made me stay., I started working at the horse farm in 1989 between eighth and ninth grade. I would so much rather be at the farm then in school. As far as sports I never played any but I love thoroughbred horse racing, I remember in 11th grade the history teacher preaching about some nonsense in history I'd be reading the blood horse or the daily racing form, lol. I think after eighth grade there's no need for high school, I didn't do a thing in high school and they still pushed me through the problem with school is they teach you book sense but not common sense.
 
This year marks the wife & my 50th year since we graduated and neither one of us have any interest in going to the alumni get together. We did go to the 25th and we really had nothing to say to the others that were there. I didn't go out for sports and wasn't in any of the clubs so I didn't socialize with any of the fine upstanding uppercrust that went to our school. The wife went to Heath area vocational school so she didn't have anything to do with our Alma Matter, Lakewood. So I don't think you or I missed out on anything much. I still managed to go to college with the help of Uncle Sam while I was stationed at Ft. Hood. Texas.
 
I never participated in after school activities, didn't want to stay any longer then I had to. In my senior year I was done at noon and often my Dad was waiting to take me to work with him for the afternoon, skidding logs or working in the mill and treated as an adult with adult responsibilities does make you mature earlier then those that played after school. I had been running bulldozer from age 8 and at 12 we could start using saws in the mill and chainsaws. We had a pretty good safety record. TV sports don't interest me either.
 
I'm just like you (no sports, more of outcast) so I can't tell you anything. When I was in school I was in the band, and FFA(didn't even do anything with it, advisor was dimmer then a burned out light bulb on subject). At that time we had to addend a "Extracurricular" meeting(don't do bad thing, you represent school/community...) for any sport or club. They would go through the shpeel, oh now lets introduce all the coaches, NONE of the other advisors. More then once I walked out and told whoever was by the door, I had to come here for.... and all they talk about are the stupid SPORTS!!. Same with "pep rallies", when I got out of them I almost wanted to deck someone, all the popular sports people doing stuff to hype up the rest of the school over some game.
 
Well, in some ways I am sorry all you guys did not get to participate in sports or club activities that you may have enjoyed. There is so much to learn from those groups, you may have benefitted, or you may not have.

I was allowed to be in some sports that were school related, but no Little League or such. In high school, I was allowed to play sports as long as my grades stayed up and I kept up on my chores (we were out of milking long before then). I played everything offered and was active in every non-sports group except the band. I think those were some of the best years of my life.

I tried to allow my kids to try any of the activities they wanted, and not force any of my interests on them. I feel it was good for them to be coached by another adult, not myself or my wife. Mine have produced stellar grades, so their activity levels, while taxing on my wife at times, has taught them to manage their time well. It also taught her to do so. And, good high school grades have been great for progressing into college, where they are excelling towards rewarding careers.

I, also, have only a couple of close friends from that era, but I am cordial with many. Part of that is no doubt related to me being such a raving a$$wipe.

IF I were to change anything from that part of life, I wish I would have gone out on a date with every girl in my class at least once. Hear about them and their life, get to know them a little. So much more to people than what they look like on a bad hair day at age 15. I was a jerk then, and regret it now.
 
I am in pretty much the same boat as the rest of you, graduated in '65, not one of the popular kids, never was or am interested in sports, just know enough to talk with my boys a little. Funny tho, we had our 50th reunion last year, and I was one of the most popular guys there. All the (cool kids) were coming up to me and really talkative, even the girls who would not look at me 50 years ago were hugging and talking to me. I guess over time things change and their values changed. Really made me feel good to see that I have been a lot more successful than some of those who were blessed with money and affluence in their younger years. But as for social life now, just breakfast with the other old timers in town everyday, solving the world's problems. And once in a while go to bowling alley to watch my boys bowl, and give them instructions.

Dick ND
 
Yea you missed out on a whole lot.Sports,girls,partying then I went to college and more of the sameX10.Actually made pretty good grades and worked on the farm too.Great to be young and be able to go all day and all night(LOL). Biggest mistake was 'settling down' and tie myself down with a bunch of responsibilities.If I had it to do over I'd of worked a lot less and spent a lot more time at the beach during my life.Now I'm too old to do anything but farm a little and mess with tractors(LOL)
 
I didn't give a hoot for anything having to do with high school and subsequently I was at the bottom of the heap grade wise. If I had to do it over again I would be a much more attentive student. Thinking back on my education or lack of, I do feel I'm at a deficit in accounting skills because I goofed off too much back then. There was a big clique in my class and I was not in it. The school was small, I graduated in a class of 24 and that was the biggest class ever graduated from that school. I lived six miles from school, had a different address, was on a different phone exchange and went to church in another town. My parents were not in the social circle in this town. Too many of my classmates were from old established families who's parents and grandparents went to that school ad they all went to the same church their grandparents founded. Consequently, these classmates from this group thought they were pretty darned important in the tiny town and I was an outsider.


Marilyn, on the other hand, would have been a career college student if she hadn't married this dumb farmer. LOL She could have lived on a college campus and gone to classes for the rest of her life if she would have had the resources. Instead, she did the next thing to it and went into educating others.
 
High school.... I remember it well. Couldn't wait to get out. Like others, I wanted to quit but the folks made me stay and finish. Hated every minute of it.
Earlier in my schooling, I was moved ahead one grade in the middle of the year. That made me a target for the bullies and just general jerks that needed somebody to pick on.
I would not dare to attend a class reunion. I would be afraid I would not be able to control myself and would end up in prison after I paid back one or more of the people that tormented me all through school.
As far as learning, the majority of what I learned in nigh school had no practical value. None whatsoever. Never cared about who won what battle, what treaties that were signed, or who was the leader of some third world country over 100 years ago. I have never been called upon to diagram a sentence.
I did get a good bit out of chemistry classes, and some math, but never found a use for calculus or trigonometry.
Overall, I am glad that I finished, but if I had to do it again, there is no power on earth that could make me repeat those years.
 
I am the same way, I cannot stand sports. I stayed in high school and graduated in 1967. I always wondered if my alegbra teacher just gave me a passing grade to save both of us the pain of sitting thru another year. The guys I hung around with all like to hunt and fish and we did a lot of it. I am still good friends with them yet today. I went to work out of school and then was drafted and was sent to FT Knox Ky for basic. While there the test scores came back and I was approched about going to engineer school. I signed up for another year and was sent to Ft Belvoir Va to heavy equit engineer school. I graduated 6th from the top of as class of 450. They took the top 10 and wanted us to stay for several more weeks to become warrant officers. I had had enough of school and wanted to leave. I was on orders to go to Viet Nam but they were cancelled at the last minute. I was sent to the largest engineer depot in Germany where I spent the next 2 1/2 years. After I came home I stayed in the Army Reserves in a semi truck company. I spent a total of 21 years in the army reserves. I was working at a machinest job and went to the apprentice program and passed alegbra geo and trig with a b average. The guys I hung around with in school we always stayed in touch and in Jan I got a call to meet with them for breakfast. There were 16 of us there and many had not seen one and another since 1967. I did not know many of them other than the ones I stayed in touch with. My how time changed everyone. Next year the school will put on a banquet for our class but I am not sure if I will go or not
 
There was an amish boy in our class. Like amish do, he dropped out of school after the 8th grade. He learned carpentry from his dad and peers. My guess is he's easily the most financially prosperous person who was in our class. He has a bunch of amish crews building elaborate houses even in big cities. He bought farms for each of his sons (not sure how many). This flies against all the fancy new school buildings that have gone up to "help kids be successful"-- oh yeah, and sports are king. Keep the kids on the run.
 
I was a long way from the most popular guy in high school. Way too busy helping on the farm and racing motorcycles. Then somehow went off to engineering college and married the most beautiful girl in Indiana. I've had great life and career, still messin' around farmin' and foolin' with old tractors, don't think I'd have appreciated what I had without the experience of not having it in high school. All turned out good in the end, wouldn't trade a minute with the so-called jocks in high school.
 
Actually I think they do something similar in Europe you decide what you want to be then they apprentice you out. The Amish are similar you learn the basics then join a crew or work as a hired man or girl then start from there . To me this makes more sense I worked all through school and the last couple years dad was sick leaving everything up to me. I didn't do sports proms etc but the guys that did almost all lost the farm's daddy gave them.
One interesting note my mom got me up early so I wouldn't miss any school which worked out for me cause I'd sleep through class the teacher must have approved I've me keeping my mouth shut cause that was the year I got on the honor roll
 
Never participated in sports. Had to work on the farm. Don't care for sports still at 62. Not close with anyone I went to school with. 105 in our class. Most of the jocks have been on or still on drugs.

Had a good life. Been involved in farming along with other different business ventures.

I feel that most of the stars were lost when they got out of school. They just never recovered from being just people after their athletic careers came to a screeching halt.

Those of us who worked and knew how to work are the ones who climbed the financial ladder of success.

I know there are exceptions to the statements I have made above. These are just my thoughts....
 

We must be twins!!!! Agree with everything said you said am I'm just like it. Life after high school is a big evener. The jocks that thought they were really something found out that football and sports didn't mean much in the workplace. Us nerds had some useful skills when we got out. Many of the genius' of the bygone days never made it through school. Me, I was more interested in tearing every mechanical thing I could find apart to see how it worked. Served me well in my lifetime. Boring....yep, I guess me too. ;>)
As for school,you didn't miss out on much.
Irv
 
JD,
I was a "jock" in a small community in central Illinois as were many of my friends from neighboring towns back in the 70's.
Now we are watching the kids and grandkids doing what we used to do!

Jim
 
JD,most of the folks on this web site are social out casts. If we were into group type things we would be at one tonight and not on a computer. Like you, I put more energy into getting started into life than I did sports. I did drink my share early,but learned that no good ever came from drinking. I was told I was going to go nowhere so I did go off to college to learn a good trade that would enable me to become a farmer. I can hold a conversation for hours with anyone as long as we talk, cattle, tractors, trucking, wrenching, hogs, or crops. Anything else I am bored. Never learned how to enjoy life and take it easy, but I sure enjoy farming. Like you I sometimes ask myself what I missed. If I was in the cool crowd would I have made it where I am today? My land, cattle, machinery, and diesel business are paid for and clear. it has been one hell of a ride with lots of bumps. Not sure either of us would change much if we could. Wouldn't be here today if we did. Keep looking forward, never back, and hang on!!! Its a lot of fun. Al
 
I never was a sports nut either, I have a rule, if there's a ball involved I'm not interested. Growing up on the farm dad had plenty of chores for us kids to do, kept us out of mischief. Parents didn't drink or smoke, but had uncles who did, and they always were worse off than we were with turmoil in their lives. I'd rather tinker with anything mechanical, especially anything diesel. Sometimes think all spark plug engines should be banned from the earth, but know they do have a place. One thing I think we all need to do is mentor more, especially if there's someone who shows an interest to really learn what some of us old codgers know..
 
kruser Then, PLEASE don't post any pictures of your daughter.

I understand that you are very proud of her.

Just try to hold off of posting pics of her and see what happens.

Dad to Dad!
 
High School was all about sports.

Played varsity football 3 years; won 38 games - lost 4.

Texas state champions my senior year 1968.

Ran varsity track 3 years.

Texas state track meet 220 dash and 440 relay in 1969.

Still hold several records for 220 dash even today.

Also became black belt in martial arts at 17.

Learned during high school sports that regardless of any natural, athletic ability, coach would play his "favorites" whose family had either social or political connections.

Proved to be a very valuable lesson throughout my adult life.

I was not one of the top ten National Honor Society members in my graduating class.

The guidance counselor told me that I was not smart enough for college and that it would be a waste of my parents money.

Nevertheless I attended college on a varsity track scholarship along with the aid of ROTC.

Graduated college with three majors in three years.

Completed graduate degree in three years while working full-time, shift work job.

Learned during high school not to let others place limits on the value of my education.

Only day I did not work in high school, either on the farm or part time for a business in town, was on Sunday.

Always had money because I worked; always had a girlfriend because I had money.

Learned in high school that if you wanted something, regardless of what it might be, you had to work for it.

That has proven to be a very valuable lesson in my adult life.

High school was just one part of the "learning experience" that got me where I am today.
 
[b:654c4848f0]kruser[/b:654c4848f0], as for me, I remember the photo of Molly as a 13 year old on an ATV.

Now she is 19 and a freshman at college.

She has become a very smart, pretty, athletic, talented young woman over the last several years.

Both you and your wife are to be proud of her.

Please continue to post photos of her as you have in the past.

Dad with daughters to Dad with daughter.
 
James Howell- "Please continue to post photos of her as you have in the past."

Have you posted pics of your Daughters??
 
Milking in our dairy twice a day, plus cutting hay and other jobs, kept me from being very active in sports. Tell the truth, I wasn't that keen on sports anyway. I turned down a starting position on the football team my senior year in order to continue working for my dad in the hay business. Never regretted that. There wasn't much time for studying either, though I didn't really have to (that bit me in the butt later on in college, where I needed to study but hadn't learned how.)

Even though I went to a small school (35 in my senior class) there was still a social hierarchy. Being a farm kid I wasn't really in the top group, but because of my looks, smarts and charm (tongue firmly planted in cheek) I managed to hang with the blue bloods to some degree anyway.

Now, a few years removed from high school I can attest that aside from your education and a few social enlightenments your high school years have very little bearing on the rest of your life. I had almost no contact with any of my old high school buds since 1959. I can say the same about my college acquaintances. One valuable lesson I learned in high school and college is that alcohol is not my friend. I wish I could convey those messages to the high school kids of today who think their entire life hinges on how well they are accepted by their school 'friends'. Here today, gone tomorrow.

In my career I have rubbed shoulders with governors, senators, congressmen, corporate CEOs and various other dignitaries and celebrities. I have attended the posh parties and meetings and found I could converse with almost anyone. But I never had a real desire for that to be my lifestyle; at the end of the day I wanted to always be a country boy, associating with people who take pride in what they are and what they can do. That I've done.
 
All I can say is I thought I was the only one. At 48 I'm a few years behind you JD, but dang if you didn't describe my high school days.

The biggest difference was I went into the military right out of school, and didn't get married until I was a few months shy of 40.

Now, with a daughter that just turned 13, and who is singing in chorus, has a dance, or game at least once a week, etc, I don't know how kids now days keep up with it all.
 
No, unfortunately I lost both my daughters, 8 and 10, in a bitter divorce with my ex-wife.

Did the best I could under the circumstances, but did not have a "relationship" with either of them for over 20 years for reasons beyond my control.

Both contacted me as grown adults, 30 and 32, and wanted a "father-daughter" relationship.

My oldest daughter, now 38, calls me everyday and spends one weekend every month with us here on the farm.

My youngest daughter, now 36, gets either a card or letter from me at least once a month.

If you have children, then you had better love them while you can.

One day you might wake up and they are gone.

As Will Rogers once said "Never let yesterday use up too much of today."
 
My high school days pretty much mirrored yours. Drove 10 miles to town to high school after morning chores and breakfast. Left school right after the last bell, either drove to a field and took over a tractor from someone or went home and did chores. No time nor interest in sports. No time and no money for girls. I just kept doing things around the farm and that took care of my time.

It didn't take long after high school for me to realize that almost all of the "high school hotshots" turned out to be duds. The kid that drove a new Buick during high school ended up living in a shack and peddling junk - until the cops caught him peddling dope. My class never had a class reunion. I did go to one "All School" reunion that didn't impress me much. I went on to college and never looked back. As far as I was concerned high school just opened the door for me to grow and move on. Don't know where my class mates are and don't really care.

BTW, I do watch NASCAR on TV because I enjoy seeing the "Man and Machine" aspect of racing.
 
I hated every minute of Jr. High and high school I was the outcast i didn't go to school a lot of days because of the constant torment I'd stay home and help on the farm finally it all came to a head and beat one kid half to death I never went back after that . I would do a lot of things different if I could maybe I wouldn't be the failure i am today
 
I had a love hate relationship with school, when I was there ,I loved to hate it. Graduated at 17 , got my arm broke playing foot ball, that turned me off football. Loved to play hockey , but never thought the scouts where watching in the stands, just fun. Fun ended after I turned 20 and started farming ,and had to be able to milk cows 7 days a week. Played a bit after I started farming , but found it hurt like the devil milking with bruised shins , and even a black eye one time catching a puck in the head. Went to a big school in town, 1500 kids , and 300 in my grad class. Sure didn't know everyone. Country kids kept themselves separate from town kids most of the time .Only know of two other guys that still farm for a living other than myself form school. Sometimes run into some guys and gals from school as I still live with in 25 miles . Most have been divorced , some have been in and out of jail , and some are dead already. Graduated in spring of 78, never went to collage, went to work. Have a few close friends ,but my three brothers and I are closest. Every body has a different perspective on life, my motto is be true to your wife family and yourself, every one else comes next. Bruce
 
I loved high school but once I was released it didn't take long to realize I didn't have much in common with most of them, and we only had 50 in our class. Mostly threw life I enjoy talking with older people. And I guess now that I am getting to be one of them that explains why I talk to my self. I have two daughters also and enjoy them every moment I can, my oldest settled down 30 miles from home and my youngest is a senior. Give me my family and a old person with similar interest and I am happy.
 
My high school experience was perfect timing for desegregation in the south. It and I Started in the eighth grade, high school started then no middle school. Wanted desperately to play football, but dad said no I had to work. Four different schools in five years. I hated it. I wouldn't go or watch football till our Son joined the marching band. I love going but I can't watch without a deep regret that I never got to play. The irony of it all was that Dad played football when he went to high school.
Ron
 


My experience has been that those who are "most popular" in high school tend to be the people that never get beyond that era. Those who had to buckle down, deal with the harassment and garbage tend to do better in life. So when I look around to day at the pampered babies we're raising, it makes me wonder what the future holds.

Sports? Absolutely useless as far as education goes. Sports should be the first thing cut when times are tough, let the players and parents raise money if they want the kiddies to play games. The tax payer should not be paying for a select few to play games.
 
I went to Southlake Carroll 1968 for high school. Back then run by a man that hated farmers kids. Had to be a jock to get anywhere. I quit at 17 joined the Navy got my GED. Did my tour in nam. Came home and worked on generators and still am.Never got rich but I have had a good life. The two head football jocks didn't do so well. One killed in a bad drug deal. The other is living in Huntsville.
 
Good post JD.
I have railed many times here about how sports are ruining this nation.
When a man can name the starting lineup of his favorite team but can not name his two US senators or his congressman we have a problem.
 
I feel very much the way you describe,, I was on my own paying for a place to live and the cost to live at 15 years old,, I did finish 10th grade,, the "jocks" made me despise most all sports at a early age, I was running equipment at 6 years old by myself, I worked at our families CASE dealership from the time I could pickup a wrench, between that and the custom farming we did I had no time for sports anyway,, three I did enjoy was soccer, hockey and volleyball I was the best player around in those three,, but here at that time there was no money for them to be a "real sport" so other than in PE I was not allowed to play them. here like many places if you did not like football you were a outcast,, lets just say I will not even allow it on my TV still,, not that it is that bad a game,, hey if you like it more power to you, it was from the real jerks who thought I was nothing as I did not know how to play it and ridiculed me to the point I still greatly despise it today,, funny to me was going to my 20th class reunion, I look at least 10 years younger than all of those so important jocks, and am still in far better shape than they are in body,, ones who girls called "gods" are nothing more than round fat blobs, or just plain old bald men today,,, I am nothing special but as another stated in the comments, growing up the way I did also made me what I am today,, those privileged ones that grew up with a silver spoon in their mouths have no clue what its like to go a week with eating a few crackers at best, what it was like for many years to work seven days a week work three jobs, 6 of those days getting 1-3 hrs sleep at most and still smile everyday and be thankful I had what I did,, money still means little to me other than it sure is needed to make your world keep turning,, I really do not think I would change one thing if I could go back as far as that time,, and I feel many others would "grow" if they went through some of it as well,,,
cnt
 
You were just serious before your time JD. I'm sorta the same way. Never was big on being a spectator; would rather be doing something constructive. Learned to be a decent leader/manager at work but put me out on the street in a voluntary situation, I become a wallflower. Really like to work alone much of the time. Quite interesting how some high school classmates turned out. Popular leaders became nothing and some were major surprises.
 
Deere seller you sound to much like me!!! lighten up a bit!!! But the kids to day seem even more immature for their age!!
 
Guys I do not hate sports. I hate modern day sports. What???? I love to play basketball. One on one, two on two or any combination you can think of I LOVE playing it. I hate watching someone else play. That is the problem with most of the modern day sports it is not just for the "fun" of it anymore. Guys making millions playing kids games is not a good thing for this nation over the long haul.

Now if millions of people played any sport daily for the fun and exercise it would be GREAT!!!! People getting together to enjoy playing against each other is what sports started out to be. It is mainly a modern day thing for their to be "professional" players with the income they make.

I have some great memories playing basketball with a friend in grade school. We played in the dairy barn. The back board was mounted on the out side of a feed bin over the milking pallor. There was maybe 16 foot by 16 foot square of concrete to play on. Depending on how much hay was stacked in the driveway. If you had along rebound it could bounce back into the calving pen or the bull pen. Nothing like time out to "clean" up the ball. YES we did throw the manure covered ball at each other too. LOL I remember the games of horse we would play where you had to bank your shot of the ceiling or the back of the barn door if it was closed.

It was a great time.

I can remember playing in the drive way behind the room my first wife and I lived in, when weather allowed it. Just fun exercise and fellowship.

So I am not against the sports so much as the importance many place on them today.
 
I have always been a participant. I'd rather play any game myself rather than watch the super bowl.
Lots of sports fans are life watchers. They watch it go by. I played team sports but realistically
once you are out of school that goes away. There are very few ways to play team sports as an adult. That is why I encouraged my kids to play golf and tennis and run. They can do it all their life.

How people can invest so much effort into cheering for a team, but at the same time know nothing about
who or how their city, county or nation is being run is sad. Such an attitude is beyond me. You are right. Many can not name the critical people in their life, but know the names and scoring averages of the point guard on the university basketball team......interesting? In many cases if these guys invested half as much effort into learning and doing their job well, they would be much more successful economically.
 
I think some things mean different things to different generations. JD, to you, perhaps not finishing high school wasn't a big thing- and you have been very successful.

But today, if a resume or job application comes across my desk that shows dropping out of high school, (or college) the application hits the trash can. I've made exceptions, and been burned every time. It doesn't matter if someone is 25 or 55, the general experience has been that if they were not motivated to finish school, they probably won't be motivated to finish milking the cows, either.

I know, it sounds harsh. But it is a fact. One I learned the hard way.
 
Must be alike in some ways, I hated school in general, sitting behind a desk was not my cup of tea! I needed 24 credits to graduate and did it in three years. I didn't need to go my senior year and I rented my first farm the spring of my junior year. As far as crowds, I stay away from them!
 
I graduated high school in 2000, but I only attended public school the last two years of high school, I was taught at home by my parents before that. I never got into sports or other extra-curricular activities. I focused on my studies instead and got very good grades as a result. Others, although they were good football players were very poor students with 3rd grade reading skills and writing skills. I attended a fairly small public high school, there was only about 200 students in the entire kindergarten through senior high, and only 16 in my graduating class. I attended my 15th year high school reunion last year and found that my former classmates had changed little. Just adult versions of their former juvenile immature selves. I, too, found I have nothing in common with them and conversed but little.
 
Dad was a mechanic all of his life and taught me a lot.
In my senior year he got me on as apprentice in the truck shop he worked at.
I took auto mechanics in my last year of school, teacher's first time teaching it
I would go to work on the weekends and during lunch the other mechanics would ask me "what did you learn in school last week?"
One time we had discussed pistons(I think) and they didn't agree with what the teacher had said, soooo I my best manners I corrected the teacher the next monday, in front of the class>
At the end of the year I was 1 credit short of graduating, yup, flunked auto mechanics, 'nuff of that!!
 
I hated school. Should have never gone to a traditional college. But I wanted to farm and that's the only way I was going to make it. According to my parents. Then my dad and uncle ended up selling out 6 years later anyhow.

I was also an outcast. I said less than a dozen words to our class president in 6 years. At our 10 year reunion she couldn't run out of questions about driving truck and where all I had been.

I wasn't real keen on going, there were only a few people I was interested in talking to, but I'm glad I went, a lot of people changed a lot in those 10 years.

Had I been able to make our 15 year we would have been in Illinois instead of at home and my dog wouldn't have got run over.
 

When I wasn't in school, I was working on the farm. I was in FFA and thought I would like farming, bought a tractor and rented a small farm. Then one of the neighbors told me the landlord was going to let me farm it for three years then put it in the land bank, so I quit as soon as I had the crops off. When I graduated and got a job, I got into racing. That's one sport I still enjoy, along with hunting, tractors, riding motorcycle,and snowmobiling. I could care less of football, basket ball, or anything else. Oh, I kinda got hooked on here too.
 
coonie Minnie: Where did you get that I dropped out of high school?????? I worked after school to until 9PM an then came home and studied. I then got up at 4 am and did the chores at the farm before school. My first wife and I married with both of our parent permission at 16. I also have a college degree in business that I got in my forties. Education is IMPORTANT. Sports and extra curricular activities may be important or not. I think that it all in how the person "uses" what they learn from each.

My point in this post was to asked if others felt that the extra stuff was important in high school. The education, to me, is a given. I have always tried to make sure my kids/grand kids KNEW that their education was JOB ONE!!!! Then everything else.
 
Glad to know we shared those values, and I mis-read your post. Shame on me.

Keep in mind though, your title was: "High School??" And then: "So my question is, did I miss anything?" You do mention high school credits, and given you do not mention graduation, I assumed you meant you needed 15 more to graduate. My bad. I'm surmising I'm not the only one who interpreted your post that way, though.

But my point is this, that piece of paper is important. So much that I've sponsored several employees to go on and get higher education- I paid for tuition in several cases, and "held hands" to get several more to orientation. I guess I consider it my duty as a mentor.

Sorry I mis-interpreted your post!
 
Interesting reading the replies.

It's also interesting to note that most business leaders were involved in some team sport in high school, college or both. Also most flag rang officers in the military were not only involved in sports in school but a surprising number in Boy Scouts.

I had plenty of friends my first 2 years of high school in NJ with a lot of kids I'd grown up with. Then we moved to MN between 10th and 11ths grade. Then 3 schools. I didn't have many friends in any of them although I did play sports as a junior. The 3 schools were all small and tight knit and I was considered an outsider. So no love lost there. I did have a few friends that I still see from time to time. I haven't attended any reunions and don't care to.

I think sports, team sports can teach kids not only to be competitive but also to work as part of a team. More important today because kids are not being taught this at home. Start talking about pro sports and I can are less. IMO most are overpaid crybabies.

Rick
 
Did not get married til i was 20, then I married a gal that was 17,the school bus pikt her up at our cute red and white trailer til she graduated mid term,,.back in the mid 70s you could graduate with only 34 credits , my wife had 37 ,, I had 36,,i had one half day of school per week in my senior yr ,the class was based on Leadership , American problems ,and social concerns,.it was in its 2nd experimental year . , mostly just to log what i had done while working outside building homes for a contractor ..I wisht I had kept my folder and notes , because the teacher , who was studying to be clinical psychologist encouraged us to write about challenges , dreams , difficult situations that mite had been handled differently , and generally helped the 10 or so in the class how to tap the inner self desires and make goals .we really had some good discussions that flirted with the spiritual side and bible teaching,,.it was the 1st time I ever heard AS IRON SHARPENS IRON SO WE SHARPEN OUR FELLOW MAN .it seems funny to say this .but I feel I got more education in that half day weekly class. than I got out of all my hi school years . I got recommended for the class by my vocational school teachers I had . previously as a junior,.. I enrolled in vocational school , building trades ,,. we actually built 2 houses that yr ,,.I made class supervisor early on ,,, no one else wanted the responsibility , and since I knew one of the teachers well , he told me I could do the job and do well ,the 2 teacher were a good commonsense team , that allowed supervisors to drive to the job and leave from the job without checking in at the school,.i was in charge of roll call ,and was always 1st on site 10 minutes before the work bus got there . and since I had the keys would have stuff unlocked and unchained and ready to go ,,.sometimes , I could wiggle out of there early to go help plant and harvest . i got a unwritten diploma from HARD KNOX college ..I think the finest compliment one mite get from the yuppi world is when they ask ,,'JIM . where did you go to college...i fielded that question a few times as a home improvement contractor ,,. then later as a COUNTY COMMISSIONER ,.and most recently last week from my cancer doctor,.although one could say that my typing and spelling skills mite be poor , one can easily see i take shortcuts in spelling . although , things mite have gone much differently had i gone to engineering school at purdue as was suggested by my guidance counselor in my sophomore and junior yr. .... i don't think i would had been able to live life to the fullest ,,.the reasons were plenty not to go to college ,.,. namely a drop dead gorgous country girl, a good job , 350 hogs on a new 5 yr old confinement floor that i owned in partnership with my dad , he simply could not take care of if i left ,,a new f-150 pikup. a nice mercury convertible ,. and a fun street and trail bike ,tractors ,all debt free .... hog prices were darn good ,i could have all the nail driving i wanted,when i wanted it ,,. and my older brother and i entered negotiations for the neighbor s farm below my parents farm,. the girl friend told me if i chose college , to not expect her to wait for me, WHATTT !!??,,. "AHHH C"Mon Dianna ",.that comment was a omen .we would divorce in 1996,,. the guy that owned the farm we were trying ton make a deal on , got sick and died .. and his kids could only talk big money.. such is life ,,.. .
 
(quoted from post at 01:04:00 03/21/16) Interesting reading the replies.

It's also interesting to note that most business leaders were involved in some team sport in high school, college or both. Also most flag rang officers in the military were not only involved in sports in school but a surprising number in Boy Scouts.





Rick
Click to expand...

Lets be honest here, most "business leaders" and flag officers are members of the elite class to start with. Being a jock is part of the program. I can't speak for "business leaders", but there are a heck of a lot of officers on up into the flag rank that would willingly turn their "team mates" into cannon fodder as long as it improved their chances of winning.

Sorry, I don't buy the "sports = team spirit" stuff at all.
 
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