I have weird dreams about school.
All… the… time.
For a while now, I’ve been done with classes, textbooks, note taking and the fright of receiving test results back from instructors — even if I knew I did well. I’m just paranoid like that.
But still, in the middle of the night, there I am running late to a class I’ve rarely attended, always unprepared for a test and always behind on the reading. I know I’ll get reprimanded by the instructor and have my classmates shaking their heads when I walk through the doors.
Fortunately, I always rise from slumber before I find out what trouble I’ve gotten myself into. I waken relieved that I didn’t fail in real life… and that I’ve put all my schooling behind me.
On Sept. 3, Redmond students and instructors will return to school and begin another important year in their lives. There’s plenty of learning on tap and tons of challenges… and fun, as well.
I often look back on my schooldays and remember the men and women who taught me and supported me, or helped me make it through classes in a study group, or just stood by my side as a good friend.
It took me a while to get serious about writing, but I soon came alive in journalism classes thanks to my junior college and university instructors who were tough on me, but in a good way. They pushed me to take on a variety of stories and really dig into the reporting aspect of the job. One instructor took me aside one day and encouraged me to spend more time with my writing, instead of just knocking out a quick story and moving on. One student editor got angry with me once when he thought I was slacking off.
Parents are always there for support, as well, and I was lucky to have mom and dad school teachers who paved a solid road for me.
So, when school begins next month, take it all in and be sure not to miss out on anything that comes across your path in the classroom or in the hallways. Knowledge is key, friends are crucial and you’ll want to absorb every bit of it because it will shape who you are now and in the future.
AROUND THE BASES
Little League was another important part of growing up for me.
The one all-star squad I played on lost its first game of the local tournament and that was it, we were done for the summer. It was a victory of sorts for me, though, since I was the only player who didn’t strike out twice against the other team’s ace. I nearly spoiled his perfect game early on with a line drive toward the first baseman, who had to lunge to his right to snag the ball and throw to the pitcher covering first for the close out. Darn.
On a much larger scale, incoming Overlake School student Bryce DeLay is making an impact on the ball field at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. As part of the Eastlake Little League squad, he’s doubled and scored a run in the team’s games. At press time, the locals were 3-1 and one win away from the U.S. championship game and two victories away from the World title game.
Whether they’re still in the World Series or not by the time you read this, it’s been one heck of a ride for DeLay and his crew. They’ve worked hard together to win those games, and I’m sure they’ve learned how to rebound from the tough loss.
Maybe one day, one of the players will be reminiscing about their time in the spotlight in a newspaper column like this.
Well done, boys.
