Success Stories

03/26/07

By Jonathan Blandford
For the Messenger-Inquirer

When one hits a bump in the road, many people give up and turn around. However, if one keeps pushing and trying, life can change dramatically. The particular bump I hit not only saved my life but opened a door I never thought possible.

On June 22, 2005, I was arrested for possession of marijuana within 1,000 yards of a school; in fact I was at school. Being fresh out of my junior year in high school, this incident led to expulsion and a sentence at Warren County Detention Center. Upon my return, a Department of Juvenile Justice worker informed me that I was to spend a semester at Owensboro Day Treatment. At the time, I had no interest in school. I simply wanted to get it finished to make my parents happy and move on with life.

Close to half way through the semester at ODT, I began to change. Learning had become an important part of my life -- not merely academic learning, but personal learning as well. My teacher, Michelle Ruckdeschel, had an enormous amount of influence on me and consistently expressed the importance of education in my life. Keith Wells, my counselor, was there to reinforce her words as well as enforce the importance of taking care of myself. If one worries about everyone else without taking care of oneself or if he does not do what is right for himself, then he will not likely succeed.

I decided I needed and wanted to go to college right as my time at ODT was coming to an end. Due to my transgression, I was only allowed to attend the county alternative high school: Beacon Central. Mr. Wells came to my rescue just in time with Collegiate High School.

Collegiate High School is a self-select early middle college at which students can earn not only a high school diploma, but a post-secondary degree at no cost. Students have the opportunity to enter Collegiate from middle school, complete their high school requirements and obtain an associate's degree in five years.

I entered Collegiate High School in the spring of 2006, took the COMPASS test required for students at the community college and did extremely well. I began taking college classes the same semester. To my surprise, I was, and still am, very successful with my college career. I even made it on the Dean's List for the fall 2006 semester.

Thanks to Mr. Wells, Mrs. Ruckdeschel, the staff at ODT, and Collegiate High School I am on my way to an associate's degree in science, a bachelor's degree in biology and then I'm off to medical school.

Hitting a bump in the road can be damaging to one's courage and will. When one discovers a way to overcome that adversity, he not only builds back pride and self-esteem, but he becomes a better person. All it takes is a little will and perseverance to make the impossible reality.

Do you have a Success Story to share about learning? Write it in no more than 500 words and send it to Tracy Marksberry, executive director of The Learning Community, at tmarksberry@owensboro.com or P.O. Box 782, Owensboro, KY 42302. For more information about The Learning Community, visit http://www.GOLearningCommunity.com.