The largest employer near my home was a poultry plant.
My first HS job was there. I worked with 3 uncles and 2 aunts there.
Success was defined as finding a job outside the plants. I remember one really asshole of a high school teacher remarking that he didn't know of any kids from my hollow that graduated high school. By 11th grade, I was drinking heavily, smoking weed every single day, and tripping most weekends. I flunked 11th grade English, which meant summer school. We didn't have a family car, which created an impossible situation to attend summer make up class. The moment was a critical one in my life when I confronted myself with being a dropout doomed to hanging turkeys or doing something different. The school would not allow anyone to take 11th and 12th grade English after failing.
I absolutely begged them to make an exception to allow me to come back as I just had no way of transporting 10 miles to summer school without hitchhiking (I actually did that a lot, even to the point of hitchhiking across country at 17). I promised that I would pass both English classes. I swore I would. They finally relented as my advisor took up for me. I made an A and a B in the two classes and made the honor roll. It really was crossroads in my having to confront at 17 with what path I would take in life.
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In response to this post by NJHoo)
Posted: 11/21/2023 at 11:01AM