Kids these days worry me...

I get a little frustrated at "the way things are," especially after talking with Paul last night.

I sometimes feel like I was raised in a "bubble." I had probably the most stable home environment that I could have -- Two married parents who worked hard, made me know right from wrong, taught me about God, and made me appreciate the things that I had even though I didn't always have what I wanted.

They stressed to me getting good grades and I did. I wanted to go to college and it was expect. I completed it and there you have it.

Most of my high school friends in Sharkey and Issaquena Counties were much the same way.

Today's kids don't have it so lucky. Most have at least one parent and some have none at all. They go to school not to learn but because they have to. They don't try to make the best grades they can. They merely show up.

Student is failing tech. discovery with a 40 and his teacher says he won't do his work.

Do you know what would have happened to me if I can home with a failing grade on progress report? My butt would have gotten beat, I would have been grounded for a long time and I better pray I could get my grades up before report cards.

The student, unfortunately, is part of a cycle. I like to call it -- "School's not important." Parents didn't finish high school so he's probably not being taught at home that education is key to a successful life.

Sometimes, we get so caught up it numbers and state test scores that we, as a community, forget that school is for educating children to become successful adults.

Last year, I was talking to a high school junior and he told me that he doesn't know if college is for him. He's grades are okay.

I told him that's OK. What I want for you is to become a successful, responsible person. If that means you work construction or weld so be it but don't be a dead beat. Make something of your life.