Graduate Learns Dad Was Right

Thu., May 25, 2000

Jeff Pierce Havermale

My name is Jeff Pierce. I am a senior at Havermale. I am 17 years old and ready to graduated from high school and start my own life. I finally got here, but the road was very rough.

My mother got killed in a car wreck the summer before my freshman year. My brother and I had to move into my dad’s house on the other side of town. He enrolled me in Shadle Park High School. It was tough.

I didn’t know that part of town. I didn’t know anybody. Then I started hanging out with the wrong crowd. I was getting in trouble all the time, started skipping school, and my grades started to fall. After that I was failing all my classes. I dug myself a hole and I couldn’t get out.

One day during my junior year I was caught with a pocketknife. I got an emergency expulsion. After the meeting with Dave Petty (secondary student services coordinator), he sent me to Havermale.

At that time in my life I guess you could say I got a wake-up call. But, it wasn’t really until my senior year I really got my act together and goals set. I earned 5.25 credits my first semester for my senior year. I need only 3.75 more for second semester and I could graduate on time with my class.

I plan on taking the summer off and just work, then go to college in the fall. I plan on taking some law enforcement classes and go all the way. It’s pretty funny; my dad was right: You can do anything you put your mind to.

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