By Karen Kenefick
I Graduated from Mini school in 1994. The last two years I have been keeping myself busy going to school, working at Target, and visiting different places. I really missed my days at Mini-school. When I found out that my major requires students to volunteer in a teaching environment, Mini-school was the first thing that popped in to my mind. I am very happy to be back.
Since I graduated I have been attending Normandale. Right now I am one class away from fulfilling the requirements for a two year associate degree in Liberal Arts. I am going to finish up the year at Normandale so I can get my science out of the way before I switch schools. Next year I am attending the University of Minnesota. My major is going to be Agricultural Education.
While I was in high school many people told me that I was not going to be ready for college after I graduated. I strongly feel that those people were wrong. Mini school taught me that it is possible to enjoy learning, and also helped me raise my self confidence.
I have also been working at Target Ridgedale for the last two years. It has its good and bad sides. Target is good because they are very flexible with my hours. I also have met many great people there, including my boyfriend. The only part of Target that is hard to stomach is the holiday shoppers. I am already starting to cringe at the thought of Thanksgiving.
Since Mini-school I have done a little bit of traveling. My Dad and I went to the Boundary Waters. My boyfriend and I went to the Black Hills. I learned to fly fish on the White Water River. I traveled to Hawaii this summer, when I visited a friend. I had the opportunity to become certified for scuba diving. I saw huge turtles, colorful fish, and small eels. I never realized how dangerous Scuba diving is. If you panic under the water you can really hurt yourself. I managed to do it with minimal injuries. My tank only fell off once when I was under water.
Of all the things I am presently doing, Mini-school is the highlight of my week. I have met a ton of wonderful people. I really do not think things have changed that much.