Thirteen years of schooling culminated on Friday, June 1, 1990 with our Beavercreek High School Commencement held at U.D. Arena. That’s about all there is to say about it. I had a job, girlfriend, and child - and therefore, only routinely went through the motions of the graduation ceremony. I’ve got a few photos of me in the cap and gown, and even one accepting the diploma (actually the empty portfolio - the actual diploma was sent to us later)…and that was that. I don’t remember the ceremony and I don’t even recall the almost-certain parties we attended after it. But what I do know was that I felt a sense of relief at being free from mandatory schooling and was looking forward to spending the Summer with Christi and Ashleigh.
Mike Minges, Me, Ashleigh, Christi, and Jackie Moore at graduation
Although, I know that bidding school farewall scarcely brought any bittersweet emotions, I was planning on attending college at Wright State. I had actually been granted a $1000 per year scholarship for academics. This was the Charles H. Hewitt Scholarship and all I did to get it was score a 27 (the minimum allowable score to be eligible) on my A.C.T. test (which I took only once), and earn at least a 3.5 GPA. That was it. I had both qualifications so I received it.
Was I proud of it? Not really. And I’m not now, either. I know I could have done so much better 
in high school if I cared half as much about education then as I do now. Now, I find learning and involvement extremely edifying and fun. I love challenges and keeping my mind busy, but back then I just wanted it to be over. It’s one of life’s bitter ironies that during the prime of our lives, we so often just want to be lazy and wreckless…
Up next: Graduation Open House…with a misspelled cake…
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