This year at school was better than all my years being in school. I was transferred from the Kimberly High School to the Core Charter School. Since being in Charter School my attendances went way up. Outside of school was pretty rough this year. I got into a little bit of trouble for fighting too much. Now I am facing felony charges, which really sucks because I love to hunt. I also broke my collar bone really bad playing basketball. After the break I had to get a plate and seven screws put into my shoulder. The worst part of breaking my collar bone was not being able to go to work.

This school year was better than others a lot of stuff going on in, and out side of school. I would have to say that I attended a lot more school this year than any other years. I would have to say although I was here a lot more I learned less then any other year. I wish I would of stuck with gym for 4^th block and not of been talked into personal Finance by my girl friend. The thing I regret most of from this year at K.H.S would be having M*. *****. Best thing about this year would be football going to state. I had the best times watching basketball and football in MADTOWN (aka Madison). If I were to compare the years I would have to say that this was my best one. The teachers in core charter really helped me get through. They were there when I needed help and even when I didn't, the support was great.

What I did This Year

This year I accomplished getting my credits for science and English. The thing that disappoints me is that, some days when I had a lot of work to get done, I just blew it off and did something else. Next year, I want to try to stay on task and finish what I need to get done. During this summer, I am also hoping to get into the independent reading course, and work study, so I can get more competencies for more credits.

People who intrigue me...

I was born in Cedar Rapids, IA; and during the first eight years before my family relocated to Wisconsin, I lived through three tornadoes. Over the past 18 years which I have lived in Wisconsin I have experienced two more tornadoes. Only a few summers ago, I was driving North on HWY 41 from Oshkosh to Appleton- less than a quarter of mile to the east, a tornado had formed and touched down. I relived this story as a I told it to the first block Literacy class. The fear, panic, and excitement which takes me over during tornadoes is not something that I look forward to or anticipate. The high school which I graduated from was devastated by an F-5 tornado in 1984. Nine lives were claimed, and millions of dollars had to be spent in order to restore semblance and infrastructure to the small rural community of Barneveld. Each time a storm moved in, panic could be seen in the eyes of the folks who had lived through the tornado in '84.

Given the above information, there exist a group of people who truly intrigue me- tornado chasers. Why would any healthy, rational, educated individual want to chase after something which is so destructive. I understand thrill seeking, but what I don't understand is why someone would want to actively pursue a tornado. Although smaller tornadoes routes can be predicted, I cannot begin to fathom why someone would chase after a larger tornado. Maybe my personal experience with tornadoes has provided me with an appropriately developed sense of fear. Maybe people who chase tornadoes have some sort of fascination that I am lacking.

What's your take? Why do you think some folks decide to ride around states such as Kansas and Oklahoma chasing tornadoes? Are there other types of individuals which intrigue you?