Not Good-Bye, But See You Later

By Erika C.

I used to love to write. Nothing too productive usually came out of the tales of my imaginings, but I was content in that place with paper and a pen as a very young child. When I started using drugs, my passions, the few that were important to me along with writing, took a backseat to my new 100 mph lifestyle. I arrived at The Family School a little over two years ago, scared, angry, and alone. As time went on I began to trust again, to love again, and to have fun again.

About a year ago I began researching colleges and majors. My interest in the media and how it affects society led me to choose communications and public relations as my prospective major. As Jason Garnar, head of College Counseling, and I continued to research, he matter-of-factly spoke the words that would change everything: “I think it would be a good idea if you joined the journalism class.”

Absolutely not. No way would I ever do that much work for one class. No way would I ever give my soul to the notorious Chris Stein. A week later I was sitting in 107 with a new schedule, a new computer, and a new reason to dread the school week. I had just made a year commitment to write for the school newspaper. I got my first assignment and began to volunteer for articles and as December graduation came closer I began to enjoy the class enough to consider applying for the internship for the following semester. My love of writing slowly crept back, and although it was sometimes painful to have my work critiqued, my writing began to sound better.

As the semester drew to a close I decided to have a conversation with Chris and express my interest in the position. However, when the  Spring 2010 Intern List came out I was extremely disappointed that I was not on it. I started the semester with a new resentment but determined not to let any one see how angry I really was. After multiple scheduling problems and Chris constantly complaining about me having too many classes, he began to send e-mails to the administration desperately trying to convince them that the best thing for me would be to have my schedule cleared of all unnecessary classes so I could work for him during my free periods.

One day Chris called me into his room. He said nothing, only handed me an e-mail saying that I was officially his fourth intern and that my schedule would be cleared of all extra classes. And that was how it all began. I began spending all of my time in 107 either writing or doing layout work for the newspaper, or putting my creative mind to the test making yearbook spread after yearbook spread.

As far as thrills and chills go, there have been mostly good times, with the exception of me getting so sulky after being critiqued that Chris had to revive me with two Ritz crackers and some positive reinforcement. I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to write for The Family Times and even more grateful that this school gave me an internship working for Chris Stein. He has taught me so much and although the last thing I would want to do is blow up his ego by saying that he really taught me how to work, it is so true. He has taught me how to perform under pressure and how to really push myself to produce the best work I am capable of.

I will be graduating from The Family Foundation School come June, and although I will miss the staff, students, and loving atmosphere that this school has introduced me to, it is my time to apply the principles and test my values in the unsheltered territory known to Family School students as the “outside.” I would like to thank Chris Stein for always pushing me and never letting me give up. I would also like to thank everyone who reads the newspaper.