Michael and Sequatchie High School

 Michael loved school. According to Michael, Sequatchie High School was the best school on earth. He never wanted to miss a day; not worried about studies of course, but to see his friends. Even if he were sick, he would still insist on going and he hated snow days; he'd miss everyone too much. He liked most of teachers too and loved to drive them nuts. Michael suffered from A.D.H.D; Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. That means that it's hard to concentrate on the same thing for any length of time. He took medication for it on and off most of his life which was a constant battle keeping it adjusted. It was still difficult for him to focus in on his studies so he spent a lot of time fooling around and entertaining everyone, and the grades would suffer. We would be happy with any grade as long as it wasn't a failing grade. School was his playground and Michael loved to play; but he wasn't goofing off all the time on purpose. I had the same problem in school. That's how I know. A.D.H.D. and A.D.D. are heriditary.

  
  Michael excelled in hands on classes such as carpentry, and automotive shop where it was easy for him to get an "A." Like most people that are afflicted with A.D.H.D., things that he showed a real interest in would come naturally to him almost at genius proportions, such as his love of the ocean. He was practically born on Venice Beach in Florida and spent many of his childhood days there. Sometimes it was like he was part of the sea. He belonged at the beach. That was his element and he could tell you anything you wanted to know about it. He was self taught and could talk circles around anyone even if they held a degree in Marine Biology; he proved that on a couple of occasions. He could captivate you with his advanced knowledge of the sea and all it's anemones. Subjects such as English, Math, and History, could not hold his attention and sometimes he couldn't keep up with any of it and usually fell behind.

 
Michael was excited about senior year and began to discuss graduation and his future. He wanted a future where he could be of some service. He was already a volunteer fireman and considered becoming a full time Firefighter, Forest Ranger, or a Wildlife Officer. He also wanted to get his license to become a welder on the side and use our garage to open up his own repair shop. However, this excitement got blown apart when we found out that his graduation was compromised due to a failing grade. Michael was told that he would not graduate with his class of 2006. He had fallen way behind in his work and was missing two credits.

   He got his medicine adjusted yet again and studied more at home, determined to graduate with his class. A lot of other kids were missing credits too and just quit school right then and there. But not Michael. He wanted that diploma.

   The school faculty rallied to help Michael. They put a plan in place for Michael to recover his missing credits which would be very difficult but had to be done.

  He stayed after school every day for tutoring for an hour. Then after tutoring he had to drive to Marion County, to attend extra classes there until 8:00 PM every day. On spring break, he didn't get one. Instead, he went to Marion Academy from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM everyday. By the time he got home from school, it was usually 10:30 at night. He had to do it daily until he had completed enough hours between both schools plus his extra tutoring. This went on for days, and then it turned into many weeks. He was driving about 100 miles a day. He came home at night with black circles under his eyes because he was so worn out. By the time he was finished, he had lost over 30 pounds and was exhausted and looked horrible.

  Then things got worse. Michael had to cram for final exams and he had to pass all of them with a good score. He stayed up every night with me studying at the table, usually until 2:00 am. He was frustrated, exhausted, and sometimes fell asleep at the table, but he was driven and he finally took the tests. The day before graduation, the scores were in and the Principal called and said that Michael was going to graduate. He had passed everything and had enough credits. We rushed to school and picked up his cap and gown that the school had been keeping for him in a box in storage.

   On graduation night, when they called Michael's name, he cried tears of joy. He tried to hold back the tears but I saw his face up close. You never saw a kid so happy in your life. He was so proud of himself and of course we told him how proud we were of him too. Michael had beaten the odds that were once stacked up against him where other kids in his shoes just gave up and quit. He accomplished what most kids in his shoes would never even attempt.

  Michael was back to his normal happy-go-lucky fun loving self after graduation. He gained his weight back quickly and looked great. He was reborn and had a new self worth and glow about him. He was happy. We rounded up information on colleges and he was making phone calls to them and filling out college applications left and right. Michael had a bright future. He said he was going to be somebody special someday. I told him he already was......... he had been all along, but I don't think that he ever really believed in himself until graduation night.

With great respect and the utmost appreciation, Thank You Mr.Tommy Layne and to the entire Faculty of Sequatchie High School, Dunlap, Tennessee, for going far above and beyond their normal duties to help make Michael's dream come true.    Michael was right all along, Sequatchie High School is the best school on earth......

The colors chosen to design this website are purple and gold, which are
the school colors of Sequatchie High.