Month: May 2026

Life after High School

On By scottpetersenIn Life after high schoolLeave a comment

(A repeat from September 7, 2014) Social studies. Reading comprehension. English Literature. P.E. Chemistry. Trigonometry (did I spell that right?). These are all courses I took in high school. But the best course I took in high school was typing. I can type flawlessly for about 60 words a minute. The other courses? Physical science?  Chemistry? What the heck is a “beaker”? The best course I took in college was a year-long program to become an emergency medical responder (see 11/11/2025).

Okay okay. These are all good courses – and worth taking. But for my money, I think high school students should all be required to take a course “Life After High School.” It would be a one year curriculum and involve seminars on balancing a check book; shopping; basic first aid; spending money wisely; relationships and respect; job interviews; nutrition; cooking simple meals; raising babies; investing; and so on. Topics which help a young person acclimate and actually put to good use after high school. Many kids will go to college. Many will not. But learning how to show your best to a prospective employer, how to invest savings and dealing intelligently with a screaming baby will benefit everyone.

None of these topics are in conflict with parental decision-making so there should be no pushback. Frankly, it might create a broader universe of students/grads who are more able to assimilate, interact and thrive.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

On By scottpetersenIn Won't You Be My NeighborLeave a comment

[A repeat from July 13, 2022] Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was a half hour children’s program that ran from 1968 to 2001. It was hosted by Fred Rogers (1928-2003) – a Presbyterian minister who created the show which focused on children’s emotional and social needs – and health. Mister Rogers began each show – singing a song that ended “Won’t you be my neighbor.” All children were invited to watch. And learn. Every child was a neighbor.

The notion of helping one’s neighbor is commanded in all faith traditions. The New Testament dictates that to find favor with God, one must “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” This admonition appears in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18). Taking care of neighbors is mandated in the Quran (Surah 4:36). The Book of Mormon (Moroni 7). Science and Health. In the Hindu faith. In Buddhism. And in other religions. To love our neighbor as ourselves. To help our neighbor. To take care of our neighbor.

Question: Just “who” is our neighbor?

Answer: All of mankind.

There is a lot of pain going on in the world today. A lot of need – by our neighbors. Wouldn’t it be great if politicians around the globe would unite to help – our neighbors?

What can we do? I suspect that each person who reads this post has the ability and capacity to make a difference. The small things we do for others may not mean much to us. But it could mean everything to that other person. Mother Teresa hit the nail on the head when she said “If you can’t feed a hundred people, feed one.”

Won’t you be my neighbor?