FROM THE EDITOR
This is my last letter as Editor-in-Chief. I should be honest and say this position
should not have been handed down to me. My friends and professors know I
am the worst speller, and I'm not the best when it comes to proper grammar and
punctuation.
Just as I should have not been Editor-in-Chief, I probably should not be 9 days away
from becoming a college graduate, because I nearly received a special diploma in high
school. The state of Florida issues a special diploma to students with disabilities who
were not able to meet the requirements of a standard diploma, or could not complete
the required coursework necessary to the development of functional life skills.
I'm sure I'm not the only Montreat student who was faced with this option. Earning
a special diploma does not necessary means that a person can't attend college, but it
does make getting accepted to a college extremely difficult. Most colleges won't even
allow a person with a special diploma to earn an accredited degree, or will exclude
them from certain majors.
From grade school all the way to high school classes were tremendously challenging
for me. The teasing from my peers was even worse. I cannot count the number of times a peer called me dumb or a teacher told me I
wouldn't amount to much because of my learning disability. The sad thing is, I believed them.
Even today it's difficult to share that I have a learning disability. I spend more time trying to hide it. I hated the label of "learning
disabled," and at times I was ashamed. I made sure I never marked "learning disability" on any forms the college or my professors might
read.
In the end, I graduated with a standard diploma and finished my last year of high school in mainstream classes; I graduated with a 3.4
GPA and test scores good enough to a have few colleges to pick from.
I will graduate from college 4 years later with a degree in communications and minors in theater and, ironically, English.
As I sit back and wonder how I've reached my goal of graduating college, I realized it's because of three things. First of all, God; through
him all things are truly possible. Second my mother, Paula Faye, who made countless sacrifices for this day to happen. My third motivator
was the willpower to attain my goal.
I cannot say enough how blessed I am to have reached this day. Let me put a college degree into perspective. About 85% of Americans
graduate from high school; out of that, 60 percent or so attend college, but less than 30% ever hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
That said, college graduates still have a lot to learn, and are not guaranteed a job in their field, or even a job at all (especially in today's
economy). Still, it's been shown that more jobs are available to college graduates. Studies also show that the average income of a high
school graduate is $28,700 a year, while holders of a bachelor's degree earn an average of $53,800. In terms of lifetime income, a typical
high school graduate might expect to earn of about $940,000. By comparison, a typical college graduate could expect to earn $1.8 million,
almost twice as much. Of course, there is no job called "college graduate," so each person must find a specific job that works well for
them.
So seniors, rejoice in your achievement! A college degree is valuable. Always continue to work hard to achieve your goals.
Montreat College Box 83^
Montreat, NC 28757
(828)669-8012. ext. 3675
mcwhetstone®gmail.com
JKontreat Coffm's Student Q/ofee
Writers
Nathan Adams
Arilicia Adkins
Eve Carlin
Athletic Department
Caleb Hofheins
Amanda King
Jared Nielsen
Registrar’s Office
Winston Rheinbolt
Dan Ruck
Marlene Medefind Van-
Brocklin
Joshua VanDine
Lucy White
Photographers
Athletic Department
Amanda King
Carolina Leite
Imari Scarbrough
The Whetstone is published monthly while school is in session.
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the
views of Montreat College or its staff. All submissions be
come the property of The Whetstone. Funding for this paper is
provided by our advertisers and the Student Activities budget.
Please direct any questions or comments to the editor in chief
at mcwhetstone@gmail.com. ^
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rmTEKESTED IN WRiTiNCr
FOR THE whetstone? .
E-mail us and let us know, we'd
love to
have your voice represented!
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Page 2 I May 13,2010
Please direct any questions or comments about articles to the editor in chief at mcwhetstone@gmail.com