10 Things You Know Are True If You Went To A Small High School In Kentucky
By Jenn Shockley|Published November 03, 2015
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Jenn Shockley
Author
I am somewhat a cliche'. I grew up running around barefoot on a farm in Kentucky.
I love writing, art, sunshine, all animals and my incredibly patient husband, who tolerates my "crazy animal lady" side.
Our Kentucky education helps to shape us into our adult life. We learn and grow via our environment, and there’s a huge difference between a small and large high school. The more people, the more spread out the community, and clicks within the school. The smaller the school, the more people are aware of one another. This may be a pattern in all states, but Kentuckians still have our own twist to things.
Here are 10 things you learn from being educated in a small high school:
You don’t want to be the person who passed out at the party or lost their cookies. This is equally important when actually being legal age to drink, especially at work or professional functions. That may seem like common sense, but we’ve all seen someone get out of hand after one too many bourbon cocktails.
In bigger schools, the teachers do not have as much time with the kids and stress can create unproductive, or routine relationships. Smaller groups tend to be more attentive, plus in rural settings, they might be family friends.
Trends are limited in smaller schools. People tend to pay more attention to individuals instead of individual styles. Realistically, this likely helps us to be less judgmental than those who grew up looking down their nose at the less fortunate. Many times, smaller schools "are" the less fortunate as they are in rural counties with lower incomes.
Those that are "different" are recognized much quicker than in larger schools or communities. Later on that becomes, the new guy/girl in the office might need a little extra help figuring things out…
The Future Farmers of America is a big deal when you’re a student in a small school. The FFA members are considered the elite on many levels and are often just as popular, or more popular then the athletes.
Sometimes if you have had an elder sibling in school, their reputation can somewhat cling onto yours. If, per chance, they were troublesome, the same is often expected of you. If they were an incredible student, you have big shoes to fill. The same often happens when it comes to after school work ethics.
Denim tends to be the dress code in rural counties with smaller high schools. We have dress jeans and work jeans, if one happens to live on a farm. Brands aren’t always important as long as they are quality denim that looks and feels good.
In Kentucky, 4H was much more popular in the rural, smaller school districts. Life in the less populated areas gave us an opportunity to learn things like farming, horseback riding, and photography. Each year, chosen students get their works/talents exhibited in the State Fair for recognition and awards.
In most cases, whatever anyone is doing is common knowledge. The fewer individuals, the quicker news spreads among them. Remember this in small office settings when your middle aged.
We all develop bonds in school, but smaller schools form closer knit groups. Some form friendships that last a lifetime.
A lot has changed since the school doors closed behind me in the early 80s, but these were things that stuck with most the kids in our rural community. Every generation has their own unique experience and personal lessons. Kentuckians may have some of the same experiences other students do, but the atmosphere is certainly different. What high school lessons still linger in your memories? Tell us in the comments below!
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