Nonacademic Education

In grade school and middle school, my favorite school-related memories are "nonacademic" ones. When I was in fifth grade, my elementary school sent all of its fifth grade students to Chicago. It was pretty much awesome. On the bus ride there, all of us ate Twinkies and played Go Fish. I think three people threw up. We were only in Chicago for a couple of hours, but we were able to see the Museum of Science and Industry, and we ate a pizza dinner at the Rain Forest Café. I spent way too much money on things I'd never use or see again, including a shot glass. I think a couple more people threw up on the bus ride home. Basically, it was a great day. And I'm not being sarcastic. The museum had a miniature fairy castle exhibit. I was with my friends all day. I was ten. Enough said. Now, learning in a school that stresses a nonacademic education, I am content. In University's environment, I've traveled to New York, gone spelunking, and visited Purdue to attend a theatre workshop. I value University's effort to offer nonacademic activities. Such activities enrich the high school experience.