Growing up in an extremely small and rural community has its advantages and disadvantages. While our small community may have a more limited amount of resources and opportunities for the development of life skills beyond the family farm or small business than more urban and populated areas, we have always possessed a small-town pride and family feel to our entire community. The most apparent and unequivocal uniting factor has always been our school.

One advantage that is overwhelmingly obvious is the support from my community for our school. While I believe our community focuses on the importance of education in the classroom, it also provides opportunities for the development of life skills through volunteering opportunities and classes offered at our public library or extension office. Our community supports the school clubs and organizations; we receive donations multiple times throughout the year and receive immense support at all of our events. The community businesses, as well as families and individuals, offer scholarships to help students further their education either through college or trade schools.

In addition, the school also supports the community. The school creates responsible members of society who then go on to benefit the community as a whole. Our school encourages students to be active in our community through various school activities, such as community breakfast, veterans programs, or visiting the local nursing home. Our school not only educates its students on the state standards but goes above and beyond to ensure that our students can and will be fully equipped to face the world of adulthood and have a positive impact on our community as well as the next generation of children.