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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, April 18 Medford police seek new rules to stop sales of stolen goods Struggling to stay on track Central Point considers new fees for parks, school police People in Business Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, April 18 Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm Emergency services Argument over stolen guns led to first shooting, Monica says Monica takes rare opportunity to cross-examine a witness in her double-murder trial Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Education Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Crater dropout says graduating high school would've saved him time and money New Medford middle school would offer Montessori approach Mae Richardson Elementary turns 50 Prepping before 9th grade Environment Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Sugar Pine Mine co-owner: "Please stop calling the BLM and threatening their personnel" Oath Keepers say they'll defend contested mining claim on BLM land Central Point's Arbor Day project will provide shade along Mingus Creek State News Governor Brown says Oregon 'back on track' in State of the State address Ex-Daimler Portland engineer files $2 million discrimination suit Mannix-backed measure targets taxes Oregon committee hears bill preventing child access to guns Water shortage hits riverfront city Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Gloria Ruth Pelett Allsup Tobi Andrews (Sherri M. 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Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Erickson shores up business with three contracts Lithia Motors shares break the $100 mark Agriculture New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Matthew T. Mangino: Mass incarceration enters the national consciousness Our View: Impeachment should be an option Letters to the Editor, April 17 Michael Gerson: Obama is desperately seeking a legacy Editorials Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Our View: Impeachment should be an option Our View: Gun background check bill is worth passing Our View: Don't expect a fix for I-5 viaduct through Medford anytime soon Our View: Minimum wage boost is no panacea Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 17 Letters to the Editor, April 16 Letters to the Editor, April 15 Letters to the Editor, April 14 Letters to the Editor, April 13 Columns Matthew T. Mangino: Mass incarceration enters the national consciousness Michael Gerson: Obama is desperately seeking a legacy Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Kent Bush: Memories of Oklahoma City bombing still fresh 20 years later George Will: Sustainability gone wild Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Guest Opinion: Pot opponents have good reason for concern Guest Opinion: If Courtney kills bill, $15 minimum wage will go to the ballot Guest Opinion: Phoenix embraces Bee City USA designation Lifestyle Latest stories Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained 6 trout to know App Finder: Best Earth Day apps Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Fishing Report: Friday, April 17 Food Tammy Kelly: Soft-shell crab is in season Community blog: Orange-blossom water enhances honey syrup High on flavor, low on calories: Cookbook offers tasty options for people trying to eat healthier Prudence Hilburn: Test-kitchen products become ‘secret’ specialties Community blog: Leave fruits whole for crumbles in a time crunch Home and Garden Carol Link: Tea olive shrubs can be propagated from new growth 12 ways ceiling fans keep you comfortable and save cash Dear Monty: Profiting with adaptive re-use Paul Rogers: Schedule your time wisely Home Help: 3 upgrades to help give your bathroom spa-like panache Health Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Book Notes: A big body is not a bad body Go get physical Community blog: Better Living By Design: A Symposium You Must Not Miss Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Milestones and Achievements Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Five picks for entertainment this week L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Theater Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland OCT stages 'The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)' Auditions for youth musical set at Camelot Music Alex de Grassi and Andrew York play SOU Live Music in Local Clubs L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Community Events Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art 'BRAND,' 'Western' among Ashland Independent Film Festival award winners Ashland Co-Dependent Film Festival 2015 Pear Blossom Festival kicks off in Medford Ashland Independent Film Festival announces 2015 lineup Dining Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: Sunday, April 5 The Laughing Clam in Grants Pass offers seafood-heavy menu Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm ... Monica claims she never acted on murderous thoughts ... Governor Brown says Oregon 'back on track' in State of the State address ... Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm ... Monica claims she never acted on murderous thoughts ... Governor Brown says Oregon 'back on track' in State of the State address ... EDUCATION Crater dropout says graduating high school would've saved him time and money Crater dropout says graduating would've saved him time and money Comment By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News When he dropped out of high school three days into his junior year, Casey Osuna thought he had it all figured out. “I wasn't too worried,” he recalled. “I figured, I’ll do something.” After all, he had a minimum-wage job pumping gas and doing general maintenance work at the Pilot Travel Center in Central Point. And earning a GED was simple next to dealing with his high school teachers and overly dramatic peers. “I was over it and was done dealing with all the stupid drama that comes with just showing up,” he said. “I knew I could find a better way to spend my time, either working or doing whatever.” But “whatever” turned out to be cleaning hair out of the drains in the truckers’ showers at Pilot, and later selling flowers for FTD. “I was constantly applying for jobs, but I didn't have my GED yet, didn't have my diploma or any formal education,” he said. “I know people who are highly educated but still pretty stupid, but that piece of paper makes all the difference.” According to Osuna’s Facebook profile, he graduated from the “School of Hard Knocks” in 2012 — the year he would have graduated from Crater School of Business Innovation Science. By then, he had realized how much he’d taken his high school education for granted and had enrolled in classes at Rogue Community College. This June, Osuna, now 21, will graduate from RCC with an associate of applied sciences degree in automotive technology and become the first in his family to earn a college degree. He currently works at Hurley Automotive in Central Point but would eventually like to run his own automotive shop, rebuilding engines, transmissions, front ends and rear ends. The degree has taken him 3½ years to earn and will cost him more than $22,000. It would have taken him a lot less time and cost him a lot less money if he’d finished or at least paid attention in high school, he now realizes. “I regret not learning the material in high school when it wasn't costing me anything,” he said. “I don’t think I passed a single math class at Crater, but I had to take the same math class four times in college because I hadn't paid attention in high school.” That math class, he said, cost him $400 a term. Nonetheless, his perseverance is commendable. Osuna’s freshman English teacher, Frank Bertrand, a teacher with whom he got along in Crater BIS, encouraged Osuna not to drop out of high school. Bertrand knew Osuna was interested in mechanics and lifted trucks and drove him to RCC’s White City campus to meet with the head of the diesel technology program. “Before we left, the guy said to Casey, ‘I don’t want to see you again until you have a diploma in your hand,’ and I turned to Casey and said, ‘Did you hear that?’ ” Bertrand said. “He said he got it, but he clearly didn't get it.” Osuna dropped out of high school shortly after but maintained contact with Bertrand, who meets him at Bobbio’s Pizza once a year. “High school comes too early for some of these kids,” Bertrand said. “There should be a coupon they can redeem when they’re mature enough. “Typically, once they drop out, they’re done,” he added. “They don’t usually turn it around like (Osuna) has. That’s been my experience at least.” But Osuna is smart and a quick learner, and time in the real world did mature him, Bertrand said. Last year, Bertrand invited Osuna to speak to his freshman classes about his high school and college experience. Osuna was straightforward with the ninth-graders. He told them high school didn't work for him. He told them about his frustrations with his high school teachers. And he told them about his attitude. “It seemed to me like the teachers were always trying to tell you how the rest of your life was going to be,” Osuna said. “But they didn't know s--- about s---, and telling them that was my problem.” But Osuna also told Bertrand’s students that despite its faults, high school would have saved him a lot of time and money. "It would have been a lot faster if I'd just finished high school," he said. Reach education reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected] . Follow her at  www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt . By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. 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