Now being out of high school for almost a year, reflecting on my time there has really made me appreciate my high school as a whole. It was not only a unique experience but something I know not everyone has the opportunity to experience. To others, it's an odd concept. Working with animals one on one? Climbing trees? Welding? It can all get a bit confusing, but for anyone who came from an agricultural high school, we know exactly what is going on.
I can confidently say going to an agricultural high school changed my life. Sometimes, I questioned whether it was a good change or bad change, but at the end of the day I always appreciated my small family. One of the major benefits of going to an agricultural high school was how insanely small the classrooms were. I often had classes that only had nine to eleven people. Now sitting in college lectures, it can get a bit daunting staring at 300 plus people in a single room.
Even on my worst days, there was nothing that could make my day better than spending time with the animals. Whether it be the cows, the ferrets, or the dogs, they always brought a smile to my face no matter how poorly my day had started. Now in college, I can tell I took my time for granted with those animals. They offered me a companionship that is hard to replace once you have lost it, and I urge those who have experienced this to never let it go.
Something that still sticks with me to this day is how close my relationships became with my teachers. Regardless if they were academic or vocational teachers, the bonds the students and teachers created with each other were something only an agricultural school could experience. Because the class sizes were so small (my graduating class was only 111 people), it was easy to strike up a conversation with a teacher you admired and the rest became history. I know I have teachers from high school who I could still turn to to this day and ask for help/advice.
On top of all of this, the friendships you create here are some of the most unique relationships you will ever have. It can be hard to come back to your hometown friends and try to explain to them "that one funny thing Butch the Llama did to so-and-so", but having your little group behind your back makes the stories flow much easier. This small group becomes your go-to squad and if you're lucky, you can continue the nonsense all the way through college.
Attending an agricultural high school is a one of a kind experience. You may have to deal with a lot of redundant questions and confused looks, but in the end you know that it is what bettered you as a person entirely. It isn't something that is for everyone, but for those who can say they completed it, it's an incredible feeling.
