School Story:
Regrettably, my high school years were a testament to successful underachiement. I barely squeezed by with some very tense moments at the end when I almost did not graduate after I was booted out of Mcgurski's welding class for escaping after the roll was taken. Mcgurksi's quote "Wimp, just like baseball, strike 3 and you are OUT! I am sure that I had more than 3 strikes but who was counting. Big problem was that I needed that 1 hr welding credit to graduate!
Heck, my 1952 Chevy was still running at the end of the semester and that was supposed to be my criterea for my passing the class anyway (deal between Mcgurski and myself), since I absolutely hated welding! Everything would have been fine had principle (whats his name) not come to my welding class looking for me. Unfortunately, I was not amoung my jacketed and helmeted classmates who were dilligently practicing their vertical and horizontal welds, as Mr Mcgurski had told the principle...I embarrassed Mr. Mcgurski badly... I embarrassed a teacher who only tried to help me, always regretted that.
I did not know if I would graduate until the diploma was in my hand...
But Streator was a great place to grow up and allowed me to develop life skills that eventually have paid off... Old Joe "Wimp, you got shit in your neck" Hall, and his "rinky dink of the week" designation prepared me well.
The best part of Streator TWP HS, that I still enjoy today are the lasting lifetime friendships made. I am still in frequent contact with Corny Leonard and Rob Crego, and we still visit and keep up with each others lives. Those two dudes are really getting old!
