I have so many memories from my experiences at Great Oaks but i would have to say the one that stands out the most it meeting the people in my lab. We have been through so much together, we are like a family now. I think that we will be friends for a long time. Everyday we go through something that the whole class feels and it just makes our bond so much stronger.

Hello from Rebecca:).

In Equine Science, we are also doing a little section of Tractor Safety. We learn the safe way to get on and operate a tractor. We learn all the controls and the parts and we get to drive. We have to take a little driving test and we get certified to operate tractors. I was nervous when I was first learning. I got on the tractor and the instructor gave me a headset and he was talking to me through the headset. He told me everything I needed to know. He said, 'push down the brake, push the emergency brake lever down, push down the clutch, put it in gear, etc.' Of course, I was shaking and worrying about if I was doing everything right. It turns out, I didn't do too bad. I overcame the fear and now I love driving the tractor. Every now and then I get to dump this thing called the manure spreader. Yes, it's horse poop. I get to take the tractor out of the barn and drive to a little field and turn the manure spreader on and drive in circles. It's so much fun. You can go really slow or really fast. It doesn't matter. My instructors just encourage everyone to try. That's all they ask of us. Most people think it's going to be terrible. That maybe they'll stall it out or kill the engine. These thoughts run through your head for only a short time. Once you get going, you never want to hop off. It's a powerful, yet fun machine. :).

One last thing... one day in the summer, mr friend Justin and I got to wash the tractor:). It was fun!

Hello from Rebecca:).

I am enrolled in Equine Science, as I may have said a couple times. The thing about being in an agricultural group is that we get to join ag related activites. One club we are automatically enrolled in is FFA. The FFA Organization is a non-profit organization that helps benefit our 'farming' world. We get to do so many neat activites with it. For instance, we get to go to these things called 'Judging Competitions'. What we do is travel to small little farms that are around our state. Once we get there, we get into groups and we go around and judge horses and tack. You have to judge them based on their conformation. Conformation is the way the horse is set up, according to the 'ideal' breed. Then, we move on to tack. When you judge tack, all you are doing is naming off parts of a saddle or different bits (the piece that goes in a horse' mouth). Finally, we judge show horses. How the horse is walking, how it's neck and head are, and if the horse is off balanced (stubby legs, uneven body, etc.).

If you win a judging competition, or score the highest, then you move on to districts, then state, and etc. If you get really good at it, you can benefit by scholarships. There was a girl enrolled before me who got a full ride scholarship from judging. It's a lot of studying, but worth it!

Hello from Rebecca:)

I recently went to a 360 Leadership Conference, through FFA. This was a trip that was all about leadership skills and knowledge. We took a bus from Laurel Oaks to a place up in Columbus, Ohio. It took around two hours and it was well worth the trip. We stayed at a hotel that had one huge conference room, which is where we had our sessions. Session are pretty much like meetings. Each session had a new topic to discuss. We got little agendas, pens, and bags just for going. In our agendas, we were able to write down our thoughts, opinions, and goals for our Chapter FFA. The guys that were in charge of it were so nice. They were funny and well rounded.

In these sessions, we learned about three main points. Those points are: Set lofty goals, be a safety net, and carpe diem. These were the 'footings' of becoming a leader. Set lofty goals means: set high goals. Set goals that you really have to work for to reach. Think abouve the clouds and above the easy stuff. Be a safety net means: be encouraging. Be the type of person who backs others up and also backs their own self up. And finally, Carpe Diem means: Seize the day. This means in a round about way to live like you were dying. Don't hold back your thoughts and goals. Find what you want to accomplish and set out to do it. Don't procrastinate, excel.

In other words, we also got to stay at the hotel. It was a two day trip. So, aside from leadership stuff we got to have a little fun. There was a swimming pool, hot tub, work out room, and a little candy shop. It was a blast! We also ordered pizza at one in the morning! and of course, we ate it all:). I'm really looking forward to our next Leadership Conference because it's going to be in Washington D.C. :).

Hello from Rebecca:).

When I first told my friends I was going to Laurel Oaks, they all said it would be a waste of my time. There were rumors going around saying that people who go to Oaks are more than likely to end up pregnant or with no future. They all told me that it'd kill my school credits and look bad on a college application. Well, truth is, they were wrong. It was hard knowing they didn't support me but I am able to prove them wrong. At Oaks, you get a chance to get a head start in your chosen career. You can still get all your credits for high school, too. But what's really neat is that you also can take college level classes here. We have these classes called PSO classes. It's a 'dual' credit. You get a high school credit, but ALSO a college credit. It's almost like post secondary except you don't have to leave your campus. They provide it here. Now, granted, you have to take a couple small tests to see if you qualify for those classes. It's called the 'Compass' test. It's really easy. I passed no problem so everyone should be able to give it their best shot and pass. If you fail the first time, you can retake them. I failed my English test two times before I passed; but you know what? I never gave up.

In conclusion, my friends were wrong about Oaks. I'm not pregnant, I'm not missing any college credits, and I'm not a drop out. I am having the time of my life!

A lot of people don't think great oaks students go on to graduate, but that's far from true. Infact, I've already made plans! Although I'm in nursing, I really want to be a doctor. Going through Scarlet Oaks Secondary Practical Nursing program will give me a lot of knowledge in the medical field as well as allow me to get a job before I even start college. Most of the girls who have graduated the program went on to college, and the girls in my class all want to continue their education in medicine.

I'm not sure how my college will go because being a doctor and being a nurse are two very different things, but luckily for me and the other Scarlet students, we have some great councellors who will help me figure out what all I need to do. Also, since I kept my grades up and passed the compass tests, I was allowed to take dual credit courses classes next year. Dual credits are offered for all four academic subjects, but with my program I'm only able to take 2 classes next year since most of my day will be spent in lab.

I honestly feel that the Oaks has set me up with a more successful path to college than my homeschool did. They really care about you individually and your education (: -Elli

Hello from Rebecca:).

At the Great Oaks campuses, we are currently doing a contest that deals with telling people about Great Oaks. Their opinion and their truths about our school. Well, just this morning, Taylor and I went around to all the labs talking about this. I am a Great Oaks Advocate, which means I 'represent' Oaks. Anyway, as we were walking class to class  I realized that we have a really amazing environment in this school. We were able to connect with so many different people and encourage them to do this contest. People that we never thought in a million years would sign up. We were into the Auto Tech lab, which is mostly all guys here. They actually sat there and listened to us describe this. The incredible thing was, they asked questions, go to know what it was about, and signed up. These were boys that tend to goof off a lot. They actually thought this contest was pretty cool. I love how everyone in this school shows respect for each other. It sure does help in the long run, thats for sure!

Hello from Rebecca:).

For my future after I graduate from Laurel Oaks and Clinton-Massie, I want to attend Hocking College. Hocking College is an amazing college with an amazing Equine program. I already get about 14 credits toward Hocking College, just for being in my Equine class, now. I know there are so many other opportunities, though. I get to go to a couple judging competitions here soon. We have to go to places like Roberts Arena, in Wilmington, Ohio and we judge horses based on their conformation. Conformation is pretty much their 'body style' as it is compared to the ideal breed of horse. If any person gets really good at judging, they have a chance to get full ride scholarships to top notch colleges. It's way worth it. I hope I can get that lucky. :)

Hello from Rebecca:). In Equine Science today, I rode a new horse. I have always rode the same horse so I got used to her way of doing things and I got comfortable with controlling her. Well, today I got brave. I rode a horse who's name is Storm. He is a quarter horse and he is STUBBORN! He wouldn't let me get on him and he kept trying to bite me but you know what? I didn't give up. I finally got on him with the encouragement of my class mates and teachers. I ended up backing Storm up in a corner so he'd stay still and I hopped on and took control. We walked around our indoor arena for awhile and I had to get a feel for his gait (which is his way of walking/trotting/cantaring). He was a pushy little guy but I eventually got him to listen to me. It felt great to accomplish that. I felt like a million bucks, no lie. Knowing that I had overcome an obstacle in my chosen career made it seem like I could do anything. It was an amazing experience.

Hello from Rebecca Kinman:). When I first decided I wanted to go to Laurel Oaks, it was around my 7th grade year. My sister Melissa was already enrolled in Equine at Laurel Oaks. She always told me stories about how the instructor was really nice and how they got to ride everyday. She said the environment was really laid back and it was a great place to be. Ever since then, I chose to come here. When I first arrived, I met SO many people. Everyone was so friendly and fun to be around. I made at least 12 friends in the first four hours. It was insane. I love Oaks. I love the environment, the people, the teachers, everything. I wouldn't trade this place for any other school. Here, I am able to be myself and pursue with my dream. I can still take college classes and get my credits, but also meet new and exciting people. Most people think that if you go to a career school that it will be terrible; but in actuality, it is incredible...