What I learned at LCCC was the meaning and outcome of getting involved. It wasn't like high school for me, at that time I never learned to extend myself, to share with others what my thoughts were, to extend myself beyond what I needed to 'get by'. To be fair about it, I was very ill when I was sixteen. Between severe asthma and kidney stones that were surgically removed, I didn't have much time to get involved with what others found interesting. At LCCC, however, I was reasonably healthy and found a large variety of interesting people and subjects that had me involved almost from the start. I ran for Secretary of Student Council...and won...Editor of the student newspaper...President of the Democratic Club. I also entered my writing in poetry contests...and got published, joined several student/instructor efforts. I worked at the Computer stations around the campus assisting other students in the use on computers. Those were paid positions, and it gave me confidence in my ability to do other things. Like becoming Vice-President of UAW Local 101, union steward and member of LUPA...Local Union Press Association. I was on various councils at Moen, Inc. where I was employed for twenty-five years before I retired in 1995. While I was employed there, I also worked at the Lorain Journal for about a year, writing 'fluff' pieces for the Sunday edition. I also held other part-time jobs while working for Moen and the Journal. I gave up my position as manager of several properties for Madison Development when my eldest son became ill with Crohn's. He's had a tough time of it since 2003 when they took out all his large intestines...he was left with an ileostomy bag that attaches from a stoma. He’s had seven surgeries altogether, he could not eat food for about a year and lost kidney function during that time. Kidney dialysis was a big part of his life during that year. He recently (January) had a fistula removed from that part of the stoma, but is now on his feet and working part-time again. I also took in three of my grandchildren while I managed for Madison after my daughter was involved in a horrible car accident that left her unable to do much during the seven years I had her children. More recently her son, my only grandson passed away in 2013 at the age of 24 from a bleeding ulcer that he was unaware he had. I say all that to say this. IF I had not gone to LCCC and discovered what my capabilities are, I would have never known what I could do. My ability to handle so much and remain functional is a direct result of what LCCC offered me, and I will NEVER be able to repay my instructors for their generosity, their kindness, their insights into me as a person, as an employee and as a person worthy of investing what they did. God bless LCCC and every person who passes through their doors...students, instructors, staff and every other person who takes the time to give of themselves. Thanks for asking me, it was my very great pleasure to respond.