Isms: Views on life in rural America

During last week’s strategic planning committee meeting at Summerland Public Schools, a theme in the focus group I was part of centered around letting students know that returning home after the post-high school experience is a possibility worth considering. Give it the old college try. Maybe a technical career is in your future. Perfect, either way. Just remember, when you graduate, you’re welcome to come home and extend roots already established here.

While I agree with young adults considering that option, I also see the value in spreading wings and gaining experience away from home before...