Like a typical high school student, I advanced my writing and math skills while at Benson Tech. My knowledge of historical events grew. A broad range of scientific information was given to me. But the school offered me more than that. There was basic construction, metalwork, electronics, automotive, computer skills, and media communications. That was just the first two years. Junior year was spent with the intention of a double major: Architectural and Engineering Drafting. Due to scheduling conflicts I had to choose between the two. I graduated in 1997 with my major in Engineering.
Still, Benson was more than that. I chose to go there. I applied for admission as did everyone else. It was a place we wanted to be; a place where we did our best and were not afraid to shine. We were eager to learn the skills that Benson Tech had to offer. I’d assume the drive of my schoolmates and I played a part in encouraging the teachers to do their best. And, their best completed the cycle by encouraging us.
I didn’t learn writing and arithmetic in order to get a diploma or do better on college placement tests. It was not solely about working a single math problem. It was not about where to put the comma. It was about taking those basic skills that every other school teaches and applying them to real life applications: how that math problem was used to build a house and how to place that comma to communicate effectively in a professional environment. It wasn’t just memorizing facts, it was a true education. I learned how to think.
Still, Benson was more than that. I was once told that we were the most diverse school on the west coast, maybe even the nation. While I’m not sure how accurate that statement was, it sure felt completely true. I may have learned just as much in the hallways and cafeteria as I did in the classroom. I had the opportunity to associate and connect with people from many different cultures, religions, and economic backgrounds. I suppose I’d call it diversity immersion.
Those four years, from ’93 to ’97, played a pivotal role in my life.
How and why?
Well, I suppose I’ll start off with the financial side of things since that’s how a lot of folks measure success. No, Benson didn’t make me a millionaire. I landed a pretty good job shortly after graduation though and have been on a decent track since.
A cable industry contractor hired me on for a drafting position (it was that year of Architecture that helped me here) at a starting wage of $14 an hour. What was to be an entry level position, shortly turned into something more. I was training others how to operate their CAD programs. A lot of these others were twice my age, some held degrees, some of those degrees were even CAD based. While I never received a ‘trainer’ title, I did get promoted to a design position. The dot-com bust in 2000/2001 forced cut backs and I was the last employee standing in my department when the pink slip finally arrived. Shortly after I was scooped up by AT&T Broadband (now Comcast) and that’s where you’ll find me today: still drafting, still designing, and still training.
Along with that, I’m living debt free with the exception of my house. I’m able to support the material needs (and some wants) of mine along with those of my wife while she is out of work. I’m also able to put myself through college. There’s still a bit in a retirement account and some in savings.
All of this because of one high school drafting class? Sure. That and the support of the Benson staff and students who helped me aspire to bigger things, to think outside of the textbook, to communicate effectively, and to make responsible decisions in life. I didn’t have an impressive resume to back me up. I didn’t have workplace experience. I didn’t have a college degree. I had Benson.
On the social front, I’ve mentioned how diverse Benson was. I can’t begin to place a value on this aspect of my high school experience. It exposed my eyes, my mind, and my heart to the world, years earlier than most. I’ve since been through corporate sponsored ‘diversity training’ and I’ll tell you, there’s not much they teach in those classes that I didn’t learn in the halls of Benson.
I also have to mention the mandatory vocational skills I picked up during those first two years. While I haven’t screen printed anything or had a use for a pinhole camera since then, I have put the rest of the skills to use in my daily life: minor work on my vehicles, reframing a window, wiring up a garage, building computers, putting together web pages, and even doing a bit of hobby metalworking. Not only has the knowledge of these things helped my personally, I’ve been able to put it to use for others on a regular basis.
Benson Tech is more than just a public high school. It’s a life changing experience.
Special thanks to: Mr. Wong, Ms. Mangin, Mr. Beck, Mr. Haynes, Mr. Ryan, Ms. Andersen, Mr. Mechling, Ms. Nelson, Mr. Owens, Ms. Eames, and of course the rest of the teachers that made Benson a great place for me (even though I may not have fully appreciated it the time).
