Thursday, July 7th, 2011 12:00:16

Ill-Gotten Gains

It was my freshman year of high school. My mother, sister and I had recently moved back to Carrollton, Ga. It may have been social studies, or it may have been biology, the subject does not matter, it was the life lesson that I learned that does.

We were given a test. A few of the other students were writing notes on their desk. Deciding that this might ensure a high grade, I followed suit. The teacher made rounds during the test by walking up and down the aisle. She caught me cheating on the test.

The ramifications: a failing grade on the test and a discussion with my mother. I don’t remember exactly what my mother told me, but I remember that her response was: Study hard, do the best you can, the process of learning is more important than the grade.