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  1. #1
    Join Date
    2nd October 04
    Location
    Page/Lake Powell, Arizona USA
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    Back in High School

    Every Semester a teacher at our local high school invites me to talk to his classes about the effect drugs and alcohol have on the human mind and body. Not prevention, not DARE, just the facts...basics that they don't know like what proof is, how blood alcohol levels are figured, how the body processes alcohol and drugs. Usually fun because the students flat don't know these basics and since many are already using they get interested, ask a lot of questions, and ponder the answers.

    Anyhow, this involves me going on campus...three times to day...so I was involved in six class changes and walking across a large outdoor campus each time.

    The ONLY comments I received were two seperate comments, both from young men, with the identical words as they passed me, "Nice kilt." Spoken politely and sincerely.

    Is that cool or what??

    Ron
    Ol' Macdonald himself, a proud son of Skye and Cape Breton Island
    Lifetime Member STA. Two time winner of Utilikiltarian of the Month.
    "I'll have a kilt please, a nice hand sewn tartan, 16 ounce Strome. Oh, and a sporran on the side, with a strap please."

  2. #2
    Join Date
    1st December 06
    Location
    Conyers, Georgia
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    That's cool.

    I teach at an alternative school, and I rarely get any really negative comments when kilted. Most are just interested, and it gives my a "teaching moment" to share some history, background, etc.

    Nice job.
    Jim Killman
    Writer, Philosopher, Teacher of English and Math, Soldier of Fortune, Bon Vivant, Heart Transplant Recipient, Knight of St. Andrew (among other knighthoods)
    Freedom is not free, but the US Marine Corps will pay most of your share.

  3. #3
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    19th January 07
    Location
    pullman, washington
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    very cool!

    sounds like a great program too. i feel that when i was in school, teachers and dare officers gave too few facts and spoke so harshly about drugs and alcohol, that no one really knew what to believe after we found out that using drugs or alchol doesn't necessarily mean you're an evil abusive criminal. keep up the good work!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    22nd March 06
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    Albany, NY
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    Ron, I never know what to think of kids these days. Sometimes they are very progressive thinking and tolerant and other times they are just aloof. I am surprised that no girls made comments or asked questions. They are usually the more vocal supporters of the kilt.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    21st July 06
    Location
    Cincinnati, OH, USA
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    comments like that at a high school? strange.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    30th June 04
    Location
    Houston, Texas
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    Not everyone would get the comments Ron gets in a kilt. I think he's cracked the code in terms of being "who he is in a kilt." I know that when I started off, I was more hesitant. What would people say? Was I going to have to throw down with people over this? At least get into some verbal sparring? Now I'm a lot more comfortable in a kilt, socially speaking. Plus, let us not forget, Ron's still a Marine, and his bearing and poise DO make a difference.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    2nd October 04
    Location
    Page/Lake Powell, Arizona USA
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    You guys reminded me that last time I did this gig in October the same thing happened...it was the guys who made positive comments.

    My sense is they wanna wear a cool kilt too, just don't have the funds or the juevos yet. Hope I'm sending the message that its okay to wear a kilt.

    The other thing I noticed during the rush between classes was a LOT of looks...."the look"...that double take...course, I'm a "stranger" on campus...someone different in their midst....

    And, there was this one lovely teacher lady who gave me a big smile...oh were I 30 years younger lass....

    Ron
    Ol' Macdonald himself, a proud son of Skye and Cape Breton Island
    Lifetime Member STA. Two time winner of Utilikiltarian of the Month.
    "I'll have a kilt please, a nice hand sewn tartan, 16 ounce Strome. Oh, and a sporran on the side, with a strap please."

  8. #8
    Join Date
    7th December 06
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    Hehe. Im wearing my Black Watch kilt right now. No negative comments and my secod class is already half-way through. I've heard some good compliments from my friends and a few strangers. (A substitute teacher I passed in the hall went so far as to say 'Sweet Kilt') So it's been a good day.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    27th October 06
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    Snellville, Ga
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    Hey Ron, great story! But in response to your last line, I am reminded of Indiana Jones and his famous line.... "It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage. "
    "A veteran, whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life." That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." anon

  10. #10
    Join Date
    29th January 06
    Location
    Asheville, NC
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    Quote Originally Posted by Splash_4 View Post
    Hey Ron, great story! But in response to your last line, I am reminded of Indiana Jones and his famous line.... "It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage. "
    That's my motto every day!
    Kilted Teacher and Wilderness Ranger and proud member of Clan Donald, USA
    Happy patron of Jack of the Wood Celtic Pub and Highland Brewery in beautiful, walkable, and very kilt-friendly Asheville, NC.
    New home of Sierra Nevada AND New Belgium breweries!

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