Foreword: I believe something that has helped me tremendously was the discipline I received in these two South African high schools. I was taught to respect authorityeven my peers, in the form of prefects. We learned to have manners and to be careful what we say and do. I wouldnt trade the caning, haircut checks, lessons of respect for authority, and lectures about our attitude for anything. It didnt seem like it at the time, but it was excellent trainingespecially during the teenage years. The only aspect in which I feel my high school days were detrimental was in relating tointeracting with girls. All of my teen years were spent at allboys schools, and after graduating from high school, I was and still am rather intimidated by and inwardly very shy around girls. Since Ive been in a fulltime job in an allmale engineering organization since 1989, opportunities for spending time with women have been virtually nonexistent. Had I been rubbing shoulders most of the day with guys and girls throughout high school, I think I would have seen a marked improvement in relating to, and interacting with them, as well as dispelling some fears and preconceived ideas. It certainly would have helped motivate me to work harder in class.

Website: http://www.gregdonner.org/