What could you accomplish without going to college?

By Fletcher Glancy

 This summer (ending of May. beginning of June), I had the opportunity to attend a flameworking class at Penland, NC. My instructor, Darren, was a very accomplished flameworker and an outstanding teacher. He was invited by Penland to teach the class. He has been flameworking for 18 years since graduating from high school. Talking with him, I found out that he had just purchased the building housing his studio and three other businesses from his landlord. He is in the process of renovating the building for his studio and a gallery. He is 36, married with three children and another on the way. He owns his home in Arlington, TX. Darren expressed regret at not attending college because he could not afford it. I told Darren that it was silly and he should not regret it. If he needs to learn something to run his business, he could hire the expertise or take a class at a local college or junior college. The only thing he missed by not attending college was accumulating debt. Darren should be proud of his accomplishments, and I told him so. Not everyone benefits from attending college.

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