January 24, 2014
TKC: What is your philosophy?
“I try not to make life harder than it already is. Never go out of your way to make life difficult for people. They’re in the same boat you are.”
TKC: What is your biggest fear?
“I don’t know. I never worry about fear, I guess. I just take one day at a time.”
TKC: “What would you say to a large group of people in general?”
“Follow your dreams. Don’t be afraid to.”
TKC: “Did you always follow your dreams?”
“I did. I wanted to go to college and I did. I work in the field I wanted to and that I went to college for, culinary arts.”
TKC: “Is this what you hope to do with your life?”
“I’d say this is plan C.”
TKC: “What are plans A and B?”
‘Well, plan A is music.”
TKC: “What about plan B?”
“Something that’s not this or music.”
“Climbing doesn’t scare me. Neither do roller coasters. Well I haven’t actually been on one, but maybe next year I’ll be tall enough.”
TKC: “What kind of spaghetti do you like?
“Um… the twirly kind?”
“I was born and raised in St. Louis. Grew up in the projects, but I’m 47 and I’m here. I worked at Riverview. I worked with the kids that were supposed to be quote on quote unteachable and uncontrollable. I tell people it’s all about the approach and how you treat them. You treat them like trash, you degrade them… How do you think they’re going to respond?”
TKC: “What is important to always keep in mind?”
“Anybody can fall on hard times. Anyone can lose their job. You have to know how to fight back. Some people work a job for years, get cut back. They’re just in the dark. I got caught like that at Riverview. I didn’t know I didn’t have a job until August of 2012, four days before school started. That’s how they played it. That’s how they cut us in half. Now I’ve prepared myself to not fall in that rut again.”
TKC: “What’s one piece of advice you would give to young people?”
“You don’t have to live extravagant just to say you’re living.”
TKC: What’s your favorite part about working here?
“The people. The people are fantastic. We’re all a big family. I call us the dysfunctional family and I’m the crazy uncle.”
“I moved from Riverview Gardens and I like [Kirkwood] and everything about it.”
TKC: “What’s your biggest fear?”
“Hip surgery. I’m supposed to have it and I’m afraid of it. I think it would hurt. They cut you open and chop your bones out. That’s why I chickened out of it.”
“I’m uncomfortable being comfortable”
Your donation will support the student journalists of Kirkwood High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.
