In a small town where everybody knows everybody, there are benefits for sure. Pine Grove has a great sense of community and its residents have no problem doing or saying just about whatever they wish. People are comfortable staying here and aren’t too concerned with what’s going on outside Schuylkill County. While I see the beauty in the simplistic lifestyle commonly associated with many areas of rural America, there are certain parts of it that could keep people from reaching their full potential.

 When I walk through the halls of Pine Grove Area High School, I hear students claiming that they “don’t need math or English classes” because they’re “just going to become a mechanic or work at Guilford.” I think that this mindset, which is surprisingly common, limits young people’s ability to develop intellectually. If you feel that you don’t need to understand something and go beyond, why put the effort in to truly push yourself and be successful? In addition, some people who are invested in musical ventures don’t have a backup in the event that they aren’t successful from their music career. 

I think that in order to combat this, there should be more guidance in the students’ lives. Even if their parents aren’t college educated, perhaps guidance counselors could reach out and help students meet their full potential. If we were to give more attention to these kids, maybe they could find a suitable college or trade school and get more stable, higher paying jobs. There’s nothing wrong with staying in Pine Grove, I just think it’s a shame when these kids have the ability to be successful yet choose not to go through with it and live up to their fullest potential.