An Interview with Maclaen Burningham
AGraduate from Polson High School - One Year
After Graduation.

How is your day and your life different now that you are no longer in school? Are you busy enough? Do you spend enough time with friends? Are you still learning new things?

My day and my life is different now that I am no longer in school. No, I am not busy enough because I only work 17 1/2 hours per week and I need to get 40 hours a week because I am going to live in my own house and have satellite T.V. and a dog and a cat and I need to make enough money so I can pay all my bills and have some for entertainment.

Yes, I do spend enough time with my friends at all of my jobs. All of my co-workers are my friends. I stay in touch with my close friends in high school, but not enough as I would like. As a result of this it is okay, because it is more important to work and it is part of life and being a grown up adult.

Yes, I am still learning new things. A big one is to be at work and bring my lunch and eat it quickly, so I can put in my time.

Where do you work and what jobs are you doing now that you have graduated from school?

I am working jobs that I am doing now since that I have graduated from school. I work at Linderman Elementary School teaching kids how to learn how to read as a part of the "Literacy Team".

Second I work at Oddysey Auto Glass. I clean cars, vacuum them, clean the windows on the cars and I clean up the shop, like washing floors and mopping them and taking out the trash and taking inventory of all the glass so they know what they have and cleaning bathrooms and watching over Wendy and Greg's baby boy (Gunner) and whatever else they tell me that needs to be done.

Third, Polson City Library I shelve paperbacks and kids’ books and I shred papers and I clean up around there, such as straightening up free materials and making sure there is enough scratch paper for people and that pencils are sharp enough. If not, I do that. I make copies for them and make final checks on things for my boss to make sure everything is there. Sometimes I run errands for my boss and whatever other projects or things that they ask me to do when they come up.

Fourth, Clerk and Recorders. I organize death records and make sure they are in numerical order and that none are missing and if there is, I have to write it down so they can track it down or get another copy of it from the head office in Helena.

Does anyone help you at work now like they did while you were in school?

Yes, Mr. Dubuque helps me at work now like he did while I was in school sometimes, but not very much. I am pretty much independent and on my own.

What did you do or learn while you were in school that helped you while you prepared to work in the community after graduation?

I learned to be totally honest and be on time for work and work hard as I could and not talk much or goof off much while working and that sometimes I need to work a little more than I get paid for, so I can get the job done and not leave a part of my job for someone else to do. This shows that you are loyal to your job and co-workers to dedicate time and to sell myself to other work opportunities.

Are there any things you wished you could have learned or tried while you were a student that would help you more now?

No, there are not any things that I wished I could have learned or tried while I was a student that would help me more now, that I know of.

Some of Maclaen's thoughts and ideas that he said he wanted to add.

I give all the credit to my job coaches, Mr. Dubuque and Nanette Lockwood and my parents and Ellen Condon and the Rural Institute and God and very little to my own self. Last of all I would like to thank everyone for everything that I know about work that has taught me well and trained me so well and also everyone that gave me a job work experience that owns a business and especially, Pam and John Horowich who gave me a job for pay first. She is the best and most kind and loving boss that I know of and always wants the best for me and to be happy. One big thing that stands way out in my mind is that she told me I was the best employee ever since she had her business and also said if she was to open up another shop she would be looking me up to come work for her.

Second of all, I would like to thank my other bosses, Marilyn Trosper, Greg and Wendy Grissak, Mr. York and my grandparents from my Mom's side and my parents. Thanks again for all that you have done. Anyone that I have forgotten, I am so very sorry.

Is there any advice that you want to share with other students or teachers to help prepare other students to be a successful as you have been after they graduate?

My advice to students that are getting ready to do what I am doing...work hard and never ever give up and give it all you got and have confidence in yourself and never leave a part of your job for someone else. Always remember to thank the people and your boss that worked so hard to get you that job and your parents.

My advice to teachers and staff...never give up on your kid, or give up hope. Just keep trying and you will find a road to success like I did.

Sincerely,
Maclaen R. Burningham

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