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The Sweet Taste of Success

By Stephen C. Schultz

The stickiness was thrilling and annoying all at the same time. My fingers stuck to the side of the plastic cup as I lifted the fragrant elixir to my nose and smelled it one more time. Seeing the rusty color for the first time didn't scream "Drink Me!"...but, I did. So did about 12 other people who were standing there with me.

In fact, on a cool fall day in mid-October, at about 5000 feet above sea level, there isn't much that can beat the taste of fresh squeezed apple cider prepared tree to press in less than twelve hours time and less than fifty yards in distance.

Apple press image

This particular activity was set up to involve the students at Oxbow Academy. Each week they have an opportunity to participate in an Experiential Activity. An activity that is educational, fun, and relatable to the many emotional issues and concerns that these students have faced in their relatively young lives.

Earlier in the year, students went and picked raspberries and brought them back and made jam. Many of the students had no idea this is where jam came from.

One student asked, "Can we really eat this? It doesn't have a label of ingredients. How do we know it's ok to eat?"

Students making jam

That statement brought a chuckle from others and it lightened the moment with some humor. However, there was a hint of seriousness in the students tone. I had never contemplated the fact that today's teens are so innocent and naïve about where food comes from and how it's made. Yet, that innocence is lost at too early of an age with technology use, problematic sexual behavior (PSB), and other risky behavior.

Below are a few blog posts about Oxbow Academy. Oxbow is a place where students who find themselves embroiled in a world of risky behavior and declining grades can regain a solid footing. Be sure to take a look.

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