Who We Are

This gives the visitor an idea of our faces and ages when we first joined LearnSTEAM.

	Alex, 17.6 years The reason I dropped out of school was because I had a terrible E. coli infection causing me to miss a lot of class and I realized even with all the missed classes I was learning the same amount that I would with perfect attendance. Making me feel like my time spent in school was useless. My oldest friend Clinton told me of this opportunity LearnSTEAM where I could spend time learning life skills and work to getting my GED so I can pursue it brighter future. I like to do hands-on work so I can improve my skills to one day run my own landscaping business.
	Chyanne, 17 years My mom wants me to build her a house, so I’m glad to be learning all this stuff.
	Dylan, age 18 I think this is a great program that will change my life. I plan to work hard and learn as much as I can about the trades.
	Jazzy, 18.5 yrs. Quit going to school due to family hardships. Still healing after a couple years, but motivated to get on with life. Might become a wildlife biologist.
	Judith, 18.5 yrs. Couldn't go to school while visiting family in Mexico. Then California. Fell too far behind in credits.
	Xander, 18.5 yrs. Made some poor decisions that made going to regular school too difficult. Poor health was also a factor. Joined LearnSTEAM to finish GED and get some construction skills.
	Josh, 18.5 yrs. I dropped out of school at 13 due to my health. The doctor said I could have leukemia. I started feeling better but I had a warrant that I had no clue about so I got arrested, when I went to court the judge said I had to go back to school and if I got into any trouble at all I’d spend 30 days in Juvie. My first week of school I was already about to fight so I called my PO and said I’m leaving, because I didn’t want to fight and go to Juvie. Now that I’m in this program I’ll finish my GED and learn to be a framing carpenter, and get other skills. UPDATE: Josh completed his GED through LearnSTEAM and was hired by Klamath Works to assist Brent as a tutor and crew leader for second semester of the 2022 - 23 school year.
	Jules, 17.5 years I dropped out of school around freshman year. I was off and on doing computer work until I made the decision to start doing school because I was making bad decisions in life. I got in a little bit of trouble and that led me to start getting my life together. I chose to do the right thing and after a while I got a call from my old teacher Brent. He told me about a program he started and gave me a link to a website where I learn more about what we were going to be doing. I read the page on the website and saw that it was a good opportunity to get a good career going for myself. I saw that we were going to build a house and get a chance to get our GED. What really caught my attention though was the opportunity to go to college for free if I complete the program.
	Brent, cut proud of 5/8 of a century I dropped out of teaching regular school half a dozen times, and since I'm not a slow learner, I taught on line for only a decade before realizing how ineffectual I was. After a career of setting low academic bars based on declining norms, I figured I’d learn yet another subject by teaching it. (I’ve been a wannabe carpenter ever since building a tree fort with my Peterson Elementary buddies in what was the apple orchard near Mazama HS.) Unable to convince regular students to try out my construction idea, I found a group of gullible and silly high school dropouts. Because they are such a delight to work with, I no longer have any anger issues. Really. No really.

Who We Were

Persons who tried out LearnSTEAM for a short time, then moved on.

	Alyssa, 17.8 years. The reason I dropped out halfway through my sophomore year is because I was feeling really discouraged and I was focusing on other things like getting a job to support myself, while I was out of school I was working on getting my license. The reason I got myself back into school is because I know that I am capable of doing so, when I heard about this program I was so excited about learning to build a tiny house cause it is really good experience to learn and know for later on. I didn’t end up getting back into school until my senior year but when I heard about this program I was really excited to be learning about how to build a tiny home while getting my GED.
	Adam, 17.9 yrs old I didn’t go back to school because of how far behind I was and I didn’t get the help I needed so I’m getting my GED. I stayed out for a half year and I chose this cuz I need my GED. I like everything about this program and I am really excited for this year. it’s fun and I a lot of conversing and teamwork and understandment.
	Clinton, 18.2 years I dropped out at 16, when Covid first hit. I already wasn’t really interested in school or really learned or taught and then Covid happened and online school was worse and during that time I was also thought to have some auto immune disease so with the timing of everything I dropped out. When I found this program it was an amazing thing. I get to get my GED and knowledge that you wouldn’t be able to learn otherwise. I’m very lucky to be able to be in this program.
	Donavan, 18.5 yrs. I was failed by the American school system, and shortly after dropped out due to the neglect of my education and needs. In the time in between, I focused solely on helping my family, my elderly neighbors, and the animals within the area. I landed myself work when I could. I joined this program in hopes I could take back control of my education, salvage all my loose strings. Earning my GED sounded like the best bet.
	Drake, 15 I dropped out last year as a freshman because physical school wasn’t worth it in my opinion. I would probably just wind up fighting again. But this new program steam gave me a perfect brand new opportunity! This program is giving me the chance to get into a high-paying trade and let me finish school for free! I am currently working as hard as I can to get my GED in order to get a job and help my family and friends.
	Katie, 19 years I got a lot going on with family and not knowing where I’ll be living so I’m not really into this program yet, but I’d like to finish my GED.
	Ty, 17.5 years The reason I dropped out of high school was because my mother wanted to live on the East Coast. When we got to the east coast we became homeless and to become a student of any type, I had to have a permanent address. Which I did not have one at the time. Since I’ve been back in town I’ve been trying to get into a GED program. Well… Last Friday I walked into Klamath Works and I sat down and they helped me make a résumé and was told about learn steam. By one of the workers and well now I’m here and I love it. We are learning how to build a tiny house plus learning a bunch of trades. So thank you Brent Update: Ty joined the Job Corps.
	Jacob, 19.0 years I am a high school drop out because I wasn’t good at school so I dropped out. And I regretted it when I dropped out now I can’t get a job in Klamath. I found a program for construction at Klamath Learning Center, and I can get my GED so I can get a job here in town. And when I graduate from Klamath learning Center, I can get a job or start my own job.
	Jay, age = sq root of 2,704 I got tired of school and quit after merely 20 years. Eventually, I ran far away from home, and stayed away for several years. I survived in structures next to streets, and ate some strange food. When my dad got very sick, I decided to come home. I saw a Craigslist ad to build a tiny house and hangout with other young people, who like me, are also in transition, figuring out life. Update: Jay accepted employment as the science teacher at a local charter school.