March 19, 2024

Lessons learned in Newton

Even though I graduated years ago, I still sometimes think about the lessons I learned from growing up in Newton. I had some subjects I liked and was good at, such as history. This subject became my major at the University of Iowa. My worst subjects? Speech and drivers ed. I convinced myself that I wasn’t good at public speaking. And with drivers ed, I had to retake it in the summer. I also struggled in a writing class, where the teacher said “you can do better.”

But then what happened? I ended up delivering pizza for Pizza Hut in Newton for one summer after my first year of college. And I retain a sterling driving record. After I moved to the Twin Cities more than a decade ago, I started taking writing classes and now I write a blog. I do stand-up comedy as well. Who could have predicted all of this, after the slow starts I had?

What I found out is that I could teach myself all of these subjects. When one is in school, it usually has to be done the school’s way, the teacher’s way. But it is not a “one size fits all” world. “I did it my way” is not just a Frank Sinatra song. This is the philosophy that is usually needed to succeed in life. Now I really love driving, writing and public speaking. I found answers in writing and public speaking when I couldn’t find them in other places, and I like how I have made plenty of friends from performing.

As the saying goes, it’s not how you begin, but how you finish. And I know, even at my age, the best is yet to come for me. For the young ones, I say do your best to find those who believe in your talents, and be thankful for those that encourage you.

Lyle LaRue

St. Paul, Minn.