At the start of 11th grade, my parents got the idea that I might be happier at a local college than in high school. They asked the principal if he would write a recommendation letter for me. He wrote that he did not believe I could adequately perform at the college level.

My parents disregarded this, and I got enrolled in classes. Once I was there, I was enjoying school much more than I was at the high school, and I often did better than the regular college students...

I would like to think that this sort of promotion out of drudgery would be common-place by now, but I have no idea.