Quit in the twelfth grade halfway through. Took my GED. Worked for my family til I was referred to the optical business. Learned it and opened my own wholesale lab, incorporated. Ended up many years later helping my aging parents. Bought their business and incorporated it. Did a voluntary dissolution after my competition would not buy my business or inventory after my parents both died. Living off my small SS checks and what I sold the property for to downsize. Lost my graduation gift: a small cabin in a neighborhood at the river, because I would not graduate.
Told my teacher halfway I didn't turn in what I had done on my paper due the end of the year. Asked me in front of the classroom why I thought I was so much better than everyone else, which I denied feeling that way. Told her I could knock out a term paper in a few days. She said she was failing me for the year. I quit and had my GED before my friends had their diplomas.
Looking back, I had a B average in her class. Principal said she could do anything she wanted, as she was my teacher. They would not let me change teachers. Truth is, I did not know we had to turn something in halfway through the year. Cost me my cabin. I felt sorry for the four guys I was helping.