An Expulsive End to a Hopeful Career

The proof of Calhoun Mane’s participation in troublesome behaviors came down to his mimicry. If popular peers acted immaturely, Calhoun went along with them despite his conscience telling him the ramifications. His mentality led him to a symbolic debate stage. The angel on his right shoulder encouraged him to turn the other cheek. A devilish character left him seeking a different way forward. Starting high school made life hard.

Calhoun spun the dial on his combination lock, trying quickly to retrieve a book for health class. He kept missing the final number and had to start again. The ten minutes between classes were enough to go from one learned subject to the next, but he had too many stressors weighing on his mind. Once his locker opened, he grabbed his book and ran down the hallway, leaving the door partially open. After approaching the classroom, he grouped with a few other students to go in unrecognized just as the bell rang.

Mr. Costas said, “Look, class! Here’s a bunch of burning trees, walking in late, and disrupting our ability to proceed.” The teacher grabbed Calhoun’s arm and guided him to the front of the classroom. Sniffing Calhoun, smelling a hint of cigarette smoke, Mr. Costas explained, “Students like Calhoun believe their extracurricular activities are more important than our progress.”

Calhoun tried to walk away, hoping to take a seat at his desk. When he took that first step,

Mr. Costas pulled him back while berating the teen. Calhoun stood embarrassed as the whole class watched in silence.

Calhoun protested.

Mr. Costas argued, “The evidence is on your filthy clothes, kid.”

“I’ve smoked in the past, but not today,” Calhoun confessed. He stood frozen in fear that something worse than detention would result from this obvious persecution.

Mr. Costas said, “You know what? As a matter of fact, I never liked your older brother when he took my class. I definitely have no respect for you, a liar who won’t admit guilt.”

“You’re wrong about me!”

Mr. Costas shoved Calhoun. Calhoun shoved back. The teacher grabbed the teenager and shoved him even more forcefully into the chalk tray on the blackboard. The pain in Calhoun’s lower back caused the teen to react. He slammed the teacher to the floor. Looking down on a now visibly fearful adult, he balled up his fist, shaking it angrily.

Calhoun said with a joking delivery, “I guess I’ll see you in the principal’s office.”

Students erupted with awe and applause.

Principal Barrios had already had enough of Calhoun’s attitude and ordered him off campus. A week later, this child sat alone in a hearing at the Greene County Board of Education. The panel of educators handed down an expulsion from the entire county school system. Once they gaveled the order final, Calhoun smiled, fighting back tears. He nodded and started to walk out. When the teen approached the doorway to exit the room, a bailiff stopped him and stared deeply into his eyes.

The towering man leaned into Calhoun and said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

Calhoun replied, “I assume this means I won’t be an astronaut.”

Read Raising Mother Nature now, and explore the life of Calhoun Mane.