ALISON MILLAR –

CV Student Media –  

It starts with putting your favorite toys in the back of the closet when you don’t need them anymore. Then it evolves into owning a license and paying for your own food.  Growing up is a big deal to parents along with close relatives, but it may not be as a big a one to students wanting to get out of the young childhood lifestyle.

“I want to go to college out of state, and that’s just a decision that I made because I feel like I haven’t seen that much of the world,” said senior Delaney Shoenfeldt.

The first thought that may pop up in a student’s mind who wants to get out of Castle Rock is money.

“I work two jobs; I work at Kumon,” said Schoenfeldt.  “I also work at Castle Rock Music. All those jobs are for college so I try to save as much money as I possibly can.”

Simple jobs like babysitting earn you reasonable money, and all students have the ability to gather money in some way.  Average students have financial struggles as they progress through school, so a need for an annual income is needed. A majority of the open jobs and hiring positions at the Castle Rock Outlet Mall hire people who are only 18 to 21 and older.   

When approaching junior and senior years as a student, thoughts of eagerness to be accepted in colleges and having a car and own place to live are common.

“I’m looking to get out of Castle Rock” said senior Coy Linder. “I’m going to college, I’m looking at CU.”

With goals to make his way out of this town, Linder has been working at the Castle Rock AMC movie theater since he was a sophomore.  

Facing the world beyond high school and becoming more independent can be overwhelming but it’s something everybody has to face eventually.  Parents and teachers remind  young teens that they have to be responsible for themselves. Linder said his job has made him appreciate difficulties in associating with all different types of people.

“I experienced dealing with the real world and working with people and realizing how difficult they actually are,” said Linder.

Having a job that allows you to gain money is obviously beneficial financially, but something only certain jobs can offer, are real-life experiences.  Both students, Linder and Shoenfeldt, have agreed that the jobs that have forced them to collaborate with people, have taught them the most and benefited them in terms of social interaction.

“I think it’s one the most influential pieces to who I am,” said Linder.

“I have a car and I work two jobs so I’m always going places,” said Shoenfeldt.

Depending on the person, there can be a rush to get out of the childhood/teen phase and lifestyle.  Afterall, some of the best lessons are learned through experiences.

Working at the movie theater has taught Linder specific lessons: “It’s taught me a lot more than school has.”