Lug Nuts. Rocky Psy.D. Spino

co-ed Catholic High School, Central Catholic High. There were two non-coed Catholic High School options, one male, and one female. The all male Catholic High was across town. I would need transportation. Keep In mind, I was continuously busy, working the Deli, making grades, sports (Hockey). The money I made at the Deli paid for my High School Tuition. This was very important. My parents could not have been able to afford to send me to Catholic High School without this source. There were no extra funds for transportation and I could walk to the coed Catholic High. There was another reason for selecting a Catholic Co-Ed High School. In my last two years of grade school, I became fascinated by the jumping ability of the female cheerleaders. This event deserved more of my query, locking my decision…Co-Ed High!

      My High School experience was good. I worked hard and played hard. I made the Honor roll a few times of which I was most proud. I was not the brightest, nor the most backward. I did the best I could with what I had.

      I played baseball and Ice Hockey. I excelled in Ice Hockey and made the All County Hockey team in my senior year. I was offered a partial scholarship to a small college close to home and chose to attend. I did not date many girls from my High School as; the deli took much of my weekend and daily spare time. Study, work and Hockey were my mainstay. I made my parents proud graduating in the upper third of my class. My most cherished achievement was the lifelong friendships made with my High School classmates.

      The Reality of Change

      My grandparents passed in the late 1950’s. My oldest Uncle Otis and his family were now in total control of the Deli. The family business had served us well, however without expansion; it would support one family modestly. My Uncle Jasper left the Deli, and went into the delivery business. He did well. My parents stayed with the Deli, mostly out of unconditional loyalty, however Dad knew they would be forced out in time.

      Soon after Graduation in the summer of 1965, Dad asked if I would be interested in a different summer job. He said the opportunity would give me a more comprehensive insight on the workings of big business. I had not decided on my college major or what career path I was to pursue, so the offer was sound. Dad told me the family business would be there if needed, however it would not significantly support more than one family. Dad had a dear friend who was a Production Superintendent at the Studebaker manufacturing facility, near Racine. He told Dad he could get me hired in a new plant program. The Plant had initiated a college student summer vacation replacement program; whereas college bound students would replace union hourly workers during the summer months. Upon completion of the summer I would take a leave of absence to return to college. Plant management would decide to invite me to return each summer, if my performance was highly rated.